Sa Pa, the city of fog, is located at a height of 1,600 metres on the Eastern side of Hoan Lien Son mountain. This is the only place where tourists can see the snow falling in a monsoon tropical climate country. In the early 20th century the French took advantage of Sapa's cool climate, developing it into a summer retreat from the heat and humidity of Hanoi
Sa Pa is 370 kms North-West of Ha Noi and 40 km from the Vietnam-Chinese border. There are two ways to get to Sa Pa, by train or by bus. Normally, tourists often choose to go by train, which takes 8-10 hours. The night train is the preferred method.
Sa Pa weather is cool all year round. The best time to visit Sapa is the beginning of March, the season of colorful flowers and where the clouds skim the face of the earth. Guests visit Sa Pa in this season because it is like playing in a cloud or hide-and-seek between the clouds and the mountain. For the more adventurous, Sa Pa has Fansipan. This is the highest mountain peak in Indochina at 3,143m above sea level. Conquering Fansipan is increasingly attracting tourists who love nature and adventure.
The highlight of Sapa is nature itself. It features many beautiful landscapes, such as the lush green forests and nice villas in Sa Mu, to an ancient European style church, waterfalls, and grottos. A special highlight of this unique area is the rich ethnic minority culture. One can see the special clothes, dwellings, characteristics, festivals, customs, and popular artistic cultural activities of the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Day, and Xa Pho tribes.
Food is also very abundant here with diversified and strange looking culinary delights. Guests can try special foods such as Thang Co of the Hmong people. Traditionally there are popular grilled foods that include chicken, egg, sugar-cane, and sweet potatoes along with customary wines such as San Lung, Tao Meo, and Bac Ha.
Sa Pa is an ideal destination for sightseeing tours as well as for MICE programs. There is a network of 3-4 star hotels that are comfortable and harmonious with nature. Modern meeting rooms are able to host 80 - 100 guests. Plentiful Teambuilding activities based on the natural landscape & special national cultural are always highly appreciated.
Sa Pa’s natural beauty and challenging peak is calling you to experience all that she has to offer.
Places of interest
Can Cau Market
20km north of Bac Ha, iIt is open on Saturdays with thousands of Flower H’mong gathering and trading farm products and colourful clothings in natural surroundings. It is no doubt one of the most attractive places for photo hunters in Vietnam.
Cat Cat village
About 3kms from Sapa, Cat Cat is the residence of the Black H’mong ethnic people. Firstly it’s only a short walk down to the valley where you can visit wooden-roof houses dotted on the hill sides. This village is famous for producing fabrics. At the valley bottom, you can relax at the small waterfall where the French used to built a hydro-power station in 1920’s. Then the way leads you up to the main road.
Ta Phin village
Only 15kms from Sapa, Ta Phin has an exotic scenery. It takes visitors only 15 minutes to get there by motorbike or jeep (both are available for hire). On the way to Ta Phin, visitors will see the ruins of a French church. The locals here are mostly Red Yao and Black H’mong. They are very friendly and rich in custom. Their handicraft is very famous for the colour and embroidery.
Lao Chai village - Ta Van village
About 7kms from Sapa, Lao Chai is the residence of the Tay and Day ethnic people. It’s only a short walk there. After visiting Lao Chai, visitors can get to Ta Van village by keeping trekking (5kms) around the bottom of Sapa valley. This is supposed to be the most beautiful in the area. A night at a Day family is highly recommended.
Sapa Sunday market
Located right in the heart od Sapa, Sapa market takes place everyday in the week. On the Sunday morning, the market is more crowded with trading and exchanging activities between the hill tribe locals and visitors. The Black Hmong and Red Yao communities around Sapa make hats, bags and other ethnic goods and travel to the town to sell them in the market. It is exciting for visitors to socialize with the tribesmen and enjoy bargaining for unique souvenirs.
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