Perfect 3 day Sapa Itinerary: Explore Beautiful North Vietnam
Sapa, located in the mountains of Northern Vietnam, is an offbeat destination for those looking to escape busy cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Its proximity to China gives it a unique blend of cultures.
Tour Sapa and explore its terraced rice fields, misty peaks, and vibrant local Vietnamese culture.
In this 3 day Sapa itinerary, you’ll discover how to make the most of your Vietnam visit.
How to Reach Sapa? Plan your 3 day Sapa Itinerary
To reach Sapa, follow these steps:
- Start from Hanoi: Begin your journey in Vietnam’s capital city, in the North.
- Taking a bus to Sapa is the best option.
- Duration: 5 hours
- Recommended departure: 5:30 or 6:00 AM
- Arrival time: Afternoon.
- Cost: Approximately 350,000 VND ($14 USD)
- Recommended service: Sao Viet (reliable and comfortable)
- Free transfers in Sapa: Buses stop at Sapa’s main town. There are options of taking free transfers to hotels within 3 km. If your stay is further away you can take a taxi that may cost you around 200,000 – 250,000 VND or 8 -10 USD). Try haggling for a better price.
- Another option is taking a train from Hanoi. There are no railway stations in Sapa. The nearest station is in Lao Cai, which is 45 min from Sapa. If you want you can take a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Where to stay in Sa Pa?
Don’t forget great stay options while planning your Sapa itinerary.
For convenience: Choose one of the many hotels in Sapa town. They are accessible to some of the most happening restaurants, bars and attractions.
Some good options for you to book:
For a more nature experience, stay in nearby villages like Ta Van or others – look for places 6- 12 km radius from center. A 15-20 min bike ride from your rural stay will take you to the vibrant center.
Try these options:
How can i travel around Sapa?
To make your 3 day Sapa itinerary comfortable, you can travel around by renting a motorbike to explore the lovely town at your own pace.
The cost to rent a bike is approximately 150,000 VND ($6 USD) per day.
Make sure you plan internal commute when you plan your Sapa itinerary.
Things to do in Sapa
Plan your Sapa itinerary by selecting activities that suit your interests.
Whether you’re into adventure like trekking, biking or exploring culture through rural villages and local food; Sapa has something for everyone.
Day 1: Explore Sapa Town; Start to your 3 day Sa Pa Itinerary
- Arrival: Reach Sapa by afternoon and check into your hotel or homestay.
- Activities in Sapa Town:
- Visit the city square for live performances and various functions on weekends.
- Roam the streets and soak in the local vibes.
- Stop by the Sapa Station Museum to learn about local history.
- Take a local buggy tour around town. 1 hour ride is approximately 100-200 VND.
- Local Food:
- Sample grilled meats, sticky rice, and other North Vietnamese dishes.
- Try the famous local rice wine and join in the toast: “Một, hai, ba, dô!”(which means one, two, three, drink!)
Day 2: Explore Fansipan Legend; The Roof of Indochina
- Getting There:
- Take a 40-minute motorbike ride to the entry of the Fansipan legend park.
- There are official parking spaces at the entry of Fansipan legend. However, if you park near local shops, you can pay a smaller fee of around 5,000-10,000 VND.
- Operating Hours and Entry Fees:
- Ticket counters for Fansipan legend open from 9:30 AM to 1:45 PM.
- Cable car ascend timing: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Return time: 3:30 PM last cable.
- Take the cable car to the top, from where you can start trekking to the top of the mountain.
NOTE: The timings are updated as of Sept 2024, from official website.
The entry fees for roundtrip cable car is around 600,000 for locals and 800,000 for others.
This entry will give you access to roam around the massive Fansipan park and take the cable car to go all the way to the Buddha statue.
- The Fansipan Experience :
- Trek to the highest mountain in Vietnam, for an extraordinary experience.
- Witness the highest point in the world, where a Buddha statue is situated. When you reach this point, you will also be on the top of the “Roof of Indochina.”
- The cable car experience is one of the most thrilling gondola rides you can take.
- Once you reach the top of the cable car, you can start hiking up the Fansipan mountain to see the Amitabha Buddha sitting on a lotus.
- If you don’t want to walk the last 45 min stretch by walk, you can take a cute red train from Huong Lane Station to the top. It takes 10 min to reach the top with the train.
- Fansipan Legend blends Buddhist traditions with Vietnam’s mountain mystique. Sacred pagodas and statues offer visitors a serene space for blessings and spiritual reflection.
Watch this video of us trekking to the tallest mountain in Vietnam.
Dining Options
You can enjoy lunch or grab a quick bite at Van Sam Restaurant on the mountain. Restaurant timings – (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM).
Evening Relaxation
Unwind at Color Bar for music, drinks, and meeting fellow travelers. We highly recommend this hippie trippy bar.
Day 3: Village Trek and Local Culture
Sapa is a paradise for those who love hiking, trekking and exploring local haunts.
Trekking in Vietnam
- Visit local Northern Vietnamese villages such as Lao Chai, Muong Hoa, Ta Van for stunning rice terraces and a glimpse of ethnic minority life.
- You can book full-day trekking tours through your homestay or local agencies.
- Half Day trek starts from 9 am and ends at 3 pm. There are options for 2-3 day village treks too, that you can enquire about when in Sapa.
Cat Cat Village
- Cat cat village is a great option to spend your day in Sapa. Located 15 minutes from Sapa town, you can easily reach Cat Cat village on a bike.
- Entry fee to Cat Cat village is 150,000 VND for adults.
- You can stroll around the village, see ethnic Hmong people continue with their daily activities, watch folk performances and even get some great local cuisine.
- The village is slightly touristy, so if you are looking for highly authentic experiences, you may want to go for village treks than Cat Cat Village.
If you are planning a 2 day Sapa itinerary only, you can mix in Cat Cat village along with other 2 villages together and see it all.
Watch as we explore the beautiful Cat Cat village and learn about local heritage.
Additional Attractions in Sapa
- Cloud Dragon Glass Bridge (Cầu Kính Rừng Mây): A thrilling glass bridge above the clouds. Experience panoramic mountain views and a heart-pounding walk across the transparent surface.
- Heaven’s Gate: A stunning viewpoint with breathtaking scenery. Capture the iconic vista of winding roads and lush valleys below.
- Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall: Two waterfalls, just 7 minutes apart. Perfect for nature lovers; enjoy serene hikes and refreshing mist.
- Moana Structure: A unique cultural landmark. Explore photogenic spots blending traditional art with modern aesthetics.
- Ancient Rose Garden: 1 km from Sapa’s city center. Stroll among fragrant roses, ideal for a peaceful morning or romantic evening.
- Lonely Tree of Lao Cai: A peaceful spot for photos. The tree stands alone on a hill, offering a scenic backdrop for travelers.
- Ha Giang Loop: A great next stop for adventurous travelers. A motorbike journey with breathtaking views, dramatic cliffs, and local culture.
Returning back from 3 day sapa tour
To return to Hanoi, take a bus or head to Lao Cai Railway Station. A private transfer from Ta Van Village to Lao Cai costs about 600,000 VND ($25 USD).
Are there Indian restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam?
Yes, there are Indian restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam.
You can try Bollywood Spice, India Gate, and Ganesh Indian restaurant, all serving delicious Indian food.
What is the nearest airport to Sapa, Vietnam?
Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi is the nearest airport to Sapa, Vietnam.
Lao Cai is the nearest railway station, which is abourt 45 min drive from Sapa.
