Buzz
It's not an exaggeration to call Sapa a destination that shines in all four seasons. Following the ethereal sea of clouds in November, December brings the pure white color of snowflakes covering every corner of Sapa. Let's explore the tips for traveling to Sapa in December with Mytour and discover the breathtaking tropical winter!
What's the Weather Like in Sapa in December?
Gone are the golden sun rays of late autumn; the early December weather in Sapa is even colder with misty fog blanketing the streets. Arriving in Sapa around early winter, you'll find yourself lost in the mystical foggy town. According to travel experiences in Sapa in December, the weather fluctuates from 10 - 18°C during the day and drops to around 7 - 8°C at night, chilly but not freezing.
The latter half of December marks the coldest winter period in the mountainous town. Some days see temperatures in Sapa drop to 0°C, accompanied by dense fog or the first snowflakes blanketing the villages, creating a fairy-tale-like scene reminiscent of a miniature 'Europe.' If you wish to marvel at the magical tropical snowscape, choose to visit Sapa from mid to late December through January.
Where to Go in Sapa in December?
December is also the peak season in Sapa, so it's advisable to book about a month in advance to secure accommodation in Sapa and avoid room shortages, regardless of the type of lodging you choose. Additionally, the weather in Sapa in December is very cold and foggy to the point of drizzle, so you should consider selecting hotels near the town center to minimize travel distance when sightseeing or dining. Another important consideration when staying in Sapa that many tourists often overlook is that hotels should have efficient heating systems, air conditioning, and hot water. Sapa's winter weather is much colder than other regions in Vietnam, so it's essential to 'take it to heart' to avoid 'freezing together' inadvertently!
1. Lotus Aroma Sapa Hotel:
Centrally located in Sapa town, just 800 meters from Holy Rosary Church, Lotus Aroma Sapa Hotel is a perfect accommodation choice, fully equipped with elegantly designed rooms in a modern classic style. Moreover, this hotel offers a wide range of services, from restaurants to spa and gym facilities, ensuring you have the most convenient and perfect resort experience.
2. Sapa Clover Hotel:
The 3-star Sapa Clover Hotel resembles a charming three-leaf clover amidst the misty town of Sapa. Situated near the center of Sapa, designed with vintage architecture in warm vibrant yellow tones, Sapa Clover Hotel can somewhat 'warm up' your stay in the chilly weather. Not only alluring with modern and lovely rooms, Sapa Clover is also a place where you can engage in special experiences such as cooking tours, cycling, or exploring the city, which promises to be extremely interesting.
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3. Aroma Sapa Hotel:
Aroma Sapa Hotel is located only 50m from the stone church and Love Market, extremely convenient for you to explore the central area of the town. The hotel stands out with its colorful and charming room space. According to travel experience in Sapa in December, this is one of the 'budget-friendly' options for you while still ensuring all necessary amenities.
4. Sapa Jade Hill Resort:
One of the hottest accommodation spots in Sapa is Sapa Jade Hill Resort. Just 2km from the town center, but the space at “Northwest Jade Hill” with endless green mountain scenery will bring you a completely different Sapa. In addition to the indigenous architecture mixed with Western style, Sapa Jade Hill also attracts tourists with restaurants serving local delicacies, offering the most unique Sapa experience.
5. Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa Sapa:
Described as a majestic castle amidst the floating clouds of the Northwest, the 5-star Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa is a true gem. The resort's rooms are designed with sophistication, offering full amenities, spaciousness, and freshness. With a view towards Dragon Jaw Mountain, from the balcony of your bedroom, you can easily both 'hunt clouds' and relax in a private, serene atmosphere.
What makes December in Sapa beautiful?
1.
Experience the foggy town and fly amidst the clouds:
Sapa in December no longer boasts the golden hues of autumn sunshine or the terraced fields laden with ripe golden rice, yet visiting Sapa in winter doesn't diminish its charm as the scenery of Sapa varies with each season. December in Sapa is the perfect time for you to vividly feel the majestic landscapes of nature with the layers of clouds stretching across the hills and the town veiled in mist.
'Cloud hunting' in December has become a signature experience here due to the merging of clouds with the sun and wind, gracefully drifting across the hills. Standing from above, feeling the breeze through your hair and witnessing the clouds embracing the village below is one of the unmissable experiences when visiting Sapa in December.
2. Admire the breathtaking 'fire' sunset like a fairy scene:
In the late winter days, the sun no longer monopolizes the mountainous sky, instead, thick mist cuts across the flow of light and covers the sun. This is the reason why the sunset becomes more dazzling and the sun appears as if a blazing fire on the stove. The sunset moment in Sapa is already beautiful, but admiring the unique 'fire' sunset in December will leave you in awe.
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3. Lost in the white snow paradise:
Sapa boasts a cool climate distinct from Vietnam's tropical monsoon climate and becomes truly unique thanks to the days of pure white snowfall. No need to travel far to Europe, you can still touch the snowflakes in the northwest sky.
Although snowfall varies from year to year, there's hardly a year when tourists don't flock to Sapa in December to await the 'white snow dream'. There are times when snow falls in Sapa so thick that it blankets the mountains, allowing you to frolic freely, transform into snow angels, or build an adorable snowman for yourself.
4. Immerse in the vibrant festival atmosphere:
Sapa in December is the time to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of highland winter festivals. Amidst the chilly weather, young men and women from the villages enthusiastically participate in unique winter festivals. The dances, songs, and vibrant ethnic colors are sure to warm your winter days like sunbeams. Moreover, the major festivals at Sun World Fansipan area are eagerly anticipated opportunities to experience a European winter with snow, Christmas trees, and sparkling lights.
Guide to visiting Sapa in December
1. Hang Da Village:
Not widely known among the tourist spots in Sapa like Cat Cat Village or Ta Van, but Hang Da Village is equally stunning in scenery. Located 7km from the town center, Hang Da Village is one of the most beautiful cloud hunting spots in Sapa.
Nestled against the lush green mountain slopes are endless terraced fields, dotted with simple, humble houses. The most special thing about Hang Da Village is perhaps its rustic charm of a true highland village. Elderly women carrying water buckets by the stream, innocent children with smiles always on their faces will be the lovely images you'll encounter in this village.
2. Fansipan Peak:
The 'Roof of Indochina' Fansipan will be the perfect place to witness the blazing sunset or the floating clouds of Sapa in winter. You don't have to be a hardcore adventurer or climb mountains tirelessly; experiencing the Fansipan peak with the most modern 3-rope cable car system in the world will also help you conquer the highest mountain peak in Vietnam.
Not only attracting domestic tourists but also a dream destination for many international travelers to conquer, Fansipan Peak offers an experience of 'flying' amidst the clouds on the mountain peak, overlooking the beautiful town nestled within sight.
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3. O Quy Ho Pass:
Part of the 'Four Great Passes of Vietnam,' O Quy Ho Pass is a stunning destination you should visit in Sapa. The road to O Quy Ho Pass can also be considered a 'golden' route with magnificent natural landscapes like Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall, or the Heaven's Gate area with its divine check-in view.
From the altitude of 2073m above the pass, you can witness the gentle clouds drifting with the wind, embracing the villages or the spectacular sunset moments. On snowy days, the scenery from O Quy Ho Pass is breathtaking with white covering the clustered hills - a sight you cannot find elsewhere in Vietnam.
4. Sapa Stone Church:
Sapa Stone Church is a French-inspired architectural gem built in the late 19th century. Constructed in Gothic style, the stone church brings a nostalgic European ambiance to Sapa. Over centuries amidst the misty landscapes of Sapa, the stone church has become an iconic symbol of the town.
Although seemingly out of place among the indigenous architecture and way of life, this church holds a special place deeply rooted in the highland community. The courtyard in front of the church is where many love stories begin through bustling market days, it's a religious gathering place, resonating with hymns sung by H'Mong children from the village. Travel experience in Sapa in December suggests that this is also a glamorous check-in spot as the church is always adorned with sparkling lights every winter to welcome a warm Christmas.
5. Hotel de la Coupole:
One of the most suitable places to visit in Sapa in December is Hotel de la Coupole. Amidst the rustic mountainous landscape of the Northwest, a luxurious palace stands out against the Western sky. Not only a luxurious 5-star hotel, Hotel de la Coupole can become the 'thousand likes' photo spot for your Sapa trip.
Even if you don't stay at the hotel, you can still experience 5-star services as a visitor at the rooftop cafe or bar and lobby area. On days when the weather doesn't 'cooperate,' enjoying a hot cup of coffee with a sweet treat, embracing the cozy and luxurious atmosphere at Hotel de la Coupole is a choice beyond excellent.
6. Sun World Fansipan Legend:
Whether you're a solo traveler or with a group of friends, Sun World Fansipan Legend is where you can find your favorite spots for exploring Sapa. Nestled atop the majestic Fansipan - Sun World Fansipan Legend is a premium entertainment and resort complex with a host of exciting experiences. Besides the well-known entertainment areas or spots in this complex, in December, you can immerse yourself in the lively winter festival atmosphere.
Every year, tourists flock here to admire the early-season snow, watch fireworks displays, take photos with the 'giant' Christmas trees, and marvel at the deeply cultural exchanges of the Northwest. If Sapa has no snowfall in certain years, don't worry because Sun World Fansipan has got you covered. They've invested in giant artificial snow-making machines, allowing you to capture every winter concept imaginable. To not miss out on the winter festival at Sun World Fansipan Legend, make sure to stay updated with the latest events from Mytour!
7. Cat Cat Village:
Cat Cat Village has always been a standout destination in the list of Sapa exploration spots with its simple houses nestled against the mountainside and the sound of the stream all year round. However, visiting Cat Cat Village in December will allow you to witness a different version of the most beautiful ancient village in the Northwest. Unlike the iconic golden terraced fields, the golden mustard flower fields in early December will be the highlight of the village before the entire area is covered in pure white.
Winter is also a time to immerse yourself in the unique festivals of the H'Mong people or simply to experience the peaceful life, explore the unique craft villages. Surely, the scenery and the people here will not disappoint you.
What to eat in Sapa in December?
1. Stone sprout cabbage:
This vegetable with the seemingly hard-to-swallow name 'stone sprout' is actually a rare specialty of the mountainous region. Stone sprout cabbage grows on high rocky mountains and only thrives in the cold season. Therefore, the quantity of stone sprouts is not available year-round for sale like other dishes. When visiting Sapa in December, you might have the chance to taste this unique dish.
Preparing stone sprout cabbage may seem easy, but it's actually quite tricky. Just boiling it over the fire can make the cabbage too soft and lose its characteristic sweetness. Boiled cabbage dipped in fish sauce or sesame salt is a simple yet addictive dish. Besides this common method, stone sprout cabbage can also be stir-fried with pork or smoked pork knuckles, incredibly satisfying.
2. Sapa Grilled Dishes:
Amidst the chilly atmosphere of Sapa, grilled dishes are considered the most popular delicacies at all times. Grilled food in Sapa is extremely diverse, from fragrant sticky rice tubes, pork, chicken, duck to unique tofu dishes,... all can become ingredients for the glowing charcoal grills. What's special is that grilled dishes in Sapa are seasoned very uniquely, each spice is adjusted for different dishes so the flavors never repeat, keeping you craving for more.
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3. Armpit-carried Pig:
The armpit-carried pig is a distinctive breed in Sapa, bred from wild boars and Mường pigs. These pigs are usually small in size, making them easy to carry under the armpit to sell. The cooking method for armpit-carried pig is essentially similar to traditional roasted pork. The only difference from the roasted pork in the lowland areas lies in the secret seasoning with extremely rich spices. The pig is roasted whole, grilled over charcoal to achieve a crispy texture while retaining juiciness inside. This is a specialty worth trying when visiting Sapa in December.
4. Salmon Hotpot:
You're not mistaken, salmon has become a specialty of Sapa after a successful farming project since 2004. Salmon, originally spawning and thriving in natural environments in European or North American waterfall areas, has now been brought to Sapa, allowing tourists to enjoy fresher and more delicious salmon dishes than ever before.
In the cold atmosphere of December, salmon hotpot is the perfect choice to warm up and delight your taste buds. Fresh salmon pieces combined with the sweetness of forest vegetables and clear broth, mixed with a hint of spicy flavor when sipping cat apple wine, will be an unforgettable experience for this winter.
5. Men Men:
Men Men is the name of a specialty dish of the H'Mong people made from corn. Although simple, this dish embodies the effort and meticulousness of the chefs, from the process of separating grains, grinding corn, to steaming twice. Men Men is often mixed with rice or served with soup for easy consumption.
In the past, Men Men was only a dish used within H'Mong families, rarely sold outside. But nowadays, you can easily enjoy the specialty of Men Men at any highland market in Sapa. Additionally, there are now many production and packaging facilities for Men Men in Sapa where you can buy as gifts for your loved ones after your Sapa trip.
Essential Tips for Visiting Sapa in December
Sapa is the perfect choice in December to 'change the air' with the cold weather and exciting experiences. However, this is also the peak tourist season here, so don't miss out on the following tips from Mytour for a perfect Sapa getaway!
- The weather in Sapa in December is very cold. Therefore, you need to prepare warm clothes and other accessories to keep your body warm when exploring and having fun. Also, you should bring an umbrella to prevent foggy and windy days.
- Due to its mountainous terrain, getting around Sapa can be quite inconvenient with winding and steep roads. You should pay attention to the terrain and routes if you plan to explore on your own. If you prefer not to navigate on your own, affordable Sapa tours from reputable travel companies will be the ideal and safest choice.
- Don't forget to bring your personal documents to book hotels or rent motorbikes. If you use multiple services at the same time, remember to carry two different types of documents to ensure a smooth journey.
So, Mytour has shared with you all the 'ins and outs' of traveling to Sapa in December. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful for your upcoming misty town exploration. Don't forget to visit the Mytour website or call the hotline 19003398 for advice on your Sapa trip and other affordable domestic tours!
