Travel blogger's guide to a 3-day adventure for first-timers in Sapa

Over the course of 3 days, you can embark on trekking journeys through ethnic villages, visit beautiful waterfalls, or hike Ham Rong Mountain. Conquer Fansipan in a day and marvel at O Quy Ho Pass.

First-time traveler's 3-day itinerary advice for Sapa exploration

Tran Viet Anh (Hanoi) is an avid travel blogger and adventurer who has cycled across Vietnam and explored Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Here's Viet Anh's recommended 3-day, 4-night Sapa travel itinerary (starting with a car journey):

Catch the last car departing at 22:00 from My Dinh bus station, such as Hung Thanh, Sao Viet, or from the Old Quarter like Inter Bus Line. These buses will arrive in Sapa around 4-5 am, allowing you to check in and save a night's stay.

Day 1: Cat Cat Village (or take the Fansipan cable car) – Silver Waterfall – Love Waterfall – Golden Stream – Enjoy the sunset at O Quy Ho Pass

5 AM: Arrive in Sapa, check into your hotel, and drop off your belongings. It's recommended to rent a room in the central area around Cau May or Fansipan as these locations are peaceful and close to the market for convenient dining. Alternatively, you can also rent a room opposite the central Sapa lake, also close to eateries and cafes but requires a short walk to the city center.

*Tip: Usually, the bus stops about a kilometer away from the central Sapa town. If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with elderly family members or young children, consider taking a taxi to your hotel for convenience.

8 AM: After unpacking, freshening up, and a short rest at the hotel, consider renting a motorbike for easy transportation. Then, look for a place to have breakfast. There are plenty of breakfast spots around Sapa (pho, bun, average price 30,000 - 40,000 VND/bowl). You can dine right in the culinary quarter around the square.

8:45 AM: Choose to visit Cat Cat Village or take the cable car to the summit of Fansipan (price 600,000 VND/person).

Option for Cat Cat Village: This is a small village just below Sapa town where the H'Mong Hoa ethnic group resides. The village scenery is peaceful, and the locals engage in daily activities such as farming and weaving traditional fabric. Spend half a day exploring the village, observing and learning about the life and culture of the H'Mong people. If you visit during the planting or harvesting season, you'll immerse yourself in the enthusiastic labor atmosphere with the locals. To descend from Cat Cat, consider renting a motorbike for time efficiency. Entrance fee is 50,000 VND/adult, 20,000 VND/child.

12 PM: Return to the town center for lunch. You can choose from rice, noodles, pho at the culinary area, or restaurants along Cau May Street. The average price for a rice dish is 40,000 - 50,000 VND.

1 PM: Head back to the hotel for some rest.

2 PM: Embark on the journey to Silver Waterfall – Love Waterfall – O Quy Ho Pass.

The first stop on your itinerary is Silver Waterfall. From a distance, the cascade resembles a white ribbon draped across the hill. The water from the waterfall is used to nurture sturgeon and salmon at the fish farm right below. Ticket price is 20,000 VND/adult, 10,000 VND/child.

3 PM: Explore Love Waterfall and Golden Stream. To reach Love Waterfall, purchase tickets at Ton Station (ticket price for the entire route is 70,000 VND/adult, 30,000 VND/child) and walk approximately 2 km. The scenery along the path is beautiful, especially the golden stream, shimmering when sunlight reflects on the water.

5 PM: Leave Love Waterfall and head to the sunset viewpoint on O Quy Ho Pass. The sun will set behind the mountain range around 5:30 PM. Standing here, you'll see winding roads connecting Lao Cai to Lai Chau. On chilly days, sitting here, watching the sunset, enjoying grilled pork wrapped in mustard leaves, bamboo-cooked rice, and sweet dessert soup is a delightful experience.

6:30 PM: Return to the town center for dinner. You have three evenings in Sapa, so you must try one of these three dishes: grilled specialties, sturgeon hotpot, and salmon salad. Sapa is always cool, especially in winter, making hotpot a suitable choice. The vegetables in Sapa are also delicious. Restaurant prices in Sapa are moderate, not too high.

8:30 PM: After dinner, take a stroll around the town center, capture check-in photos at the stone church, the square, or walk along the ancient Cau May street – a place with many coffee shops and small pubs to relax with friends.

10 PM: Return to the hotel for rest.

Day 2: Trekking from Lao Chai to Ta Van from morning until evening

This will be the most extensive walking day, also the day you discover the most distinctive highland cultural traits. Only in Sapa can you experience such fascinating long treks. Your footsteps will lead you from the H'Mong village to the Dzay village. Consider buying a one-day trekking tour or hiring a local guide (like the H'Mong women you encounter in town). They will introduce you to the customs, cultural aspects, and people here. Moreover, the scenery in the Lao Chai – Ta Van valley is breathtaking.

There are many routes and shared tour options available. You can choose a 290,000 VND/person tour with pick-up from Sapa, transfer to Lao Chai, and start walking. The journey covers approximately 9 km, passing through villages, ripe rice fields, having lunch, and then tackling a challenging trail. This tour is suitable for young explorers. Families with young children and elderly members can opt for a private tour with an easier route.

If you prefer not to buy a tour or hire a local guide, you can rent a motorbike for the day. In the afternoon, you still have time to visit the ancient rock field and ride to the Dền village section (where Topas Ecolodge is located). The environment is serene, and the route is stunning.

Stay overnight in Ta Van (consider Tả Van Ecologic Homestay) or return to the town center. Staying at a homestay in Ta Van is incredibly tranquil; waking up to the surrounding rice fields, grass, and the gentle sound of a flowing stream all night, surely an experience you won't find in the center of Sapa.

Day 3: Conquer Ham Rong Mountain – Trek to Ta Phin, experience a traditional Red Dao herbal bath – Return to Hanoi

8:30 AM: Have breakfast.

9:45 AM: Hike Ham Rong Mountain (whether you spent the night in Ta Van or Sapa, waking up early is advisable) and enjoy the panoramic view of Sapa from above. This is the highest viewpoint in the town center. On Ham Rong Mountain, there's a cloud yard, a flower garden with many beautiful flowers, an arch of heaven, a zodiac statue... and ladies can even rent ethnic costumes for photos. Ticket price is 70,000 VND/adult and 20,000 VND/child.

12 PM: Descend from the mountain for lunch and return to rest at the hotel.

2 PM: Head to Ta Phin village (if you've rented a motorbike). Ta Phin is about 9 km from the town center, accessible via the Lao Chai route. It is the home of the Red Dao people, renowned for their herbal remedies for joint and digestive issues. Here, you'll find a collapsed church with red moss-covered walls and stunning terraced fields that will make you stop for memorable photos.

4:30 PM: Experience a traditional Red Dao herbal bath. Red Dao women use this herbal bath just days after giving birth to resume their daily activities. Children also take the bath shortly after birth. They pour the heated herbal leaves into a wooden tub, and you immerse yourself until you feel a delightful sense of intoxication before stepping out. Not just an interesting experience, after two days of trekking and climbing, this herbal bath will rejuvenate your body.

6 PM: Return to Sapa for dinner, stroll around the town center, and buy souvenirs.

9:30 PM: Board the bus back to Hanoi. Take the Inter Bus Line (price 220,000 VND/person), and you'll arrive in Hanoi's Old Quarter around 5 AM.

Key Preparations for the Trip

Accommodation: Opt for a hotel on Cau May street, Fansipan street, or Ngũ Chỉ Sơn street near Sapa Lake. Cau May and Fansipan offer the advantage of proximity to the center, providing stunning views of the terraced fields and Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The lakeside is also a reasonable choice if Cau May and Fansipan are fully booked.

Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa: If traveling by car, consider purchasing bus tickets from Hung Thanh (Tran Quang Khai – near Hanoi University of Foreign Studies) or Inter Bus Line (Old Quarter Hanoi). If taking the train, it's advisable to book tickets 2-3 days in advance to secure seats.

Transportation: If you're young and adventurous, renting a motorbike for a self-guided tour is comfortable, liberating, and cost-effective. If traveling with family, you can opt for a taxi, join day tours, or hire a private taxi.

Attire: Wear a pair of sports shoes (with good grip) or trekking shoes when traveling to Sapa. Bring a light jacket for the autumn-like weather in Sapa during the fall, resembling winter in Hanoi. In the summer, just bring a thin jacket.

Accommodation: Choose a hotel on Cau May street, Fansipan street, or Ngũ Chỉ Sơn street near Sapa Lake. Staying on Cau May and Fansipan provides the advantage of being close to the center with a view of the terraced fields and the beautiful Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The lakeside is also a reasonable option if Cau May and Fansipan are fully booked.

Transportation from Hanoi to Sapa: If traveling by car, consider purchasing bus tickets from Hung Thanh (Tran Quang Khai – near Hanoi University of Foreign Studies) or Inter Bus Line (Old Quarter Hanoi). If taking the train, it's advisable to book tickets 2-3 days in advance to secure seats.

Transportation: If you're young and love adventure, renting a motorbike for self-exploration is a comfortable, free, and economical option. If traveling with family, consider taking a taxi, joining day tours, or hiring a private taxi.

Attire: Choose a pair of sports shoes (with good traction) or trekking shoes for your trip to Sapa. Bring a jacket for the chilly Sapa weather in autumn, similar to winter in Hanoi. In summer, a thin jacket will suffice.

Fansipan Trek: Previously, the quickest Fansipan trek took 2 days and 1 night, but with the cable car, you can now opt for a one-day trek. Ascend to the summit in the afternoon and return by cable car, saving a significant amount of time.

Etiquette in Villages: When visiting highland villages, it's essential to respect their culture and traditions. Avoid entering homes without permission.

Source: Vnexpress

***

Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour