Sapa

4,8/5

(249 reviews)

Overview

Life in the Mountains of Northern Vietnam

Set off to discover the ethnic minorities living in the mountains of Northern Vietnam!

Sapa is a town in Lao Cai Province, on the Chinese border in northern Vietnam. It was first developed by the French colonial authorities at the beginning of the 20th century, as a retreat for French officials working in Vietnam to escape the intense heat of the tropical summer. Home to many ethnic minority groups, especially the Hmong, the town later welcomed increasing numbers of Vietnamese (Kinh) settlers.

Lao Cai Province is home to the highest peaks in Vietnam, including Mount Fansipan, which rises to 3,143 meters. Traveling to Sapa and hiking in its surroundings is an opportunity to meet the indigenous peoples, particularly the Hmong, who have lived in these regions for centuries. It is also, of course, a chance to marvel at the breathtaking scenery – especially the iconic terraced rice fields, shaped by the hard work of mountain communities.

Parfum d’Automne organizes private excursions to discover Sapa either on its own or combined with other destinations in Northern Vietnam. These private tours include the services of a French-speaking guide, who will provide you with all the insight needed to better understand the way of life in the mountains of Northern Vietnam.

Why Go There?

Recommended Activities

Hike in the surroundings of Sapa

Admire the terraced rice fields

Try your hand at rice harvesting

Stay overnight in a local homestay

Experience a traditional Dao herbal bath

Fiche circuit

3 days

Sapa Authentic Trekking Adventure

3-Day Authentic Trek in Sapa with French-Speaking Guide: Terraced Rice Fields, Waterfalls, and Immersion in Dao and Dzay Villages

Fiche circuit

5 days

Sapa and the Terraced Rice Fields of Northern Vietnam

Mu Cang Chai and Sapa in 5 Days: Terraced Rice Fields, Scenic Hikes, and Authentic Encounters with the Hmong

Client testimonials

They share their experiences

Helina – cruise tour

“Mathieu was truly wonderful. A big thank you for all the flawless arrangements! We had an amazing cruise with so many beautiful memories 🥰 – the crew was incredibly friendly, and all the activities were very well organized.”

Christelle – Vietnam tour

“An effective agency and more … We discovered Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min through Hue and Hoi An thanks to the excellent services. To choose the tour I had excellent exchanges with the agency throughout the preparation of the trip so that it fits what we wanted. We had three different guides. All friendly and speaking English very well. The drivers were professional (and you have to be to get around Vietnam),very attentive and punctual.”

Gregorio – cruise tour

“Such a great experience! They organised a transfer from our homestay in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, directly to Cat Ba. We did the Lan Ha Bay cruise, spending 2 days and 1 night around. This bay is beautiful and quiet, indeed we didn’t meet too many boats so we appreciated the panorama 100%. Our boat was beautiful and we shared the cruise with another couple, so it is the best choice if you are looking for a peaceful experience”

Rama – Parfum d’Automne cruise tour

“EXTRAORDINARY Agency I called on them for a cruise on September 23rd in the evening to ask for a place for a cruise on the 24th (my birthday) not only did they take care of my return from sapa to Hanoi that same evening, on the 24th on the boat all the crew knew about my birthday, they wished me, also made me a surprise cake in the evening. The stay on the boat was so amazing that I added an extra night , without being a ray of sun, he smiles all the time and pampers us throughout the cruise.”

Arthur – Four Season Cruise Tour

“The agency took great care of us, answering all our questions and showing real flexibility. We went on a cruise in Lan Ha Bay aboard the Quatre Saisons junk. The boat was comfortable and clean, the food was delicious, and the scenery absolutely stunning. We didn’t come across many other boats along our route, which made the experience even more special. The activities were well organized and done in small groups, which we really appreciated.”

Gael – Northern Vietnam tour

“Exceptional service and magnificent organized tours ! We’re Swiss and took advantage of Parfum d’Automne’s offers to visit Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay, next to Halong Bay, and the Pu Luong region in the northwest mountains of Vietnam. It was fantastic! We met a lot of great locals, not least thanks to the guides and tours organized by the agency.”

4,8/5 (249 avis)

4,6/5 (142 avis)

Travel Tips & Inspiration

Discover Our Latest Blog Posts

Want to learn more about Vietnam before traveling there? Here are our blog posts with the best tips from Parfum d’Automne for your trip to Vietnam. Discover insights on its gastronomy, destinations, people, and all the best travel hacks!