Top 12 must-see tourist destinations in Sapa

Buzz

Content

1. Cat Cat Village

2. Sapa's Old Church

3. Ham Rong Mountain

4. High-altitude Villages

5. Coc San Cave

6. Bac Ha Love Market

7. Rose Valley

8. Silver Waterfall

9. Golden Stream – Love Waterfall

10. Heaven’s Gate – O Quy Ho Pass

11. Conquer Fansipan Summit – The Roof of Indochina

12. Mường Hoa Valley

1. Cat Cat Village

Located just 2 km from Sapa town, you can either rent a motorbike or walk to reach this village. The entrance fee is 40,000 VND per person, and you will be given a free map of Cat Cat Village. This ancient village of the Hmong people preserves many traditional crafts such as cotton growing, flax, and weaving. Before entering, it's a good idea to buy some snacks, chips, or candies to share with the children in the village.

Explore the peaceful retreat of Cat Cat Village

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

2. Sapa's Old Church

Located in the heart of Sapa town, the Sapa Stone Church, built in 1895, stands as the most complete example of French colonial architecture still preserved. Directly across from the church is a large square. If you visit on the weekend, you can witness the cultural beauty of the local ethnic groups, such as the love market, flute playing, stick dances, and a bustling market selling traditional handicrafts.

Sapa's Old Church showcases unique architecture

A corner of Sapa, the stone church – a cultural symbol of Sapa, marked by the French colonial era

3. Ham Rong Mountain

Located about 3 km from Sapa town, you can either walk or rent a motorbike to reach Ham Rong Mountain. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sapa, the Muong Hoa Valley, and the mist-covered landscapes of Sa Pa and Ta Phin. The entrance fee is 70,000 VND per person, and you’ll be immersed in a world of lush flowers, plants, and greenery. The variety of flowers, in shades of red, yellow, and purple, resembles the beauty of Da Lat. If you're up for a challenge, hike to the mountain peak for a breathtaking view of Sapa town and Fansipan Peak.

Ham Rong Flower Garden

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

4. High-altitude Villages

To reach the Ta Phin village, head 17 km east from Sapa town. Lao Chai is located near the Muong Hoa Stream (Muong Hoa Valley). These villages are primarily inhabited by the Giay and Black H'mong ethnic groups. At Ta Phin, you can visit the nearby Ta Phin Cave, which is filled with unique stalactites and stalagmites forming fascinating shapes, such as dancing fairies, groups of fairies sitting, distant fields, and sparkling forests. Don’t miss the Ta Phin Monastery, a Western-style building constructed in the late 19th century, still preserving its ancient, moss-covered charm. 8 km from Sapa is Ta Van, home to many Giay people. The narrow, dirt road to the village is lined with lush terraced rice fields, perfect for sightseeing and photography.

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

5. Coc San Cave

Located in Coc San commune, Bat Xat district, about 7 km from Lao Cai city, Coc San is a system of waterfalls and various caves of different sizes. The path to Coc San is winding, dark, and obstructed by large rocks, but the natural, untouched beauty of the place remains pristine. The scenery at Coc San is serene and expansive, and visitors often feel the mystical atmosphere emanating from the waterfalls, rock formations, and caves.

Coc San Cave

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

6. Bac Ha Love Market

Located 70 km from Lao Cai, Bac Ha Market only opens on Sundays. It’s the perfect market to discover the untouched charm and rich culture of the ethnic groups of the Northwest. The market offers a wide range of goods, from fabrics, traditional handicrafts, livestock, to medicinal plants. If you visit, don’t miss trying the local specialty, Thang Co.

Bac Ha Market - A unique market of the Northwest region

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

7. Rose Valley

The Rose Valley at Fansipan, covering 5 hectares, holds the record for being 'Vietnam's largest rose valley'. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by a vibrant array of roses in full bloom. The fresh, cool mountain air adds to the relaxing atmosphere, making it a wonderful place to unwind.

Over 120,000 varieties of roses, both native to Vietnam and from around the world, thrive here. Carefully nurtured by dedicated workers, the 'roses in the clouds' compete to display their beauty and fragrance. The valley resembles a large, soft carpet that blankets a section of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, making it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the stunning Sapa region.

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

8. Silver Waterfall

Silver Waterfall, located around 15km from Sapa towards Lai Châu and Điện Biên, is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Vietnam. It takes about 30 minutes by motorbike or bus to reach the falls. The waterfall is situated in the San Sả Hồ commune, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province, making it a convenient and popular spot for tourists.

Silver Waterfall lies near National Route 4D, a vital highway connecting Sapa to Lai Châu, just 12km west of Sapa town center. The waterfall area is easily accessible, with two distinct paths leading up and down the falls. The path on the right takes you halfway up, where you'll cross a bridge to the left side. From there, the majestic waterfall appears before you. The upper part of the falls is veiled by misty water sprays, while at the base, the powerful rush of water creates foam and mist. As you climb higher, it feels as if the waterfall is tumbling toward you, with smaller streams cascading down, rushing to meet the river below.

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

Silver Waterfall in Sapa – An ideal summer travel destination - Photo: Shane Devlin

9. Golden Stream – Love Waterfall

Golden Stream – Love Waterfall is located in the expansive area of Tram Ton – Mount Xe, San Sa Ho Commune, about 15 km from Sapa town.

Inside the Golden Stream – Love Waterfall tourist area, there are many fascinating spots to explore. The first sight that greets visitors at the entrance of the ecological tourism area is the Vong Cảnh Pavilion. Built from solid stone, this tall and sturdy structure offers visitors a panoramic view of the majestic O Quy Ho Pass, Silver Waterfall, and the peaks of Hoang Lien Son. After crossing the pavilion, a few steps lead to the Golden Stream.

The Golden Stream stretches about 1,600 meters, with crystal-clear amber-colored water that sparkles. The golden hue of the stream blends beautifully with the surrounding greenery, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere. One side of the stream is lined with a smooth stone path.

At the end of the stream, visitors will reach the Love Waterfall. Although not as grand as Silver Waterfall, the Love Waterfall, standing at about 100 meters high, has a peaceful and romantic charm that attracts many couples who come here hand in hand.

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

10. Heaven’s Gate – O Quy Ho Pass

Located 18 km from the center of Sapa, the road to Heaven's Gate is steep and winding, which only adds to the excitement as you approach. This spot offers a perfect vantage point to take in the vast, pristine landscape of the North-Western mountains, as well as a sweeping view of Sapa town and the Muong Hoa Valley. Don’t miss the chance to conquer one of Vietnam's "Four Great Passes" – O Quy Ho.

Conquer one of Vietnam's "Four Great Passes"

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

11. Conquer Fansipan Summit – The Roof of Indochina

Located 9 km southwest of Sapa town, there are two ways to visit this iconic spot. If you're an adventurer who loves exploring, you can take a bus to Tram Ton and begin your trek to the Roof of Indochina. Alternatively, if you prefer a less strenuous route, you can buy a round-trip cable car ticket for 600,000 VND per person. The Fansipan cable car, operational since early 2016, holds two world records: the greatest elevation difference between the departure and arrival stations (1410m) and the longest cable car span (6292.5m).

The scenery at the Fansipan station is breathtaking. On sunny days, with drifting clouds, you’ll feel as though you’re strolling through a European paradise.

Youth should experience touching the Roof of Indochina at least once in a lifetime

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

12. Mường Hoa Valley

Located about 8 km southeast of Sapa town, with an entrance fee of 80,000 VND per person, you will arrive at Mường Hoa Valley. The standout features here are the ancient extraterrestrial stone field and the stunning terraced rice paddies. Especially during the rice season or the water pouring season, the landscape feels like stepping into a watercolor painting. Additionally, from here, you can also visit the Lao Chải and Tả Van villages.

Visit Sapa during the rice harvest or water pouring season to fully experience the beauty of nature

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)

Mytour's content is for customer care and travel encouragement only, and we are not responsible.

For errors or inappropriate content, please contact us at: [email protected]