The Best Villages to See in Sapa
Overview of Sapa villages
Did you know that Sapa is the place where local ethnic minorities congregate even more than ordinary Vietnamese people? It is home to a wide diversity of ethnicities, including four main groups: the H’Mong, the Dao, the Tay and the Giay.
They do not live in the central area but in hamlets scattered throughout the valleys of Sapa district. Sapa town is where ethnic minorities gather, trade or sell their agricultural products such as rice, corn, fruits, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs to travelers.
There is an interesting fact about ethnic minorities in Sapa, especially the H’mong tribe: they speak English even better than Vietnamese students!
I made an article about how to go from Hanoi to Sapa?
Ta Phin Village
Gently nestled in the marvelous fields and terraced mountains, Ta Phin village has captivated adventurous souls and nomads with its authentic beauty. One of its symbols of beauty is Ta Phin Cave. Together with the stalactites, this creates a surreal image.
Show up at the door and your hosts will greet you with warm smiles but also a full tea table! The Dao Do tribe is one of a kind: they always wear a red hat that reminds me of Santa Claus! I like to call these people Vietnamese Santas, because they will also give you an extraordinary gift – an authentic local experience!
Before arriving at the Dao Do people’s house, you will be amazed by a courtyard full of plants, leaves and herbs, which are comically called “natural collagen”. The people of Dao Do walk through the forests daily to find, dry, and place dozens of herbs in spas. As soon as you step into this seductive water, all your stress and pain will immediately disappear and your skin will shine brighter than ever! If you really like these natural herbs, you can ask the host if you can join them and venture into the woods to collect the ingredients.
At night, when the weather gets colder, it’s a good time to get closer. Sitting by the fire, sipping alcohol and munching on sweet sticky rice, the stories between travelers and hosts will lose history.
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Place: Ta Phin Village
Entrance: 20,000 VND
Ta Van village
Ta Van village is located in the valley between the enormous Hoang Lien Son and Ham Rong mountain. Unlike the bustling city of Sapa , the village of Ta Van soothes you with its calm and peaceful atmosphere. Its terraced fields are considered the most beautiful in Lao Cai province. Ta Van itself is beautiful, but the scenery on the road leading up to it is a true blessing! Stop anywhere, anytime, because traveling is not a destination but an exploration!
Life will be boring without challenges, right? So I challenge you to walk on a rattan bridge called Cau May! It may seem easy at first, but you will need courage. The scary thing is that each plank you walk on is about 20 centimeters apart. Although it seems intimidating, many couples enjoy taking photos here. It can be said that this bridge is a masterpiece showing the ingenuity and creativity of the H’Mong ethnic group of this mountain village. In cold weather, you can witness the thick fog covering the bridge. Remember to stop even if the weather seems disappointing at first!
Another interesting site near this village is a variety of ancient rocks carved with unknown symbols. Until now, ancient sculptures have been listed as national monuments and a unique heritage of the Vietnamese people. In addition, small wooden houses, bamboo groves and a magnificent stream make this region an idyllic picture. Here, most homestays provide wooden chairs, tables and teapots, so you can easily sip a cup of hot tea or just close your eyes, rest and blend into the green.
If you are planning to come here from September to April, congratulations, you have made one of the best decisions of your life! In the fall, when the rice field is ready to harvest, all you see is a massive yellow picture! Besides the spectacular scenery, you also have the opportunity to experience the cultural characteristics of ethnic minorities. To do this, you’d better sleep here for a night, eat and live with the local people. And when you sip a cup of corn alcohol with your new family, the next day you’ll be too hungover to want to come back!
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Place: Ta Van village
Entrance: 70,000 VND
Ban Ho Village
Ban Ho, 30 kilometers southwest of Sapa, is a charming village where the H’Mong, Dao, Tay and Giay tribes gather. Based on poetics Muong Hoa valley , it is a paradise conducive to relaxation. Plus, the local people are truly amazing. No fake smiles, no lies, they always speak their mind and treat you like family.
From the moment you enter this land, you will likely encounter large groups of women sneaking past the house. Weaving is not just for sale, but it is also how they preserve the custom. At night, people often gather around a fire, singing traditional songs while dancing to the beat. As a guest you should join them as it’s the best way to meet local people! But if you’re afraid of dancing, don’t worry, sip a cup of corn alcohol and you’ll have enough nerves to see you through the night!
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Place: Ban Ho Village
Entrance: 15,000 VND
Village of Y Ty
Y Ty village, located more than 70 km from Sapa, is a true paradise for travelers who want to escape the hectic city life. The village is at an altitude of 2,000 meters so you can surround yourself with clouds! It is no exaggeration to say that coming to Y Ty is like entering a whole new world – the world of peace.
If the number of clouds impresses you, stay tuned, because you will be more fascinated by the local population , the Ha Nhi Den tribe. Local girls will immediately captivate your attention, they enchant in a unique way and you might get lost trying to understand their beauty. Unlike urban women who beautify themselves with expensive jewelry and makeup, Y Ty women prefer realistic decorations, such as thick black wigs. You may be wondering why “wigs?” I was wondering the same thing until a woman revealed it on a TV channel: wigs keep your head warm and can be used as a pillow.
Walk around this village and try not to smile! Unlike the surreal beauty that surrounds this village, you may notice some really funny things. For example, there are “mushroom houses” – houses with roofs made of layers of cogone grass! The unique mushroom-shaped houses located on the mountainside, as well as the rich cultural identity of the people of Ha Nhi Den attract all types of travelers.
The best time to visit Y Ty takes place from September to April. This is the time when the sky is clear and clean, which is very suitable for people who want to chase the clouds. Plus, during this time, the trail is less slippery and safer for you.
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Place: Village Y Ty
Entrance: free
Ban Pho village
How does it feel to stay in an absolutely pristine village? Come to Ban Pho and find the answer yourself! As it is more than 100 kilometers away from Sapa town, it still retains the beauty of nature. You will have the opportunity to admire plum blossoms, numerous hiking trails and the authentic lifestyle of the H’Mong people. This village is such a gift from mother nature that you will love it at first sight!
In addition to agricultural work, an important source of income for rural households comes from the legendary corn alcohol. When it’s cold out, there’s nothing more wonderful than sitting with new friends, inviting them over for a cup of corn alcohol, and listening to their stories of adventure.
What if you are an adventure junkie and not satisfied with the sweet experience above? Let me tell you a secret: before reaching the village, you are challenged by countless hairpin turns, bumpy paths and unpredictable slopes! But don’t be afraid to come here, because this place is worth every second of your precious time.
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Place: Ban Pho village
Entrance: free
Sin Chai Village
Not too far from Sapa (around five kilometers), this village is known for being magically untouched and less touristy than other villages in Sapa town. You can hardly find street vendors selling brocade or embroidery souvenirs here, only ethnic people living their daily lives with joy and peace.
They are very friendly and even willing to guide visitors through their rice terraces and around the village. Sometimes, a few water buffalo appear and keep you company during your hiking in this incredible region! Ban Pho and Sin Chai are truly two of the rare precious gems that still retain their charm in this collection of villages in northern Vietnam.
Like the other villages mentioned above, Sin Chai is surrounded by a spectacular natural landscape with stunning mountain views that can melt anyone’s heart. The rice terraces are immaculate and make for incredible Instagram photos. Lovely wooden houses of the locals are scattered throughout this breathtaking scene. Its architecture makes it easy to cultivate and care for the farm.
Sin Chai village also has a unique feature. Visit it in March, April, September or October and you can have one of the most unique experiences while traveling to this region of Vietnam.
In March and April, due to the favorable weather conditions, Sin Chai farmers start planting their crops. You will admire marvelous rice terraces that are perfectly layered and completely soaked in water. With a little sunshine, it will burst even more beautifully into shimmering and sparkling fields. These crops will be ready for harvest in September and October and will turn into beautiful golden fields across the mountain range. Take all the time you need to immerse yourself in the scenes and fully enjoy this village.
Note: Cat Cat is another nearby ethnic village that is worth a quick visit. It is actually on the way to Sin Chai, so it is very easy to find. However, Cat Cat Village is more of a popular tourist attraction, so you will see a lot of shops and vendors here.
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Location: Sin Chai Village
Entrance: 40,000 VND
