Sapa is a mountain town in Lao Cai province near the Chinese border, around 320 km north-west of Hanoi. It sits above the Muong Hoa valley, where rice terraces cascade down the hillsides, and is home to Hmong, Dao, Tay and other ethnic minority communities.
Most visitors come to trek between villages such as Lao Chai and Ta Van, stay in a homestay and, for some, ride the cable car up Fansipan, at 3,143 m the highest peak in Indochina. It is too far for a day trip — plan at least one night, ideally two or more.
What to see and do: Sapa
Trek the valleys
Guided treks of one to three days through rice terraces and villages, with a homestay night.
Fansipan cable car
A long cable car ride to near the summit, then steps to the top. Weather can close the view.
Markets
Weekly markets in the surrounding area are colourful and lively.
How to get to Sapa
- By bus: sleeper or cabin buses take around 5–6 hours via the expressway. See the Sapa VIP cabin bus.
- By night train: to Lao Cai station (roughly 8 hours), then about an hour by road up to Sapa.
- On a tour: 2–3 day packages include transport, trekking and homestay.
Insider tips
- Bring warm layers: Sapa can be cold, especially from December to February.
- Terraces are green in summer and golden around September before harvest.
- Hire guides through reputable agencies or homestays.
Best tours & tickets for Sapa
These GetYourGuide experiences include Sapa or pair well with it:
Overnight trek from €47 Hanoi: 2-Day Sapa Trekking Tour with Homestay & Local Meals
Two days in the mountains of the far north: transport from Hanoi, a guided trek through villages and a night in a local homestay.
- Transport from Hanoi
- Trek through villages and rice terraces
- Night in a homestay
Multi-day trek from €88 From Hanoi: 3-Day Sapa Trekking & Homestay Adventure
A longer Sapa trip from Hanoi with more time on the trails and a homestay night.
- Three days in the Sapa highlands
- Homestay night
- More time walking
Bus transfer from €25 Hanoi: Sapa Daily Transfer — VIP Cabin Bus
A daily cabin-bus seat between Hanoi and Sapa, for travellers doing the mountains independently.
- Daily departures
- Cabin-style seats
- Hanoi–Sapa direct
Multi-day motorbike tour from €150 Hanoi: 2- or 3-Day Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour with Easy Rider
The famous mountain loop in the far north on the back of a motorbike, with an experienced “easy rider” driving.
- Ride pillion with an experienced driver
- The Ha Giang Loop mountain roads
- Very highly rated
