Surface: 678.6 km2

Population: 52.899 people (2009)

Position: North Vietnam

Airport: No airport. It is  296 km (185 miles) from Hanoi to Lao Cai, taking the overnight train then transfer the final 38 km (24 miles) from Lo Cai to Sapa by bus, car or taxi.

Weather: Sapa enjoys a highly seasonal climate making itself unique, subtropical climate in summer and a temperate climate during the winter. In the hottest months, May and June, the temperature reaches its peak of 29°C, while it can be only below 1°C in December and January.
Normally, the rainy season lasts from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August.The humidity is always high, ranging from 75 to 91 percent.

Located in the northwest of the Vietnam, Sapa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai province. Sapa is much favored by the nature, owning a stunning landscape of hills, green forests, blooming flowers, which makes a fascinating scenic picture.
Sapa has a variety of fruit such as cherry, peach, purple plum, plum blossom, rose, pear, especially immortal flower. There are some natural landscapes attracting domestic and foreign tourists such as Silver Fall, Sapa Rattan Bridge, Fansipan peak, Ta Phin cave and so on. By discovering the landscapes of Sapa, visitors will feel themselves being in a dreamy fairyland.
Sapa Ancient Stone Field is in Muong Hoa valley including 196 islets in different shapes carved by the ancients thousands of years ago. Moreover, visitors who have set their foot on Sapa, they surely have to visit Ham Rong Mountain. Ham Rong is home of various colorful flowers planted on each garden, especially many kinds of orchid. Located next to the town, any visitor can access it to enjoy panoramic view of town, Muong Hoa valley, Sapa, Ta Phin sunk in smog. Nowadays, thanks to the skillful hand of human, Ham Rong is indeed a fruit-full landscape of Sapa.
Sapa is also famous for some unique festivals such as “Roong Pooc” of Giay Ta Van people. Annually, Giay people often hold Roong Pooc festival to pray for abundant crop, favorable weather. “Sai San” festival of Hmong people, “Tet Nhay” of Red Dao people are great examples of unique cultural activities of ethnic minorities that tourists cannot miss.
Sa Pa Market takes place on Sunday in the town of Sapa. On Saturday evening, everybody gathered to sing  folk songs of Hmong people, Dao people with the sound of flute, Hmong Pan-pipe; and they called it “love market”.
No trips will be completed without trying the local food. In Sapa, tourists can enjoy some well known dishes such as Thang Co, carried-under-arm pigs (Lon cap nach) pigs, stream fish especially salmon imported from foreign countries. Visitors cannot forget a hot pot served with salmon and green vegetables in freezing winter. As a cold area, Sapa is famous for different vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, beets and chayote.
Referring to delicious dishes of Sapa, there are hand-made pork sausages, fresh mushrooms with pork, black chicken (black skin, black bone), the various kinds of barbecue. However, there is a specialty which is inevitable in Sapa meal – San Lung wine, cat apple wine. A glass of wine at breakfast will bring sophisticated feelings of us about the food here.

BEST THINGS TO DO:

1. Climb Mt. Fansipan-the Peak of Indochina :
Fansipan Mountains, included in the Hoang Lien Mountains surrounding  Sapa, reaches thousands of feet and creating the tallest pinnacle in not only Vietnam but also the Indochina. Trekkers are given a physical challenge as the hike is by foot in about 20 kilometers from Sapa. Arrange a three day excursion through small hill tribe hamlets the first day and onward via dense forest trails filled with scenic mountain passes the trip in Sapa village between October and March and a guide to lead the way. In the forest, there are a number of different wildlife species in the forest including birds, a variety of primates, and mountain goats. Without the need for any climbing gear, visitors carry just the bare essentials and can refuel and rest in rustic shelters along the way.

2. Experience Sapa Homestay:
One of the greatest and most profound ways to delve into Sapa’s interesting culture is through a homestay with prior arrangement. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience as you stay with the locals, live and eat alongside them, learn about the different ways of life in the rural, picturesque setting, and often have your own personal guide who will proudly introduce you to everyone in the vicinity! Homestay families must pass strict government testing and receive food training to offer comfortable, hygienic lodging.Vietnamese families are exceptionally friendly and eager to help visitors have the best trips in Vietnam.

3. Ride a bike through Muong Hoa Valley:
Muong Hoa Valley is a stunning stretch of land that lies at the bottom of Fansipan’s northern flank. It is the largest strip of rice fields in the Sapa region, dotted with villages of different minority groups.
Go on trekking tours that bring visitors from Sapa into the valley on foot, visitors can enjoy initial panoramic views of the rice terraces to close-ups of the Muong Hoa river, flowing right next to the paddy fields. If you prefer riding between two high mountain ranges, cool air against our cheeks with the occasional roaming farm pigs to avoid, renting a motorbike is a great but very cheap option.

4. Visit Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Falls):
Just about less than 15 kilometers from the center of town is Silver Falls, locally called Thac Bac.  Enveloped by a range of mountains, beautiful, undulating landscapes area, the falls are a product of the Lo Sui Tong mountain top, where the waterfall’s original source lies. People say the cascading falls appear as a mighty white dragon peering down onto the valley. From Sapa, the falls can easily be reached in about a half-hour by car or motor bike. If you make the trip, you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenes of Silver Falls and the last surviving forests of Hoang Lien National Park.

5. Take a trip to Sapa Main Market:
Surrounding Sapa are several interesting hill tribe villages, including those of the Red Dao and Hmong, whose people head to Sapa market to sell handicrafts and ethnic style clothing. The market opens everyday of the week – Saturdays are most appealing – set up with indoor and outdoor stalls for the day; head to the set of stairs outdoors to find fresh produce, medicinal herbs, and beautiful, fresh cut flowers. If you hope to stock up on vibrant ethnic fabrics, explore stalls along the second floor – stalls along the bottom right have fine displays of tribal silver work. The market also offer varied street food that visitors can try for breakfast or lunch. The market is ideal for becoming familiar with the different tribal characteristics of each of the tribes and to admire the colourful tribal clothing of  local people.

THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN SAPA:

1.Paradise View Restaurant:
Paradise View Restaurant is located in Sapa Paradise View hotel in Sapa town. This restaurant gets great reputation for its wonderful and very affordable dishes.
Hours: around 8:30am – 22:00pm
Price: ₫22,727 – ₫227,273
Address: 018 Pham Xuan Huan St, Sapa, Vietnam

2. Good Morning Vietnam Restaurant:
Being a small restaurant located nearby Fansipan, it attracts visitors with its best food and family atmosphere. With a varied menu, this restaurant can serve guests with different tastes and bring them the best experience.
Opening Time: around 8:30am – 22:00pm
Price $ 5-20.
Address: 033 Muong Hoa St, Sapa Town, Sapa, Vietnam.

3. The Hill Station Signature Restaurant:
The Hill Station Signature Restaurant serves authentic traditional ethnic cuisine from the area around Sapa in a contemporary and relaxing ambiance.
Opening Time: 7:00 am- 22:30 pm
Price:  ₫90,909 – ₫227,273
Address: 037 Fansipan St, Sapa, Vietnam
4. Red Dao House Restaurant:
Located in the heart of the town of Sapa, the Red Dao House restaurant is a fascinating traditional wooden house on stilts of the Red Dao hill briber in the North West mountain of Vietnam. It is much more than a restaurant; it’s a wonderful dining experience.
Opening Time: 7:00am – 22:00pm
Price: ₫113,636 – ₫227,273
Address: 04B Thac bac St, Sapa, Vietnam