3-Day Sapa Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day Sapa itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSapa travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Northern Vietnam, incl. Sapa and Bac Ha Market

  A 3-day route winds through Sapa from Ta Van village to Bac Ha Market. Trails lead through Muong Hoa valley's ethnic villages, featuring homestays with local families and glimpses of daily life in Y Linh Ho and Giang Ta Chai communities. The tour includes Saturday market in Sapa and Sunday's bustling Bac Ha Market.

  

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  • Day 1

    Hanoi to Sapa

    Take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai which takes 8-9 hours. "The overnight train was quite noisy," one traveler notes, "but worth it for reaching Sapa early." Try to book a lower berth for a more stable ride. When you arrive in the morning, you'll have a 1-hour drive up to Sapa town. After breakfast, you'll trek through Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village. Make sure you have sturdy shoes with good grip since the trails can get very slippery. You'll walk for about 4-5 hours, mostly downhill but some parts will challenge you.

    
  • Day 2

    Village Trek

    Start your day with a trek to Giang Ta Chai village where the Red Dao people live. The morning includes a steep 30-minute climb that pays off with beautiful valley views. "The native Sapa ladies who followed us were incredibly helpful on the steep, slippery slopes—they even carried some of our bags." You'll walk for 5-6 hours in total. The homestay is simple but gives you a real local experience. "The homestay family were very nice and dinner was modest," according to a recent visitor. Bringing a light sleeping bag liner will make your stay more comfortable.

    
  • Day 3

    Bac Ha Market and Return

    Leave Sapa at 7 AM for the 3-hour drive to Bac Ha's Sunday market. "The local market is so colorful—it was our favorite part," one traveler recalls. Get there by 10 AM when the market is busiest. Look around the traditional textiles and local foods during the morning. After lunch, take a 2-hour walk to Ban Pho village before heading back. You'll catch an evening train to Hanoi.

    

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• 3 Days in Northern Vietnam, incl. Hanoi and Sapa

  The 3-day trek visits Cat Cat, Lao Chai, and Ta Van villages, with two nights at a 3-star hotel in Sapa town. Rice terraces stretch along Muong Hoa Stream, where Black H'mong communities thrive. Daily treks end with local Vietnamese meals and free evenings in Sapa.

  

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  • Day 1

    Hanoi to Sapa and Cat Cat Village

    Your journey starts at 6:00 AM with pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter. The bus takes 6-7 hours to reach Sapa with two stops along the way. If you get motion sickness on mountain roads, bring medication. You'll reach Sapa around 1:30 PM, giving you time to check in and grab lunch before your afternoon activity. The afternoon includes a 2-3 hour trek to Cat Cat Village where the Black H'mong people live. Make sure to wear shoes with good grip since the paths can get slippery. One visitor shared: "The trek down to the waterfall was manageable, but the uphill return requires decent fitness. The French hydroelectric station makes for great photos."

    
  • Day 2

    Sapa Valley Trek

    Have breakfast at 7:00 AM to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. You'll spend the day trekking through rice terraces along Muong Hoa Stream toward Lao Chai village. The morning covers about 6km of moderate terrain before you stop for lunch. Bring a rain jacket since mountain weather can shift quickly. In the afternoon, you'll continue to Ta Van village where the Giay ethnic minority lives. This section is shorter but includes some steeper parts. A van will take you back to Sapa around 4:00 PM. You can spend the rest of your day exploring the local market or treating yourself to a massage.

    
  • Day 3

    Sapa to Hanoi

    Your morning is free to explore Sapa town. Visit the local market before 10:00 AM when it's most active for photos and souvenirs. After lunch at your hotel, catch the 3:30 PM sleeper bus back to Hanoi, arriving around 9:30 PM.

    

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• 3 Days in Northern Vietnam, incl. Hanoi and Sapa

  Sapa's landscape unfolds over three days: Cat Cat Village's H'mong community, Fansipan's cable car ascent, and Moana View's panoramas. Two nights' accommodation, 7 meals, and English-speaking guide support the journey.

  

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  • Day 1

    Hanoi to Sapa

    Your journey begins with an early pickup from Hanoi's Old Quarter between 6:00-6:30 AM. The 6-hour bus ride includes a stop in Lao Cai City. Consider taking motion sickness medication if you get queasy on mountain roads. Once in Sapa, you will trek for about 2.5 hours to Cat Cat Village to meet the Black H'mong people. Good hiking shoes are essential, particularly since the trails can get slick. A recent visitor shared: "The trek was fantastic, but bring good walking shoes and a light raincoat - mountain weather can change quickly."

    
  • Day 2

    Fansipan Peak and Moana Views

    Start your day on the first cable car to Fansipan at 8:00 AM. Going early means fewer crowds and better visibility before clouds move in. Be ready for 600 steps to reach the summit. Take plenty of breaks and carry water. In the afternoon, walk 700m from Sapa Church to reach Moana Check-in Point. The golden hand sculpture and infinity lake offer excellent photo opportunities, especially around 4 PM during golden hour.

    
  • Day 3

    Sapa to Hanoi

    Visit Sapa's central market when it opens at 6 AM. You will find local H'mong sellers offering traditional textiles and silver jewelry. Your return bus leaves between 1-2 PM, getting you back to Hanoi around 8:00-8:30 PM. Pack a lunch for the trip since the rest stop food options are basic.

    

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