3 Days in Sapa

If you are in love with the mountainous nature and always curious about the culture of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, Sapa is undoubtedly an ideal place on your trip to Northern Vietnam. If you have 3 days in Sapa, here are some tips for you to prepare an unforgettable trip to one of the most beautiful landscapes of Vietnam.

Best Time for 3-day tour to Sapa

The best time for adventures in Sapa is divided into March to May and September to November. The rainy season lasts from June to August so it’s not a wise choice to spend 3 days in Sapa this time. Fortunately, from the end of August to the beginning of September, the terraced rice fields have sublime golden colors and very pleasant weather. Therefore, visitors can do a lot of outdoor activities for 3 days in Sapa.

Rice terraces in Sapa

The city’s climate will always be colder than in other parts of Vietnam. You should not forget to bring warm clothes along with you, especially during the winter months (December and January). The temperatures during this season can drop below zero at night.

What to Do for 3 Days in Sapa?

Admire the beautiful rice terraces

The Mother Nature Network website has listed Sapa’s rice balconies into the Top 30 most beautiful sites on the planet. These are a harmonious combination of nature and human’s hands to create a magnificent landscape for the Sapa rice fields. We recommend you take a trip on 3 days in Sapa from the end of April until the end of September. Thereby, you can appreciate this masterpiece the best.

Do not forget hiking and trekking

Hikng and trekking

As you are spending 3 days in Sapa and surrounded by a large number of ethnic villages, trekking under the sun in secluded villages will certainly fascinate you. Besides, with its magnificent breathtaking scenery, Sapa is the destination for nature lovers. If this is your case, do not hesitate to organize a trek to dive into the beautiful nature that Sapa offers you.

Visit local markets: An interesting way to discover the traditional ethnic culture

Bac Ha – A typical traditional ethnic market

Sapa attracts many tourists not only for its beautiful scenery and pleasant climate but also for its colorful ethnic markets. Once arrived at the market here during your 3 days in Sapa, you will be very impressed by the lively and hectic activities of locals and tourists alike. Visiting an ethnic market will give you interesting experiences as well as the natural way to practice local ethnic life, with its richness, its secrets, and its complexity. Moreover, you can also buy unique souvenirs like Brocade, crafts, medicinal herbs, silver jewelry, etc…

Taste the culinary specialties of Sapa

Besides the beauty of nature and the authenticity of the culture of ethnic minorities, Sapa also become an appeal to tourists with an extremely delicate and attractive culinary culture. Make your decisions to enjoy these dishes with the flavor of the Northwest Mountains while on your Vietnam tour!

Where to Stay for 3 Days in Sapa?

Tourists will have to choose between different types of accommodation:

• Homestay (sleep and share daily life with a local family).
• Hostels or guest-houses that offer dormitories as well as private rooms in a fair backpacker.
• Luxury hotels for those who can afford it.

What to Eat in Sapa?

Sapa is also considered the culinary paradise in North West Vietnam. Here is the list of unique and typical dishes you should try on your trip to Vietnam.

Barbecue

Tourists in Sapa are fond of these dishes. When you arrive in Sapa, you will easily find different street vendors. Pastries are sold almost everywhere with all kinds of food such as grilled meat, corn, roasted potatoes, grilled sausages, tofu skewer,…

“Thang co”

It is a typical dish of the H’ mong culinary tradition. This dish consists of a viscera horse cooked on the coal oven. Anyway, a trip to Sapa will not be complete without tasting a bowl of “thang co”. The activity is perfectly complemented by the vegetable “cai meo” and spicy sauce of Muong Khuong.

“Lon cap nach” (Hand-raised pigs)

The name of this dish comes from the fact that the inhabitants put the pigs under the armpits to sell them at the market. As a well-known tourism specialty of Sapa, visitors will be captivated by the meat dishes of this pork.

“Thit trau gac bep” (Smoked buffalo)

Buffalo meat

This dish, typical of the traditional cuisine of the black Thais, is used for food supplies on rainy days or long treks in the forest. The dish is impressed by the characteristic flavor of the unforgettable and spicy affection.

“Cai mam da” (Sapa cabbage)

It is a kind of local cabbage known for smell and a flavor largely dominating the cabbages of ordinary. After having it boiled in water, dip it in sesame or “nuoc mam” sauce (fish sauce) then enjoy with a boiled egg.

Suggested Itineraries for 3 Days in Sapa

Day 1: Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Ham Rong Mountain – Sapa Stone Church

Cat Cat Village – The most beautiful village in the North West Mountains

Located in the Muong Hoa Valley, about 2 km from downtown Sapa, Cat Cat Village is a small village of black H’Mong ethnic minority with unique customs. While visiting Cat Cat Village, visitors can experience, learn about the customs and the beauty of H’mong religious beliefs. Besides, they can also immerse themselves in dances and melodies, together with enjoying specialties: corn wine, triumph, corn cake, … You can go on foot to see the mountains and admire the whole village from high above.

Ham Rong Mountain

This is a dragon-shaped mountain, located just outside downtown Sapa. It is famous for its ecotourism of this beautiful tourist destination. You had better spend 2.5 hours walking around the mountain for the lovely picturesque scenery of this place.

Sapa Stone Church

Built in 1895, the stone church of Sapa is considered as an architectural mark of the greatest last integrity of the French. With its area of ​​6000 m2, the church blesses a situation in harmony with the natural surroundings and the mountain of Ham Rong at the back.

Day 2: Village of Y Linh Ho – Village of Lao Chai and Ta Van

Y Linh Ho Village

This small town composed of a dozen little hamlets scattered on the steep terrain. This village is home of black H’Mongs who wear very dark clothes in black and navy dyed with indigo. The only way to reach the municipality is by taking the main road on foot of the mountain. The fresh air in the mountains is great for a stroll.

Village of Lao Chai and Ta Van

You should make up your mind to leave the hustle and bustle of Sapa city, follow the road to Cau May and head to Muong Hoa town. You will have the opportunity to experience a different life as well as the cultural characteristics of some ethnic minorities such as Mong, Dao, Tay, and Giay … villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van. Especially, The Giay in the village of Ta Van and some other ethnic minorities origins mainly come from the culture in the lowlands. H’Mongs grow maize, cassava and rainfed rice on the high hills, also on the slopes behind the village.

Day 3: Silver Waterfall – Heavenly Door

Silver Cascade

Silver Cascade

Located about 15 km from downtown Sapa, Sapa Silver Waterfall has long been known for its breathtaking scenery. Typically the white waters descending from the top will blow your mind away at the moment you see with your eyes.

Heaven’s Gate

Located near the Silver Waterfall, the Heaven’s Gate offers breathtaking views of the mountains including Mount Fansipan – the roof of Southeast Asia.

There are so many more interesting things to discover during your visit for 3 days in Sapa. Hopefully, our information will help you make your trip to Sapa as pleasant as possible. Customize your Vietnam tour to get the invaluable opportunity of making the most exploratory trip ever of your own!

Read more:

• Top 10 Sapa Attractions
• Tips for Sapa excursion
• Sapa where keeps tourist returning to Vietnam
• SaPa roadside foods- a special rendezvous for visitors