If you’re planning a trip to northern Vietnam and trying to choose between Sapa and Ha Giang, you’re not alone. We faced the same question when planning our two-and-a-half-week itinerary in Vietnam. We looked into the pros and cons of each destination, comparing the landscapes, activities, and travel logistics, and we’re sharing what we found during our research and what it was actually like to visit.
Thanks to the recommendations and organisation from our local travel agent, we managed to include both in our trip, and we’re really glad we did. Both regions offer stunning mountain scenery and opportunities to learn more about ethnic minority groups, but they feel totally different once you’re there.
A quick note: Scams involving hotels and tours can happen in Vietnam, which is why one of the reasons why we chose a trusted local travel agent to save time in planning our trip. This article is based on our personal experience, research and the information available at the time of our trip. Things may have changed since our visit, and I can’t take responsibility for any issues you might encounter, including scams. Always check recent reviews and trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true. We paid for everything ourselves and never mentioned that we would write about it, so you can trust this is honest feedback. Some links in the article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a booking through them, at no extra cost to you.
Sapa vs Ha Giang Loop: A quick comparison
| Criteria | Sapa | Ha Giang Loop |
|---|---|---|
| How to get there | ~7-8h from Hanoi Direct bus from Hanoi (luxury limousine bus or sleeper bus) Train to Lao Cai + 1h transfer to Sapa Tours available from Hanoi. | ~6-7h from Hanoi Direct bus from Hanoi or Sapa (overnight possible). The loop starts from Ha Giang City, but some tours are packaged with a departure from Hanoi or Sapa via sleeper bus. |
| Minimum time needed | 2 days/2 nights (but 3+ days ideal to explore further and avoid crowds). | 2 days possible but seems too short, 3 days minimum for a short loop, 4+ days for full loop experience. |
| Landscape | Terraced rice fields, mountain views, green valleys. | Limestone karsts, deep river canyons, winding mountain passes. |
| Weather | Spring (Mar-May): mild and misty Summer (Jun-Aug): hot, rainy Autumn (Sep-Nov): dry and clear Winter (Dec-Feb): cold, occasional snow | Spring: clear and mild Summer: hot and humid, chance of rain Autumn: best weather – clear and dry Winter: cold, dry air in high altitudes |
| Best time to visit | September-October (golden rice fields) or March-May (mild weather). | September-November (best visibility), or March-May (comfortable temperatures). |
| Activities | Trekking through countryside, craft workshops, Fansipan, Instagram photo opportunities | Motorbike loop through mountain passes, H’mong Palace, Nho Que River boat trip, villages. |
| Tourist density | Tourist hotspots like central Sapa and Fansipan can be crowded, but quiet alternatives exist. | Lower overall, but popular stops on the loop are crowded with groups. |
| Accommodation types | Wide range of options from luxury hotels to homestays. | More basic hotels but still comfortable, and cosy homestays. Cuisine was simpler. |
| Prices | Mid-range to high overall, with a touristic markup (especially around Sapa town). | More affordable for food and accommodation, but tours still aren’t cheap. |
| Treking difficulty | Easy to moderate treks with short loops possible. Challenging hikes exist (Fansipan), but there’s also a cable car. | More about scenic rides than trekking. Trekking (Hoang Su Phi area) will require a longer stay. |
| Rice fields | Famous for terraced rice fields, but only one rice-growing season due to the altitude. Greenest from late May, golden in September. | Limited rice fields due to dry, rocky terrain. Hoang Su Phi is the exception (similar cycle to Sapa). |
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Our experience in Sapa (1.5 days)
We chose to skip Sapa town and the region’s most popular attractions, but if you’re travelling with a bucket list in mind (like reaching Fansipan – Vietnam’s highest mountain via the record-breaking cable car or more challenging climb) or chasing Instagram shots, you’ll find plenty of iconic spots to visit. Instead, we opted for a slower, more local experience. With my knee still recovering, we focused on gentle treks with a local guide to take in the landscape and learn more about everyday life in the region. We walked at a relaxed pace, had long conversations, and took time to enjoy a H’Mong Batik workshop and a soothing Red Dao herbal bath.
Our homestay in Ta Van village, Sapa Plum Eco House, was peaceful and served delicious meals. We enjoyed having flexibility in the evening and treated ourselves to dinner at Samôc, a restaurant nearby offering set menus inspired by ethnic minority cuisines. We tried the Dzay menu – it was fantastic (though very filling!). Sapa is also a great place to try an immersive homestay experience. Our guide Pang described what staying with her family was like, and it sounded like a meaningful way to connect with local culture. We only wished we hadn’t already made other plans.
Sapa is best for:
- People who prefer to explore at their own pace, with time to enjoy nature and local experiences
- Those who like doing activities, including trekking, over spending long days on the road
- Travellers wanting to learn about multiple ethnic minority groups or enjoy cultural immersion
- Travellers who value comfort and downtime
- Anyone looking for lush rice terraces during the season (late May to September) and iconic photo spots for photoshoots
Our experience on the Ha Giang Loop (3.5 days)
We joined a small group tour to do the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike (as passengers), which allowed us to enjoy the scenery fully. We picked a 3-day / 2-night itinerary (organised by OHG Travel – Ha Giang Open Tour), but keep in mind that your experience in Ha Giang could be very different if you go independently or take longer to explore the loop.
Riding as a passenger was more physically demanding than expected, surprisingly tougher on my recovering knee than our light treks in Sapa. It was also freeing and fun to let go of control, although it might not be the best adventure for everyone. They offer a similar tour by car, which is more comfortable but doesn’t offer the same views of the landscape.
The roads were incredible, and the scenery (when not in the fog) kept changing, from limestone peaks to deep valleys and vibrant local villages. The focus was mostly on the journey and the dramatic landscapes, with some cultural stops along the way like the H’mong King’s Palace, Lung Cu Flag Tower, and Lo Lo Chai village. We also did a peaceful boat ride on the Nho Que River, which offered a change of pace from the bumpy rides. The drivers didn’t speak English, but the vibe was fun and relaxed. Sharing the experience with locals is what made it extra memorable.
Have you thought about travel insurance?
We never go overseas without it, especially to cover medical expenses. In Vietnam, motorbike travel is common (for example, for the Ha Giang Loop or on city tours in Ho Chi Minh City), so we made sure our policy covered that. It’s something worth checking, as it’s not always included. Some providers, like Cover-More*, offer options to easily include motorbike coverage if that’s relevant to your trip.
Ha Giang is best for:
- Adventure travellers looking for something more remote and less developed
- Those who don’t mind long travel days with short breaks and a bit of discomfort
- Travellers who enjoy scenic road trips and mountain passes
- People who are okay with limited free time and a structured itinerary
Sapa vs Ha Giang: The winner is…
I’m really glad we were able to visit both.
The scenery on the Ha Giang Loop is strikingly different from Sapa. While Sapa is known for its terraced rice fields, the Ha Giang Loop is all about limestone mountains, steep passes, and winding roads. It feels more remote and much less touristy, though that also means it’s not the place for styled photoshoots or comfort-focused travellers.
We learned some cultural context on the Ha Giang Loop through stops like the H’mong King’s Palace and ethnic villages, but our tour was definitely more focused on landscapes and driving, whereas Sapa offered a better balance of cultural interaction and spending time in nature, and opportunities to slow down.
In terms of the number of tourists, we probably saw more tourists on the Ha Giang Loop than in Sapa’s region (as we skipped the main tourist spots in Sapa), but the Ha Giang Loop felt less commercial. Locals were selling souvenirs at a couple of stops, but nothing at all like the pushiness we experienced in Sapa’s villages.
If you’re deciding between the two, it really comes down to your travel style:
- Choose Sapa if you like having access to various activities, want to do easy treks, and look for a mix of cultural immersion and comfort, with the chance to explore at your own pace. Also choose Sapa if you like posing for Instagram-worthy shots or if you’re travelling from late May to September and want to see the rice fields.
- Choose Ha Giang if you’re after a rugged adventure with dramatic scenery, a unique shared experience with a small group, and you don’t mind full days on the road.
Personally, I preferred the Ha Giang Loop for its breathtaking roads, the sense of adventure, and the special memories we made with our group and local drivers. That said, I also loved Sapa’s slower pace and cultural depth. It might have been a tougher choice if we’d been to Sapa during the rice season, with the lush green or golden terraces in full display. Pu Luong ended up being my trip highlight in Vietnam because it delivered exactly that: stunning rice landscapes backed by mountains and a peaceful atmosphere. In the end, both Sapa and Ha Giang are absolutely worth visiting.
Have you been to Sapa or Ha Giang? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where are Sapa and Ha Giang?
Both Sapa and Ha Giang are located in northern Vietnam, near the border with China. Sapa is northwest of Hanoi, and Ha Giang is northeast of Sapa and is home to Vietnam’s most northern point. We stayed at the following hotels during our trip (read this article for a review of our hotels in Vietnam):
- Sapa: Plum Eco House (Ta Van)
- Ha Giang Loop: Du H’Mong Hotel (Dong Van), Silk River Hotel (Ha Giang City) and Homestay Cao Nguyen Da (Meo Vac)
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