You Can Explore Sapa in 3 Days and 2 Nights.
Ham Rong Mountain
With its dreamy and mystical scenery, Ham Rong Mountain attracts many visitors. The lowest point of the mountain is 1,450 meters, while the highest peak exceeds 1,800 meters. From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sapa’s famous attractions, such as Muong Hoa Valley, Ta Van Village…
Ham Rong Mountain is an ideal spot for a hiking picnic, combined with sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Along the trail, you’ll find numerous stalls and beautiful flower gardens. The entrance fee to Ham Rong Mountain tourist area is 70,000 VND for adults and 30,000 VND for children..
Sapa Stone Church
After visiting Ham Rong Mountain, return to the town center to explore Sapa Stone Church, located nearby. This landmark of the mountain town was built in 1895. The church is designed in the shape of a cross, following Gothic architecture, which is reflected in its arched ceilings, pointed roofs, and bell tower, creating an elegant and soaring appearance..
Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat Village is located 2 km from Sapa town center, so you can choose to trek or ride a motorbike. This peaceful H’mong village still preserves many traditional customs and handicrafts such as weaving, silver engraving, and jewelry making.
The road to the village is scenic, winding through sharp turns with breathtaking terraced rice fields and ethnic houses on both sides. After crossing Si Bridge, you’ll reach the center of Cat Cat Village, where three streams (Tien Sa, Vang, and Bac) converge. Here, besides learning about the H’mong people’s daily life, you can buy handicrafts as souvenirs and enjoy local specialties. The entrance fee to Cat Cat Village is 50,000 VND per person.
Lao Chai – Ta Van
From Sapa town, you can take a motorbike, taxi, or trek along a 10 km route to Ta Van Village. The road to Lao Chai – Ta Van is narrow, flanked by lush green rice terraces and cornfields. Although no longer isolated, the village remains a peaceful home to various ethnic groups, including the H’mong, Dao, and Giay people…
Apart from experiencing the local lifestyle, the most remarkable sight here is the vast terraced fields covering the hillsides. At the end of summer, the golden rice fields create a stunning mountainous landscape. If you have time, consider staying a full day to immerse yourself in local culture. The entrance fee to the village is 70,000 VND per person.
Fansipan Peak
To reach Fansipan Peak without exerting too much effort, take the cable car and mountain train. In the morning, you can queue to buy tickets at the mountain train station, located across from Sapa town square. Ticket prices are 715,000 VND per adult, 525,000 VND per child for the cable car, and 99,000 VND per person for the mountain train.
The journey to the peak follows this route: mountain train → cable car → another train ride or a 600-step climb. The train ride takes about 6–7 minutes, and the cable car ride lasts around 30 minutes. Those who enjoy walking can leisurely ascend the stairs while exploring Fansipan’s spiritual complex, which includes Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda, an 11-story tower, the bronze statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Vietnam’s largest bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha..
Additionally, at the stops for the cable car and mountain train, you’ll find souvenir shops, restaurants, and other facilities catering to visitors’ shopping and dining needs. Travel tips: Wear comfortable shoes, bring a jacket, raincoat, or umbrella, as the weather at the peak can be unexpectedly cold and misty..
Swing Sa Pa
This popular check-in spot is located at 87 Nguyễn Chí Thanh, near Sapa town center, about 2 km from the Stone Church in the direction of the cable car station..
With unique structures such as the statues of a couple, a giant stone hand, a Buddha statue, the “stairway to heaven,” and swings, this place offers countless photo-worthy angles, making it a favorite for photography enthusiasts.
Travel tips: Before visiting, prepare a photo-friendly outfit, or you can rent one on-site for 50,000 VND per set. Also, make sure to fully charge your camera and phone. If you’re traveling in a group, consider camping or having a small picnic here. Entrance fee: 80,000 VND per person.
Seo My Ty Lake
To reach Seo My Ty Lake, located in Ta Van Commune, you must travel 20 km on a rough, rocky road, which can be challenging for inexperienced riders.This lake was formed by the construction of the Seo My Ty hydropower dam and is also the highest man-made lake in Vietnam. From above, it looks like a silky ribbon along the slopes of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.When visiting, you can ask local fishermen for permission to ride on their boats or rafts, allowing you to enjoy the stunning lake views and learn about the local salmon farming industry.
Heaven’s Gate
From Sa Pa town center, follow National Highway 4D for about 15 km until you reach the highest point of O Quy Ho Pass—this is Heaven’s Gate.
From here, you can take in the breathtaking panoramic view of the vast valley below, with terraced rice fields interwoven with winding mountain roads.
Today, the area has many newly built establishments, including restaurants, cafés, and hotels. The entrance fee for Heaven’s Gate is 80,000 VND per person, which includes one complimentary drink.
O Quy Ho Pass
Dubbed the “King of Mountain Passes,” O Quy Ho Pass features a deep valley on one side and towering cliffs on the other. Stretching approximately 50 km, it connects Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces.
For photography enthusiasts, the best time to visit is sunset, around 5:00 – 5:30 PM. As the sun gradually sets behind the mountains, the entire pass is bathed in a dreamy golden hue. However, Sa Pa’s weather changes rapidly—within just 10 minutes, the golden sunset can quickly be replaced by dark clouds and mist.
Along the pass, on the way to Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) and Love Waterfall (Thác Tình Yêu), you’ll find numerous roadside stalls selling local specialties, snacks, and beverages, with seating areas for travelers to rest.
When traveling on O Quy Ho Pass, it’s recommended to bring a raincoat and a thick jacket, ride a manual motorbike for better control, wear a helmet, and stay alert at every sharp turn.
Silver Waterfall – Love Waterfall
Located along O Quy Ho Pass, about 3 km from the peak, Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc) and Love Waterfall (Thác Tình Yêu) are must-visit stops for many travelers.
At Silver Waterfall, you can climb the stone steps leading to the top, but be aware that the higher you go, the colder it gets and the stronger the water flows, so take caution to avoid slipping.
As for Love Waterfall, the walking path from the entrance is about 1.5 km, winding through a picturesque forest, making it an enchanting trek.
Entrance fees:
- Silver Waterfall: 20,000 VND per person
- Love Waterfall: 75,000 VND per person
