"Many people may have heard of Sapa, a town in the northern part of Vietnam. It may seem distant and hard to reach, but don't think that way, because you would be missing out on a stunningly beautiful place that you should visit at least once in your lifetime."
Sapa is easy to get to. You can fly to Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) and then take a bus for about 5 more hours. There are regular buses and sleeper buses. You can also take the train, but you'll still need to transfer to another vehicle afterward. Or you can just take a Grab. Most local snacks are made from mung beans or rice flour. Roasted chestnuts and dried lotus seeds are perfect for snacking.
Upon arriving in Sapa, the weather is just right. From December to February, it can be quite cold with thick fog. This time, I stayed at Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery Sapa, which is conveniently located next to SUN PLAZA, where you can take a tram to the cable car for the Fansipan Mountain. The hotel was designed by Bill Bensley, who has a home in Thailand. If you're a fan of home and garden design, you might recognize his name. The hotel’s style is a mix of Indochinese design from the 1920s-30s (the era of parties, art, and fashion) blended with French interior decor. All the furniture is vintage, and the vibrant color schemes come from the diverse mountain tribes in Sapa, giving the hotel a beautiful and luxurious feel.
Upon arriving in Sapa, the weather is just right. From December to February, it can be quite cold with thick fog. This time, I stayed at Hotel de la Coupole, MGallery Sapa, which is conveniently located next to SUN PLAZA, where you can take a tram to the cable car for the Fansipan Mountain. The hotel was designed by Bill Bensley, who has a home in Thailand. If you're a fan of home and garden design, you might recognize his name. The hotel’s style is a mix of Indochinese design from the 1920s-30s (the era of parties, art, and fashion) blended with French interior decor. All the furniture is vintage, and the vibrant color schemes come from the diverse mountain tribes in Sapa, giving the hotel a beautiful and luxurious feel.
The hotel is set in the middle of a valley, allowing you to enjoy the view of the valley from anywhere—whether it's the corridors, balconies, terraces, or the rooftop bar. Some rooms offer stunning valley views just by opening the window. Down below, you can see rice terraces in the distance. If you're lucky to visit during the misty season, the scenery is breathtaking. I stayed in a Deluxe Suite with an Art Deco style, blending French fashion with the culture of the mountain tribes. The suite has a large freestanding bathtub, sliding doors that open up to the outdoors, and a separate living area. The weather is quite cool, so no need to turn on the air conditioning. At night, the temperature is around the low teens (Celsius), and in winter, it can drop to single digits or even below freezing, with occasional snow.
As for dining, I recommend three places. Absinth is a rooftop bar with an outdoor fireplace. It’s open until 11 PM, but children are not allowed after 6 PM. The high dome ceiling, vibrant purple tones, good wine, and tasty tapas make it a great spot. Next is Cacao, a café on the same floor as the lobby. It specializes in traditional French desserts because, during one period, Indochina was under French rule, so you'll find authentic recipes for cakes, chocolates, and pastries here. Definitely worth trying. If you're hungry, the 3 Cheese Pizza is the best. It's a large pizza for 290K VND, totally worth it. The café's decor has a fashion-forward vibe. Lastly, Chic is the breakfast and all-day dining restaurant. They use fresh, seasonal ingredients, and you should definitely try the French cuisine alongside local dishes. The ambiance is reminiscent of a theater, and the large outdoor balcony offers open views. The sunsets here are stunning.
Also, don't forget to bring your swimsuit because Le Grand Bassin, the heated indoor pool on the 7th floor, is truly luxurious. The high ceiling, large emerald marble columns, pink chandeliers, and large bronze statues give the space an opulent feel. If you’re not in the mood to swim, you can just relax in one of the many velvet-covered lounge chairs, read a book, or browse the web. All in all, this place has great accommodations, excellent food, and reasonable prices. If you're visiting Sapa, this is definitely a great option.
The highlight of Sapa is the Fansipan peak, the highest mountain in Indochina. It’s very easy to get there. First, head to SUN PLAZA to purchase the cable car ticket. It’s best to go early in the morning, but you’ll need to hope for no heavy rain, as they’ll close the mountain in such cases. First, you take the tram that climbs to the mountain's base, and then you switch to the cable car (the ticket covers both tram and cable car).
At this point, there’s Ban May, a replica village representing five ethnic minority groups from Sapa. After that, you walk a bit further to board the cable car heading toward Fansipan Mountain. The cable car is a large, three-cable system and the journey takes about 20 minutes, covering around 6 kilometers. Before boarding, there’s a Goddess of Mercy temple where you can stop for a quick prayer.
Once you reach the top, the weather is pleasant with a cool breeze and plenty of fog. When you arrive, you’ll head toward the summit (there’s another Goddess of Mercy statue here). You have two options: buy a ticket for the tram that takes you up the steep incline in about 2 minutes, or walk the 600 steps to the summit. The steps are not steep, and if you're not in a rush, it’s a nice walk with great views.
At the top, there’s a café with a fantastic view and delicious snacks. After that, walk a bit more to reach the highest point, where you’ll find flags from various countries that you can borrow to wave for photos. For local food, the nearest place is at the base of the mountain at Ban May. The food is truly authentic, made by the locals—both the rice and sticky rice are delicious. The local liquor is quite strong, with a sharp scent and definitely over 50% alcohol content, but the apricot wine is wonderful—fragrant, sweet with a slight tang. You can find it in the town of Sapa.
At this point, there’s Ban May, a replica village representing five ethnic minority groups from Sapa. After that, you walk a bit further to board the cable car heading toward Fansipan Mountain. The cable car is a large, three-cable system and the journey takes about 20 minutes, covering around 6 kilometers. Before boarding, there’s a Goddess of Mercy temple where you can stop for a quick prayer.
Once you reach the top, the weather is pleasant with a cool breeze and plenty of fog. When you arrive, you’ll head toward the summit (there’s another Goddess of Mercy statue here). You have two options: buy a ticket for the tram that takes you up the steep incline in about 2 minutes, or walk the 600 steps to the summit. The steps are not steep, and if you're not in a rush, it’s a nice walk with great views.
At the top, there’s a café with a fantastic view and delicious snacks. After that, walk a bit more to reach the highest point, where you’ll find flags from various countries that you can borrow to wave for photos. For local food, the nearest place is at the base of the mountain at Ban May. The food is truly authentic, made by the locals—both the rice and sticky rice are delicious. The local liquor is quite strong, with a sharp scent and definitely over 50% alcohol content, but the apricot wine is wonderful—fragrant, sweet with a slight tang. You can find it in the town of Sapa.
Other activities include trekking. I recommend the Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van route. It’s a beautiful trail but the sun can be quite intense. There are terraced rice fields along the way, and you can take pictures of locals harvesting rice or tending to their buffaloes. However, the sun can be so bright that it’s hard to see the screen on your phone. The trek takes you toward Muong Hoa Valley.
Along the way, there are small shops selling snacks and coffee from the local villagers. The trek to the village takes about 3 hours, but if you don’t stop and walk with intent, it can be done in around 2 hours. The path is mostly easy, though some downhill sections require careful steps. Watch out for local bikers . In the village, there are shops selling local crafts, restaurants, and even a café opened by Koreans, though it’s just a simple wooden house.
In conclusion, if possible, I recommend staying in Sapa for about three nights if you want to do multiple activities. You’ll need to factor in the weather, as rain and fog can affect your plans—especially the rain, because if it rains heavily, you won’t be able to go up the mountain. The fog here can be very dense and move in quickly. If you get the chance, I highly recommend visiting. It honestly feels like Mae Hong Son in Thailand 10-20 years ago.
By Thana Pongsaskulchoti for those who are passionate about traveling.
Along the way, there are small shops selling snacks and coffee from the local villagers. The trek to the village takes about 3 hours, but if you don’t stop and walk with intent, it can be done in around 2 hours. The path is mostly easy, though some downhill sections require careful steps. Watch out for local bikers . In the village, there are shops selling local crafts, restaurants, and even a café opened by Koreans, though it’s just a simple wooden house.
In conclusion, if possible, I recommend staying in Sapa for about three nights if you want to do multiple activities. You’ll need to factor in the weather, as rain and fog can affect your plans—especially the rain, because if it rains heavily, you won’t be able to go up the mountain. The fog here can be very dense and move in quickly. If you get the chance, I highly recommend visiting. It honestly feels like Mae Hong Son in Thailand 10-20 years ago.
By Thana Pongsaskulchoti for those who are passionate about traveling.
MGallery Hotel Collection brand thoughtfully selects and curates unique properties around the world, forming a storied collection of boutique hotels with true soul where captivating stories are lived and shared. These more than 120 boutique hotels all around the world enjoy a unique history, inspired by the remarkable past of the building or by its destination that welcomes it allowing the guests to live memorable and meaningful moments.
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