Sapa is not only a place for relaxing but also a wonderful location for adventurous souls and nature lovers. Since there are a wealth of sites to visit in Sapa, Vietnam Excursion would like to suggest top 10 places to visit in this amazing land.
1. Bac Ha Weekend Market
You can find local markets everywhere in Sapa, but weekend markets are certainly unique things in the region. It is a perfect opportunity to contemplate the busy trading of the villagers and the special products in Sapa.
On Saturday, you can visit Can Cau Market, gathering places for mostly the Flower H’mong ethnic group. While tourists venture to this location, they will be able to encounter various outstanding sceneries of the mountainous areas. Arriving in Can Cau, a huge number of agricultural products are being sold. You can immerse in the life of the local and learn about their culture and customs.
On the last day of the week, lots of tribes from different ethnic groups come to Bac Ha market to sell their products. As a result, it is possible to see their specialty such as vegetables, farm tools, wines and so on. You may also see exotic animals like birds, water buffalo, and especially the black pig. One best factor about the market is that customers can try the products first, before deciding to buy. Therefore, feel free to try some wine at Bac Ha weekend market.
2. Muong Hoa Valley
If you want to find the best spot to take photos of the landscape in Sapa, we recommend you to book any of the Sapa Tours and spend time in Muong Hoa Valley.
The notable feature of the valley must be the vast terrace field of the villagers added with the charming nature. It will be a great joy to sit back and contemplate the scene after all the stress and worry from the modern life. Moreover, there are many strange ancient stones carved with unknown letters and graphics.
Otherwise, the villages around allow you to interact with local people. The hospitality and friendliness always touch the heart of visitors during their travel to Vietnam. Different forms of transportation are available which are bicycles and motorbikes.
3. Local Villages
It goes without saying that your trip to Sapa cannot be satisfied if you do not visit the authentic local villages in the region. There are several ethnic groups and tribes settling in this area for thousand years.
All the villagers welcome tourist to discover their rich culture and customs as long as they respect these precious traditions. For ethnic villages, we advise you to travel to Ta Phin, Ta Van, Lao Chai, and Giang Ta Chai as these places are not very touristy. Local homestays are presented to receive guests who love to stay and learn more about the daily life of villagers.
In most villages, markets are opened every day with a wide variety of products including beautiful brocade and textiles. This is a great chance to buy a souvenir from the skillful craftsmen before returning to your country.
4. Thac Bac Waterfall
The outstanding nature of Sapa has been reflected in the mountain range, valleys and obviously in breathtaking waterfalls. However, the best one out of all is Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Waterfall).
The Silver Waterfall echoes with the sound of its stream from 100 meters from the top of the mountain. Combining with the vast forest, Thac Bac creates the mysterious and charming beauty of the area. After 30 minutes of trekking, tourists can sit down and relax while listening to the sounds of water, birds and watching the slight movement of trees.
5. Fansipan Mountain
More challenging adventures are also available in Sapa and conquering the highest peak of Indochina is one of them. This will be an exciting trip for those who desire to test their strength and endurance.
Even though the climbing equipment is not necessary, you will have to trek for the whole day carrying basic essentials and rest in simple accommodation. On the way, tourists will encounter a great number of mountain scenes and wild animals if you are lucky. After a long and difficult trek, the breathtaking view on the top will be the best natural reward for any traveler.
However, do not worry if you are not fit enough because there is Fansipan Legend, a cable car which transfers you to the top of the mountain.
6. Tram Ton Pass
On a clear and sunny day, Tram Ton Pass or the so-called Heaven Gate is the must-visit destination for tourists during their holiday in Sapa. It is the road between Lai Chau and Sapa offering an outstanding view to both sides of the region.
Tram Ton Pass is definitely one of the most wonderful locations to see Sapa from the vantage point. Photographers will love the landscape on the pass, especially during dawn or sunset. Interesting enough, while the weather in Sapa may be foggy and cold, the sky may be clear and blue on the side of Lai Chau province. Therefore, you can switch between the two places for the best photo of the mountainous areas.
7. Thanh Kim – Thanh Phu
As mentioned above, trekking is not the only activity which you are offered in this region. Renting a motorbike and bike to traveling around is a fantastic choice for a new experience.
Thanh Kim – Thanh Phu is our recommended destination for bikers who want to have thrilling moments in Sapa. The most challenging aspect of this trip is the small path and dirt road providing difficulty for tourists. Nevertheless, the harsher the route is, the more interesting the trip is. Other than that, trekking is possible in Thanh Kim-Thanh Phu, but it is not as fun as bicycling.
8. Notre Dame Cathedral Sapa
Located at the heart of Sapa mountainous town, Sapa Stone Cathedral is surely one of the must-see points of interest in Sapa. Indeed, you can easily encounter it when setting foot in Sapa thanks to its unique appearance. The church was built in the early twentieth century by some of the finest French architects. One of the most impressive things about the church is its material. Not like other churches in Vietnam, Notre Dame Cathedral Sapa is mostly built from stone, creating a solid look and beauty for the church.
Notre Dame Cathedral Sapa usually opens on weekends and every evening for local prayers and tourists. However, you will also have a lot of great photo opportunities when visiting it in the daytime, when it is surrounded by colorful-dressed ethnic children and fruiterers.
9. Fairy Cave
For those looking for a place to cool off near Sapa, then please look no further than the Fairy Cave or Hang Tiên. This is a lesser-known and non-touristy spot locating on the bank of Chay River, just outside of Bac Ha District – Sapa. Fairy Cave, which is surrounded by mountains and forests, boasts a broad system of limestone formations with stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes. It is called “The tiny version of Halong Bay” by the local people thanks to its harmonious combination of limestone cliffs and water.
To get to the Fairy Cave, the best way is to take a boat trip on Chay River to also contemplate the majestic landscape in Sapa.
If you happen to visit Sapa on any Saturdays, wandering around the Love Market is definitely the experience you should not miss. The Market is not about selling and trading stuff, this is the place where ethnic youngsters in Sapa come, gather to find their other halves. It is a super cool place where you can see ethnic couples hanging out, dancing, eating, playing folk games together. To catch the girl’s attention, Hmong ethnic boys often blow a local instrument called “Khen” while dancing around their potential lovers. At the end of the day, these ethnic couples often promise to meet on the next sessions of Love Market to understand more about each other. Love market is surely one of the top places to visit in Sapa.
In a nutshell, above is just our suggestion of the best places to visit in Sapa. This alluring land is also a great choice to discover the peaceful life and culture of Vietnamese ethnic minorities. Consider our Sapa Trekking Tour to start your memorable excursions now!
