Sa Pa, Hanoi, Vietnam. A beautiful quiet mountain town with sub-tropical summers, temperate winters and 160 days of mist annually. Sa Pa (pronounced Chapa), a definite ‘must visit’! Located 236.12 mi. (380 kms) northwest of Hanoi close to the border with China. An overnight train ride with multiple choices of travel comfort to Lao Cai railway station.
View of Sa Pa town. Vietnam
Sa Pa has no railway station and is about 24 miles/38 km from Lao Cai. You can get there there by bus, jeep or taxi in about 50 minutes. At an elevation of about 1500 meters (4,921 feet), the panoramic view all around is phenomenal.
Holy Rosary Church and market square
Sa Pa is entirely walkable in two days but is so beautiful, you will stay a week or more. The town itself is very pretty and colorful. People are friendly, courteous and always smiling. Food is inexpensive and freshly cooked. The soups are very tasty and so are the bbq’ed meats.
Street in Sa Pa, Hanoi, Vietnam
Street view of the town of Sa Pa, Hanoi, Vietnam
The terraced paddy fields of the Muong Hoa valley carpeting the rolling lower slopes of the Hoàng Liên Mountains are so unbelievably fascinating. You can walk through the village and actually see how they live. A half-day excursion. There is a pretty waterfall along the hike and a very nice suspension bridge to walk across.
Paddy terraces in Sa Pa, Vietnam
Fan Si Pan, the last major peak in the Himalayan chain, offers a real challenge to even the keenest walker, the opportunity of staggering views, and a rare glimpse of some of the last remaining primary rain forest in Vietnam. On a clear day, the imposing peak of Fan Si Pan comes into view. We did not have a clear day!
Fansipan mountain range in Sa Pa, Vietnam
Take a day trip by bus to Binh Lu and Tam Duong market (tickets can be booked at most hotels). Sundays only, 8 am – 4 pm. Located on the other side of Sa Pa, passing the 1900 meter Tram Ton pass, Vietnam’s highest mountain pass and considered the most beautiful stretch of road in the country. The town bustles with activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day.
Tam Duong market in Vietnam
The tour will also take you to Silver Waterfall, Heavens Gate and the Lao Cai border with China. Nice places to click memorable pictures.
Chinese border crossing in Lao Cai, Vietnam
Click here to see more pictures of Sa Pa.
You should also consider visiting Ha Long Bay and Hanoi, Vietnam.
TIPS: Sa Pa, Hanoi, Vietnam
- The town of Sa Pa is safe compared to Hanoi city.
- Book Sleeper air-conditioned berths on the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (overnight).
- Look for the Express trains, NOT the ones that stop at every station, very noisy and disturbing.
- Advance book a mini-bus ride to travel from Lao Cai to Sa Pa, is very comfortable and safe.
- Local restaurants have very tasty fresh soups and bbq meats.
- The Vietnamese sandwich Bánh mì is a very tasty snack.
- Drink the local beer ‘Lao Cai’ a Pale Lager.
- We felt very safe here even when we walked the streets at night.
