Sapa Destination Guide
Sapa almost seems frozen in time because of its remoteness from the rest of the world. Even though many tourists visit it now, local customs prevail in Sapa. And no where is this manifested more vibrantly than in the attire of the people of Sapa. You can identify the tribe of a woman from her headdress. Dashing H'mong youth wear embroidered caps and waistbands that hold bone-handled knives. Children always look beautiful, more so when they are attired in little dresses that reflect ancient customs and traditions.
The hill station Sapa (also spelt Sapa), located 1,500 metres above sea level in the Fansipan Mountains, was set up by the French in 1922 as an outpost to China. Located near the Chinese border, it is 350 kilometres northwest of Hanoi. This area is also called the Tonkinese Alps.
This Sapa Destination Guide together with our Sapa Tour Suggestions will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit in Sapa. For tips on how to get around in Sapa, read our Sapa Transportation guide. For more interesting things to do in Vietnam, check out our Vietnam Destination Guide.
Things to See & Do in Sapa
Ham Rong Mountain
Sapa Love Market
The boys are supposed to find these hidden girls. If they like each other, they spend three days in the forest, and once they return, they can get married if they'd like to. The market also attracts people who want to meet old paramours, or who just want to spend some time in the romantic surroundings. You have to wait till nightfall, around 8 p.m. for the Love Market to gather steam, but then love always makes you wait, right!
Bac Ha
Lao Cai
Entertainment
Sapa has not one, but two major tourist hangouts - the Exotic Bar and Royal Discotheque. You can relax and compare notes with other tourists drawn to this place from across the world.
The 20-seat Valley View Bar is a good vantage point to soak in the scenic views of the mountains and vales even as you relax with your favourite drink.
Delta Bar in Cau May St, Sapa Town (Tel: 871-799) is another charmingly decorated two storey bar and restaurant. It has a free pool table too. A drink here could cost you anything between US $1-6.
Gecko Sapa Bar near the Square and post office in Sapa Town is decorated in the French style and has a friendly staff who will even provide you with information on various tours. The bar is also inexpensive - you can get a drink for just US $1-5.
General Information
Lao Cai General Hospital
Ly Cong Uan St., Kim Tan Group, Lao Cai Town
Tel: 842-989
Sa Pa Town general hospital
Sa Pa Town.
Tel: 871-390
Post Office
50 m from Sa Pa Church.
Banks / Money Changer
No official banks in town. Only cash in US$ can be changed at hotels and travel agencies. Their rates are very bad. The best place could be your guesthouse.
Traveler's checks can be exchanged at Queen Hotel. The rate is very bad. $1=14,000 ~ 15,000VND.
Photo shop
A few near the church.
Quang Huy
Tel: 020871715
develop 5,000 D, prints 1,000-1,600 D/p, laminated photos 100-500 D/p extra.
Laundry
Auberge Dang Trung and other places - shirt 3,000 D, jeans 5,000 D, socks 2,000 D.
Internet
The cost is reasonable, 4,000-7,000 D/hour, it is available almost throughout Sapa town with ADSL system (high speed).
Auberge Dang Trung/Cybercafe/Nature Tour
Along Cau May and other streets, near the Royal Hotel. @ 6,000 d/hr, CD burn service.
Useful Tips
- During the winter the temperature in Sa Pa can drop to under zero. Warm clothes are necessary.
- Some hotels have charcoal burners in their rooms. Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter. Do not close all the windows and doors to your room if you are using a charcoal burner to keep warm or you will be asphyxiated. Many travelers make this mistake since they are not familiar with using such old heating methods.
- No visit to Sa Pa is complete without taking a walk through the minority villages. Most numerous are the H'Mong and Red Zao. A friendly lot, they will be the first people you will notice, as they try and flog their wares and souvenirs.
- There is excellent hiking around Sa Pa, catering to all levels of fitness, from an easy stroll through the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, to serious hikes up Mount Fansipan, at 3,142 m the highest peak in Indochina.
