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AsiaVietnamLao Cai

Sa Pa

Lao Cai, Vietnam · Asia

About Sa Pa

Sa Pa is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Lao Chải, 7km from Thac Bac Silver Waterfall.

Sa Pa is a town located in Lao Cai, Vietnam. With a population of 10,554, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Sa Pa sits in Vietnam, where you drive on the right. It's in the Asia/Bangkok time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Sa Pa to your route.

About Sa Pa

Sa Pa (Vietnamese pronunciation: [ʂaː paː], also written Sapa; French: Chapa) is a district-level town (thị xã) in Lào Cai province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It covers an area of 685 km2 (264 sq mi) and had a population of 70,663 as of 2022. Sa Pa is a market center and tourist destination. Ethnic minorities

Read more constitute most of the population, notably the Hmong, Dao, Giáy, and Tày.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Sa Pa

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Sa Pa?

Sa Pa offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Sa Pa?

Plan your road trip to Sa Pa with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Sa Pa as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Sa Pa located?

Sa Pa is located in Lao Cai, Vietnam, Asia. The coordinates are 22.3402 latitude, 103.8441 longitude.

What is the population of Sa Pa?

Sa Pa has a population of approximately 10,554 people, making it a town in Vietnam.

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Quick Information

Population
10,554
Continent
Asia
Country
Vietnam
Region
Lao Cai
Timezone
Asia/Bangkok
Coordinates
22.3402, 103.8441

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Vietnam

Police
113
Ambulance
115
Fire
114
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Vietnam

Tags

AsiaVietnamLao CaiTown

Worth the detour from Sa Pa

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

scenic viewpoint

Sapa Rice Terraces

Breathtaking cascading rice terraces carved into misty mountain slopes by ethnic minority communities in Vietnam's far north.

0 km · about 5 min drive

waterfall

Thac Bac Silver Waterfall

A 200-metre cascade dropping beside the O Quy Ho pass road above Sa Pa, with staircases climbing to viewing platforms at several levels. It is directly roadside on the route to Lai Chau.

7 km · about 15 min drive

mountain pass

Ô Quy Hồ Pass (Trạm Tôn)

Vietnam's longest mountain pass climbs nearly 50 km to about 2,000 m between Sapa and Lai Chau, skirting Fansipan with cloud-sea views from the 'Heaven's Gate' summit.

8 km · about 15 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Y Ty

A Ha Nhi village at 2,000 metres near the Chinese border, reached by a rough ridge road from Lao Cai, known for mushroom-shaped earthen houses and a sea of cloud that fills the valley at dawn.

43 km · about 50 min drive

Driving roads near Sa Pa

  • Right hereSapa Rice TerracesBreathtaking cascading rice terraces carved into misty mountain slopes by ethnic minority communities in Vietnam's far north.
  • Right hereÔ Quy Hồ Pass (Trạm Tôn)Vietnam's longest mountain pass climbs nearly 50 km to about 2,000 m between Sapa and Lai Chau, skirting Fansipan with cloud-sea views from the 'Heaven's Gate' summit.
  • 43 kmY TyA Ha Nhi village at 2,000 metres near the Chinese border, reached by a rough ridge road from Lao Cai, known for mushroom-shaped earthen houses and a sea of cloud that fills the valley at dawn.
  • 77 kmKhau Pha PassA 30-kilometre climb on National Road 32 between Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai, topping out around 1,200 metres above terraced valleys. It hosts an annual paragliding festival each September when the rice turns gold.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Sa Pa.

Lao Chải

🇻🇳 Vietnam

4 km awayPop. 2,324

Lào Cai

🇻🇳 Vietnam

21 km awayPop. 130,671

Tam Đường

🇻🇳 Vietnam

23 km away

Bát Xát

🇻🇳 Vietnam

23 km away

Hekou

🇨🇳 China

28 km awayPop. 44,998

Thị Trấn Phố Lu

🇻🇳 Vietnam

35 km awayPop. 32,800

Lai Châu

🇻🇳 Vietnam

40 km awayPop. 42,973

Than Uyên

🇻🇳 Vietnam

43 km awayPop. 5,482

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence