What you need to know about Sapa, Vietnam

Welcome back to Vietnam Incredible Tours,

Today I would love to share you another must-see place in Vietnam. It is Sapa in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

Sapa is located in the North West of Vietnam, 315 km far from Hanoi. It is well-known for its beautiful landscapes with terrace fields, water falls, Fansipan Mount of 3143m high, often called as the "Roof of Indochina", and colorful and rich cultures of various ethnic minorities such as Black H'mong, Red Dzao, Dzay, Tay and Xa Pho groups.

So how to get to Sapa?

There are two major ways to get to Sapa i.e. by night train or by bus.

By train, it will take you 8 hours from Hanoi to Lao Cai city and vice versus.

Following is the Train schedule and prices:

Route/ Train number	Departure time	Arrival time	Price
Hanoi – Lao Cai
SP1	21:40	5:35	28-35 usd/ticket
SP3	22:00	6:10	28-35 usd/ticket
Lao Cai – Hanoi
SP2	20:35	4:45	28-35 usd/ticket
SP4	21:05	5:09	28-35 usd/ticket

Tourists are highly recommend booking tickets with popular train companies such as Dream Train, King Express, Pumpkin, Orient Express, Livitrans, Fansipan Express, etc. Cabin of 4 people with soft berths and AC are advised to book.

When you arrive in Lao Cai city, you can take a coach in front of the train station to get to Sapa Town. The fare is about 5 usd/ticket/person. You also can book the pickup service at cost of 5 usd/pax. The guide will hold a sign under your name and wait you at the train station when you arrive. Then, he/she will transfer you to your hotel in Sapa. It take 1 hour for the bus transfer to the Sapa Town

 

Travelling by bus has been becoming more popular so far since the Express Road Hanoi – Lao Cai was put into operation in 2013. The travelling duration is shortened to 5.5 hours. Most of the buses are in high quality, so it is very confortable.

Some of good bus companies which are highly recommended are Sapa Express, Green Bus, Dragon Express, Fansipan Express, Interbusline, Shuttle bus, Hung Thah, Queen Café, etc.

For bus ticket fare, see the below table:

BUS HANOI - SAPA
Departure  Time	Pick up time	Type of Coach	Price	Pick up/drop off point
7:00	6:30 – 7:00	38 Soft sleepers	12- 15 usd	At your hotels in Oldquarters/ Bus office in Sapa
13:30	13:00- 13:30	38 Soft sleepers	12- 15 usd
15:00	14:30 – 15:00	Limousine 16 seats	22 usd
22:00	21:00 – 22:00	38 Soft sleepers	12-15 usd
BUS SAPA – HANOI
Departure time	Pick up time	Type of Coach	Price	Pick up/Drop Off Point
7:00	6:30-7:00	Limousine 16  soft seats	22 usd	Bus offices in Sapa/ Ha Noi
8:00	7:30 – 8:00	38 Soft sleepers	15 usd
13:30	13:00 – 13:30	38 Soft sleepers	12-15 usd
16:00	13:30 – 16:00	Limousine 28 soft seats	18 usd
22:00	21:30 – 22:00	38 Soft sleepers	12-15 usd

Which tour packages should you take when visit Sapa?

Following are some options which we would love to recommend:

1. SAPA 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT TRAVELING BY BUS AND HOMESTAY OVERNIGHT

2. SAPA 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT TRAVELING BY BUS AND HOTEL OVERNIGHT

3. SAPA 3 DAYS 2 NIGHT TRAVELING BY BUS, 1 NIGHT HOMESTAY AND 1 NIGHT HOTEL

4. SAPA 3 DAYS 2 NIGHT TRAVELING BY BUS AND HOTEL OVERNIGHT