Travelers don’t stumble upon Sapa, Vietnam. They travel there to see the stunning scenery and get a glimpse of the area’s mountain communities.
Most travelers take the night train in Hanoi and arrive in Sapa early in the morning. There are various departure times for night trains; try to take the earliest. Be on the lookout for “fake porters” who will try to help you with your luggage and then try to extort $2 per bag for helping you. Avoid the whole scene by bringing your own bag onto the train, and keep your ticket in hand until you reach your assigned car. There will be a driver in the car to take your ticket. Keep your ticket safe, you will need it when you arrive in Sapa.
Upon arrival in Sapa, you will be offered a ride “up the mountain” by bus or taxi, unless you have made a reservation. Sit back and watch what kind of deal others are negotiating with drivers. Be careful, there are “resellers” who act as “intermediaries”. They get a % of the fee – the more you pay, the more they get.
The journey to Sapa will take between 1.5 and 2 hours. Hotels: You can make a reservation, check a travel guide (online or book) for recommendations, or wait to see where the bus stops. Check with other travelers on the bus, someone may have been there before and has a good hotel in mind.
Or, you can ride to the end of the line. The bus will end at a hotel. Grab your gear, find a restaurant and have breakfast. This will give you time to examine the situation. Maybe talk to someone who’s wearing a fanny pack (most people don’t take all their gear with them when they’re looking at the scenery) and find out if they’re at a “good” hotel.
Some people avoid Sapa and go to the mountain villages. You can check with local tourism agencies and see if they want to arrange a home stay tour for one or two nights. This is not recommended because Sapa has a lot to offer on its own.
Before hiring a tour or guide service, be sure to check the weather forecast and road conditions in the area you want to visit. Heavy rain storms and landslides on the roads are not uncommon in Sapa. If you are traveling to Dien Bien Phu, make sure the roads are up to your standards.
Arrange to go to one of the local villages to see what life is like for the hill tribes (locally known as “ethnic minorities”). It is very different from that of the ethnic Vietnamese. Take a hike through the terraced rice fields and surrounding mountains. Have a plan to stop for lunch or take it with you.
You will have many opportunities to meet hill tribesmen as they work in the fields or in their villages.
Home stays are very popular and offer more exposure to the mountain lifestyle. Their lifestyle is unique and worth experiencing. Evenings are spent watching performances of traditional ethnic music and village life. Celebrating has been known to get out of hand when local liquor is consumed. Morning life involves making breakfast, feeding the animals, taking care of the house, and working in the family garden.
Check out the amenities when arranging a home stay. Be sure of sleeping accommodations. Most home stays offer beds with clean sheets, pillows, mosquito nets, and western-style bathrooms.
Some home stays (and other tours) offer opportunities for serious hiking from one town to another. Some hikes can be quite remote. The people are nice, but make sure you respect the local customs of the people here and ask permission to take pictures.
Before leaving Sapa, consider visiting the local market, the garden around Sapa Lake, and the cathedral. If you’re staying in Sapa for most of your visit, these attractions are within walking distance, as is Cat Cat Village in the valley below.
Most travelers return to Lao Cai to take the night train back to Hanoi. The train station is quite stark, but there are attractions nearby. There are several restaurants and internet cafes nearby.
You will arrive in Hanoi early enough to spend a full day in Hanoi or leave for a trip to Halong Bay.
