Every summer, families start planning their vacations: some head to the northern mountains, some go to the eastern beaches, and others explore the river regions in the South. If your family wants to experience winter-like weather during the middle of summer, then Sa Pa is the perfect destination. A three-day trip is ideal if you're starting from Northern Vietnam, while those from Central or Southern regions should plan for an additional day of travel.
How to get to Sa Pa?
There are several ways to reach Sa Pa: sleeper buses, high-class Limousine vans, and trains. If your family has a private car, congratulations - you’ll enjoy the fastest travel time without needing to make multiple rest stops along the Hanoi - Sa Pa route.
More and more international tourists visiting Sa Pa. Photo: Sun World Fansipan
The most popular means of transportation is the sleeper bus. If you're in Hanoi, you're in the most convenient location to start, as there are countless Hanoi - Sa Pa - Hanoi trips every day. Multiple bus companies offer various types of buses, but most tourists - especially international travelers - prefer Limousine vans (9-11-13 seats). These vehicles are currently considered the most modern and comfortable option for this journey. Departure times from Hanoi usually include 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:00 AM, while return trips from Sa Pa are at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. The travel time is roughly 6 hours, not including breaks at rest stops.
Alternatively, you can choose a 45-seat sleeper bus. These offer a more laid-back experience but take longer to reach Sa Pa compared to the Limousine vans. Sleeper buses depart at the same time intervals: 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM from Hanoi and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM from Sa Pa.
Another comfortable option is the Hanoi - Lao Cai train, which is especially suitable if you want more rest time. These trains mostly run at night: departing Hanoi at 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM, and arriving in Sa Pa after about six hours. Departures from Sa Pa back to Hanoi are at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. A wide range of trains is available to choose from, with ticket prices ranging from 550,000 VND (round trip) to 1.2 million VND. Options include Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express, Chapa Express, Sapaly Express, New Livitran, Pumpkin Express, Orient Express, Dream Train Express, King Express, and SP3. You can buy tickets directly at Hanoi Railway Station or online via https://www.duongsatvietnam.vn. Booking online is highly recommended for convenience and comfort.
Hanoi Station. Photo: Q.Lien
The train ride itself is quite an enjoyable experience, especially for older travelers or families with young children. You board the train, sleep through the night, and wake up in Lao Cai.
However, note that the train only takes you as far as Lao Cai Station. From there, you need to take a taxi (easily found just outside the station) to reach Sa Pa, which is about 40 kilometers away.
If you’re not based in Hanoi, your first step will be to travel to Hanoi via plane, train, or bus, and then continue your journey to Sa Pa using one of the mentioned methods.
Day 1 in Sa Pa: Where to go and What to eat?
Once you arrive in Sa Pa and check into your hotel, it’s a good idea to have lunch right there. This helps save time and gives you more rest before heading out to explore in the afternoon and evening. It’s best to pre-book your lunch at the hotel before departure to streamline your schedule.
Street art performance on the opening day of the Rose Festival. Photo: Sun World Fansipan
If you’re eager to start exploring Sa Pa on the first day, begin with the central area. This is where the iconic Stone Church - built during French colonial times is located. Right nearby is a tennis court that used to be reserved for French officials. Today, this space serves as the main venue for Sa Pa’s annual cultural and festival events. The central area also hosts numerous restaurants offering traditional Sa Pa dishes and is situated near the Sun Plaza building - the starting point for your journey up Mount Fansipan.
The town center is always bustling, both during the day and at night. Why visit this area first? If you’re still tired from the Hanoi trip, you can sit on a stone bench near the tennis court, take photos in front of the church in the soft afternoon light (which avoids backlighting), or walk a few hundred meters to the tranquil central lake, where the water remains clear and calm. While walking around here, you’ll likely meet many foreign tourists also enjoying the scenery.
Dinner on the First Night
For your first dinner in Sa Pa, try out traditional local dishes. Sa Pa’s salmon and sturgeon are culinary highlights worth experiencing. These two ingredients are transformed by skilled chefs into a variety of mouthwatering dishes: grilled salmon with cheese, grilled sturgeon with galangal, salmon hotpot, and sturgeon hotpot, to name a few. When night falls, Sa Pa gets quite chilly, so a steaming hotpot dish can warm you up nicely. Thanks to the cool year-round climate, many businesses have invested in raising salmon and sturgeon, creating a reliable supply for restaurants across town.
Day 2: Conquering Mount Fansipan
No trip to Sa Pa is complete without visiting Mount Fansipan. Even if you’ve been to Sa Pa multiple times, you haven’t truly arrived unless you’ve reached its peak. Sa Pa and Fansipan are inseparable - this pairing has become a defining brand not only for the town itself but also for the entire Lao Cai province.
People in Sa Pa enjoy taking part in the flag-raising ceremony on the mount Fansipan. Photo: Sun World Fansipan
That said, Sa Pa’s weather is famously unpredictable. Within a single day, you might experience spring, summer, fall, and winter. Sitting over 2.000 meters above sea level, Sa Pa is often cloaked in clouds. Sunny days are less frequent than cloudy ones. To fully enjoy the view from the roof of Indochina, it’s best to pick a sunny day for your Fansipan ascent. Always check the weather forecast before finalizing your travel dates.
Street art performance on the opening day of the Rose Festival. Photo: Sun World Fansipan
But don’t worry - even on seemingly gloomy days, surprises await. Many visitors are thrilled to reach the summit only to find clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine, even if Sa Pa was overcast when they left. That’s what locals call “cloud hunting.” The clouds hang low on the mountain, and as your cable car ascends, you pass through the thick mist to find a dazzling sky above. At that moment, you’ll feel as though you’ve reached a heavenly realm here on Earth.
Day 3: So Many Options for You!
After conquering Fansipan, take time to discover other Sa Pa highlights. Mường Hoa Valley is frequently mentioned and highly recommended. In June and July, the valley’s terraced fields enter the “green rice” stage, when young rice plants grow about 25 cm tall with lush green leaves. By August, the fields become even more stunning as the rice blossoms and some terraces begin turning golden yellow with ripening crops. This period transforms Mường Hoa into a breathtaking natural painting.
Cát Cát Village is another must-see spot, especially during the rainy season. This picturesque and rustic village, inhabited by simple and hospitable locals, offers visitors a unique chance to experience local culture and admire the serene landscape.
However, keep in mind that with only three days (including travel time), you might find it hard to explore all the fascinating and hidden gems Sa Pa has to offer. That’s why many travelers return again and again. Sa Pa is constantly refreshing itself with four major tourism festivals every year - each corresponding to a different season. Even if you’ve visited before, you’ll always find something new./.
Text: Quynh Lien
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