Sapa is a town that sits approximately 5,400 feet above sea level in northern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. It’s famed for its rice terraces. But given that it takes at least six hours to drive to Sapa Valley from Hanoi, trekking Sapa isn’t at the top of many tourists’ bucket lists.
Based on tour agency advertisements in Hanoi, I was under the impression that 2-day and 3-day treks were the most popular way to visit Sapa.
So, it surprised me that the three people in my group joined my 3-day trek as a full-day trekking Sapa tour.
Needless to say, I learned a lot about the three main ways to hike in Sapa: The full-day, 2-day, and 3-day trek. I’ll share my experience with you and highlight when visiting otherwise beautiful Sapa might not be worth it.
Accessibility Note: Scroll toward the bottom of this post for details on wheelchair accessibility in Sapa.
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Some Disclaimers
I participated in the 3-day Sapa trek, which gave me an idea of how the full-day and 2-day Sapa treks operate.
That said, between talking with my guide and the other travelers I met during my hike, I learned that there isn’t a single designated route that tour guides follow for the full-day, 2-day, and 3-day trek. For example, I met a group on the second day of my trek that was doing a full-day trek.
Furthermore, if you choose an overnight Sapa trekking tour, the local family homestays vary in location and quality. You can even opt for a hotel stay instead of a homestay if you book a luxury Sapa trekking package.
Even then, there might be some flexibility with your tour. On the second day of my trek, my guide gave me the opportunity to pick between staying in one of two different villages.
One choice involved a shorter hike and a homestay with more modern amenities. The other option was a remote homestay that involved a longer hike.
I chose the latter.
Needless to say, it’s best to approach your Sapa trek with an open mind. Weather permitting, you’ll get to enjoy Sapa’s stunning views from whatever trekking path your guide leads you through.
Of course, if there’s a particular village you want to visit or a site you want to see within Sapa Valley, it’s best to coordinate this in advance with your travel agency (or tour guide to-be, if you book your tour in person in Sapa).
To offer context for this article, this is the tour I booked.
Comparison of 3 Hikes in Sapa
Before we take a deep dive into trekking Sapa, below is an overview of what to expect from the full-day, 2-day, and 3-day hikes.
| Feature | Full-day Trek | 2-day Trek | 3-day Trek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approximate distance | 12 km (7.5 miles) | 22 km (13.5 miles) | 32 km (20 miles) |
| Incline | Downhill | Uphill & downhill | Uphill & downhill |
| Terrain | Dirt paths | Dirt, rocky, and cement paths | Dirt, rocky, and cement paths |
| Included meals | Lunch | Lunch (2), Dinner (1), Breakfast (1) | Lunch (3), Dinner (2), Breakfast (2) |
Note: The information here may vary depending on the tour you book.
How to Get to Sapa
You can get to Sapa via bus, train, and driving. Of these, driving is the fastest, followed by the bus and train.
At this time, Sapa doesn’t have a commercial airport. However, the Vietnamese government approved more than $305 billion to build an airport near the town as part of their plan to build six new airports in Vietnam by 2030.
Sapa sits about 300 kilometers northwest of Hanoi. Below is a map for a visual.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=11Mdxox9WCzil_mtt57hH0sjQGNzMLr4&usp=sharing
Since the road to Sapa is steep and winding, most people prefer to take the bus or train instead of renting a car. You can also hire a private driver.
Bus to Sapa
Taking a sleeper bus can be a comfortable and quick way to arrive in Sapa. The bus ride takes approximately six hours, depending on the length of restroom/snack stops your driver makes.
I took the 10:00 pm sleeper bus from Sapa to Hanoi, which arrived in Sapa at 5:30 am. My driver took his sweet time, so that made us 1.5 hours late. But given that my guide wasn’t picking me up until 6:00 am, I was grateful to get some extra z’s on the bus.
Not all sleeper buses to Sapa are as comfy as the photo above, though.
On my way back, they booked me on a bus that had three rows of beds. There was significantly less space, and I didn’t have a privacy curtain.
Psst! I put together a detailed guide on taking the bus from Hanoi to Sapa so that you know what to expect.
Train to Sapa
Taking an overnight train to Sapa is another popular way to embark on a trekking tour.
Train tickets are typically more expensive than bus tickets and the train ride takes longer. You’re looking at an eight to nine-hour ride compared to an approximately six-hour bus ride.
But the advantage of the train is that you’re guaranteed a longer sleeping block, helping you arrive in Sapa refreshed and ready for your trekking tour.
To Stay or Not Stay in Sapa Town
Many people trekking Sapa have limited time, so they take an overnight train or bus, allowing them to start their trek on the morning of their arrival.
But if you have the time and money, spending the night in Sapa before or after your tour is an excellent option.
Sapa is a charming town with a cute central square, plenty of coffee shops, and eye-candy architecture. Spending the night in town also allows you to take the cable car to Fansipan Mountian. Or you can hike Fansipan (more on that soon).
Since poor weather can damper the quality of your Sapa trek, some travelers with flexible schedules choose to base themselves in Sapa, waiting for the visibility to improve.
But you don’t have to wait it out in Sapa.
Hanoi offers many more activities. The tour agencies, including those that work with GetYourGuide where I booked my trip, are often good about making last-minute changes to your trek dates to accommodate the weather.
3 Sapa Trekking Options
Below is an overview of what you can expect from the full-day, 2-day, and 3-day Sapa trekking tours. Keep in mind that the specific sites and villages you visit may vary according to the travel agency and/or guide.
1. Full-day Sapa Trek
Most full-day Sapa treks are a 5-hour tour, including around a one-hour lunch break. Trekking Sapa via the full-day tour involves starting the hike on foot from town.
In my case, the first day of my three-day trek followed the same path as the full-day trek. It was a mostly downhill hike, but that didn’t mean it was easy—the path had several steep areas where my fellow hiking companions and I slipped.
I can’t imagine hiking the trails in Sapa when the path is muddy!
Note to self: Wear hiking boots next time.
The views of the rice fields were worth it, though.
You’ll also need good balance, as there will be times when you have to walk on the narrow edge of rice terraces.
The rice terrace below you will be a short fall away. But it would still be unpleasant to fall into the muddy rice paddy water.
Most full-day Sapa treks start around 9:00 am. Lunch is served at a restaurant (my group ate in Cau May village).
You’ll then hike a little longer, perhaps seeing how the locals weave and die textiles with the indigo plants they grow.
Around 2:00 pm, your guide will call a taxi and you’ll head back to Sapa town.
That’s right—the full-day Sapa trek doesn’t involve walking back up the valley. The 2-day and 3-day treks don’t require you to backtrack to the top of the valley either.
2. 2-day Sapa Trek
The 2-day Sapa trek tour often encompasses the same route as the full-day Sapa hike. So, after lunch on day one, you’ll walk a little more to see the village you’re in before arriving at your homestay.
In my case, my guide and I arrived at my homestay at 2:30 pm. My guide stayed with me while I got settled into my room and had green tea with me that my host gave us.
My host family spoke little English, so it was nice having my guide there to translate for us. I also recommend downloading an app like GoogleTranslate so that you can communicate once your guide leaves.
Most Sapa homestays have WiFi, and data works in many parts of the valley as long as you have a SIM card with a solid phone company like Viettel.
I then had time to explore Ta Van village in the district of Lao Chai on my own. As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe doing so, as was the case during my entire experience while trekking Sapa.
My host family made a delicious dinner in the evening, and we sat at a table inside their home.
Vietnam is share-oriented in terms of its meals, so you’ll need to put any germ-squeamishness aside—everyone uses the chopsticks they eat with to grab food instead of using assigned utensils for each dish.
You can expect an early evening at your homestay. We wrapped up dinner by 7:00 pm, and I went to my room since my host family went to theirs.
The facilities were basic but comfortable. The bathroom and shower were outdoors, and my room was spacious enough for my luggage but not much else.
I was grateful for a thick comforter, which kept me warm despite the temperatures dropping into the low 40-degree Fahrenheit.
Banana and honey pancakes are a common breakfast at the homestays in Sapa, and that’s what my host mom presented me with the following morning.
You can expect your guide to pick you up mid-morning to embark on another few hours of trekking. This time, you’ll do more uphill walking, which your thighs will be grateful for if they become sore like mine were, as going uphill requires a different set of muscles.
The second day of the 2-day sapa trek usually involves hiking through a bamboo forest and seeing a waterfall.
It’s also common to hike to Dzang Ta Chai, a village where people from the Red Dzao tribe live.
After lunch, a taxi will pick you up and drive you back to Sapa, where you’ll arrive in the early afternoon.
3. 3-day Sapa Trek
The 3-day Sapa trek builds off the 2-day trek. Instead of returning to Sapa by taxi after lunch on day 2, you’ll continue to your second host family’s house.
I ended up being the only person doing the 3-day trek with the company I booked through. It was wonderful for many reasons—I enjoyed having trekking companions my first day, my guide’s undivided attention the second day, paying a group price despite having a mostly private tour, and having the choice between a shorter or longer trek on my third day.
Wanting to experience trekking Sapa as much as possible, I chose the longer trek.
That meant I stayed in a more remote area called Hau Tho. Had I chosen the more common 3-day Sapa trek route, I would have spent the night in Ban Ho, which is a more developed area, according to my guide.
Staying in Ban Ho also means that the trek on the third day is much shorter.
But I’m jumping ahead of myself.
Because my homestay in Hau Tho was so remote, there wasn’t a village center nearby to walk to. So, after walking along a river and up a mountain to arrive at my homestay, I enjoyed sitting on the porch and looking out at the stunning Sapa valley.
My host mom at this second homestay was a local guide, so it was nice being able to communicate with her.
There was also another tourist at my homestay, which brings up an important point—there may be other people in your group or from other groups staying at your host family’s house.
You’ll have a private room, though.
Like my other homestay, I had to walk outdoors to use the bathroom and shower facilities. And as the night before, they were clean and the shower had hot water.
Dinner was another lovely shared experience. My host family went to bed after we finished eating, and the other guest and I soon followed after chatting on the porch.
The following day involved an approximately 2-hour hike to arrive at Ban Ho in Muong Hoa Valley, the place where many 3-day trekkers spend their second night.
It was definitely busier and more built up, so I was grateful that my guide gave me the option to stay in Hau Tho. We had lunch at a non-touristy restaurant at 12:00 pm.
Then, since I was the only person in my tour “group” and it was a dry day, my guide arranged a scooter to take me back to Sapa instead of a taxi.
The drive took about 30 minutes, and I had a couple of hours to explore Sapa town and shower at the hotel that was storing my luggage (included with most Sapa trekking tours) before hopping on a 4:00 pm bus back to Hanoi.
Related reading: Check out my guide on the 3-day Sapa trek for more details about this experience.
Full-day vs 2-day Sapa Trekking Tour
The words “full-day” and “2-day” (and 3-day, for that matter) are a bit misleading when it comes to trekking in Sapa. The full-day tour is only about five hours long, including a lunch break, and the 2-day and 3-day tours end in the early afternoon each day.
So, regardless of the type of trekking Sapa you do with a tour, you can expect half trekking days.
Nevertheless, whereas the full-day Sapa tour is an approximately 5-hour experience, the 2-day trekking tour is close to a 30-hour experience, including the overnight stay.
Another difference between the full-day and 2-day Sapa tours is that you’ll only hike downhill with the full-day trek.
In contrast, the 2-day trek involves downhill and uphill climbing.
In both cases, you’ll never backtrack the path you walk, and a taxi will return you to Sapa at the end of your hike. It’s also common for the 2-day Sapa trek to be the same route on day one as the full-day trek.
2-day vs 3-day Sapa Trekking Tour
The 2-day and 3-day Sapa trekking tours get you deeper into the Sapa Valley, with the 3-day trek offering an even more immersive experience.
By hiking Sapa for three days, you’ll get to experience living with two different host families. You’ll also explore more bamboo forests and may get to see another waterfall or two.
Depending on the hiking route with your guide, you also might experience another day of uphill and downhill climbing. But if you end up staying in Ban Ho, the trekking on day 3 is pretty light.
During my 3-day trekking Sapa tour, we passed some rocks near Hau Tho that had hieroglyphic-like inscriptions.
Is Two Days in Sapa Enough?
Two days in Sapa is enough for many people, especially if the weather is bad. By doing a 2-day tour, you’ll have the experience of trekking Sapa and staying with a host family.
While I’m glad to have taken a 3-day Sapa trekking tour, having experienced most of the 2-day hiking route, I now know that I probably would have felt satisfied with the 2-day tour.
But since I had such great weather for my trek (a rarity for January!) the 3-day tour was icing on the “rice cake.”
The bottom line is that if you’re short on time with your Vietnam trip, a 2-day tour is absolutely worth it, in my opinion.
In fact, if the weather is favorable, I think a trip to Sapa is worth it even if you only have time for a full-day tour. You can technically visit Sapa in 24 hours round-trip from Hanoi if you take an overnight bus or train.
The Lesser-known 4th Sapa Trekking Option
You might be wondering—can you trek in Sapa without a guide?
Yes, you can. There are several hikes you can do from Sapa as day trips. You can even hire a motorbike or taxi in Sapa to take you into the valley, opening the opportunity to more hiking paths.
The trick, of course, is not to get lost.
If you’re trekking Sapa right, it’ll also mean passing through people’s property, which can feel uncomfortable if you’re not with a guide, though all the villagers I encountered in the valley were very friendly.
You can also do a multi-day Sapa trek on your own, booking homestays or hotels in advance or as you hike.
Based on my asking around, it seems that there’s usually accommodation available somewhere in the towns if you decide to wing it, even during the high tourist season.
A favorite hike among people hiking Sapa on their own is a visit to Cat Cat village, which is only about two kilometers from Sapa town and offers beautiful views over Muong Hoa Valley.
Hiking Fansipan Mountain
Although many people think of trekking Sapa Valley, nearby Fansipan Mountain is another great hiking option.
Fansipan is the tallest point in Vietnam, sitting at over 10,300 feet. So, whereas most people don’t have to worry about altitude sickness when hiking in Sapa Valley, altitude sickness symptoms can appear when hiking Fansipan.
The most popular way to hike Fansipan Mountain is by doing a 2-day trek. However, 1-day treks are available for the ambitious hiker.
If you think hiking Fansipan would be too intense, a cable car can take you there via tickets they sell at the Sapa Station in downtown. You’ll get to enjoy stunning views of the Sapa rice fields along the way.
Indigenous Groups in Sapa
The number of ethnic minority groups in Sapa depends on who you talk to. But according to my guide, the five main indigenous groups in Sapa include:
- Black Hmong
- Red Dao
- Tay
- Giay
- Xa Pho
Of these, the Hmong tribe has the largest population in Sapa. These ethnic groups each have their own set of traditional clothes, making it easy to distinguish between the groups.
While the indigenous tribes in Sapa also have their own languages, they all speak Vietnamese, allowing them to communicate with each other.
Furthermore, English is widely spoken in Sapa, including by the elderly. I’ve rarely seen people in such a rural area have such a high level of English in my over a decade of travel experience.
Trekking Sapa Without Tourist Traps
Is Sapa too touristy? It is for some.
Although Sapa doesn’t have the relentless tourist crowds as do popular places like Ha Long Bay, it’s become increasingly touristy over the years.
The most notable aspect of this is the local villagers who arrive in Sapa and follow tourists down the street trying to sell them their (beautiful) handmade goods.
I’m all for supporting the local economy. But let’s face it—most tourists don’t need dozens of bags, scarves, and earrings.
Turning down these vendors is tiring, and their persistence makes it all the more difficult. So, going off that, below are three ways that Sapa feels too touristy.
Arriving in Sapa
If you arrive in Sapa via bus or train, you can expect to be surrounded by locals offering you tours and items for sale the moment you set foot on Sapa ground. Be firm but kind in your refusals of their services, assuming you don’t want them.
Let them know if you already booked a tour. It’ll help them move onto another tourist faster.
Helpers Will Accompany Your Guide
When I booked my tour, there was no mention of local village helpers being part of it. But that was the case for my group and that of every group I saw.
And we all knew long before our guide said it that the women hiking with us would try selling us their artwork once we arrived at our destination.
I had mixed feelings about this experience.
On one hand, the 70-something-year-old woman who became my helper was genuinely helpful—it was a humbling experience to have an elderly woman stabilize my 30-something-year-old self as I traversed down the valley.
On the other hand, I don’t like being weaseled into buying something for a service I didn’t request.
But by the time my group arrived at our lunch spot on day one of the trek and the women said they’d be leaving us, we all felt a combination of guilt and obligation to buy something from them.
It’s worth noting that this situation wasn’t a one-off. Every group I passed on my first day of hiking had local women carrying baskets of artwork accompanying and helping the hikers.
As a silver lining, these locals didn’t accompany my guide on days two and three of the trek. My wallet was grateful, given that I had limited cash on me.
People Will Try to Sell You Things During Lunch
I experienced three lunches at restaurants during my 3-day hike. Each time, local women were trying to sell other tourists and me their artwork.
The first two days were especially off-putting because they wouldn’t accept no for an answer. They remained by my table until I was served my food, at which time they left.
While such a situation is never easy, I found that wearing the bag I bought from my woman helper on day one of the trek helped. The locals saw that I had already made a purchase, and it was slightly easier to reason with them that I didn’t need anything else.
Travel Tip: Please don’t purchase anything from children. I know it’s hard. But buying from kids encourages the parents not to send them to school.
Food on the Sapa Trekking Tour
I found the food to be abundant and delicious when trekking Sapa Valley. I’m a vegetarian, and the restaurants and my host family had no issue with preparing filling, nutrient-dense meals.
Breakfast consisted of a thin, slightly sweet crepe that they call pancakes. They offered me honey and bananas to eat with it, and I had the choice between coffee or tea.
Lunch was served at a restaurant each day of my trek.
On the first day, the lunch was a family-style meal, with many different plates of food brought to my group’s table, where we shared the dishes.
The next two days were a traditional restaurant experience, where I got to choose my meal from a few options on the menu (fried rice, fried noodles, and pho were the main choices).
Your host family will prepare dinner for you, which will vary among the family.
But you can expect vegetables, protein, and all the rice you could possibly want.
All meals should be included regardless of where you book your Sapa trek. However, drinks (aside from tea and coffee in the morning) aren’t included.
There will be places along the trek where you can purchase water and other beverages. But be sure to start off carrying some water, as you won’t encounter a village for a while during your first day of the hike.
Costs of Trekking Sapa
The cost for a Sapa trekking tour varies according to how many days you want to hike, whether you want to stay at hotels or with a host family, and your preferred transportation mode.
Many tours offer all-inclusive experiences starting and ending in Hanoi, complete with purchasing your train or bus tickets. You can even book a standard or luxury group vehicle that will drive you between Hanoi and Sapa, cutting down travel time.
I found a great deal on GetYourGuide for my 3-day trekking tour, so I went with them.
Although I likely could have gotten a cheaper price had I booked the bus on my own and arranged a tour in person from one of the women who greeted me when I got off the bus, I like the comfort of booking online.
That way, I know what’s included and can read customer reviews on the specific tour.
Sapa Tipping Etiquette
If you’re happy with your tour guide’s service, tipping is encouraged for the Sapa tours.
GetYourGuide didn’t specify their recommended tipping amount. But from my experience, 10% of your tour price is a good rule of thumb.
I traveled shortly before Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, and was touched to run into my guide in downtown Sapa a couple of hours after my tour ended. She was beaming, saying she was there to buy herself new shoes for the holiday.
Perhaps that was her plan all along. But either way, a tip will undoubtedly be appreciated by your guide.
What to Pack for Your Sapa Trek
The items you should pack for trekking Sapa Valley vary depending on the weather. Below is a packing list to get you started:
- Clothes you can layer (it can get hot during the day and chilly at night)
- Rain jacket
- Umbrella (to block the rain or sun)
- Cash in the form of small change
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Sandals (for showering)
- Phone/camera charger (all homestays have electricity)
I also recommend wearing hiking boots to hike Sapa if you have them. You can also rent them in town. I wore sneakers and slipped often—and that was in dry weather.
My guide and the locals hiking with my group put us to shame, though, as they wore sandals.
Although Sapa can be hot depending on when you travel, consider wearing pants. The second and third days of the trek, if you hike that long, will take you through some areas with dense brush that can scratch you up.
Planning Around the Weather
According to my guide, August is the best time to visit Sapa because the rice begins to change from green to yellow, giving the rice fields a beautiful glow.
But since there’s a lot of rain in August, it’s common for travelers to gravitate to visiting Sapa during the springtime. The rainiest months in Sapa are from May to September, and the driest months are December and January.
However, even Sapa’s least rainy months still have precipitation. During my January visit, I adjusted my tour dates to work around the rainy weather.
Fog is another weather factor to consider. December, January, and February are Sapa’s foggiest (and coldest) months.
Sapa receives the fewest tourists during those months, as there’s a large chance that you won’t see the mountains and rice terraces from afar.
Speaking of rice paddies, unlike the rice fields in Bali, rice doesn’t grow year-round in Sapa. Therefore, trekking Sapa from May to September is necessary if you want to see rice growing.
Of those months, the rice will look the fullest in July, August, and before the locals harvest the rice in September.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Trekking Sapa
As you’re working on deciding whether a Sapa trip is the right fit for you, below are some key points to consider:
- Pack as lightly as possible
- Hiking boots are recommended
- You can rent trekking gear in Sapa town (including rubber boots)
- You’ll encounter loose water buffalo, cows, ducks, and more during the trek
- Homestays have electricity, a shared bathroom, and most have WiFi
- Hotels are an option instead of a homestay
- Leave enough space in your bag for water
- If you’re traveling with lots of luggage, you can store it in Sapa town
Finally, try to keep an open schedule when planning your Sapa tour. If you’re in Hanoi for a while, wait to book it until a day or two before your trip so that you can try to land your trek on good weather days.
Alternatively, if you book your tour in advance, you can try asking your tour agency to change your travel dates if the weather looks better before or after your original dates.
From my experience, they’re excellent at making adjustments.
Wheelchair Accessibility in Sapa
Unfortunately, Sapa offers poor wheelchair accessibility. Sidewalks are few and far between, and many streets are extremely steep.
Trekking is inaccessible in Sapa Valley, and I didn’t encounter any accessible restrooms (though that’s not to say there aren’t any).
That said, a modified driving tour of Sapa may be a good fit for some wheelchair users, especially if you can walk a little to enter a restroom.
Since several roads run through Sapa Valley, you can hire a private vehicle to take you on a sightseeing tour through the different towns and countryside.
FAQs About Trekking Sapa
Do you still have questions about trekking in Sapa? Read on to see if I answer them below. If I don’t, leave a comment at the end of this post and I’ll be happy to help.
Is trekking in Sapa difficult?
Trekking in Sapa is moderately difficult. You should have an average to high fitness level before embarking on the trek and good balance, for there are times when you’ll need to walk on the narrow edge of rice terraces. You’ll also need to be fit enough to carry your bag.
Of the various Sapa trekking options, the full-day trek is the least difficult because you’ll climb down into the valley with only short sections of uphill climbing.
How long is the trek in Sapa?
The length of the trek in Sapa varies according to the tour you book. Most full-day Sapa treks are around 12 km (7.5 miles) long. The 2-day trek is around 22 km (13.5 miles) long, and the 3-day trek is up to 32 km (20 miles) long, depending on the route.
Can I rent trekking shoes in Sapa, Vietnam?
You can rent trekking shoes in Sapa. Many outdoor gear shops exist in Sapa, and they’re accustomed to renting trekking shoes, hiking poles, and more to tourists who don’t want to lug these items around Vietnam.
Can I rent boots in Sapa?
You can rent boots in Sapa, and this is a common request during the rainy season. The dirt paths in Sapa are slippery in steep areas during dry weather, so renting a good pair of rain boots will help you navigate the terrain and protect a portion of your pants when the near-inevitable moment comes that you fall.
How long do you need in Sapa?
You need a minimum of one day in Sapa, although two to three days is ideal for longer treks. Should you wish to hike Fansipan Mountain, you can even add an extra day or two to your trip.
Some people with flexible schedules also stay in Sapa without a departure date to wait for a fog-free day for their Sapa trek. You can also do this in Hanoi, as most travel agencies are good about making free tour changes to accommodate better weather.
Which travel agency is best for a Sapa trekking tour?
The best travel agency for a Sapa trekking tour depends on what you value in a tour. If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly option and are good at negotiating, purchasing a tour on the streets of Sapa town upon your arrival is a good option.
If you like browsing around and speaking with in-person agencies, booking your Sapa tour in Hanoi is a great choice. Alternatively, booking online offers peace of mind that you’ll receive the tour itinerary you booked, and you can read reviews to see how happy past clients were with the organization and guide.
Are there snakes in Sapa?
Snakes are common in Sapa during the summer as they love the warm, rainy weather. It’s less common to encounter snakes in the winter, though it’s possible to stumble upon one.
Is Sapa safe?
Sapa town and Sapa Valley are both very safe destinations. The U.S. Department of State labels Vietnam as a Level 1, the best safety rating. So, as long as you exercise normal precautions, you should be just fine.
As a solo female traveler, I never felt uncomfortable or in danger during my time in Sapa.
So, Is Sapa Worth Visiting?
Trekking Sapa is worth it when the weather is clear enough to see the valley. You don’t necessarily need to discount cloudy days as a bad time to trek—it’s the fog that often makes visibility next to none in Sapa.
I was so awestruck by Sapa’s landscape that I even think it’s worth visiting Sapa in one day from Hanoi if that’s all you have time for in your Vietnam itinerary.
That said, if the weather makes visibility poor, visiting Sapa might not be worth it. There’s still value in having the homestay experience, and you’ll be able to learn about Sapa’s various ethnic groups, but the views are much of what makes Sapa so special.
If you have questions about trekking Sapa, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.
I’d also love to hear from you after your trek. How many days did you hike, and what was your experience like? Is there anything you’d do differently?
P.S.— Check out my guides on the full-day and 3-day Sapa trek for a more detailed account of this experience.
Thank you, Laura for the details on Sapa. It gave me a better idea of what to expect and to plan accordingly.
You’re welcome, Jo! Enjoy your trip 🙂