Best of Sapa

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Sapa
The valley town of Sapa lies amid the spectacular landscapes of northwest Vietnam. Rolling, forest-covered peaks, rushing rivers and steeply terraced rice fields are all part of the backdrop of this remote region five hours from Hanoi. Sapa has a handful of attractions, but most travelers are only passing through as they head into tiny jungle-clad villages in the hills. There visitors can enjoy homestays among the Dzao, Hmong, Thai and other diverse ethnic groups. 

Sapa is one of the top trekking destinations in Vietnam, and you can travel between Hill Tribe villages, meeting locals in the fields and stopping for lunch at waterfalls and scenic overlooks along the way. Staying with host families immerses you in village life, and you’ll have the opportunity to help out with cooking, gardening, tending the livestock and other activities. You might also be able to catch a bustling market day as colorfully garbed traders come from all over the region. Although the region is an increasingly popular tourist destination, it’s possible to get off the beaten path as you travel to the fringes of Lao Cai province.
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Temples at the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam
Map of Impressions of Vietnam & Cambodia - 12 Days
Impressions of Vietnam & Cambodia - 12 Days

Travel back through the centuries on a history and culture tour of Vietnam and Cambodia's most beautiful and ancient sites. It begins with tours of Hanoi's Old Quarter, and then you're off to the northern mountains for hikes to ethnic villages. Following a cruise on Ha Long Bay and a jaunt to the ancient river city of Hoi An, you'll fly to Cambodia and visit the massive, awe-inspiring temple complexes of Angkor.

A lush green landscape in the Vietnamese countryside
Map of Best of Northern Vietnam - 7 Days
Best of Northern Vietnam - 7 Days

Experience the best of northern Vietnam on this weeklong getaway. You'll tour the historic streets of old Hanoi, travel to mountain villages home to ethnic communities, and hike around the terraced rice fields of Vietnam's highland region. The adventure culminates with an unforgettable boat ride in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hạ Long Bay.

Vietnam
Map of Journey to Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Sapa & Ha Long - 8 Days
Journey to Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Sapa & Ha Long - 8 Days

The north of Vietnam is a treasure trove of wonders, and over eight action-packed days you'll experience the highlights. It begins in the ancient, incomparable city of Hanoi, and from there you'll venture to the countryside for nature hikes along green valleys to visit traditional ethnic villages. After touring the soaring mountains and rice paddies of Sapa, finish the trip on a cruise of the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay.

Discover Vietnam from the vantage of a traditional sampan
Map of Family Adventure in Vietnam: North to South - 14 Days
Family Adventure in Vietnam: North to South - 14 Days

Take the family on an in-depth discovery of a singularly beautiful country that's the well-spring of a deep culture: Vietnam. Over two weeks, you'll see it all, from the colonial Old Quarter of Hanoi to the terraced rice fields of Sapa and the historic fishing ports of the central coast. The trip culminates around the former Saigon, where you'll tour Ho Chi Minh City and explore the Mekong Delta by boat.

Vietnamese rice terraces
Map of Vietnam Off-the-Beaten-Track Adventure – 14 Days
Vietnam Off-the-Beaten-Track Adventure – 14 Days

Stray off the beaten track on this adventurous 14-day Vietnam tour. Touch down in Hanoi and head north to trek through Sapa's towering rice terraces and visit remote villages where you'll meet Vietnam's diverse ethnic communities. Continue with an overnight cruise of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay and a trip to the lush Mekong Delta, where floating markets and peaceful river life awaits.

Golden-sailed junk boats in Ha Long Bay
Map of Honeymoon in Northern Vietnam: From Hanoi to Hoi An - 10 Days
Honeymoon in Northern Vietnam: From Hanoi to Hoi An - 10 Days

Tied the knot and want a customized trip to celebrate your love? Try honeymooning in Vietnam. This 10-day tour combines culture, relaxation, beautiful landscapes, and a touch of adventure, perfect for an unforgettable honeymoon. Starting in Hanoi, you'll spend two luxurious nights in the esteemed Topas Ecolodge amid some of the region's most remote hill tribe communities, overnight in a private cabin on Ha Long Bay, and end your stay in postcard-perfect Hoi An.

Mekong Delta
Map of Discover Vietnam From North to South - 13 Days
Discover Vietnam From North to South - 13 Days

From north to south, discover the heart and soul of Vietnam on this 13-day adventure. Immerse yourself in the frenetic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Soak up breathtaking natural landscapes atop Fansipan Mountain, in Ha Long Bay, and on the waters of the Mekong Delta. Then step back in time to unravel the cultural and architectural melting pot of Hoi An. Along the way, meet local villagers, eat traditional meals and street snacks, and leave with rich, colorful memories.

Take to the terraced hills and meet the locals of the Muong Hoa Valley
Map of Vietnam Cultural Journey - 13 Days
Vietnam Cultural Journey - 13 Days

Delve into Vietnam's culture as you traverse its diverse landscapes on this 13-day tour. Start in Hanoi, where you'll enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and water puppet shows before heading north to trek through Sapa's towering rice terraces dotted with remote villages. Next, take an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay and discover UNESCO-listed architecture in Hue and Hoi An. The adventure ends in the tropical south, where you'll sail through the lush Mekong Delta.

Northern Vietnam landscape
Map of Vietnam Off the Beaten Track - 14 Days
Vietnam Off the Beaten Track - 14 Days

Spend 14 days exploring some of the far corners and favorite cities of Vietnam. You'll not only explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but also trek through the mountainous northwest, visiting ethnic minority villages. Cruise through limestone formations to Cat Ba island and along the Mekong river to see what life is like across the country.

Terraced hillsides near Sapa, Vietnam
Map of Authentic Vietnam - 14 Days
Authentic Vietnam - 14 Days

Go off the beaten path in Vietnam as you tour Hanoi like a local, visit traditional villages in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and hike amid terraced rice paddies in the highlands of Sapa. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll stroll amid ancient history in cities like Hoi An before ending the trip with street food tours in Ho Chi Minh City and adventures down the Mekong River.

Rice fields in northern Vietnam
Map of Trekking in Rural Vietnam - 8 Days
Trekking in Rural Vietnam - 8 Days

One of the best ways to experience the culture, people, and beauty of Vietnam is on a nature hike. That's exactly what you'll do over eight days on a long-distance trek in the countryside along the Vietnam-China border. On this adventure, you'll pass terraced rice paddies and soaring mountains while enjoying the renowned hospitality of the ethnic tribespeople who reside in the villages you stop at along the way.

Boat down Vietnam's Mekong River
Map of Highlights of Vietnam - 15 Days
Highlights of Vietnam - 15 Days

This 15-day adventure will take you to the most beautiful locales in Vietnam while immersing you in its cultural heritage. Starting in Hanoi, you'll visit historical sites and meet local artisans, then head north to hike the terraced rice paddies in the Vietnamese highlands. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll travel south to imperial cities, dip into the wartime history of Ho Chi Minh City, and cap the trip on the Mekong Delta.

Delight your senses on this food-focused tour of Vietnam
Map of Vietnam Three Regions Food Tour - 15 Days
Vietnam Three Regions Food Tour - 15 Days

Vietnam is one of the world's great culinary destinations, and you'll experience this renowned gastronomy on a tour of its main regions, from north to south. On this 15-day adventure you'll sample street food in Hanoi, take cooking classes with master chefs, visit organic farms, and enjoy fine dining in total darkness in Ho Chi Minh City. Plus there are excursions to mountain villages and a cruise on the famous Ha Long Bay.

Step back in time in Hoi An's Ancient Town
Map of Vietnam Discovery Tour - 15 Days
Vietnam Discovery Tour - 15 Days

Experience the very best of Vietnam on this 15-day journey from north to south. See the highlights of Hanoi before traveling outside the city to the terraced rice fields and ethnic villages of Sapa. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay you'll travel down the coast to historic Hoi An on your way to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll end the trip in style with city tours and trips to the famous Mekong Delta.

Discover underground wonders in Vietnam
Map of Vietnam Trekking & Caving Adventure - 15 Days
Vietnam Trekking & Caving Adventure - 15 Days

Get ready for 15 days of nature adventures and cultural excursions throughout Vietnam. In the north, you'll go off the beaten track in Hanoi, hike along terraced rice fields, cruise the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, and explore the spectacular Phong Nha Cave. Finish the trip in Ho Chi Minh City where one last adventure awaits: a trip to the famous Mekong Delta.

Jayavarman II Cambodian sculpture
Map of  Discover Vietnam & Cambodia - 14 Days
Discover Vietnam & Cambodia - 14 Days

This two-week odyssey includes visits to some of the most historic cultural sites not only in Vietnam but in Cambodia, too. Beginning in Vietnam, you'll tour the capital of Hanoi, cruise along gorgeous Hạ Long Bay, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage river town of Hội An. After a stop in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), you'll jet off to Cambodia and tour the largest religious temple site in the world: Angkor Wat.

Other popular travel destinations in Vietnam
Hanoi · Ha Long Bay · Ho Chi Minh City · Hoi An · Hue · Can Tho · Ninh Binh · Pu Luong Nature Reserve · Phu Quoc