In the summer of 2026 my friend Erin and I visited southeast Asia. We started in Hanoi, doing a few excursions to Ninh Binh and Lan Ha bay along the way (click the links to read those blog posts). Our next stop took us away from the heat, humidity, and nonstop energy of Hanoi. Arriving in Sapa felt like entering a different world. Keep reading to find out how we spent 3 days visiting Sapa.
About Sapa
Located high in the mountains of northern Vietnam near the Chinese border, Sapa sits nearly 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level. The cooler temperatures were immediately noticeable and made exploring the area a very welcome change from the cities we had visited earlier in our trip. The region is known for its extensive terraced rice fields, which have been carved into the mountainsides over generations to create farmland on the steep slopes. During our visit in the wet season, the terraces were a vibrant green, creating a stunning patchwork across the valleys.
Scattered throughout the mountains are small villages inhabited by ethnic minority groups, many of whom continue traditional farming practices and maintain distinct languages, clothing, and cultural traditions. While Sapa itself has grown into a popular tourist destination, much of the surrounding countryside remains rural, with narrow roads and hiking trails connecting villages, farms, and viewpoints throughout the region. We were staying outside the city so we got to enjoy these vantage points to and from our hotel.
Where to stay
Rather than staying in downtown Sapa, we chose a small eco-lodge in the nearby village of Tả Van, trading convenience for spectacular rice terrace views- and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.
We stayed at D&D Eco Sapa in the Tả Van area, and it was one of our favorite accommodations of the trip. Perched above the valley, the property offered stunning views of rice terraces, rolling hills, and the surrounding mountains. This is where we got some of our best Mountain View’s. We loved the pool, hammocks, cozy seating areas, enjoying our included breakfast on the terrace overlooking the valley and just wandering the property talking to the employees. Added bonus: the multitude of dogs and cats at the property.
Sapa town
Our first day began in Sapa town. Originally developed by the French as a mountain retreat during the colonial period, it has since become the main base for visitors exploring the surrounding villages, trekking routes, and mountain landscapes. The town is compact but steep, with narrow streets that climb and dip quickly, constantly revealing different views of the surrounding mountains.
One of the most striking buildings in town is Sun Plaza Sapa, the ornate cable car station where we bought tickets for Fansipan. With its European-style façade, clock tower, and grand interior, it feels almost theatrical compared to the smaller cafés and shops surrounding it. It’s a clear reminder of how central the mountain ascent is to Sapa, with most visitors passing through here on their way toward the highest peak in Indochina (more on that in a bit).
In the middle of town, the Sapa Stone Church anchors the main square. Built during the French colonial period, its Gothic façade stands out from the other buildings in Sapa.
We spent time wandering the surrounding streets, which are some of the most charming parts of town. Small cafés spill out onto sidewalks, boutique shops sell everything from hiking gear to handmade textiles, and street vendors set up along the edges of the road. There’s a constant sense of movement- wandering tourists, motorbikes weaving through the line of traffic that navigate the narrow roads and locals going about daily life in between.
Moana café
One place we stopped that was very touristy but also is probably one of the most iconic photo stops in Sapa was Moana Café. For a small entrance fee that also gets you a drink, visitors get to wander around some curated viewpoints and photo installations. You have to admit, these are some great photo opportunities.
Cat Cat Village
One of my favorite experiences in Sapa was visiting Cat Cat Village, a traditional Black Hmong village set in the Muong Hoa Valley just outside town. Erin and I set out for Cat Cat village soon after arriving in Sapa town, and we started walking there before we had tickets for the cable car up the mountain. Worried we wouldn’t have time, Erin decided to find lunch, but I was determined to make it happen! I continued on foot, admiring the views as I walked. But after reaching the ticket station and realizing the village was still farther away than I expected, I hired a motorbike ride for 50,000 dong (about $2 USD) to get down to the entrance.
Cat Cat Village is one of the oldest settlements in the area, where daily life still reflects older mountain traditions like weaving, embroidery, and indigo dyeing, even as tourism has become an important part of the local economy. The village itself is threaded with narrow stone paths, wooden houses, streams, and carefully tended plants that spill over garden edges and soften the whole landscape with greenery.
Exploring Cat Cat Village
Once I arrived at Cat Cat village, I made my way through the village down winding paths, passing small stalls selling handmade crafts, and following the sound of rushing water.
I passed over a wooden bridge and arrived at a series of waterfalls. They were so beautiful, everywhere I looked was just another stunning viewpoint.
Nearby is an old hydroelectric station left from the French colonial period. Everywhere I looked, there were layers of green- plants trailing over fences, growing along the paths, and filling the valley with a lush, almost enclosed feeling.
Midway through, I came across a small cultural center where children were singing traditional songs, which added a really special moment of life and sound to the walk. Just nearby, I also saw visitors dressed in colorful traditional costumes available for rent, posing for photos against the mountain backdrop. There was an interesting blend of living culture and tourism very present throughout the village.
After spending about an hour exploring, I slowly made my way back down toward the entrance, taking in the scenery one last time. Between the hillsides, flowing streams, singing, wooden structures and waterfalls, the whole village felt almost like I had stepped into a dream. Upon leaving, I took a motorbike ride back to Sapa town for 100,000 dong to meet up with Erin.
The motorbiking experience was fun too! I want to share a video with you as I rode on the back of the bike, because it shows the fantastic views I had. Experience riding on the back of a motorbike through Vietnamese mountains with me now:
Riding to Fansipan Mountain
Next, we headed to Fansipan Mountain, often called the “Roof of Indochina.” At 3,147 meters (10,326 feet), it is the highest peak in Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). First step: ride the mountain monorail to the first station up the mountain, which was fun and also offered us great views.
From there, we transferred to the cable car, which carried us high above the valleys and forests toward the summit area of Fansipan. The ride itself was an attraction, offering sweeping views of the surrounding mountains as we climbed higher. It was lightly drizzling that day, which added a misty, atmospheric layer to the landscape- though the higher we went, the more the clouds closed in.
Opened in 2016, the Fansipan cable car was, for several years, regarded as the world’s longest non-stop three-rope cable car and remains one of the most impressive in terms of both length and vertical ascent. In just about 15 minutes, it transports visitors to the upper slopes of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina- a journey that would otherwise require a strenuous multi-day trek (and some people still do that!). As we glided above the landscape, we could still make out patches of terraced rice fields, forested valleys and waterfalls through the mist, but the scenery gradually became more enveloped in cloud. In a way, it made the ascent feel even more ethereal.
Fansipan summit (or almost)
Unfortunately, the higher we went, the worse the weather became. By the time we reached the upper station, thick clouds and drizzle had completely swallowed the mountain. The cable car goes all the way to the station just below the summit, where visitors can continue to the top by funicular or by climbing the stairs. With visibility practically nonexistent, we decided not to continue farther. It was disappointing to miss the famous views, but there was still something memorable about standing high in the mountains surrounded by swirling clouds, and we explored the area at the cable car stop.
Here’s what the top should look like:
Sun World Fansipan Legend
After descending the mountain- where the weather was warm and sunny again- we spent time exploring the beautifully landscaped resort area at Sun World Fansipan Legend. Filled with colorful flower gardens, walking paths, and manicured grounds, it was lovely! While we were disappointed that the summit remained hidden, the gardens and mountain setting made up for it slightly.
Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge
Our second day in Sapa we ventured just outside of town. Our hotel (the incredible D&D I mentioned earlier) arranged a driver for us for the day. After we got picked up, we made a roughly 30-minute drive from Sapa town to the Dragon in the Clouds Glass Bridge, also known as Rong May Glass Bridge. Perched high along O Quy Ho Pass, about 10 miles from Sapa (though the winding mountain roads make the drive closer to 30 minutes) the attraction takes advantage of the dramatic mountain scenery that has made this region famous.
Reaching the bridge is part of the experience. After purchasing our tickets, we traveled through a tunnel and boarded a glass elevator built into the side of the mountain. The elevator climbs roughly 1,000 feet up the cliff face before delivering visitors to the observation area and glass walkway suspended above the valley below.
Unfortunately, the weather did not fully cooperate during our visit. Clouds and mist drifted through the mountains, limiting some of the long-distance views. Even so, standing high above the valley and watching the fog move through the surrounding peaks created an atmosphere that felt uniquely suited to Sapa’s mountain landscape. The experience was less about seeing every detail below and more about feeling suspended among the clouds.
Exploring the Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge complex
The glass bridge is spread across multiple levels connected by stairways and viewing platforms. The main glass bridge extends about 200 feet out from the mountainside, allowing visitors to walk seemingly out into open air while looking down into the valley below. There is also a colorful rainbow staircase that has become one of its most recognizable features
And again for context, here is what it should look like:
Quite a difference from what we saw, right? The bridge is part of a larger adventure complex that also includes zip lines and other thrill attractions, but the glass walkway is undoubtedly the main draw. We walked around the whole complex, which is laid out in a loop, to see all the attractions that would probably be fun in clear weather. In addition to the thrills there’s also a temple area, where I met a lady who wanted pictures with me, despite us not being able to communicate.
As we were leaving there was a moment when the clouds were dissipating, so we jumped out of the line for the elevator to go back on the bridge. It was short-lived however.
Love Waterfall
Our final stop of the day was Love Waterfall, one of the most famous waterfalls in the Sapa region. Located about 9 miles from town near the entrance to Hoang Lien National Park, reaching the falls requires a small fee, and a walk of roughly a mile each way through the forest. The trail is well maintained but includes a steady incline, wooden walkways, and plenty of stairs as it winds alongside streams and dense vegetation. We even saw grazing buffalo!
At first, we reached a smaller cascade and assumed that was the main attraction. It was pretty, but not nearly as impressive as we had expected.
Continuing farther up the trail, however, we soon realized there was much more to see. We eventually reached the base of a much larger waterfall, where the water plunged dramatically down the mountainside into the river below.
Determined to get a better view, I carefully made my way down a set of steep steps that felt a little more adventurous than the rest of the trail. From there, I spotted a bridge and began picking my way across a series of stones in the river. As I crossed and looked up, the entire waterfall suddenly came into view. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget!
Towering above the surrounding forest, it was far larger and more powerful than I had realized from the trail. The combination of the rushing water, the rocky riverbed, and the lush greenery made it one of the most beautiful natural sights we saw in Sapa.
After the bridge there’s an opportunity to make your way all the way down to the falls (via some more treacherous steps) but I couldn’t pass up the chance! I got pretty wet from the spray of the falls but what an experience!
It was such a magical experience, made even better by the fact that we saw very few other people on the trail. The forest felt almost untouched, with streams weaving through moss-covered rocks and dense greenery surrounding us on all sides. At one point, I commented to Erin that was missing was a few fairies hiding among the rocks. Later, I learned that according to local legend, the waterfall earned its name from a fairy who fell in love with a woodcutter after hearing him play his flute in the mountains. Whether or not the story is true, the setting certainly feels magical enough to inspire it.
Silver Waterfall
Back in the car, we traveled just a little farther up the road to Silver Waterfall (Thác Bạc), one of the tallest waterfalls in the Sapa region. Thanks to the recent rains, the cascading water was especially powerful, and we could hear its roar long before we reached the entrance. There is a small entrance fee, and a cute swing on the ground level where you can still see the waterfall (and get a cute pic) if you don’t want to tackle the stairs.
We were up for the challenge in order to get a better close-up view. We followed the stone pathway as it climbed steadily up one side of the waterfall, with each switchback revealing a different perspective of the rushing water.
Partway up, we stopped at a small refreshment stand perched alongside the falls. Sipping coffee and enjoying a snack while sitting just a few feet from the thundering water was one of those unexpectedly memorable travel moments. The mist drifted through the air, and the sound of the waterfall was almost loud enough to drown out every other conversation.
Continuing higher, we crossed a bridge that stretches directly in front of the waterfall, offering the closest and most dramatic viewpoint of the entire experience. From there, the trail loops down the opposite side of the mountain, providing new angles of the falls before returning to the entrance. Unlike Love Waterfall, which rewarded a forest hike with a hidden cascade, Silver Waterfall felt designed to let visitors experience the sheer power of the rushing water from every possible vantage point.
Trekking in Sapa
Back at D&D Eco, Erin spent the afternoon relaxing and swimming by the beautiful pool while I set off to explore the area on foot. Trekking is one of the biggest draws to Sapa, with countless trails winding through rice terraces and mountain villages. Unfortunately, the recent rains had left many of the trails too muddy to tackle comfortably, so I opted for a shorter walk through the surrounding countryside instead- and it turned out to be one of my favorite experiences of the trip.
Starting right from the hotel (and with their directions on where to go), I headed out on the small local street in front of the hotel. It eventually made its way down to a lake around the nearby lake, and before long I was crossing a large dam. I stopped to explore for a few minutes before continuing on.
The walking path was shared with motorbikes, but it was relatively quiet. It was incredible walking around the fields, seeing the layers of rice and other agriculture but also the streams that flowed down into the fields and beyond. before continuing along quiet roads through the valley.
I didn’t encounter another tourist the entire walk. Instead, I passed local families going about their day, children playing outside their homes, dogs napping along the roadside, chickens wandering freely, and water buffalo grazing peacefully in the fields. It felt less like sightseeing and more like getting a glimpse of everyday life in rural northern Vietnam.
Trekking and the Rattan Bridge
Eventually, I reached the Rattan Bridge (Cầu Mây), a suspension bridge stretching across the stream below. Nearby, a large waterfall crashed down the hillside.
As I continued walking, several local women joined me on the trail. We chatted as they pointed out parts of the village and asked about my travels. Like many visitors to Sapa, I eventually realized the friendly conversation was leading toward a sales pitch for handmade souvenirs. Caught up in the moment, I ended up paying more than I probably should have for a few items. While I felt a little scammed afterward, it was also a reminder of the complicated relationship between tourism and local livelihoods in the region. In the end, it became one of those travel stories that is frustrating in the moment but memorable later.
Final thoughts about Sapa
Sapa was such an incredible place to visit! While it may not have given us the panoramic mountain views we had hoped for from Fansipan or Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge, it still left a lasting impression. The cool mountain air, lush valleys, waterfalls, rice terraces, and encounters with local people offered a side of Vietnam completely different from anywhere else we visited. Sometimes travel isn’t about seeing the perfect view. Sometimes it’s about experiencing a place exactly as it is on the day you arrive- and discovering that it’s still unforgettable.
After Sapa we were heading to Laos, stay tuned for some blog posts about our experiences there. Catch you soon!
-Catching Katie
