Two days in Sapa: How to make the most of your short stay

If you only have two days to visit Sapa, you might wonder if it’s worth the trip. We did too, but decided to find out for ourselves. In just two days (including transport!), we explored terraced landscapes, connected with local ethnic communities, and found some peaceful moments away from the tourist crowds. Here’s how we made the most of two days in Sapa, plus tips to help you plan your short stay.

Day 1 – Arrival and first trek

Morning: We left Hanoi in the morning and arrived in Sapa just in time for lunch. Right after, we met our local Hmong guide, Pang, and headed out for our first trek.

Afternoon: Our guided walk took us through Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages. The scenery was stunning, with terraced fields and peaceful paths. Pang explained the differences between the ethnic groups and introduced us to a few local words, as ethnic minority people don’t speak Vietnamese as their first language. We also found out that rice isn’t the only crop grown in the region, as the terraced fields were filled with different types of crops during that hike. They choose the crops according to the water available in the valleys (from rice to artichokes and orchids).

Evening: We had a delicious dinner at our homestay Plum Eco House and spent our first night in our nice bungalow, listening to the heavy rain pouring on our roof.

Day 2 – Culture, hiking and relaxation

Morning: The rain had stopped when we woke up, and we discovered the stunning views of the mountain from our bungalow. We started the day by exploring Ta Van village on our own. Then we met our guide for a longer trek through the Muong Hoa Valley, stopping at Lao Chai village.

Lunch: We tried a Dzay ethnic set menu in a small village. It was one of the few meals we didn’t love in Vietnam; simple and filling, but not memorable.

Afternoon: We tried batik painting, which was an interesting experience, but harder on our backs than we’d ever expected. It was a nice way to connect with local women and learn more about their craft. Then we hiked back to Ta Van and relaxed at La Dao Spa with a traditional Red Dao herbal bath, followed by tea on their terrace as the sun set.

Sustainable travel tip: Joining activities run by local communities (like the H’Mong Batik workshop, but there are other traditional craft workshops) helps preserve cultural heritage in the region and creates direct income for families. We always learn a lot from experiences with locals; they make our trips more special.

Evening: For dinner, we visited Sa Moc restaurant nearby and enjoyed a different set menu, this time from the Dao minority – much more flavourful. We spent our second night in the same peaceful eco bungalow.

Next morning: We left early for Sapa town to catch our limousine bus to Ha Giang.

What we didn’t do in Sapa

With only two days, we had to skip a few popular activities:

Fansipan summit: Known as the “Roof of Indochina,” this is Vietnam’s highest peak. We skipped both the summit hike (not ideal with a knee injury) and the cable car (not keen on the crowds). The cable car is very scenic, so it might still be worth considering if you’re not into trekking.
Moana Café: This Instagram-famous spot wasn’t on our list; we preferred quiet cultural experiences over good photos.
Cat Cat Village: We visited a few villages during our stay, but skipped the most famous one. Online reviews sometimes described it as fake or a tourist trap.
Exploring Sapa town: We were told the town centre was busy and overdeveloped, so we based ourselves in Ta Van instead. It might be good for the market, but for us, it wasn’t a priority.
Local homestays: Our guide Pang offered the option to stay overnight with her family, and we really liked the idea. These homestays can provide deeper cultural immersion, so it’s something to consider if your schedule allows. Unfortunately, we had already arranged our accommodation at Plum Eco House.

Tips for a great 2-day Sapa trip

If you’re going to Sapa with the same objectives as us (enjoy nature and learn more about minority ethnic group cultures), then you may want to:

Stay in a village: Unless you’re after the most luxurious options and like busy town centres, you may want to avoid Sapa Town. Nearby villages like Ta Van are more authentic, peaceful and closer to nature.
Hire a local guide: Sapa isn’t just about the landscapes. Trekking with a local guide will help you understand the culture and life in this rural part of Vietnam.

Here are a few more practical tips:

Pack smart: Bring layers, a rain jacket, waterproof walking shoes and insect repellent.
Watch the weather: The rainy season (May to August) can make trekking unpleasant and views hazy. We visited in late April and had perfect weather with warm days and only light rain at night.
Prepare for some sales pressure: Women selling handmade crafts may follow you along hiking trails or approach you in restaurants. We felt uncomfortable after buying a few things out of pressure, so we told our guide we wouldn’t buy more unless we truly wanted to. Politely showing a bracelet we’d bought helped stop the sales attempts.
Think twice about the overnight bus: It’s cheap and time-efficient, but also stressful. We wouldn’t have slept well due to the reckless driving. The overnight train and morning bus is a slightly gentler option, but still a short night. Personally, I felt too old for that!

Responsible travel tip: Avoid buying souvenirs from children selling on the street. They’re put there by adults instead of being at school. If tourists stop buying from them, the system loses its incentive, and children are no longer used for selling.

Where is Sapa?

Sapa is located in the northwest mountains of Vietnam, near the border with China. It’s part of Lao Cai Province and sits at around 1,500 metres above sea level.

How to get to Sapa from Hanoi:

By limousine bus (6 hours): Comfortable, direct, and affordable. This is what we chose.
By overnight train: Take a sleeper train to Lao Cai, then a 1-hour minivan to Sapa. It’s quieter than the bus, but still a short night.
By private car: The most flexible but also the most expensive option.