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If Sapa in October brings impressive scenes of golden rice terraces, then in November, we are immersed in a sea of clouds and mist. The town suddenly becomes gentle and peaceful, with clouds and mountains, mist enveloping travelers' feet. Let's explore the Mytour guide to experiencing Sapa in November for authentic experiences here.
What's the Weather Like in Sapa in November?
While Sapa in October is mildly cold, November brings cooler weather but not freezing. Mornings and nights are filled with clouds and mist, the town seems to be immersed in a surreal space, with a peaceful and fresh atmosphere. This is the transitional period between autumn and winter. Despite being known as the “land of mist”, Sapa in November is different, as the mist becomes denser, wrapping Sapa in a pure silk layer.
Traveling to Sapa in November, the temperature ranges from 10 to 18 degrees Celsius during the day, dropping to around 7 to 8 degrees Celsius at night and early morning. In high places like Fansipan peak, it can drop to 1 to 2 degrees Celsius at night.
November is also the time when Sapa enters the dry season, so very little rain occurs, perhaps just heavy mist that deceives people. The winter mist is both pure white and bitterly cold, mixed with a hint of winter scent knocking at the door. Amidst the cold mist, travelers find everything suddenly romantic, and their souls become calmer to experience many things never tried before in the mountain town.
Where to Find Budget Hotels in Sapa in November?
Accommodation is also a matter of great concern when visiting Sapa in winter. This is a popular time for tourists, so room prices are usually very high, or even fully booked. Therefore, according to Mytour's experience, you should book affordable rooms early to avoid this situation. Because money spent ahead is smart money, booking in advance not only ensures room selection and the best location but also reduces the chances of getting motion sickness on the way...
Sapa in November can be quite chilly, so remember to look for hotels with air conditioning, heaters, or heating lamps to ensure your health. Location is also crucial; choose hotels near downtown Sapa if you plan to visit famous spots in the city, or book a resort for a more private retreat. It's advisable to book 3-star hotels or above in Sapa with air conditioning and mountain views. Waking up early, you'll have a chance to capture stunning photos with the luxurious sea of clouds.
1. KK Sapa
This 5-star hotel is just 600m from downtown Sapa, offering magnificent views of Fansipan Mountain and Muong Hoa Valley. All room types include complimentary breakfast and access to an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, perfect for relaxing after long journeys in the chilly weather. Especially, the Sin Chai Restaurant at KK Sapa serves incredibly delicious salmon hotpot, a must-try in cold weather.
2. BB Sapa
BB Sapa showcases European architecture, resembling a miniature castle amidst the misty town of Sapa. Its prime location next to Sun Plaza train station and facing Sapa square and Stone Church allows guests to easily access famous tourist spots. The view overlooking the square is a big plus, allowing you to fully observe the cityscape from the warmth of your cozy room.
3. Hôtel de la Coupole – MGallery Sapa
This luxurious 5-star hotel, designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley, boasts upscale style with 249 premium rooms and a range of amenities including restaurants, bars, conference rooms... making it an ideal stopover for couples, families, or events. After a long journey, you can treat yourself to moments of relaxation and unwind at the spa.
4. Sapa Jade Hill Resort & Spa
Located about 2km from downtown Sapa, adjacent to Muong Hoa Valley with views of lush green terraced fields. Sapa Jade Hill Resort & Spa offers the opportunity to enjoy a fairy-tale scene with flying clouds when at an altitude of 400m above sea level. Amidst the vast land, you can immerse yourself in nature in warm rooms made of stone, wood, various grasses, flowers, and traditional patterns famous in Sapa.
What's Beautiful About Traveling to Sapa in November?
Cloud Hunting Season
November marks the beginning of cloud hunting season in Sapa, extending throughout the winter. Visitors to Sapa during this season can easily encounter sun-kissed clouds cascading down the valley like incense smoke. As twilight descends, a mystical mist envelops the town, making it appear small and serene. This is also the time when photography enthusiasts can capture many beautiful moments.
The beauty of the sea of clouds cannot be defined by words; we can only understand it through our own eyes and feelings. You can visit Sapa someday in November to fully experience it. Clouds stretch across the mountains, villages hidden amidst the mystical mist resembling a sleeping princess in the forest.
Experience a Peaceful Day
It's the feeling of peace when waking up after a long sleep, gazing out to see the faint sunlight outside the window, dewdrops glistening. In the warm hotel room, just having a warm cup of tea in hand and gentle hugs from behind are enough to chase away worries, bring hearts closer together, and find peace.
A Glimpse of the Last Golden Sun of Autumn
According to the experience of visiting Sapa in November, at this time, there appears a type of sunshine called honey sunshine by the locals. It shines golden like delicious honey on the Hoang Lien Son peak. The winter sun in Sapa is not harsh, but rather gentle, always hazy, hiding behind the mist like spreading smoke.
Amidst the enveloping cold atmosphere, the golden rays of late autumn are still striving to spread evenly across the hillsides. Sunlight drops everywhere as if pouring honey, inviting travelers to taste the fresh, pure flavor that the land is bestowing upon this land.
Picking Cat Apples
This specialty of Sapa can only be picked in autumn and November is the time when everyone can pick them. Visitors to Sapa in November may encounter ethnic girls picking cat apples from laden branches. The most special feeling is when we get to enjoy the delicious flavor of freshly picked cat apples, or savor a cup of fragrant and strong brewed wine, which is also very appealing.
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Exciting Sapa Attractions in November
1. Conquer Fansipan Peak
Fansipan Peak is dubbed as the “roof of Indochina” and is a destination that not only mountain climbers but also travel enthusiasts dream of exploring at least once in their lifetime. From the towering summit, you can cast your gaze downwards and admire the panoramic view of Sapa like an unreal painting. For a more convenient trip, instead of going on your own and having to figure out everything from A to Z, you can book all-inclusive Sapa tours that come with entrance tickets, transportation, hotel rentals, and destination advice. Alternatively, if you're traveling with a large family, opting for affordable Sapa tours with shuttle services and tour guides accompanying you throughout the journey would be more suitable.
Currently, there are 2 ways to reach the summit of Fansipan: by cable car or by road. In general, the cable car route will help us save a lot of time and energy to explore more when reaching the top. Some must-visit spots on Fansipan summit include: Sapa's sky gate, Sun World Fansipan Legend, milestone on Fansipan peak, Ha Temple... From the high peak, we can feel the scene of floating clouds amidst the cold November weather, making tourists feel like they are lost in a kingdom above the clouds with plenty of exciting experiences awaiting.
2. Dragon Cloud Bridge
This is a famous tourist destination in Sapa recently opened, located on the top of O Quy Ho Pass near Sapa with spectacular, hair-raising scenery. Up to now, Dragon Cloud Bridge is also considered the highest glass bridge in Vietnam and dubbed the Sky Gate on O Quy Ho Pass summit. The bridge consists of a walkway starting from the mountain and then ascending a 70m-long elevator system, which will take tourists to the position of the glass bridge 2,200m above sea level and 60m away from the mountain wall, creating a feeling of floating in mid-air.
The bridge has a circular shape, surrounded by 4 walkways, including 3 glass walkways extending far out. The bridge surface is made of transparent load-bearing glass, with the floor installed with 3 layers of thick glass, each layer bonded with special adhesive with a total length of over 7cm. The project is built to international standards, ensuring safety for tourists in all conditions so you can completely enjoy the thrilling experience here with peace of mind.
Don't hesitate to experience the feeling of standing on the glass bridge and looking down at the abyss below. But besides that, we can also marvel at the breathtaking scenery at the place known as Vietnam's 'four great mountain passes.' The white clouds drifting amidst the deep green landscape below create a magnificent sight that will be a memorable experience for travelers visiting here. Especially besides visiting the glass bridge, tourists can also participate in many other adventurous activities such as Bungee jumping, Zipline, paragliding, mountain climbing... which are also very exciting.
3. Dragon Jaw Mountain
Dragon Jaw Mountain is a mountain of legends, located right in the center of Sapa town. Being at an altitude of 2000m above sea level, the climate of Dragon Jaw Mountain is always mild and pleasant year-round. Whether it's winter or summer, visitors can admire the different beauties from countless flowers.
Especially, according to travel experience in Sapa in November, if you have come to Dragon Jaw Mountain, you cannot miss the extremely special destination, the Cloud Yard. Just from its name, we can already feel the mysteriousness of this place. Not only at this time, but all year round, the Cloud Yard is covered by drifting clouds. From here, tourists will feel like they are wandering into a fairyland. Remember to bring your camera and necessary equipment to capture some beautiful shots.
4. Cat Cat Village
Late autumn to early winter is also the ideal time for visitors to explore Cat Cat Village in Sapa. This place is only about 3km from the town center, so tourists can easily move from hotels to sightseeing. At this tourist area, there are many interesting and attractive things waiting for tourists to discover, from traditional houses, charming small roads to craft villages, waterfalls, Gem valley, Cat Cat village...
The three-room 'walled houses' made of familiar wood from the Northwest will be a beautiful backdrop for tourists' photos. Mytour suggests you can rent or buy for yourself a set of ethnic clothes along with many accompanying accessories such as umbrellas, ethnic bags... right in front of the village gate.
5. Stone Church
Sapa Stone Church was built in 1895 and is considered the most intact architectural relic of the French remaining. Over the long history, the church has been preserved and become a symbolic image when mentioning the foggy town. With the strategic location, the church stands behind the Dragon Jaw Mountain, shielding, and in front of the wide, flat land, creating a sense of balance and harmony with the surrounding scenery. Amidst the misty space, the beauty of the church appears like a classic movie scene in some paradise land. The centuries-old stone church still stands in the land of Sapa with its peaceful and nostalgic beauty.
Love Market Sapa takes place every Saturday evening, after the sun sets and the thick fog rises high. Amidst the chilly atmosphere, you can feel the fragrant smell of wine, the inviting sound of lips. It's simply a place where lovers choose to rendezvous, or more simply understood, it's a place for exchanging gestures of affection.
Visitors can dress up in ethnic costumes, enjoy wine together in the square area in front of the stone church. Gathering in crowded places, tourists will see scenes of boys playing the flute, girls wearing ethnic dresses, anklets on their legs, holding umbrellas, dancing back and forth. If you like, you can buy some bracelets, scarves, bags with eye-catching patterns here.
7. Explore Villages and Towns
Visiting Sapa during the fog season offers a very different beauty, with the city and its people no longer bustling as in the previous harvest season. Now, we can feel a more peaceful, quieter space. Across the valleys, the terraced fields from above are filled with water immersed in the cold early winter mist. Remember to ride around to visit the villages to admire the unique scenery only available in November.
What to Eat?
According to the travel experience of many tourists in Sapa in November, grilled dishes are even better in winter. Visiting Sapa without eating grilled food is like not fully exploring the uniqueness and richness of the cuisine here. It seems that in this plateau land, every ordinary grilled dish is imbued with the essence of the earth and sky, making many food lovers marvel at their distinct flavor.
1. Meo Vegetable Wrapped Beef
After thinly slicing the beef, it's marinated with spices and then wrapped with Meo vegetables inside, forming a skewer before grilling over charcoal. The sweetness of the beef combined with the slightly bitter taste of Meo vegetables, mixed with a hint of spiciness from chili sauce, makes it irresistible.
2. Grilled Bamboo Rice
This is a popular dish in mountainous areas, especially in the Northwest and Northeast regions. Previously, rice would be grilled while still raw, but nowadays, most bamboo rice is pre-cooked in a pot before being grilled again to reheat. When enjoying it, Sapa visitors can dip it in sesame salt and pair it with grilled dishes to avoid monotony.
3. Grilled Mountain Stream Fish
Eating Mường Hoa mountain stream fish, diners simply grill it over charcoal until cooked, then enjoy it hot or lightly grilled, fried, or sautéed with tomato sauce and spices for a delicious dish on the dining table. The meat of mountain stream fish may not be as large as other fish species living in ponds and lakes, but it has the advantage of firm, tender flesh, soft bones, fragrant aroma, and especially no fishy taste.
4. Buffalo Meat Grilled on Stove
When it comes to Sapa's delicacies, we immediately think of buffalo meat grilled on the stove. Whether it's winter in Sapa or summer, you can still enjoy this dish, but perhaps the flavor is even better in winter. To make a piece of buffalo meat both fragrant and flavorful, it requires a lot of effort. The meat is marinated with many spices such as chili, pepper, ginger, and cannot be without a key ingredient – mac khen, the soul of this dish.
5. Mountain Victory
Mountain Victory is a symbolic dish of Sapa, according to the experience of visiting Sapa in November, you should never miss it. Just imagine, in the cold space, sitting and enjoying a bowl of steaming hot mountain victory soup, how stimulating it is. In the past, mountain victory was mainly made from horse meat and horse organs, but later beef and pork were added to diversify the dish.
It also cannot be without spices such as star anise, cinnamon, lemongrass, and ginger to add a rich and irresistible flavor. Mountain Victory accompanied by a bit of mustard greens, then sipping with a cup of plum wine, there's nothing more wonderful.
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What to Wear in Sapa in November?
According to the experience of traveling to Sapa in November, we should bring winter clothes, thick and warm jackets. If you want to take some unique photos, on sunny days, you can wear a dress, quickly take a few shots, and then put on a jacket. Especially, if you intend to rent a motorbike, you should wear warm clothes with a hat, a windproof hood because riding a motorcycle can be very cold.
Families traveling to Sapa with young children should pay attention and prepare scarves, beanies, socks, heat patches... and keep the wind out for the baby. Most importantly, children from 2 years old and above should be taken along to avoid loneliness.
Hopefully, through this article, we have partly grasped some tips for traveling to Sapa in November for a more convenient trip. For more detailed information about domestic and international tours with good prices, you can contact the hotline Mytour for detailed advice and booking cheap tours. Not only tours, but we also have thousands of hot deals for hotels, cheap flight tickets, all-inclusive packages waiting for you to explore.
