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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Mar 27, 2023
By Mia
On the Chinese border, Sapa is a city in northern Vietnam that lies about 200 miles (320 km) from Hanoi. At a height of 4921 feet (1500 m) in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Sapa is near to Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. Traveling to Sapa might be a little challenging due to the location, but the beautiful scenery more than makes up for it.
You may take a train to Lào Cai and then a car to Sapa. Other options include a private shuttle, tour bus, regular bus, motorcycle, or rental vehicle. You may also get to Sapa from China, Dien Bien Phu, Laos, and the area of Bac Ha near the Chinese border.
You can also visit Sapa as part of a tour from Hanoi, like this amazing 2 Day Sapa Easy Trekking Tour, or Best Of North 9 Day Tour with Best Vietnam Tour Packages.
Far-northern Vietnam's border province of Lao Cai is where the little town of Sapa is situated (Vietnamese: Sa Pa). In the immediate northwest of Hanoi, Sapa is conveniently reachable by car or train. Lào Cai is the city closest to Sapa. Together with Hanoi and Halong Bay, this location is among the top three tourist sites in northern Vietnam.
Sapa is situated in the Hoàng Liên Son mountains and offers views of the Muong Hoa Valley and Fansipan, which are the best places to visit in Sapa. At 3143 meters above sea level, Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak, may be found there. Another option is to consider booking a room in a local homestay run by a member of Sapa's ethnic minority, such a Red Dao or Black Hmong. The Muong Hoa valley, one of Sapa's most well-known tourist spots, is located in the Hoang Lien Son range and is home to a number of tiny settlements and terraced rice fields that joyfully welcome visitors and provide a lovely backdrop for short hikes.
The most common way if you feel comfortable utilizing public transportation to go to Sapa is to take the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi. Train travel takes roughly 8 to 9 hours, and there are only stops in Lao Cai, which is the province that includes Sapa. After that, the trip to Sapa from Lao Cai station takes a further hour.
There are a number of tourist trains operating the route from Hanoi. Each of these companies run a carriage which are all attached to the national train carrier. Some train companies you could consider include Victoria Express, Sapaly Train, King Express Train, Chapa Express Train, Fasipan Train. You can book tickets online in advance, at the train station, or through a travel agency. If you are planning on traveling during a holiday or during the best time to visit Sapa or if you need to travel on a certain day then you should make sure you book your tickets in advance.
From Lào Cai to Sapa you can take a private car or taxi or a shared tourist minibus or van through the mountains. You can also take a public bus, just cross the street to the bus stop when you leave the train station. Be aware that when you exit the train station you might get swarmed with touts, so it is easiest to book a transfer through your hotel and have them waiting for you when you arrive.
Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu, Cat Ba island (through Hanoi), China, and Laos are a few of the places from which buses can be taken to Sapa. Buses travel both throughout the day and at night, and from Hanoi, the journey may need anything between five to six hours, with or without stops.
Sleeper buses are small, despite the fact that they are cozy and recline. It's a good idea to get in touch with your hotel and ask if you can organize an early check-in because the bus typically comes between three and six in the morning. If not, before leaving for breakfast and your tour, ask out whether you are able to store your items there.
Buses may be reserved in advance before you go, either directly via the bus company or through your hotel, a travel agency like Best Vietnam Tour Packages, or your hotel. In most cases, complimentary pick-up is included when booking buses via your hotel or in advance.
It is also possible to take a private transfer or drive to Sapa. Most people start in Hanoi, where you can find transfers and taxis in the Old Quarter. Make sure you agree on a price before you leave, and bring plenty of water and snacks for the journey. It’s a long, winding road through the mountains, so if you are prone to travel sickness then you will want to make sure you take the usual precautions.
While private shuttles are the fastest method to go to Sapa, they also come with pick-up and drop-off services as well as pauses that may be requested along the route. You may also visit the famous Bac Ha Sunday Market, where the Flower H'mong people reside, if you travel on a Sunday and depart early enough.
Another choice is to rent a car and go to Sapa privately. You should be warned that the road is very mountainous and includes a lot of blind hairpin turns. Because there might not be many gas stations, make careful to fuel up before you go. Moreover, watch out for dogs and motorbikes on the road. You need an international driver's license in order to drive in Vietnam.
You might also travel to Sapa on a motorcycle or scooter. The journey from Hanoi takes around ten hours, although it would be beneficial to break up the journey with an overnight stay at a guesthouse in one of the little villages along the way. Although the journey into the highlands is beautiful, novice drivers should avoid it. It may also be rather chilly, so make sure you take enough of warm clothing and cover up. Never even think of pedaling a bike without a helmet or sturdy shoes.
Also, if you have little to no riding expertise, we do not recommend renting a bike in Vietnam because accidents are highly prevalent. You must have a motorbike license issued in your home country in order to hire a bike in Vietnam; otherwise, your insurance will not be valid. An international driver's license is also required. A copy of your ID, driver's license, and travel insurance should be in your car along with a full tank of petrol, a mobile phone with credit, and a watchful eye out for dogs and traffic in case anything untoward happens.
At present, there is no airport in Sapa, so those who are far away and have to travel by air can choose Noi Bai international airport as a transit point, then continue to travel by car or train to Sapa according to instructions in part 1 and part 2. Currently, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province is in the first stage of proposing to build an airport in Sapa. Hopefully, in time, there will be alternative routes from cities and provinces to Sapa to help tourists save time, and costs and have memorable experiences when coming to Sapa.
After considering, do you find out how to get to Sapa? We advises you that you should consider the group size when booking the Sapa Tours as the smaller the group, the more intimate the experience. In addition, it is noted that some Sapa tours offer private transfers while others include bus or train tickets in the price, such as the tour with Best Vietnam Tour Packages.
