One Day in Sapa [Part 1]
How I spent time in Sapa with limited time - 24 hours
Hello friends,
To continue the series about my long weekend holiday in the north of Vietnam, today I’m gonna share about my next destination (after Hanoi) — Sapa!
If you’d like to catch up on my trip in Hanoi, check out Part 1 and Part 2!
Originally, we planned to spend 3 days and 3 nights in Sapa. However, plans changed and we only stayed for 24 hours. That said, the shorter time didn’t take away the fun, it might have even made the trip more memorable. Let’s talk about our one day in Sapa!
1. Arrival & First Impressions
We took an early bus from Hanoi and reached Sapa in the afternoon (around 1.30 — 2PM). One of the first things I noticed? The beautiful traditional outfits worn by ethnic minority groups, along with their warm smiles. It instantly gave the place a welcoming vibe.
As we stepped off the bus, I saw the high green mountains almost hugging the little town. The air was fresh and cool with 19°C in late spring felt like a hug from nature.
Everything looked beautiful… except the traffic. It was so packed, it took us 30 minutes to move just 1.5km. (We were both hungry, feel free to imagine us dramatically sighing in the backseat haha)
2. Lunch and Chill (Day 1)
With empty stomachs and big hopes, we rushed to the nearest local restaurant for lunch. There were two spots with similar names, I think we meant to go to the other one but ended up here. No regrets though, because it was closer to our hotel and hit the spot.
H’mong Restaurant (9AM — 11PM)
📍 Address: 08 Xuân Viên, Phường, Sa Pa, Lào Cai
💵 Price: 200,000 — 300,000VND/person
We had to try the raw trout sashimi — local specialty. Compared to regular salmon, it had more of a seafood vibe (if that makes sense?). It was fresh, served with local greens and a thick soy sauce that added a punch of flavor. One portion costs about 350,000 — 400,000VND, so it’s better for sharing if you’re in a group.
Also, get the trout spring rolls. Thin, crispy wrapper, packed with tasty fillings. But a heads-up: there’s a LOT of onion inside. If you’re like me and have a complicated relationship with onions… you’ve been warned.
For a sweet finish, there was a lady selling chestnut cake outside. Only 10,000VND/piece, simple and delicious.
After lunch we went to a coffee shop nearby to take our daily dose — caffeine!
Thiểu Số Trà & Cà Phê (7AM — 11PM)
📍 Address: 01 Thạch Sơn, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai
💵 Price: 35,000 — 55,000VND/drink
Vietnamese coffee is a must-try. If you want to level it up, try the salted coffee. It’s rich, creamy and has a salty-sweet twist that just works. If you’re more into matcha (like me), they also offer salted matcha, which was surprisingly good. Who knew matcha and salt could be besties right?
3. Wandering Around (Day 1 Afternoon)
Caffeinated and curious, we rented a motorbike and wandered around town. The streets are narrow, full of slopes and sharp turns, just classic mountain village style. Drivers here move fast, so if you're hopping on a bike, be ready for a little rollercoaster ride.
I loved the fresh air, even though now and then you'd get a whiff of engine smell. It was a mix between the charm and the challenge for my sensitive nose.
4. Nightlife in Sapa
After a quick freshen-up at the hotel, we headed out for an apéro at a cozy little bar just down the hill.
Saparis Eatery & Cocktail Bar (7AM — 11PM)
📍 Address: 02 Hoàng Diệu, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai
💵 Price: 100,000 — 200,000VND/person
We had a glass of wine (actually 2..) to start and liked the place so much that we came back later for cocktails. For 150,000 VND, the cocktails were strong enough to send us straight to dreamland. Why need melatonin when there’s good liquor?
Heads up!
There’s a happy hour deal buy 2 beers, get 1 free available until closing.
Sitting outside is super chill, though you might get some of that hilltop engine aroma again. Small hill = lots of revving.
Then we walked to dinner, and since we’d been eating mostly Vietnamese food the whole trip, we decided to shake things up and go Italian 🤌.
Casa Italia Pizza Restaurant (9.30AM — 10.30PM)
📍 Address: 07 Mường Hoa, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai
💵 Price: 200,000 — 300,000VND/person
Everything tasted fresh, from the veggies to the homemade pasta. The fish in the pasta and the cheese on the pizza weren’t just for decoration, they were generous and packed with flavor. We loved every bite! The portion size was also just right, especially for someone with a tiny stomach like me.
Give it a try, your cravings will be fixed!
Tip: Sitting outside is lovely, but you might get interrupted by street vendors. If you’d rather eat in peace, I recommend sitting inside and enjoying your pizza without any sales pitches.
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After the dinner, while walking we spotted a cozy little bar with a pool table and a foosball setup great for hanging out in a group. The staff were friendly and chill.
Mojito Pub (4PM — 2AM)
📍 Address: 21 Cầu Mây, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai
💵 Price: 100,000 — 200,000VND/person
Now, based on the name of the bar, can you guess what we ordered? Yep… mojitos. Classic move, I know. 😄
We both had the same mojito. My partner liked it, but for me, it was a bit too sweet. Totally my fault, I forgot to ask for less sugar when I ordered. So don’t be like me, just let the staff know how you like your drink and I’m sure you’ll get a cocktail that brings you joy.
⏰ Happy hour deal
Buy 1 get 1 mojito for 150,000VND
(I forgot how long it lasts… oops. My memory was probably already on vacation)
That’s a wrap for part 1 of my half-day adventure in Sapa. In Part 2, I’ll share how I spent the morning, as well as my stay, transportation and other recommendations.
Stay tuned and take care.
Until next time ✨
