1. Visit the minority ethnic villages
2. Visit the Sapa Museum
3. Visit the valleys
4. Trekking with the locals
5. Climb Mount Fansipan
6. Experience the Fansipan cable car
7. Explore the Cat Cat ancient village
8. Shop for handicrafts at Sapa Market
9. Check-in at Ham Rong Mountain
10. Visit the waterfalls
11. Explore culture at Bac Ha Market
12. Enjoy the cuisine of Sapa
13. Visit architectural structures
1. Visit the minority ethnic villages
Sapa is home to many ethnic minorities such as H’Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Xa Pho… You can visit villages like Ta Van, Lao Chai, Ta Phin, Cat Cat… to learn about culture, customs, activities and get to know the local people. You can also try staying in stilt houses, enjoy local specialties and participate in traditional festivals of ethnic minorities.
2. Visit the Sapa Museum
Sapa Museum is a place to preserve and display artifacts, documents, images about history, geography, culture, life of Sapa and ethnic minorities. You can learn about the formation and development process of Sapa, as well as the outstanding features of ethnic minorities such as costumes, language, beliefs, arts, handicrafts…
3. Visit the valleys
Sapa has many beautiful and vast valleys, which are the places of cultivation and nurturing of the locals. You can visit valleys such as Muong Hoa Valley, Muong Thanh Valley, Muong Hum Valley, Ban Ho Valley… to admire the lush terraced fields, blooming flower fields, grazing livestock, and cute small villages. You can also meet and chat with the locals here, to understand more about their life and work.
4. Trekking with the locals
Trekking is one of the most interesting and attractive activities when traveling to Sapa. You can walk through trails, hills, terraced fields, forests, streams… to admire the beautiful scenery and immerse yourself in nature. You can also hire local people as guides, for them to share with you stories, knowledge, experience and secrets about life in Sapa.
5. Climb and explore Fansipan Mountain
Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam and Indochina, with a height of 3,143 meters above sea level. Fansipan is a great challenge for those who love mountain climbing and exploration. You can choose one of the different climbing journeys, from 2 to 4 days, to conquer the mountain peak and admire the wonderful landscape from above. You can also take a cable car to reach the mountain peak faster and visit architectural works…
6. Experience the Fansipan cable car
The Fansipan cable car is the most modern three-wire cable car system in the world, with a length of 6,292.5m, including 6 main pillars, each pillar is 1km apart. The Fansipan cable car helps visitors conquer the peak of Fansipan – the roof of Indochina – in just 15 minutes, instead of having to climb the mountain for 2 to 4 days as before. On the cable car ride, visitors can admire the beautiful landscape of Sapa, from the terraced fields, hills, forests, to the clouds and fog. Arriving at Fansipan station, visitors can visit architectural and spiritual works such as the largest Buddha statue in Vietnam, Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda, 9-storey waterfall…
7. Explore the Cat Cat ancient village
Cat Cat ancient village is one of the oldest and most beautiful villages in Sapa, located at the foot of Fansipan mountain. Cat Cat ancient village is home to the H’Mong ethnic people, famous for weaving, dyeing, and handicrafts. You can visit stilt houses, water mills, churches, schools, wine houses… to learn about the history, culture, and life of the local people. You can also watch performances of arts, music, dance, and participate in folk games of the H’Mong people.
8. Shop for handicrafts at Sapa Market
Sapa Market is where you can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, ceramics… handmade by local people. You can find unique and beautiful products here, such as scarves, ao dai, dresses, hats, bags, tablecloths, pillows, carpets, curtains… dyed with various types of leaves, flowers, tubers, fruits… You can also buy jewelry made of silver, copper, gemstones, pearls, beads… exquisitely crafted and with feng shui meaning.
9. Check-in at Ham Rong Mountain
Ham Rong Mountain is a small mountain located right in the center of Sapa town, shaped like a dragon curling up. Ham Rong Mountain is an ideal destination for those who want to admire the panoramic view of Sapa from above, as well as enjoy the fresh and cool air. You can climb to the mountain peak through the trails, visit flower gardens, orchid gardens, rock gardens, bonsai gardens… You can also take photos at famous check-in points such as San May, Heaven Gate, Mountain Peak, Carp Stone…
10. Visit the waterfalls
Sapa has many beautiful and majestic waterfalls, which are attractive destinations for those who love nature and adventure. You can visit waterfalls such as Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall, Cloud Bridge Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall… to listen to the sound of rushing water, feel the power of the flow, and take pictures with beautiful landscapes. You can also take a hot bath at Khoang Waterfall, to relax and cleanse your body.
11. Explore culture at Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Sapa. Bac Ha Market takes place every Sunday morning, attracting thousands of people from remote villages to buy, exchange, and socialize. You can find everything here, from food, drinks, clothes, jewelry, handicrafts, to livestock, poultry, even horses, donkeys, reptiles… You can also see the diversity and uniqueness of the culture, costumes, music, dance of ethnic minorities such as H’Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Phu La…
12. Enjoy the cuisine of Sapa
Sapa has many delicious and unique dishes, reflecting the diversity and richness of the cuisine of ethnic minorities. You can try dishes like pork armpit, Lam rice, Thang Co, Day cake, Chung cake, Gio cake, Te cake, Da ke cake, Sticky rice cake, Sweet potato cake… You can also drink specialty wines such as Corn wine, Apple Cat wine, San Lung wine…
13. Visit architectural structures
Sapa also has many unique and impressive architectural works, which are the historical, cultural, and religious relics of Sapa. You can visit architectural works such as Sapa Stone Church, Sapa Station, Thac Bac Hydroelectric Plant, Mother Au Co Church, Ta Phin Church… to admire the typical architecture of French, Chinese, Vietnamese styles, as well as modern and luxurious constructions. You can also pray, light candles, and feel the peace and sanctity of this place.
Sapa is a must-visit destination when you want to explore Vietnam. With the 13 things I introduced, you will have a trip full of interesting experiences. You will not only admire the spectacular landscapes but also learn about the unique and rich culture of Sapa. I wish you happy and safe travels.
