Trip to Sapa, Vietnam 🇻🇳

Having been to Sapa before, we were excited to return and delve deeper into its natural beauty and cultural treasures. This second trip enabled us to discover some lesser-known yet equally stunning spots that we highly recommend to anyone visiting. We started our day at O Quy Ho Pass, also known as Heaven’s Gate, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. As the sun rose, the mist slowly lifted, revealing layers of mountains bathed in golden light. This spot is perfect for dramatic landscape photography 📸 I’d recommend arriving by 5:30 AM ⛅️ to catch the sunrise. 📍Highway 4D, O Quy Ho Commune, Sapa, Lao Cai Province After sunrise, we visited Ta Phin Village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority. We explored the traditional stilt houses, lush rice terraces, and the Ta Phin Monastery ruins. The vibrant red costumes of the locals provided beautiful contrasts in our photos 📸 Around 8 AM–10 AM is the best time to visit when the light highlights the details of the rice fields and village life. 📍Ta Phin Commune, Sapa, Lao Cai Province Mid-morning, we returned to Cat Cat Village, a charming village known for its cascading waterfalls and traditional Black Hmong culture. We trekked along the scenic pathways and captured stunning photos of locals weaving textiles, as well as the picturesque Cat Cat Waterfall. Arrive around 10:30 AM to avoid crowds and enjoy great lighting for portraits 📸 📍Cat Cat Village, San Sa Ho Commune, Sapa, Lao Cai Province We also headed to Topas Ecolodge, a luxurious retreat perched on a hill with 360-degree views of the surrounding rice terraces. The serene ambiance and infinity pool overlooking the mountains made it one of the most photogenic spots on our trip. I’d recommend trying their Vietnamese set menu while soaking in the view. 📍Thanh Kim Commune, Sapa, Lao Cai Province We also explored the Silver Waterfall, where the cascading water glistens in the sunlight. We hiked up to the viewing platform for sweeping views of the waterfall and the lush forest below. Arriving at 3 PM gave us soft and golden light, which added a magical touch to our photos 📸 📍Highway 4D, San Sa Ho Commune, Sapa, Lao Cai Province To end our day, we took the cable car 🚠 to Fansipan Peak, the highest mountain ⛰️ in Indochina. Watching the sunset from the summit was an unforgettable experience, with clouds rolling over the peaks and the sky painted in hues of orange and pink. This is a must-visit for landscape and panoramic shots 📸 Arrive by 4:30 PM to catch the golden hour and sunset at 5:30 PM. 📍Fansipan Legend Cable Car Station, Sapa, Lao Cai Province This second trip to Sapa was even more magical than our first. We explored new places, deepened our connection with the local culture, and captured some of our most memorable photos 😍 #vietnamtrip #vacation #trip