Sapa Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Sapa Tours & Trips

• Which cultural experiences can I join in Sapa and where do they happen?

  You can really dive into daily life with the H'mong Red Dao and Giay people especially during harvest time around September-October when there's lots of traditional ceremonies going on. The Sunday Bac Ha market is amazing - you'll see Red Dao women selling their beautiful embroidery and herbs they've gathered from the Hoang Lien mountains. Head to Ta Phin village to learn how H'mong people do their traditional indigo dyeing or join a local family in Ta Van to cook authentic dishes like thang co (it's a horse meat soup) and men men which is this delicious corn cake. If you're around in February the Giay people celebrate their new year in Muong Hoa Valley it's a fantastic way to see their ancestor worship traditions up close.

• What natural areas can I visit around Sapa and how do I get to them?

  The Hoang Lien Son National Park is massive covering 29845 hectares you can take the new cable car up to Fansipan (visibility's best October-April) or go trekking through these amazing bamboo forests on the 12km Muong Hoa Valley trails. The Silver and Love Waterfalls are accessible through tours or private transport from Tram Ton Pass which sits at 1900m - it's actually Vietnam's highest mountain pass. The rice terraces in Muong Hoa Valley are absolutely stunning during planting season May-June or harvest time September-October you can get there on guided treks from Y Linh Ho village. Just keep in mind you'll need local guides for some protected areas in the park.

• What are some hidden gems for getting around Sapa and why do people love them?

  The Ta Phin-Ma Tra route is really special for getting close to Red Dao communities without the crowds (try going between 7-10am). There's this interesting Ban Khoang-Ta Giang Phin route that needs special permits but takes you to this fascinating area near the China border where Flower H'mong and Giay cultures mix. Serious trekkers often pick the Sin Chai village trail it's challenging but worth it for pristine mountain views and authentic homestays with Black H'mong families who still keep traditional livestock.

• Which spots in Sapa are less touristy but still really worth visiting?

  Check out Cao Son's eco-lodges they're about 45km from central Sapa with these beautiful traditional Tay stilt houses overlooking the Chay River valley. The Pha Long market happens Thursdays you need permission ahead of time but it's amazing seeing Red Dao and Tu Di people trading traditionally. Ban Ho village is a tough 15km trek but you'll find authentic Tay architecture and traditional water-powered rice mills. Nam Cang village is great for watching Red Dao silver crafting go on weekday mornings to avoid the tour groups.

• How can I get around Sapa what transport options are available?

  Getting to Sapa is easy take a luxury limousine bus it's 4-5 hours from Hanoi or catch the overnight train to Lao Cai 8-9 hours with the best cabins on Victoria Express. Once you're in Sapa public buses run between main villages every hour 7am-5pm and you'll need to book Jeep tours ahead for higher villages during rainy season June-September. Rent a motorbike for about 150000 VND per day if you're comfortable riding especially on the new paved road between Sapa and Y Linh Ho. For private cars with English-speaking drivers book 24 hours ahead they're essential for reaching markets like Bac Ha on Sundays or Can Cau on Saturdays.