Sapa Itinerary: 3 Days Exploring Sapa, Vietnam

I’ve seen people claiming online that Sapa is way too touristy and no longer worth visiting. That like many travel spots, while it was once worth seeing, it’s now been ruined by tourism. Heck, some of my wife’s Vietnamese friends even told us not to bother going to Sapa, as it’s not worth visiting anymore.

But I didn’t listen to them, and I’m really glad I didn’t, as it ended up being one of my most memorable experiences in Vietnam to date!

Now while it’s true that Sapa is touristy, in my opinion it still has so much to offer, and is definitely still worth visiting.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Sapa, Vietnam, and are looking for a 3-day itinerary, here’s what I suggest…

Note: This post is a basic itinerary for 3 days in Sapa, and is not an exhaustive list of things to do in Sapa.

I’ve included links throughout this post to other posts I’ve written about Sapa, which give much more detailed information on each activity. So be sure to click those links for more detailed info!

Quick Nav

• Getting to Sapa
• Where to Stay in Sapa
  • The Hotel Option
  • The Private Bungalow Option
• 3 Day Sapa Itinerary
  • Day 1: Hiking Fansipan & Exploring Sapa Town
  • Day 2: Visiting Cat Cat Village & Waterfall
  • Day 3: Trekking Muong Hoa Valley & Exploring Sapa’s Night Market
  • Honourable Mention - Dragon Mountain

Getting to Sapa

There are a number of ways to get to Sapa, including taking the train from Hanoi, a sleeper bus, a regular day bus, or a private car.

Now of course taking a private car will be your most expensive option, but it’s also the most comfortable and convenient.

Taking the train is a popular option, but it’s also the slowest, and you’ll still need to take a bus from Lao Cai to Sapa, which is about an hour away.

We opted instead to take a sleeper bus from Hanoi as it would get us more into the heart of Sapa.

This was one of the cheapest options, but also one of the most uncomfortable, as the roads leading to Sapa are very windy and bumpy, and something we came to regret due to how sick we both felt by the time we arrived. On the way back to Hanoi we took a regular (non-sleeper) bus, which was not perfect by any means, but much much better than the sleeper bus.

My recommendation for getting to Sapa

If you’re prone to motion sickness, I’d probably suggest taking the train, but whatever you do - absolutely do not take a sleeper bus!

Otherwise, taking a regular coach-style bus is the best option if you’re looking to get to Sapa on the cheap.

Where to Stay in Sapa

The Hotel Option

Of course there are tons of hotels, bungalows, and homestays in Sapa (many more than I’ve experienced and can comment on), but if you’re looking to be close to the center of Sapa, while being away from most of the noise, and still getting some incredible views, I can’t recommend Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel enough!

Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel is a 5-star hotel, but it’s not overly expensive, and the views from the rooms and other parts of the hotel are just stunning. The staff are also incredibly friendly and helpful, and the continental breakfast buffet is delicious and extensive too, with both Western and Asian selections.

The Private Bungalow Option

If you’d prefer to be further out from the city center, more deep into the rice terraces and out of the noise, then you should definitely give S Plus Bungalow a look.

The detached wood bungalows are super cozy & private, and offer absolutely stunning views of the surrounding rice terraces and mountains.

S Plus Bungalow was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Sapa, and as the last place we stayed, it was the perfect way to end our trip.

Because you’ll be quite out of the main city, you won’t have access to a lot of food options. We did find Plum Eco House Homestay though, just up the path a bit, that has super delicious food at great prices.

There are also a few other restaurants and small grocery stores around the area, so you certainly won’t go hungry.

You also won’t have much of a night life out here. But I mean if you’re out this far, well … that’s probably what you wanted! 😄

3 Day Sapa Itinerary

Ok, now that you know how to get to Sapa, and where to stay, let’s get into the itinerary!

Day 1: Hiking Fansipan & Exploring Sapa Town

Fansipan Mountain

Fansipan Mountain is the highest mountain in Indochina, and while it’s possible to hike to the summit, it’s not something I’d recommend unless you’re an experienced hiker, as it’s quite a difficult multi-day hike.

Most will opt to take the Fansipan Cable Car to the summit starting from Sa Ps Station, which is what we did, and it was definitely worth it. The views from the top of Fansipan are amazing, and it’s a great way to see the surrounding area.

We spent about half a day from start to finish, including the cable car ride up and back down, and it was a great way to start our time in Sapa. If you’re hiking the old fashion way - on foot - it will take you at least 2 days to reach the summit and return.

Note that Fansipan Mountain is technically in the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, and not actually in Sapa, but the entrance, via cable car, is right in Sapa Town.

Sapa Town at Night

After coming back down from Fansipan and arriving back at Sa Pa station, you’ll be right back smack in the center of Sapa Town, which means you’ll be in the perfect spot to explore the town and grab some dinner.

Sapa Town is quite small, but it’s full of restaurants, cafes, and shops, and is a great place to walk around and explore. We stopped at a small restaurant which didn’t look like much, but actually the food was quite delicious.

If you’re not yet very familiar with Vietnam, you’ll soon find that the best food is often found in the most unassuming, rundown-looking restaurants! That of course isn’t always the case, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when looking for a place to eat.

Day 2: Visiting Cat Cat Village & Waterfall

If you’re at all interested in the ethnic minorities that have historically inhabited the Sapa mountains and are responsible for carving out the beautiful rice terraces, then you should definitely visit Cat Cat Village.

Cat Cat Village is a small village located about 2 to 3 km from Sapa Town, and is where you’ll find some traditional Hmong homes, and learn about Hmong culture and the history of the area.

You’ll also get to see more of the infamous Sapa rice terraces as you walk down through the village, passing shop after shop selling traditional Hmong clothing and other knickknacks, after which you’ll eventually come to a beautiful waterfall at the bottom.

Depending on the time of year, the waterfall may be more or less impressive, but it’s still a beautiful spot to relax and take in the scenery.

If you’re interested in spending the night in Cat Cat Village, there are a few homestays available, but you’ll need to book in advance, as they can fill up quickly.

Day 3: Trekking Muong Hoa Valley & Exploring Sapa’s Night Market

Muong Hoa Valley

If you’re looking for a more challenging, beautiful, and non-shop-filled hiking experience, then you should definitely consider trekking through Muong Hoa Valley.

You’ll be right in the thick of the rice terraces, and will get to see some of the most beautiful views in Sapa, as well as some of the most beautiful terraced rice fields in the world.

If you happen to get thirsty or tired along the way, there is actually a nice little cafe along the trail. But it’s otherwise just you and nature, which is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of Sapa Town.

Sapa Night Market

If you’ve still got some energy left after trekking through Muong Hoa Valley, then you should definitely check out Sapa’s Night Market.

It’s a bit on the unrefined side, but you’ll find souvenirs and food that’s unique to Sapa, and definitely worth a look/taste!

Specifically, you really need to try Sapa’s unique roasted chestnut pastries, which are made fresh and absolutely delicious!

Honourable Mention

Depending on the time of year, Dragon Mountain (Ham Rong Mountain) is also a great place to visit, as it offers some nice views of Sapa Town and the mountains, and is also full of different flower and plant species.

However, like I said - it depends on the time of year, as there’s not always much to see, and during the more rainy season, it can be quite slippery in parts.

But if you’re looking for a nice, easy hike, with some great views, then it’s definitely worth checking out if you have the time.

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Well, that’s it! That’s my 3-day itinerary for exploring Sapa, Vietnam. I hope you found it helpful, and we’re able to get some ideas from it.

If you have any questions, or need more information, feel free to ask in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to help you out!