Buzz
Experience the charm of Sa Pa by visiting some iconic spots during this 3-day journey, and if you're lucky, witness the enchanting snowfall.
Sapa's 3-day snow hunting expedition, departing from Saigon.
For those residing in the South and seeking to embrace the winter chill of the North, choose a time when temperatures are forecasted to be at their lowest for your Sapa adventure. In just 3 days, you'll have ample time to explore key locations, relish the cold weather, and marvel at the rare beauty of snow. The ideal period is from mid-December to late January each year.
Mode of Transportation
Book a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi: Depending on the airline and booking time, prices may range from 2-3 million VND round trip per person. Book your tickets at least two weeks in advance for the best rates. Opt for an early morning flight on the first day (preferably taking off at 8 a.m.) to arrive in Sapa before nightfall. The return flight is usually between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Book a bus ticket from Noi Bai to Sa Pa: There are numerous bus companies offering various types of buses, mostly sleeper buses, departing from Hanoi directly to Sa Pa or stopping at Lao Cai station. From there, passengers transfer to Sa Pa in a 16-seater van. When reserving a sleeper bus, opt for a lower bunk to avoid motion sickness.
These buses typically pick up passengers from the airport at Noi Bai intersection (Kim Anh intersection), about 3 km from the airport gate (the first roundabout on the road from Noi Bai airport to Hanoi on Vo Van Kiet street). Schedule the pick-up time approximately 1-1.5 hours after the flight lands to avoid any rush. For instance, if your flight lands at 11 a.m., book the bus at Noi Bai intersection around 12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. In case of delays, inform the bus company to catch a later ride. Always reserve a ticket for the return trip from Sa Pa to Noi Bai. The minimum time from Sa Pa departure to the flight takeoff is 8 hours.
Accommodation
Luxury hotels, 4-5 stars, or resorts outside the town range from 2-5 million VND per night for a double room. On the other hand, hotels in downtown Sa Pa are generally reasonably priced, with an average rate of about 500,000 VND per night.
For a 3-day Saigon traveler, book a hotel for 2 nights, including the first day evening and check out on the afternoon of the third day.
Luggage
For most times of the year, especially in the chilly season (December - January), it's essential to prepare warm clothing like jackets, sweaters, gloves, socks, scarves, woolen hats, face masks, and thermal pants to withstand the cold. Those sensitive to low temperatures should take extra precautions, considering purchasing thermal wear for added warmth.
Sa Pa town currently resembles a massive construction site (anticipated to continue for several years), causing most streets to be muddy and damp. Therefore, opt for non-slip and dirt-resistant footwear. Wearing boots is the safest choice when strolling around. Avoid wearing elaborate or easily stainable clothes due to mud. If it's your first visit, consider staying in the town. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, choose serene locations on the outskirts to avoid the hustle and bustle caused by the overwhelming number of tourists.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport two hours before the flight, complete procedures, and check in luggage (if any).
Upon reaching Noi Bai, you can hail a taxi at the airport exit to go to the Noi Bai intersection. Inform the taxi to stop before the highway intersection to wait for the Sa Pa-bound vehicle. After getting off the taxi, relax at roadside corn or boiled egg stalls for a break while waiting for the ride.
The journey from Noi Bai to Sa Pa covers over 300 km and takes around 6 hours by car. Several companies run direct sleeper buses to Sa Pa, while some transfer passengers to smaller vehicles in Lao Cai (about 30 km from Sa Pa). The route from Noi Bai to Lao Cai is smooth due to the highway, but the stretch from Lao Cai to Sa Pa involves winding mountainous roads. It's advisable to have motion sickness medication for this leg of the journey.
In town, transportation providers usually drop passengers at the market, taxis, motorbike taxis, and more are always waiting. When taking a taxi, it's best to choose one with a meter. Taxis in Sa Pa are among the most expensive in Vietnam, with the initial kilometer costing 17,500 VND. Some routes, despite being short, have high prices regulated by the government due to challenging terrain. For example, from Sa Pa market to Cat Cat village, approximately 3 km, the fixed price is around 100,000 VND. Opting for a motorbike taxi is much cheaper if traveling with minimal luggage.
After reaching the hotel, guests check-in, rest, and then head to the market for dinner. Ask the hotel staff to purchase tickets for the Fansipan cable car for the next day. The cable car costs 600,000 VND per person, and the ticket is a day-use card. If you're visiting on a non-weekend or non-holiday day, there's no need to pre-book; you can buy tickets directly at the cable car station.
Regarding cuisine, Sa Pa offers various specialties to try, such as sturgeon fish, salmon, and local pork. However, top priority goes to fresh vegetables and grilled meat. In the late months of the year, don't miss trying the dish of stir-fried stone moss, a specialty unique to this region.
Sturgeon hotpot, spicy salted salmon, and salmon hotpot offer a delightful eating experience with fresh, flavorful fish. However, local pork dishes, especially those with higher fat content, may become greasier in cold weather. Though praised by locals, Sa Pa's porridge and pho, despite high recommendations, receive average reviews from visitors from Saigon. Quang Minh (Xuan Vien) and Thao Hien (Thach Son Street) are popular choices among Southern visitors for their reasonable prices and well-balanced flavors.
After dining, guests can stroll to the central stone church area for sightseeing and souvenir photos or indulge in grilled snacks before returning to rest.
Day 2
Start the day with breakfast at 6:30 and then take a taxi to enjoy coffee while admiring the early morning mist or frost. An ideal spot for a hot coffee priced around 40,000 VND is Haven Coffee in Cat Cat area. Around this cafe, you'll find the most beautiful coffee views in Sa Pa, offering scenic terraced fields, valleys, Cat Cat village, and the entire town nestled against the mountains.
Between 10-10:30, take a taxi for the journey to Fansipan. Alternatively, you can rent a self-driving motorbike with easy-to-follow directions, ensuring you won't get lost. Remember to dress warmly as the temperature at the top of Fansipan is quite low. Take the cable car to the first station, then climb about 100 steps to visit the temple, enjoy panoramic mountain views, and admire the cloud-covered landscape. If you wish to reach the highest peak, climb an additional 600 steps or purchase a cable car ticket for 100,000 VND for a round trip.
Descend from the summit around 12:30, and you can have lunch at the grills near the entrance of Fansipan. The grilled sticky rice with grilled meat costs approximately 100,000 VND (one tube of sticky rice and two skewers of meat, sufficient for each person).
At 1:30, take a taxi to the Heaven's Gate, about 13 km from the summit. On the way, you can visit Silver Falls and Love Falls. Among these three attractions, Heaven's Gate is the most stunning, offering a wide view of the valley and the winding Phong Tho (Lai Chau) road. However, this view is only visible in clear weather, not in foggy conditions. Taxi fare for a round trip from Fansipan or Sapa center to Heaven's Gate - Silver Falls - Love Falls is approximately 300,000 - 400,000 VND. Note that it's not advisable to go in foggy weather as visibility will be limited.
Return to the hotel for rest, have dinner, sample the local Sén Cù wine, apple cat wine, or you can choose traditional Dao foot massage. Massage prices in Sa Pa are not cheap, around 200,000 VND per session excluding tips. However, this is also a specialty of Sa Pa, especially during cold days, where you can soak your feet in warm aromatic herbal water.
Day 3
Exploring the Sa Pa market is an essential delight when traveling to Sapa. The market offers a variety of fresh vegetables perfect for souvenirs, buffalo meat for the kitchen, chestnuts, and dried apple cat – all unique specialties you can choose to purchase.
At 9:30, return to the hotel to check out and prepare for the journey back to Noi Bai. Since the vehicle will make a stop for dining, there's no need to worry if you haven't had lunch yet. However, it's advisable to prepare light, non-fragrant food in advance.
At 11:00, the vehicle departs from Sa Pa. The winding mountain roads may cause motion sickness, so those prone to it should take precautions. Around 17:00, arrive at Noi Bai intersection, take a taxi to the airport, and return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Source: Ngoisao
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourDecember 21, 2017
