Sa Pa, Viet Nam
Rice terraces as far as the eye can see on rolling green mountains. It’s a backpacker must see.
Jordan and I were here for only two days. We booked a hotel in town and planned to walk the terraces and explore the town. If I was to go back and do it again, I would have spent a day or two more in Sapa and done the hike-in and stay with a local.
The town of Sapa is near a beautifully still lake that’s nestled inside a group of mountains. Rice terraces climb those mountains for miles and miles. Inside the town, there is a town square and streets and alleys full of food and culture.
Where to stay? Well, you can get a hostel room for under $15/night. Or you can get a hotel room from $11-$65USD/night. Jordan and I got a lovely hotel for $14/night that included breakfast and was a short walk along. thelake to town center.
Top 10 things to do in sapa
1. Hike the rice terraces
Jordan and I planned to hike through the rice terraces as a day hike. Once we set out, locals would start to walk with us and invite us to their home for dinner and a place to sleep for the night. For a fee, determined by the local and bartered down to your approved nominal value, any backpacker can have a true local experience and stay with a family in the mountains near town. My travel tip – set off for adventure when you hike Sapa. (And don’t forget your towel.)
If you chose to wander down Muong Hoa valley on your own as Jordan and I did, definitely stop to give the local children some sunflower seeds (even though they are asking for candy and you don’t have any) and for a drink and snack at as local as it gets cafe.
2. Try Northern Vietnamese Food
Being so close to China, the food in Sapa is heavily influenced by Chinese cooking methods and ingredients.
The meal pictured here was grilled outside the establishment Jordan and I ate at. The rice was cooked on the grill inside bamboo shoots and then cracked open for us to eat. It was the best rice I’ve ever tasted.
3. Sapa Market
Gathered in the town square, you may find the farmers wives and children have dressed in traditional clothing and hiked down from the mountain to sell trinkets in town.
Jordan made some friends with kids who kept putting key chains on him, and laughing at him when he’d give them back, only for them to place the keychain on him again.
5. Hang out in the town square
There is much to discover walking through town. Jordan and I spent an afternoon sitting on the steps in the town square and had the pleasure of watching an everlasting game of soccer with players flowing in and out as time went on. On the other side of the square was what looked like a company bonding retreat with some unusual bonding games.
Every Saturday night you can witness ‘Love Market’ – an evening when the local young adults from surrounding villages come to mingle for a life partner.
6. Walk to Cat Cat Village
A 2k walk from the Sapa town center and a small fee later, one can visit the small village of Cat Cat. Here you can shop, eat at the cafe and explore the mountain village. I recommend walking from town so as to enjoy the views of rice terraces rolling out before you.
7. Cau May Street
This street is heavily Western influenced in its architecture and a very popular tourist destination. Normally I recomend running from this kind of thing and tell you to hang out in the park square instead. But sometimes tourist destinations are a must – and this is one of those times.
You will find food, colorful souvenirs and nice places to stay on this street. It is centrally located and just a blast.
8. Rent a swan boat
Feeling romantic? Why not rent a push pedal swan boat on the lake in town? One up yourself and take her out at sunset.
9. Bac Ha Market
Your hotel will have many day trip options to chose from. Since there are so many interesting surrounding villages, where do you start?
If I had one more day, I would have gone to the Bac Ha Market. As a warning, I’ve heard this destination has become extremely touristy. If you happen to be going further north and doing the Ha Giang Loop, stop by the Ha Giang Market for a more authentic highlander experience.
10. Hike, hike, hike!
You’re in the land of plenty when it comes to roaming beautiful mountains of rice terraced fields. Some day hikes:
- Dragon Jaw Mountain
- Mong Hoa Valley to Silver Fall
- Love Waterfall
Or take a 2 day hike to Chung Chai Village. On the way, stay over night in Ta Phin Village. And you can take a car back to Sapa after your adventure.
