Aerial view of terraced rice fields and small houses in a mountain valley

Sapa

Sapa is a hill town in northwest Vietnam where terraced valleys and walking trails link ethnic minority villages. Most visitors come for the treks and the cable car up Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam.

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Sapa is a hill town in Lao Cai Province, in the northwest mountains of Vietnam. Rice terraces climb the slopes around it, and the valleys below are home to H'mong, Dao, Tay and Giay communities. You reach their villages on foot, along paths that start near town. The town itself is small, with a market and a few cafes, so most of your time goes to walking.

Sapa suits travelers who like walking, mountain scenery and slower days. Two to three nights leaves room for one trek and a day trip up Fansipan by cable car. The terraces are green during the planting season in late spring and early summer, and gold at harvest in autumn. Winter is cold and often foggy, and rain falls often in summer, so bring layers and a rain jacket in any season.

Sapa in five

Choose the base before the trekSapa town has the market, restaurants and transport. Lodges and homestays in the valleys put you among the terraces and shorten the first walk. The tourism board notes that homestays add income for local families.Where to stay in Sapa
Aim for September, October, April or MayThe tourism board names September and October for the fullest terraces and April and May for clear skies and mild weather. Expect chilly weather from November to March.Best time to visit Vietnam
Pick the night train or a van from HanoiThe overnight train runs to Lao Cai, then a transfer van climbs to town. Shuttle vans and buses run straight from Hanoi in about five to six hours and stop in the center.Hanoi to Sapa
Hire a locally owned guide for overnight treksSome villages, such as Cat Cat and Ta Phin, can be seen without a guide. For an overnight trek with a village stay, choose a locally owned operator and agree the route first.Sapa trekking guide
Check the cloud before you buy for FansipanThe cable car to Fansipan runs about 7:30am to 5:30pm and takes around 15 minutes to the 3,143 m summit area. Low cloud can hide the view, so check conditions the morning of the ride.

Things to do in Sapa

See all attractions in Sapa

Church · SapaSa Pa Stone ChurchVisit on a Sunday morning if you want to attend Mass. Dress modestly and keep quiet during services, since the church is a place of worship.

Market · SapaSapa Market

Hike · SapaTram Ton Pass

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SapaPut the places you like in Sapa on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: None at Sapa; most visitors fly into Hanoi (HAN)
Getting there: Night train to Lao Cai and a transfer, or a 5 to 6 hour van or bus
Getting around: Walking, taxis and bicycles; steep roads and paths
Best base: Sapa town, or a lodge or homestay in the valley
Time needed: 2 days, 1 night; 3 days with an overnight trek

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cold, fog
FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cold, damp
MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Cool, misty
AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Clear, mild
MayRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Clear, warm
JuneRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low18°Warm, rain
JulyRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low18°Green, rainy
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Green, rainy
SeptemberRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low17°Rice gold
OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Harvest, clear
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Cool, dry
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cold

Average daily high and low in Sapa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Sapa

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 22°
Humidity: 98%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Sapa

05:39 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today15°9°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed17°9°80%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 80%.
Thu19°9°89%Thursday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 89%.
Fri17°9°78%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 78%.
Sat15°7°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 67%.
Sun15°7°69%Sunday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 69%.

Updated 01:16 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND

Amount

Converted to

VND · Vietnamese Dong

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Bac Ha Sunday marketabout a 3-hour driveA weekly market where hundreds of traders from local ethnic groups gather in traditional dress.Read the guide
Fansipan summitabout 15 minutes by cable carVietnam's highest peak, with a pagoda complex before the last steps.
Cat Cat and Ta Phin villagesa half-day walk or rideVillages that can be seen without a guide, with herbal baths at Ta Phin.

Before you go to Sapa

Guided trek with a village stayLocal guide, route and homestay bookedCompare tours

Town or valley baseChoose the base before the datesCheck availability

eSIM for VietnamMountain signal drops between valleysRead the guide

Travel insuranceSteep trails, wet paths, overnight treksRead the guide

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Rules for Sapa, checked

The tourism board lists the Sun World Fansipan cable car as running from 7:30am to 5:30pm daily; confirm hours and weather closures with the operator.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Lao Cai merged with Yen Bai in 2025 under the provincial reorganization; the combined Lao Cai Province has its center at the former Yen Bai city.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

All Sapa guides

How toSapa trekking: guided or solo, one day or overnightChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headHanoi to Sapa: night train, van or private car comparedChecked Oct 2, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Sapa: town, valley, village or Lao CaiChecked Oct 2, 2026

Plan around Sapa

Bac Ha travel guide

The Sunday market region near Lao Cai

Read the guide Northwest Vietnam

Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau and Pu Luong

Read the guide Hanoi travel guide

The starting point for most Sapa trips

Read the guide All of Vietnam

Entry, seasons, regions and money

Read the guide

Sapa FAQ

How many days do you need in Sapa?

Two days and one night covers the town, Cat Cat and a Fansipan ride if the weather cooperates. Add a third day for an overnight trek with a village stay, which is where the terraces and culture feel the most rewarding.

Is Sapa worth visiting?

Yes, if you walk beyond the town. The terraces and village life are the draw, and the tourism board names treks and homestays as the best ways in. Skip it if you only have a day and no appetite for a long road.

Can you trek in Sapa without a guide?

Short walks to villages such as Cat Cat and Ta Phin are possible alone, according to the tourism board. For multi-day routes, village stays and the quieter trails, a locally owned guide gives context and saves navigation.

What is the best month to visit Sapa?

September and October for the fullest terraces and harvest color, April and May for clearer skies and mild weather. June to August can be hot and wet, and November to March is chilly and often foggy.

How do you get from Hanoi to Sapa?

By night train to Lao Cai and a transfer van, by shuttle van or bus in about five to six hours, or by private car. The train suits sleeping through the road, the van suits direct arrivals in town.