Sapa is a small town in northwest Vietnam, located in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains. Spectacular views and dramatic scenery make it a popular trekking destination for tourists from around the world.
With towering mountains, lush fields, and cascading waterfalls, Sapa is idyllic when the sun shines and just as atmospheric when it rains. If you’re a fan of adventurous, outdoor holidays, then this is the place for you.
Here are 17 of the best things to do in Sapa…
Fansipan Mountain Cable car
Fansipan Mountain, aptly termed ‘the roof of Indochina’, is one of the most popular attractions in Sapa. There is a cable car system (that holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for length) that will take you more than a thousand meters upwards, past majestic mountains and sweeping valleys, to the very top of Fansipan.
As you ride towards the summit, you’ll see some incredible views, and once you’ve reached the top there are beautiful, ancient temples and shrines to visit. If you go during the winter, be sure to bring a warm jacket as the weather can be unpredictable.
Love Waterfall
Love Waterfall is a spectacularly atmospheric site that brims with wildlife and has a curtain of tropical foliage obscuring the waterfall from a distance. The waterfall’s name is part of a romantic local legend; the love story between a fairy and a boy who played the flute so beautifully that she fell in love with him.
Bring your camera and a bathing suit; it’s a wonderful backdrop for photos, and you can even go swimming in the natural pool. Only a 30-minute hike up meandering footpaths, the journey is well worth it to see this unspoiled oasis.
Cat Cat Village
Geared towards tourists, Cat Cat village is a charming mix of cobbled stone paths, traditional huts, colorful shops, and occasional dance shows.
There are lots of photo opportunities, from the rice fields below to the mountains above, and there’s also WiFi here so you can fill your Insta feed in real-time.
Muong Hoa Valley
This beautiful rice terrace is one of the most scenic places you’ll visit. Famous for picturesque hiking trails and beautiful traditional villages, this lush valley is a stunning masterpiece of rolling hills, soaring mountains, bubbling rivers, and a gentle moving cloud cover.
Without a doubt, Muong Hoa Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Sapa.
Sapa Lake
Sapa Lake sits against a splendid mountain backdrop, making it yet another photo-worthy location. You can walk around the perimeter, sit at a cafe overlooking the lake, or rent a small paddle boat and venture onto the water.
This relaxing spot is the perfect place to unwind and bask in the lovely scenery and culture all around you.
Indigo Cat Craft Store
This one is for all craft enthusiasts. The Indigo Cat craft store is home to a selection of beautiful yarns, fabrics, textiles, and other local delicacies such as teas and spices.
It also has regularly hosted sewing classes, where you can learn from local members of the H’mong community, an indigenous group known for their expertise in sewing and weaving.
Silver Waterfall
Another of Sapa’s stunning waterfalls is Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac) which can be found just down from Love Waterfall. Where Love Waterfall is a tranquil scene, Silver Waterfall is a rushing, cascading mass of water that starts from a height of 200 meters.
You’ll know you’re close by when you hear the roaring of the water. It’s a truly majestic site, so be sure to add this to your itinerary while you’re in the neighborhood.
Sapa Culture Museum
If the heavens decide to open during your holiday (and in Sapa, if you visit between May and August there’s a good chance of that) this is one of the best rainy day activities.
Dedicated to the minority groups in Sapa, the exhibition includes life stories, the history and culture of local tribes, traditional embroidery, clothing displays, and much more
Tram Ton Pass
The Tram Ton Pass is situated at an elevation of 1,900 meters making it the highest and most impressive pass in Vietnam. Whether you’re further down the road looking up, or at the highest point looking down, this landscape is incredible.
It is also relatively near Silver Waterfall, so you can conveniently visit the two landmarks together. Be sure to bring your camera for this one, you’ll want to capture this view!
Ta Phin Cave
When you visit Sapa there are so many mountains and hills around that you might only anticipate climbing, but there is also an opportunity for caving. If you’re looking for a more exciting travel experience, then the tour of Ta Phin cave is for you.
Cafe In The Clouds
This is one of the most popular mountain bars in Sapa. Here you can combine spectacular views with a beverage and snack of your choice. It’s one of the best vantage points and the food is delicious with a mix of local and international cuisine, plus there’s free WiFi.
Sapa Market
Sapa Market is a delightful local shopping experience. Here you’ll be surrounded by a mass of colorful products, from fabrics to fruit to handcrafted knickknacks. This is a great chance to meet and talk to the locals who’ll be happy to give you some sightseeing tips.
Muong Khuong Bird Market
In Vietnam, birds hold a special prestige and it’s often considered good luck to have a birdcage in front of your house. In Sapa, there is a whole (very popular) market dedicated to birds and bird songs. Many people from around the region will gather together and listen to the birds sing, while others mill around the market.
Ham Rong Resort
Ham Rong Resort is actually more of a park or garden. It is situated at the base of Ham Rong Mountain and has wonderful views up into the hills and down into the valleys.
There are some lovely paths and walkways around the garden, as well as beautifully manicured and designed flowers and shrubs. If you don’t want to actually climb the mountain, then the garden at its foot has the best of both worlds.
Ancient Stones
This area is considered part of the national heritage of Vietnam. Comprised of 200 stones of varying shapes and sizes across the valley, each stone is carved with intriguing motifs, although the meaning of these symbols is currently unknown.
O Quy Ho Pass
Sapa is an endless source of stunning scenery, and O Quy Ho Pass can attest to that. Known by the locals as ‘Heaven’s Gate’ this pass is a photographer’s dream made up of winding roads passing through the clouds and breathtaking scenery stretching downwards to the valleys. If you manage to catch a sunrise or sunset, O Quy Ho really does look heavenly.
Rent A Motorbike
The last one isn’t a place to visit, but a way of getting around. In Sapa, there are many places where you can rent a motorbike for just a day or a whole week. The winding and often narrow roads make a bike the ideal option over a car, and you can cover a lot more ground than by foot.
This is the perfect way to manage your own trip, simply hire a bike and tour wherever you like, stopping for photos whenever you like.
