Sapa Travel Tips / Backpacker Advice

1. Plan for the Weather and Seasons

Sapa is mountainous, and the weather shifts quickly.

• Cool season (Oct–March): Pack warm layers, especially if trekking. Nights can drop near freezing in December and January. See our What To Pack page for more information.

• Warm/rice terrace season (May–Sept): Expect lush greenery but also heavy rains—bring waterproof gear.

• Best time: Check out our month by month guide to weather in Sapa to see which season best suits your preferences.

2. Currency & Payments

• The local currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cash is essential in Sapa, especially in villages and markets.

• ATMs are available in Sapa town but not in remote villages; withdraw before heading out.

• Cards are accepted in some hotels/restaurants, but cash is king for small vendors, homestays, and transport.

• Carry small denominations for ease when bargaining or buying snacks.

3. Safety & Scams

Sapa is generally safe, but a few things to keep in mind:

• Trekking guides: Many local Hmong and Dao women will offer unlicenced guiding services. It’s usually safe, but agree on the price upfront to avoid misunderstandings. Most of these guides check through the busiest villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van.

• Transport: Motorbike taxis are common. Wear helmets and negotiate before hopping on. Grab bikes and Grab Taxis are available

• Scams: Politely decline persistent sellers. Be wary of “free” village tours that end in pressured purchases.

• Personal safety: Petty theft is rare but still secure valuables, especially in crowded areas like markets.

4. Trekking & Homestays

• Trekking is the highlight of Sapa. Plan for at least 2–3 days to enjoy village stays and rice terraces.

• Homestays: Authentic and affordable, they provide cultural immersion. Conditions can be basic (shared bathrooms, thin mattresses), so set expectations. More information about the vaious types of homestays can be found here.

• Wear sturdy shoes. Paths can be muddy and slippery. A walking stick is also recommended. See our What To Pack page for more information.

5. Logistics & Planning Ahead

• Getting there: Most visitors take a day bus direct to Sapa or night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then transfer to Sapa by minibus or taxi. Night buses take around 5 hours and arrive very early meaning this option iant great for a night of rest before trekking or exploring Sapa. for more information about transport options, please click here.

• Accommodation: Book early during peak times (Lunar New Year and other public holidays).

• Connectivity: Mobile data works in most areas; get a SIM in Hanoi before traveling. Wi-Fi is common in town but not readily available in remote homestays. Viettel offers the best coverage, followed by VinaPhone and the lastly MobiPhone, which is not a good choice.

• Tours vs. independent: Organised tours make things easy, but if you prefer flexibility, arrange treks directly with licenced local guides once you arrive.

✅ Quick tip summary:

• Pack layers & rain gear.

• Always carry VND cash, especially small notes.

• Stay alert for scams but enjoy the friendly local hospitality.

• Trek & stay in villages for the real Sapa experience.

• Plan transport & bookings ahead for a smoother trip.

ETHOS Top 10 Tips for Sapa

Whether it’s your first time in Sapa or you’ve walked these mountain paths before, this short video shares our top ten tips to help you prepare, settle in, and make the most of your time here. For a full list of things to see and do in Sapa, please click here.

From what to pack and what weather to expect, to how to connect meaningfully with local communities, these tips are shaped by years of experience living and working alongside Hmong, Dao, and other ethnic groups who call this region home.

The landscape can be dramatic, the climate changeable, and village life refreshingly different from what many travellers are used to. These tips are here to guide you gently, helping you travel with curiosity, care, and respect.

Have a look, and if you’ve got questions or want to learn more, feel free to reach out in the comments. We’re always happy to share more.

For many visitors, Sapa means dramatic rice terraces and cool mountain air. Here is what makes Sapa you deeper, into family kitchens, quiet mountain villages, and the everyday lives of Hmong, Dao and other ethnic communities who call these highlands home. Our experiences are built around connection, respect and responsible travel. Here is what makes Sapa, and the wider borderlands, truly special.

1. Walk Among the Rice Terraces

The rice terraces of Sapa are iconic, and for good reason. Trekking here is not about ticking off famous viewpoints but about following ancient paths through farmland, bamboo groves and waterfalls. With an ETHOS guide, you will wander routes where few outsiders go, learning how rice is grown and sharing the path with farmers on their way to the fields. It is not only the scenery that moves people, but the warmth of conversations along the way.

2. Stay with a Local Family

Homestays are at the heart of the ETHOS experience. A night in a family home gives you far more than a roof and a bed. You will share meals cooked over an open fire, learn about traditional life and enjoy the kind of hospitality that cannot be found in hotels. Many guests tell us this is the most memorable part of their journey, the moment when Sapa stops being a destination and becomes a friendship.

3. Discover the Real Sapa

Sapa Town can feel busy, but just a short ride away lie valleys where life continues much as it has for centuries. On our treks you will find villages surrounded by quiet fields, stories of resilience that shape the land, and a peace that lets you breathe deeply. This is where the real Sapa is found, away from the crowds and rooted in the strength of its people.

4. Visit Sapa’s Waterfalls

Avoid the overly touristy and underwhelming Silver Waterfall in favour of many of Sapa’s hidden gems. Some are only accessible by walking and many are not named or marked on maps.

5. Learn the Art of Textiles

Textiles are the heartbeat of Hmong and Dao culture. Using indigo dye, hemp and intricate hand stitching, women here create some of the most striking fabrics in Vietnam. ETHOS textile workshops are a chance to see this tradition up close, to learn about its meaning, and even try your hand at dyeing or embroidery. In doing so, you help sustain a heritage that has been passed from mother to daughter for generations.

6. Experience a Red Dao Herbal Bath

The Red Dao are known for their deep knowledge of medicinal plants. Their herbal baths, infused with secret blends of roots and leaves, soothe tired muscles after a long trek and connect you with centuries of wellness tradition. To step into the fragrant wooden tub is to step into a story carried through time, one that continues in Dao homes today.

7. Explore by Motorbike

For those craving freedom, motorbike journeys open up the highlands beyond Sapa. Guided loops take you through mountain passes, across rivers and into valleys rarely seen by tourists. It is more than just a scenic ride. It is a way to support families who host and guide, ensuring your adventure leaves a lasting benefit in the communities you pass through.

8. Cook with a Local Family

Food is one of the most personal windows into culture. In the home of a local family you can learn to prepare dishes very different from mainstream Vietnamese cuisine, earthy, hearty meals that reflect the highland climate. Cooking together becomes a moment of exchange. Stories are told, laughter is shared, and a meal becomes a memory.

9. Visit Local Markets

Markets are not only places of trade but vital meeting grounds for ethnic groups. Some travellers enjoy the bustle of Sapa Market, especially on Sundays when people come in from distant villages. Others prefer the more traditional atmosphere of markets such as Mường Hum or Mường Khương, where livestock, tools and textiles are exchanged. With ETHOS you will experience markets respectfully, guided by someone who can explain the traditions and stories behind the colours.

10. Go Beyond Sapa

The story of Sapa is only one chapter of the northern highlands. ETHOS journeys extend across the borderbelt provinces, working with different ethnic groups to create travel that is truly immersive. These trips go far beyond standard tourism. They are for explorers who want to step into landscapes of rare beauty and communities that welcome you into their lives. Rich in culture, challenging at times, but always rewarding, they are journeys you will never forget.

Top 10 Things to Do in Sapa for an Authentic Travel Experience