General Information About Sapa
Area: 678.6 sq. km Population: 52.5 thousand habitants(2007) Administrative division: - Townlet: Sa Pa - Communes:Ban Khoang, Ta Giang Phinh, Trung Chai, Ta Phin, Sa Pa, San Sa Ho, Ban Phung, Lao Chai, Hau Thao, Thanh Kim, Ta Van, Su Pan, Suoi Thau, Ban Ho, Thanh Phu, Nam Sai, Nam Cang.
Located 38km from Lao Cai City, Sa Pa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai Province. Sa Pa District is very well-known with Sa Pa Townlet, a beautiful and romantic resort.
At the height of 1,600m above sea level, the average temperature of the area is 15-18oC. It is cool in summer and cold in winter.
Visitor to Sa Pa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. In the morning and afternoon, it is cool like the weather of spring and autumn. At noon, it is as sunny and cloudless as the weather of summer. And it is cold in the evening. With no advance warning of a thunderstorm short and heavy rains may come at noon on any summer day. Subsequently, a rainbow appears, transforming Sa Pa into a magic land, which for years has been a constant source of poetic inspiration, lights up the whole region.
The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sa Pa is in April and May. Before that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy season. In April and May, Sa Pa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin air.
Sa Pa has many natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave. Sa Pa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143m. Hoang Lien Mountain Range is also called the Alps of the North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam, but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations.
The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town are some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Old and new villas with red roofs now appear and now disappear in the green rows of pomu trees, bringing the town the beauty of European towns.
Fresh and cool air in Sa Pa is an idea climate condition for growing temperate vegetables such as cabbage, chayote, precious medicinal herbs, and fruit trees such as plum, pear...
Sa Pa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes, the whole township of Sa Pa is filled with the pink colour of peach blossom brought from the vast forests of peach just outside the town. Sa Pa is regarded as the kingdom of orchids. Here, orchid lovers are even amazed by the choice, when trekking in the forest filled with several hundred kinds of orchids of brilliant colours and fantastic shapes, such as Orchid Princess, Orchid of My Fair Lady's Shoe. Some orchids are named after lovely singing birds such as the canary, salangane's nest, and more.
Sa Pa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts.
Visitors to Sa Pa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the local residents.
Sapa, Sapa Vietnam, Sapa Travel Guide, Tours, Map, Photos
Sapa located in the north - west of Vietnam. It belongs to Lao Cai province, which a modest land but hides many wonders of the natural scene. The natural beauty of Sapa is combined with human creativity, the topography of the mountains, green forests, which creates romantic spot.
Located in the north-west of Vietnam, Sapa, is far 350 km north-west from Hanoi that near to the border of China; it belongs to Lao Cai province, which a modest land but hides many wonders of the natural scene. The natural beauty of Sapa is combined with human creativity, the topography of the mountains, green forests, which creates romantic spot.
Sapa lies at altitude of 1500-1650m, it has invaluable resources with cool and fresh air, the climate is moderate and rainy in summer (May-August) and foggy with occasional snowfalls in winter. Sapa has temperate climate; weather in town has four seasons: the morning likes spring; the afternoon likes summer with sunny; the evening has fog as the autumn and the cold of winter. It is highly seasonal, with a subtropical climate in the summer and a temperate climate during the winter. Mean annual temperature for Sapa town is 15.4°C, with a maximum of 29.4°C and a minimum of 1°C.
Sapa has a great diversity of ethnic minorities; the total population is 36,000 people that consist mostly of minority groups. Each ethnic group has a difference in dress, lifestyle, customs, and methods of cultivation together with the distinct cultural identity. With 6 ethnic groups reside, each ethnic has its own culture with a festival such as "Roong Poc" of Giay, "Sai San" of H'Mong, "Tet jump" of Dao Do, which holds annually in May.
Sapa has Fan Si Pan at a height of 3142m above sea level that is the highest mountain in Vietnam. Tourists can visit Ham Rong mountain, any visitors can also see the whole town from here along with Muong Hoa valley, Sa Pa, Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin that hidden in the mist. Sapa tour also has old church in town and goes from to the northeast on the road to Ta Phin. From Sapa town to the west about 12 kilometers on the road to Lai Chau, we will see Silver Waterfall with water rushing down from a height of 200m. In addition, SaPa is the "kingdom" of fruit such as purple plum, peach, peach blossom with small and big yellow size. Sapa's fair starts on Sunday at the district capital. People must go to fair on Saturday. On Saturday evening, everyone can enjoy the folk songs of the Mong, Dao.
View All Sapa City Attractions
3 Day Trek Sapa – Option 1 10/29/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$399.00
This 3 day trek Sapa offers the opportunity to visit spectacular landscapes of the Hoang Lien mountain range and Hoang Lien national park. Experience the unique culture, custom and way of living of the Hmong, Zao, Tay ethnics with two nights home stay in tribal villages for local life experiences.
3 Day Trip To Sapa – Option 2 10/29/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$399.00
3 Day Trip to Sapa offers the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Hoang Lien mountain range, Nam Sai Valley and to experience the unique culture, custom and way of living of the Hmong, Zao, Tay and Xa Pho ethnics. Two nights home stay in villages of the Tay and Zao ethnic for local life experiences.
A Day Trekking From Heaven Gate To Sapa Valley 11/02/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$133.00
Trekking in the Hoang Lien National Park; visiting a Community Based Tourism village of Black Hmong minority, one of the largest group ethnic minorities in Sapa area; Enjoy the beautiful views of wild landscape and scenery.
Bac Ha and Coc Ly Biking Tour 4Days 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$540.00
The overnight bicycle tour is arranged in Lao Cai province,North Vietnam Biking Tours taking you to Coc Ly and Bac Ha. Begin the tour with an overnight train trip to Laocai. After a night spent on board train, you start you biking adventure cycling from Lao Cai uphill to Coc Ly. Enjoy a boat trip on the Chay river; Visit the Coc Ly market is open only on Tuesday. Then drive uphill to Bac Ha town. The next day you continue biking up and downhill with stops visiting ethnic hamlets; meeting up with the H’mong, the Phu La, the Black Dao and other friendly people
Bac Ha Mountain Biking Tour 2 Days 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$270.00
The overnight bicycle tour is arranged in Lao Cai province, taking you to Coc Ly and Bac Ha. Begin the tour with an overnight train trip to Laocai. After a night spent on board train, you start you biking adventure cycling from Lao Cai uphill to Coc Ly. Enjoy a boat trip on the Chay river; Visit the Coc Ly market is open only on Tuesday. Then drive uphill to Bac Ha town. The next day you continue biking up and downhill with stops visiting ethnic hamlets; meeting up with the H’mong, the Phu La, the Black Dao and other friendly people.
Bac Ha Sunday market and trek cycle Sapa Tour 3 Day 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$405.00
Bac Ha market is very well known in the area for its color painted to local hill tribe people. There are Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dzao, Tay and Nung…They all gather to the market to sell their homemade products such as corn wine, handicraft… as well as an interesting animal.
Best Northwest Mountain Bike Tour 7 Days 09/01/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$1085.00
Lao Cai – Bat Xat – Trinh Tuong – Lung pho – A Mu sung –A Lu – Ngai Thau – y Ty – Muong Hum – Ban Xeo - Sapa – Laochai –Ta van – thanh phu – sin chai – ngai thau – Pho Lu
Bicycle from Sapa to Bac Ha Tour 5Days 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$675.00
Hanoi – Lao Cai – Bac Ha – Chay River – Bac Ha – Hanoi This trip offers you an opportunity to explore the area by mountain bike, which makes the trip much more challenging and interesting. On this trip you will visit several villages. You will also be able to visit Bac Ha Market, the very famous and colorful market of the area. Here you will meet Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Phu La, Nung and Tay minorities. The trip offers you a boat ride along Chay River with beautiful scenery and caves.
Biking Ban Ho Thanh Phu Sin Chai Nam Nhiu My Son villages 2 days 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$270.00
Cycling Sapa Vietnam. The overnight cycling tour to Sapa is customized for small group tours, individuals, holidays with kids. The adventure begins as you cycle from Sapa town riding downhill to Muong Hoa valley or you can enjoy a car transfer up to Ban Ho where you take an off-road bicycle ride to Thanh Phu and Sin Chai villages. You mostly pedal on single tracks, less traveled villages where the biking trails can turn in muddy and slippery in rainy time. Meeting up with the Black H’mong, the Red Dzao, the Tay help to understand more the local life.
Biking Sapa Binh Lu Tam Duong Paso Lai Chau Tour 3 Day 11/05/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$405.00
The 3-day Vietnam mountain biking tour is customized for small group tours, adventure, intrepid travelers seeking an active, adventure holidays to the northern Vietnam. The 3-day tours starts from Sapa town and takes you through Tram Ton, the “Heaven Gate” where you start riding downhill to Binh Lu, Lai Chau province. The biking tour is provided with visits to ethnic villages
Challenging 6 Days North Vietnam On Motorbike Tour 12/17/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$810.00
Ride down to Lao Cai and then to Pac Ngam to meet the boat that is waiting to take us to Coc Ly where you will meet H’mong, Dao and Phu La people. Coc Ly is wild, lost in the forest and could only be reached by horse, boat or bike. A boat is waiting to take us and our bikes on Chay River for over 1 hour (20 km). Meet local people and have lunch in Coc Ly before riding back to Bac Ha
Challenging 7 Days North Vietnam On Motorbike Tour 12/17/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$945.00
If it is Saturday or Sunday morning, you should get up early to ride 20 km to the market, be ready for 1 long day. We descend to Lao Cai and ride to Luc Yen, then you follow a small track. We could have lunch with a host family in Luc Yen if you prefer real local food.After lucnh, ride to Vu Linh in about 2 hours along the lake on small road lined by palm trees and scenic mountain views. It will be dark already. The welcome is exceptional and we hope you will not be too much tired
Cycle Sapa Lai Chau Than Thuoc Than Uyen Lao Cai Tour 4 Day 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$540.00
The 4-day Sapa Cycling Tours is customized in the north western Vietnam taking you to such travel destinations as Sapa, Lai Chau, Than Thuoc, Than Uyen, Lao Cai. After spending a night on board train, you will arrive Sapa then begin a warming up bike tour in Sapa before continue your 3-day cycling adventures. The first day is just an easy bike ride since you pedal on flat roads and mostly downhill. The second day is the most challenging with lots of up and downhill rides
Cycle Sapa Than Thuoc Than Uyen Lao Cai Tour 3 Day 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$405.00
Cycle Sapa Than Thuoc Than Uyen Lao Cai Tour 3 Day The 3-day mountain bike tour is customized in Lao
Cycling in Sapa Vietnam 1 Day 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$135.00
This Biking Sapa Vietnam day tour begins with a car transfer out of Sapa town to Binh Lu, Tam Duong, Lai Chau province. You make the first stop at the Tram Ton Heaven Gate. From there you start biking downhill to Binh Lu where you have the opportunity to visit the Binh Lu market is open only on Thursday and Sunday morning. This is one of the highlight of the trip. After visiting the market, you continue riding on a single dirt track to a remote Dzao village. The off-road biking offers a very fun experience. Visit the village and cycle back to the main road where your lunch is provided in a local house. In the afternoon, you have some more ride to the surrounding villages before taking your car for the journey back to Sapa.
Fansipan Trek 2 Days 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$266.00
The Fansipan Trek 2 days begins from Sapa town with a car transfer uphill to Tram Ton Heaven Gates where you start the overnight adventure to the summit of Indochina, the mount Fansipan. Fansipan itself is an attraction of Sapa area as well as Northern Vietnam. The peak is a part of Hoang Lien mountain range, which is under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park. You trek through the rain forest for about 6 hours per day. The night is spent in a camping tent. The trip offers you an opportunity to explore the beautiful nature and challenge yourself.
Fansipan Trek 3 Days 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$399.00
The Fansipan Trek 3 days starts from Sapa and can be combined with other Sapa tours such as visit local market, mountain biking tour or a classic tour. Fansipan mountain is an attraction of Sapa area as well as Northern Vietnam. The peak of mt. Fansipan is a part of Hoang Lien mountain range, which is under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park. The trip offers you an opportunity to explore the beautiful nature and challenge yourself. If you look for a 3 day jungle trek that is hard, challenging around Sapa area, taking this climb may be the right choice.
Fansipan Trekking Tour 2 Days 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$266.00
The Fansipan Trekking Tour starts with a car transfer from Sapa town up to the Tram Ton, Heaven’s Gate. The uphill drive takes about one hour before you get in the Hoang Lien Nature Reserve. After the first hiking day, you almost reach the top. The following day you arrive to the top of the Fansipan mountain where you will spend some time to celebrate to victory before going downhill to your departure point. You will be picked up by your vehicle again and transferred back to Sapa town.
Full Day Trek To Mong Sen And Ta Phin Villages – Sapa 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$133.00
Trekking through beautiful landscape and rice paddy fields; Visiting Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic minority people who live in the same village; Talking with them to know about their typical culture.
Half day cycling in Sapa Vietnam 11/06/2015 - 12/31/9999
per person$68.00
The trip itself is a combination of mountain biking, sightseeing and walking. Along the way you will pass by magnificent views over the rice paddies. Your rice will take you to the Red Dao village of Taphin, where you will experience daily life among the Red Dao minority.