Lovely as it is, Sapa is a bit more expensive than Hanoi or most of the rest of Vietnam. Basic hotel rooms can be quite cheap, but once you want even a little luxury then the price starts jumping up quickly.
Another thing that can quickly throw your budget off is the tours of nearby attractions and craft villages. Unlike most other places, there seem to be few organized tours to join, so it’s often a matter of hiring a guide/driver/vehicle yourself for half a day or a full day. If you are in a group of 3 or more people then it can work out to a decent deal, but as a solo or a pair it can seem fairly expensive.
| Population | 140,000 |
| Area | 200,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+7 |
| Currency | Vietnam Dong |
| Airports | None (connect through Lao Cai, 40km away) |
Food and drink are a little pricier than in Hanoi, and many of the restaurants lining the main tourist street will seem quite expensive if you are used to things in the capital.
| Budget breakfast | Breakfast is included with many hotels. If not, several spots in town open early. | $1.41 - $2.56 |
| Budget lunch | The main strip is lined with restaurants serving both local and Western meals. | $2.34 - $5.11 |
| Budget dinner | Your dinner options are identical to your lunch options. | $2.85 - $6.39 |
| Beer (.33L) | Beer, like most other things, is a bit more expensive here than in most of Vietnam. | $0.72 - $1.28 |
| Pho soup | The famous Vietnamese rice-noodle soup is available around the clock. | $1.41 - $2.56 |
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
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It’s difficult to find accurate climate readings for Sapa, though reports say July and August average around 29C/84F and December lows average around 1C/34F.
Generally speaking, it’ll be cooler and less humid than in Hanoi as well as nearby Lao Cai, and in winter months it’s wise to bring a fairly heavy coat, though you might not need it.
| 21 Mar | 6:15am | 6:23pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:31am | 7:01pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:02am | 6:10pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:38am | 5:34pm |
Sapa was built as a resort getaway town and it’s fairly busy all year long. Low season runs from May through August, during the warmest summer months, and high season is the rest of the year, from September through April.
December through February can be quite cold, especially at night, and many of the cheaper hotels have insufficient heating in the rooms so if you are coming during the winter it’s a good idea to look into this before you confirm something.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 6.00 - 12.00 |
| 13.00 - 28.00 |
| 32.00 - 45.00 |
| 37.00 - 110.00 |
| 120.00 - 198.00 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 4.18 - 10.88 |