by When we think of visiting Vietnam, Hanoi often tops the list because of its street food scene. But if you prefer adventure and sightseeing like me, Sapa, Vietnam, offers a distinct charm with its breathtaking mountain views, terraced rice fields, and vibrant night markets. If you want to move beyond the typical Hanoi destinations, you might want to save this Sapa Vietnam DIY itinerary and budget.
To give you a background, Sapa, Vietnam, sits at the head of a deep valley, with its magnificent rice terraces still farmed today. Thus, making it known as the gateway to Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan.
Table of Contents
HELPFUL LINKS
Hotel Accommodations in Sapa
Discounted Activities in Sapa
- BOOK SIM CARD HERE (HANOI AIRPORT PICK UP)
- SLEEPER BUS FROM HANOI TO SAPA AND VICE VERSA
- SPEEPER TRAIN FROM HANOI TO SAPA AND VICE VERSA
- LIMOUSINE MINIVAN FROM HANOI TO SAPA AND VICE VERSA
- DISCOUNTED SUN WORLD FANSIPAN TICKET
- RONG MAY GLASS BRIDGE TICKET
- ALPINE COASTER TICKET
- INSTAGRAM TOUR: CAT CAT VILLAGE, ALPINE COASTER, MOANA CAFE
- PARAGLIDING AND PARAMOTOR EXPERIENCE IN SAPA
- SEARCH MORE DISCOUNTED TOURS AND ACTIVITIES HERE
ABOUT SAPA VIETNAM
Sapa is a mountain town in northern Vietnam’s Hoang Lien Son range, about 6 hours from Hanoi. What I love most here is the rice terraces and the vibrant lights at night, perfect for strolling through night markets. Also, the cool weather reminds me of the Benguet Highlands in the Philippines, and the massage at Tonkin Spa was the best I’ve ever had!
Language and Currency
Language-wise, there can be a slight barrier, as while Vietnamese is the official language, Sapa is also home to ethnic communities like the H’mong, Dao, and Tay, each with its own dialect. With this, you may hear local tongues, Vietnamese, and often basic English. So using a translation app helps. Meanwhile, the local currency here is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), and ATMs are available throughout the town center for cash withdrawals.
Best Time to Visit Sapa, Vietnam?
The best time to visit Sapa depends on what you want to experience. From November to March, winter brings cool weather and occasional snow. To see the golden rice terraces, go in autumn, from September to October. If you love blooming flowers and green fields, visit in spring, from March to May, but this is the busiest season.
To get the most out of your trip, make sure to experience these popular activities in Sapa Vietnam: (1) stroll around the night markets, (2) ride the cable car up Fansipan and enjoy the Alpine Coaster, (3) try various activities at Rong May Glass Bridge, (4) visit Lonely Tree Cafe, explore the scenic Tan Van Rice Terraces, and walk through Cat Cat Village, and (5) relax with a massage at Tonkin Spa. Moreover, as Sapa is known for its misty landscapes and high altitude, it is often called a “dreamlike town of mist” or “where earth meets heaven”.
PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE TO SAPA VIETNAM
How to Get to Sapa From Hanoi?
Since Sapa does not currently have its own airport, the closest airport will be Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and then take a sleeper bus, train, or private car to Sapa which will take 4-6 hours.
Option 1: Via Sleeper Bus
This option is available to pick you up at Hanoi airport or at Old Quarter, whichever you prefer. HK busline has onboard wifi, air-conditioned, water, blanket, and curtain for privacy which makes it really convenient to travel with them.
Step 1: From Hanoi airport, we booked an HK Busline sleeper bus on Klook for PHP 1,051. The trip to Sapa takes about 6 hours, with 2 bus stops. Additional note: You can also opt for a seated bus if you prefer it.
Step 2: After landing in Hanoi, we waited for our bus at its terminal located just outside the airport.
Tip: Reserve your ticket in advance to guarantee a seat and avoid communication issues at the terminal. Tickets are available on-site, but they sell out fast during peak periods.
Step 3: Upon reaching Sapa, you can arrange a Grab ride to your accommodation through Agoda, with fares generally ranging from PHP 50 to PHP 120.
BOOK DISCOUNTED SLEEPER BUS FROM HANOI TO SAPA ON KLOOK
Pro tip: if you’ll be coming from Hanoi Airport, make sure to allot flight delays for the pick up time of bus. 4 hours in between is enough.
Option 2: Via Sleeper Train
Another option is traveling by train to Sapa via the nearby provincial hub of Lao Cai. The journey takes roughly 8 hours and offers both seating and a sleeping bed. Ticket prices usually range from PHP 1,600 to PHP 1,800 and can be booked through Klook. From Lao Cai, you can easily take a transfer van to your lodge. Alternatively, you may rent a car through Klook at Hanoi Airport and use it throughout your trip.
BOOK DISCOUNTED SLEEPER TRAIN TO SAPA FROM HANOI
Option 3: Via Limousine Minivan
If you have the extra budget for comfort and privacy, you might want to opt for limousine minivan. It is designed in a luxurious modern style, the seats are made from high quality soft leather and have relaxing massage capabilities, helping passengers relax and feel comfortable on long trips.
I highly recommend to book this if you are traveling with elderly and kids. This will minimize the hassle and it’s the most comfortable option to get to Sapa.
BOOK DISCOUNTED LIMOUSINE MINIVAN FROM HANOI TO SAPA ON KLOOK
Overall, taking a sleeper bus directly to your lodge remains the most cost-effective choice.
Where to Stay in Sapa?
For accommodation, the hotels listed below are available depending on your budget.
This is where we stayed, and we booked it for PHP 420 per night per person with complimentary breakfast via Agoda. I personally recommend this because it’s budget-friendly and it’s within walking distance to Catcat Village.
If you want to stay close to Sapa City Center and the bus station, Sapa Panorama Hotel is a good mid-budget choice, with rates around PHP 1,500 per night for two. It’s especially recommended if you prefer convenient amenities and mountain views.
If you have a larger budget and you want a stylish, modern room for the ‘gram, Lá Đỏ Homestay is a new hotel in the heart of Sapa. At PHP 3,100 per night for two, it’s a great way to experience the town’s vibrant energy.
This hotel is quite famous because the view from your hotel room is the actual fansipan monorail. So if you plan to book this, make sure to reserve a room 3 months before because they are always fully booked!
If swimming pool is a non-negotiable to you, then this is the hotel for you! Pistachio Hotel offers infinity pool + breathtaking view of the mountains!
Where to Eat in Sapa?
For food recommendations, you shouldn’t miss out on local foods in Sapa, especially at their night markets. On our first night, we strolled around town and had dinner at the night market. Also, Sapa is known for its local hotpot, so we tried one during our brunch on our first day at Lá Đỏ Homestay, with a view of the Fansipan train. The hotpot costs around PHP 1,000, making it budget-friendly.
During our Fansipan adventure, we had a buffet lunch at Sun World Fansipan Legend complex at the cable car station, costing around PHP 500 per person. The Matsu Cafe is also a must-try in Fansipan, with coffee or snacks priced from PHP 100 to PHP 250 per item.
Aside from hotpot, to complete your trip in Sapa, you must try egg coffee, which you can find around Cat Cat village and usually ranges from PHP 90 to PHP 160. Likewise, banh mi is another food gem to taste in the town. You can buy this at street stalls and coffee shops in Sapa.
It’s an iconic version of Vietnam’s crusty baguette, filled with grilled pork or chicken, pickled carrots, cilantro, cucumber, and chili sauce. Some Sapa vendors add their own flair, adding a thrill with grilled chicken skewers or loaded meat combinations. Then, its price ranges from PHP 45 to PHP 70, and its other version costs PHP 180.
How to Get Around in Sapa?
To explore Sapa, Vietnam, as a budget or DIY traveler, you can use the ride-hailing app Grab. Fares usually range from PHP 50 to PHP 120. You can also take taxis, local buses, or hire a motorbike taxi with a driver. For extra adventure, rent a mountain bike for trails. Moreover, if you like walking, Sapa is ideal for short-distance exploration on foot.
Tips From Joan’s Footprints
- Once you arrive in Hanoi, you can withdraw cash directly at the airport.
- For communication, you can buy a 4G SIM card in advance at Klook and pick it up at the airport. A 4G SIM card only costs PHP 358.
- For transfer from Hanoi airport to Sapa, you can book your preferred transportation (sleeper bus, train, rental car) on Klook and use my code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK to get a discount.
- For accommodation, you can book using Agoda and use my discount code JFAGODA.
- To get around Sapa, you can download and use the Grab app.
- For activities at Fansipan, the Alpine Coaster, and the Rong May Glass Bridge, you can book them in advance via Klook. Just search the following: Sun World Fansipan Legend Ticket, Mong Village Alpine Coaster, and Glass Bottom Bridge Ticket in Sapa. Use JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK for cheaper rates.
- For charging your phones, the charging port in Sapa is the same as the one in the Philippines, so there’s no need to worry.
- To get the best experience in Sapa, organize your trip accordingly to your preferred weather. November to March for winter or cool weather and potential snow; September to October for the autumn season and iconic golden rice terraces; and March to May for spring, with blooming flowers and lush green fields. However, March to May can be crowded as it’s the peak season.
SAMPLE 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS SAPA VIETNAM DIY ITINERARY WITH BUDGET
This Sapa DIY itinerary is assuming you have 4 days to spend in Sapa. But if you only have 2-3 days, I highly recommend Day 1-3 activities especially Mt. Fansipan which is the highest mountain in Indochina.
For arranged tours, you can check here: DISCOUNTED ARRANGED TOURS ON KLOOK
Day 1: Hanoi Airport to Sapa
We flew from Manila to Hanoi at 11PM and arrived Hanoi airport at 1:30AM. We finished our airport process by 2AM, picked up the SIM card I booked on Klook, and withdrew some VND cash. Moreover, the airport has chairs, wifi, toilet, money exchange, ATM machines for your convenience.
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | EXPENSES: |
| 4:00AM | Pick up SIM CARD at the airport, withdraw some cash | Php358 data for 7 days |
| 7:00AM | SLEEPER BUS FROM HANOI AIRPORT TO SAPA | Php899 / pax / way |
| 1:00PPM | ETA Sapa, book a Grap taxi to hotel | Php1,500 / pax / night |
| 2:00PM | Check in, rest, freshen up | |
| 3:00PM | Hotpot with a view of Fansipan monorail at La Do Homestay or Viettrekking | Php1,000 for 3 pax = 333 each |
| 6:00PM | Walk trip at Sapa Lake, dinner at Sapa Night Market | Php300 / pax |
| 9:00PM | Lights off |
Day 2: Sun World Fansipan, Sun Plaza, Notre Dame, Alpine Coaster, Moana Cafe
Note: we used Grab to get to our destinations. It’s very cheap! For instance, a short distance trip around Php40-80 good for 3 pax.
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | EXPENSES: |
| 8:00AM | SUN WORLD FANSIPAN – go to Sun Plaza (boarding point) | Php2,383 / pax |
| 12NN | Buffet lunch at Sun Worl | Php500 / pax |
| 1:30PM | Explore Sun Plaza and Notre Dame | |
| 2:30PM | ALPINE COASTER | Php464/pax |
| 3:30PM | MOANA CAFE until sunset | Php192 / pax entrance fee |
| 6:00PM | Dinner around Sapa City Center | Php300 / pax |
| 8:00PM | Lights off |
Day 3: Rong May Glass Bridge, Lonely Tree, Ta Van Rice Terraces, Cat Cat Village
For our whole day trip, we hired a Grab driver and paid Php1,000/pax. Destinations included: Rong May Glass Bridge, Lonely Tree, Ta Van Rice Terraces, and Cat Cat Village.
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | EXPENSES: |
| 7:00AM | ETA at RONG MAY GLASS BRIDGE | Php1,395 / pax |
| 8:00AM | Explore Rong May Glass Bridge | |
| 11:00AM | ETA Lonely Tree | Php40 / pax entrance fee |
| 1:00PM | Lunch at Ta Van Rice Terraces – view of rice terraces | Php500 / pax |
| 3:00PM | Explore Cat Cat Village until sunset – rent a traditional clothing | Php300 / pax entrance fee |
| 7PM | Massage at Tonkin Spa (optional) | Php1,500-4,500 |
| 9PM | Dinner | Php300 / pax |
Day 4: Paramotor / Paragliding, Rainbow Slide
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | EXPENSES: |
| 7:30AM | PARAMOTOR / PARAGLIDING experience in Sapa | Php5,347 / pax |
| 9:00AM | Rainbow Slide experience | Php224 / pax |
| 10:00AM | Check out hotel | |
| 12NN | SLEEPER BUS FROM SAPA TO HANOI | Php899 / pax / way |
| ***END*** |
| Help me improve my guide: Sapa Vietnam DIY Itinerary! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas. Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions. For proposals: email me at joansfootprints@gmail.com |
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