One day in Sapa: What to do & Itinerary Suggestions

Is Sapa in One day Worth it?

Frankly speaking, I wouldn’t recommend spending just a single day in Sapa. Think about it: the only ways to reach Sapa at present are either by long bus or train. A bus journey will take you 5 to 6 hours, while the train will take about 8 hours (overnight). If you plan to go and return within the same day, it will feel rushed, leaving you with very little time to truly experience the destination.

Moreover, the travel costs range from 250,000 to 700,000 VND (about 10 to 28 USD) per one-way trip. This is a considerable expense for only a few hours at the destination, which might leave you feeling it wasn’t worth it.

Ideally, you should plan to spend at least two days in Sapa, or at the very least, travel overnight by train so you can fully enjoy your time during the day in Sapa. In that scenario, I can recommend plenty of wonderful things to do in Sapa, which I will cover in the next section.

Things to do in Sapa in One day

Sapa is home to four captivating regions that beckon exploration: the mist-veiled Sapa town, the lush terraced rice field valleys, the towering Fansipan peak, and the expansive Hoang Lien Son National Park.

What to see for one day in Sapa

Sapa Town

The downtown area of Sapa spans a modest 25 square kilometers but is bustling with activity. This vibrant hub is where most visitors first set foot when arriving in Sapa. In 2023, Condé Nast Traveler listed Sapa among the Top 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World.

• Visit the Ancient Stone Church: This Gothic-style church, constructed entirely of stone, was built by the French in 1935.

• Stroll around Sapa Lake: A leisurely walk around the lake is a relaxing experience, offering distant views of Ham Rong Mountain.

• Explore Sun Plaza: Sun Plaza is one of the most iconic structures in Sapa town, housing a shopping mall and a mountain railway station. The 10th floor offers bars and cafes with stunning city and mountain views.

• Wander through Sapa Night Market: It is a bustling area filled with street vendors selling local goods, souvenirs, specialties, and street food.

• Amble around the town: Sapa is a hectic small town nestled in the mountains. The town resembles terraced fields, with houses built at varying elevations. Each street offers unique sights, shops, restaurants, and bars, full of local color and charm.

Take memorable photos in Moana Coffee Sapa

• Capture the perfect shot at Moana Coffee: This spot is ideal for those who love surreal photography. The background here provides impressive Instagram-worthy photos. The entrance fee is 80,000 VND per person (3.2 USD).

• Visit Cat Cat Village: This vibrant and bustling ancient village lies along a stream, very close to the town. The entrance fee is 90,000 VND per person (3.6 USD).

Terraced rice field valleys

Venturing slightly beyond Sapa town reveals a tapestry of scattered terraced fields, embraced by undulating hills and mountains. 

Head to the nearby rice valley of Sapa

• Trekking in Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, or Sin Chai: These trails lead to the closest rice terraces around Sapa and offer glimpses into the daily lives of local communities. Guided tours are available at approximately 500,000 VND per person for a half-day (about 20 USD).

• Visit the villages: Humble wooden villages scattered throughout the valley are home to indigenous people. Visiting these villages in Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai or Ta Van provides an intimate view of their simple, everyday life. Entrance fees are 75,000 VND (3 USD).

• Experience traditional activities: For a deeper immersion, you may consider joining a farming tour where you can participate in rice cultivation, fishing, and fire-building activities.

Fansipan Peak

For one day in Sapa, you can also visit Fansipan. It is the highest peak in Indochina (encompassing Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia).

Things to see in Fansipan peak

• Trekking: The journey from Tram Ton starting point to the summit of Fansipan takes approximately 7 - 8 hours and can be completed within a day. 

• Cable car ride: For a less strenuous option, visitors can opt for the cable car to enjoy sweeping views of terraced rice fields and lush mountain ranges. Round-trip tickets, which may include meals, range from 750,000 to 1,200,000 VND (30 to 48 USD).

• Mountain-climbing train: The train departs from Sun Plaza in Sapa town and connects to the cable car base station. A one-way ticket costs 100,000 VND (4 USD) and the short 15-minute journey covers 3 kilometers.

Sapa mountain climbing train

• Visit the Fansipan Legend rose garden: Located within the cable car station area, the rose garden offers a serene space for a leisurely stroll either before or after your cable car ride.

Hoang Lien Mountain Range

Beyond the renowned Fansipan peak, the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range also offers a wealth of other Sapa natural germs:

• Silver Falls: The falls presents a mesmerizing view with its curvy cascading waters. To reach the falls, you need to walk and climb the mountain for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Entrance fees are 20,000 VND per person (0.8 USD).

• Golden Stream and Love Falls: Situated within Hoang Lien National Park, this area offers a refreshing hiking experience. Entrance fees are 75,000 VND per person (3 USD).

Discover O Quy Ho Pass region

• O Quy Ho Pass: Renowned as one of the four most challenging mountain passes in Northern Vietnam, O Quy Ho offers dramatic and awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding mountainous landscape.

• O Quy Ho Tea Hill: Located about 11 kilometers from the pass, this tea plantation sprawls across the hills, presenting a picturesque scene, especially during the blooming season of peach blossoms from February to April.

• Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge: For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Glass Bridge offers a thrilling experience. Here, you can test your courage by walking on a glass bridge, trying out the death swing, lying on the infinity bed, sliding on a zipline, or crossing a single-tree bridge amidst the stunning Sapa landscape. Entrance fees are 500,000 VND per person (20 USD).

Recommended Day Trips

To assist you with planning, here are several one day in Sapa itineraries for your consideration.

One day in Sapa Itineraries 

Option 1: Sapa Town - Cat Cat Village Leisure Trip

This itinerary offers a relaxed pace, focusing on the immediate vicinity of Sapa town. It allows you to immerse yourself in local life, visit notable landmarks, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the town and surrounding hills.

• Breakfast

• Depart for Cat Cat Village

• Visit Ham Rong Mountain

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Explore the Stone Church

• Stroll around Sapa Lake

• Wander through the town for sightseeing and shopping

• Enjoy coffee at Sun Plaza with an overview of the area

• Dinner before departing Sapa

Cost for this day is approximately 800,000 - 1,300,000 VND per person (32 - 51.5 USD).

Option 2: Fansipan - Sapa Town

This plan combines a half-day mountain hike with a half-day in the town. It provides an opportunity to both explore Sapa and conquer the impressive summit of Fansipan.

To the roof of Indochina

• Breakfast

• Visit Sun Plaza and take the mountain train to the cable car station

• Ride the cable car for scenic views

• Explore Sun World Legend and ascend to Fansipan's peak

• Return to the base for lunch

• Visit the Fansipan Legend Rose Garden

• Return to town for shopping, foot massages, and dining

Cost for this day is about 1,600,000 - 2,000,000 VND per day (64 - 79.3 USD).

Option 3: Sapa Town - Muong Hoa Valley Trekking

For those drawn to terraced fields and trekking, this itinerary focuses on the most feasible day trek options. Although Sapa can offer more distant trails such as Hau Thao and Ta Phin, the Y Linh Ho, Ta Van, and Lao Chai villages are the most practical for a single day.

One day in Sapa visit the nearby villages 

• Breakfast

• Trekking in Y Linh Ho - Ta Van or Lao Chai - Ta Van

• Lunch in the village

• Afternoon return to the town for leisure

Cost for this day is approximately 1,000,000 - 1,600,000 VND per person (39.7 - 63.5 USD).

Option 4: Sapa Town - O Quy Ho Trekking

For those who enjoy challenging mountainous terrain and formidable passes, the O Quy Ho Pass is an excellent choice.

• Breakfast

• Depart from town

• Visit Silver Falls

• Explore Golden Stream and Love Falls

• Traverse O Quy Ho Pass

• Return to town for relaxation

Budget for this day is about 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 VND per person (39.7 - 59.5 USD).

Enjoy coffee and the view of Sapa

Option 5: Sapa Town - Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge

Finally, for a touch of adventure and a thrill, consider visiting the Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge. The journey to the bridge can include stops along the O Quy Ho route if time permits.

• Depart from Sapa town to the Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge

• Return to Sapa town after lunch

Budget for this day is approximately 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 VND per person (39.7 - 59.5 USD).

Tips for Visiting Sapa

• The optimal period to visit Sapa extends from September to June, as the months of July and August experience considerable and frequent rainfall. 

• The sunniest and least foggy months are August through October and April through June. Conversely, the winter months bring more frequent foggy days, though sunny intervals do occasionally emerge.

• Weather conditions at Sapa’s mountain peaks are notoriously unpredictable, with sudden shifts from sunshine to rain and fog. Therefore, carrying a raincoat is advisable, though an umbrella can be cumbersome while trekking.

• Due to Sapa’s terrain, which predominantly features uneven, rugged paths with steep inclines and frequent fog and sudden rain, you should bring a pair of walking shoes or sandals with a reliable and slip-resistant sole.

How to prepare for one day in Sapa

• Temperatures in Sapa can fluctuate rapidly throughout the day, akin to experiencing all four seasons within a single day. The coldest temperatures occur at night (maybe just 15 - 20°C), so packing warm clothing is essential.

• For getting around Sapa, in addition to walking and motorbiking, electric vehicles offer a convenient alternative. These vehicles can accommodate 10 to 12 passengers, with fares for 2 to 4 kilometers costing around 100,000 VND (4 USD).

• Shops in Sapa also sell a wide range of clothing, gear, jackets, and trekking equipment, though prices are slightly higher than usual. 

• Notable local specialties include herbal bath leaves, massage wine, essential oils, forest spices, and handcrafted ethnic items. Souvenir prices range from 2 to 4 USD per item.

• Street food in Sapa is renowned, with treats such as roasted chestnuts, chestnut cakes, seven-colored sticky rice, smoked pork or beef, apple wine, and corn wine. Local restaurants also serve specialties like black chicken stew with pumpkin, fried stream fish, salmon hotpot, horse meat, and wild bamboo shoots. On average, a hearty meal in Sapa will cost about 8 to 12 USD.

• In addition to local fare, Sapa hosts numerous international dining options, including Sapa Halal Restaurant, Le Petit Gecko (French cuisine), Ganesh Sapa Indian Restaurant, Chicago Pizza Sapa, etc or Chayote Veggies Buffet for vegetarian dishes.

• It is prudent to carry some cash for convenience in Sapa. 

• Insects are rarely encountered in the town of Sapa, but they may be more prevalent in homestays or during trekking. You may also bring insect repellent.

For a broader perspective, consult our post on travel guide to Vietnam!

These insights offer a broad overview of how to spend your one day in Sapa. For further details, you may consult additional travel guides on our website or contact our team to help arrange your Vietnam tour.