Explore the magical land of Vietnam, where beauty can be found both in nature and in its rich culture. Vietnam is no longer a place where traditional pointed straw hats are commonly worn while plowing rice fields. In many of its cities, the country has advanced in craftsmanship, cuisine, and livelihoods.
Of course, even as things have advanced over the years, the Vietnamese have never let modernity overshadow their rich culture and beautiful mountainous landscapes. In fact, this only highlights the many activities you can enjoy in this wonderful country, especially with travel being easier than ever. In this story, explore the various things to do in Hanoi and Sapa, located in the northern part of Vietnam.
Weather Conditions in Hanoi and Sapa
The storm season begins in May and lasts until around October in the northern regions. Additionally, the country's climate is divided into three primary zones: Northern, Central, and Southern.
In North Vietnam, where Hanoi and Sapa are located, the weather is cool and dry from September to November and from March to April, making it a great time to travel. Additionally, August and September mark Sapa’s harvest season, providing the perfect opportunity to witness the highland hills come alive with vibrant colours.
How Long Should I Stay in Hanoi and Sapa?
Depending on your itinerary and whether you wish to explore beyond just these two places, we recommend 8-10 days if you're only visiting Hanoi and Sapa. This will allow you to enjoy a relaxing trip without rushing through your holiday.
Travelling Around Vietnam (Transport System)
Travelling around Vietnam is now easier than ever. Between cities, you may want to take a flight, especially if you're travelling from North to South of Vietnam. For travel within regions, the country offers sleeper buses or trains that take you to your destination overnight while you rest.
Within the city, Grab is exceptionally affordable, and they also offer Grab Bike services for solo travellers—an experience you can't find in Singapore!
Photo credit: Grab Vietnam website
Things To Do in Hanoi
A 4D3N trip is perfect for Hanoi. The weather in Hanoi is cooler than in most parts of Vietnam, so be sure to bring a windbreaker or jacket! Before we introduce some must-see places in Hanoi, it's worth mentioning that the city is a café paradise for those who want to relax and enjoy the popular egg coffee in different variations. Some popular cafés include 'The Note Coffee' and 'Giang Coffee Shop'.
Hoan Kiem Lake: Take a walk around this bustling, popular lake where we recommend you disconnect to connect! Keep your phone away and be ready to dance with strangers on the streets as the music plays! Additionally, have your portrait drawn by one of the talented artists along the road!
Photo credit: Klook website
Hanoi Night Market: The Hanoi Night Market is one of the best places to enjoy local street food! Head to one of the city's most lively markets, located near the heart of the historic Hanoi Old Quarter – the Hanoi Weekend Night Market. There, you can find local souvenirs, delicious food, and more!
Photo credit: Lily's Travel website
Hanoi Old Quarter: In this historic yet lively area, you'll find 40 different streets, each named after its primary service, selling all kinds of items! You could easily spend the whole day exploring before heading to the Hanoi Weekend Night Market!
Thang Long Water Puppet Show: Experience Vietnam’s traditional performing arts at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre! This 45-minute show is both educational and entertaining!
Photo credit: Trip.com website
Hanoi Train Street: You haven’t truly visited Hanoi if you haven’t gotten up close and personal with the trains while sipping coffee! Head to the famous Hanoi Train Street, where you can find a cozy café spot and wait for the train to pass by!
Hanoi Opera House / St. Joseph’s Cathedral / Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Capture stunning photos at these historic landmarks, each featuring beautiful architecture. Many of these landmarks were built as early as 1010 or in the 1900s by French architects during the colonial period.
Photo credit: Vietnam Travel website
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square: Located near Hoan Kiem Lake, this area is filled with popular restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a hearty lunch or snack!
Things To Do in Sapa
Enjoy the weather in Sapa while you're there! With temperatures ranging from 6 to 20 degrees Celsius, and January being the coldest month, you can enjoy Sapa's cool weather without the harsh chill.
Photo credit: Trip.com website
To get to Sapa from Hanoi, take a sleeper train or bus, both of which guarantee you a bed for the 6-8 hours ride, allowing you to rest comfortably along the way.
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Trekking in the Rice Terraces: One of the most popular activities in Sapa is trekking! Choose between a half-day or full-day hike and embark on a guided tour that takes you to three ethnic minority villages, through mountain treks of up to 1,800m above sea level, bamboo forests, and rice terraces, all while exploring paths less travelled by tourists.
Moana: Dress your best, because Moana is a place where you'll want to take plenty of photos! Designed to resemble a miniature Bali, this location features the Bali Heaven Gate, the Moana Girl Statue, and more—truly a photographer's paradise!
Photo credit: KKday website
Cat Cat Village: Straight out of a fairytale, this scenic village is home to the Hmong people, an indigenous group from East and Southeast Asia. At Cat Cat Village, you can even rent traditional costumes to take photos against the village's fairytale backdrops! As you walk through the streets, you'll encounter waterfalls, bridges, horses, water buffalo, and rice fields all in one place. It's truly a must-visit to experience the rich culture of Vietnam.
Photo credit: Hanoi Explore Travel website
BBQ Street Food Sa Pa: Enjoy a hearty BBQ meal on the streets of Sapa in the cool weather! This is an experience worth trying, as the heat from the BBQ and the food will warm you up almost instantly!
Fansipan Mountain Hike: Get up early to enjoy a refreshing hike up Fansipan! Along the way, you'll encounter spiritual attractions like the Great Buddha Statue, Bich Van Zen Monastery, and the Grand Belfry, all towering above the misty clouds. If you’re not up for the hike but still want to visit these attractions, you can take a cable car and monorail to the summit!
Photo credit: Vietnam Travel website
Rong May Glass Bridge: Located just outside Sapa, this site is easily accessible by taxi! Enjoy breathtaking views from the glass bridge and challenge yourself to conquer your fear of heights on the wooden bridge suspended 600 meters above the ground.
Photo credit: Trip.com website
We hope you enjoy a wonderful trip to Hanoi, and if you have extra time, we highly recommend travelling to Hoi An and Da Nang, located in central Vietnam! Stay tuned as we share more about Hoi An and Da Nang in upcoming stories!
In the meantime, check out our other stories on what to bring for your travels. Happy holidays!