Things to do in Sapa

Sapa is a mountain town in northern Vietnam, set beneath Fansipan, the country's highest peak at 3,147 m, which can be climbed on foot or reached by cable car. The town and its surrounding villages are known for terraced rice fields, but neither Sapa nor Fansipan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a common mix-up.

Most visitors come from Hanoi by road or by night train to Lao Cai, with the last stretch by road; check current timetables and fares before booking. Season matters more than anything else here. Winter brings fog and cold, with temperatures close to zero in some years. The terraces turn green from about June and golden around September and October, the best window for photographs.

Mu Cang Chai and the Ha Giang loop are alternatives, covered on their own pages.