Sapa

Most visitors come to hike through Sapa’s rice fields, climb 10,312-foot (3,143-meter) Mt. Fansipan, visit village markets such as Bac Ha, or spend the night at a homestay.

Organized hiking tours often come with vehicle support, meaning you can skip over the less scenic sections, avoid some tough uphill sections, and leave your overnight bag in the vehicle. It’s also possible to explore the area with locals and visit nearby villages, but be sure to clarify costs in advance. Motorbike tours offer ways to experience the mountain landscapes further afield.

• Most hikes around Sapa are steep. Travelers with lower physical fitness should look for a private guide who can create a custom tour.

• Bring waterproof layers at every time of year, and be prepared for cold weather in winter.

• Most travelers who use wheelchairs or strollers will find Sapa a challenging destination, with steep slopes, raised curbs, muddy single-track paths, and few accessible bathrooms.

Sapa is located in northwestern Vietnam, 197 miles (317 kilometers) northwest of Hanoi and just a 30-minute drive from the Chinese border crossing at Lao Cai. Most travelers come from Hanoi, either on the bus or on the sleeper train that terminates at Lao Cai. Some tours include transfers from the train station.

Sapa sits about 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level, and the climate varies between moderately warm and rainy in summer and cool and foggy in winter. The shoulder seasons, from September to November and from March to May, are the climate sweet spot. As with all Vietnamese tourist destinations, aim to avoid visiting over the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The opportunity to learn about ethnic minority communities in the villages around Sapa make the area so special. Ta Van, a Giay village, is known for its terraces and offers a wealth of homestays; Bac Ha hosts a Sunday market full of colorful Hmong textiles; Cat Cat Village, set in a rice field offers regular cultural performances.