Sapa Motorbike Tours - Useful Tips For First-time Travelers

Famous for its magnificent scenery, fresh air, hospitable people, and stunning terraced fields, Sapa has become one of the favorite destinations for both domestic and international tourists. Taking a Sapa motorbike tour is the right thing for those who love to venture and explore new experiences. Traveling Sapa by motorbike, you will step into that landscape and become a part of it; you can feel the sun's warmth on your skin, breath the air, and enjoy tasteful specialties. This creates intense memories that last a lifetime.

However, it is a long ride, and you have to conquer it yourself; there are many risks involved with traveling Sapa by motorbike. So, to have a safe and happy trip, you must be well-prepared before setting off. Hopefully, some Sapa guides from BM Travel Adventure below can be helpful for you.

Packing list

Clothing

Sapa’s weather is a bit colder, with an average temperature of about 13-15०C compared to Hanoi and other tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam. Therefore, do not forget to bring long-sleeve T-shirts in summer and warm coats in winter because it can even snow in this season. One small note is that since we must keep the backpack on our motorbike, carrying something bulky should be avoided.

Sapa easy riders

A suitable pair of shoes is also an extremely important item for a perfect Sapa motorbike tour. Due to its specific terrain, you must walk or climb through different places like hills, mountains, terraced rice fields, etc. Sports shoes or flat shoes will be highly recommended to make you feel comfortable throughout the day and much more eager to discover all the fun things in our tour. You should not wear high heels because it easily causes slips that are very dangerous on high hills and mountains in Sapa.

Personal belongings

Glasses, towels, masks, gloves, etc., are some personal items you need to prepare for the trip. They will help protect your eyes and health while riding on dirt roads.

Also, it would help if you carried a face towel, toothbrush, and toothpaste as these things in the hotel are not good quality. Of course, remember to bring your camera and selfie stick to save beautiful moments.

Snacks

Since our journey is mainly on foot, which consumes a lot of energy, you should prepare some cakes, milk, chocolate, and candies. They can be eaten on the way or given to ethnic children as small gifts.

Time to visit Sapa

Sapa not only offers a special terrain but also boasts a typical subtropical climate that rarely happens in a tropical country like Vietnam. The weather here is cool all year round; each season has its unique beauty, which makes this place always worth visiting.’

Spring

Sapa wakes up from long winter sleep from February to April or early May. At this time, Sapa is the most brilliant with the white color of pear and plum flowers and the pink color of cherry blossoms. The cool temperature will also make walking less strenuous and give you more energy to explore every corner, taste local specialties, or enjoy the beautiful scenery. So if this is your first time in Sapa, spring is highly recommended.

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tours from Hanoi to Ba Be - 7 Days

weather In Sapa

Rice season

From June to August, it is the rainy season in Sapa, with the heaviest rainfall. The terrain looks a bit muddy, but the rice fields appear in a wonderful green color that can give you amazing pictures.

The period from September to November is the perfect time to visit Sapa. The average temperature is around 17०C, which is pleasant and great for sightseeing. Coming to Sapa at this time, you will have the opportunity to enjoy hiking trails in perfect weather and admire the endless golden rice fields. The yellow color, in harmony with the clear blue sky, green mountains, and rustic stilt houses - all create a magnificent setting that is hard to find anywhere else.

terrace rice field in Sapa

Winter

Winter in Sapa usually lasts from late November until the end of February. Temperatures can drop as low as freezing, and you might even see snow. Admiring the roofs and hills covered in a blanket of white snow can be incredible, but hiking in this weather can also be challenging and requires you to bring lots of extra gear and warm clothes.

Going sightseeing in Sapa in the winter is a very exciting experience you should try once in your life. It seems that the cold of Sapa winter only makes people come close to each other, and we have no more distance, no more fear of holding hands or hugging people around. It will be even more attractive when you sip warm tea.

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to Northeast Vietnam - 8 days

Sapa Road Trip

How to get Sapa

By motorbike

Traveling to Sapa by motorbike is ideal for riders who want to challenge themselves and find new experiences. It offers not only low cost but also a great chance for you to conquer amazing winding roads, immerse yourself in the majestic nature, and get closer to the rural life of the locals. From Hanoi, you can come to Sapa via Lao Cai or Lai Chau:

Hanoi to Sapa via Lao Cai:

Motorbike Route #1: Hanoi - Vinh Phuc - Viet Tri - Phong Chau - Doan Hung - Yen Bai - Lao Cai - Sapa (Total distance: 360 km)

Hanoi - Vinh Phuc (After crossing Thang Long Bridge, you go to Tien Phong or Phu Cuong intersection and turn left)
From Vinh Phuc, you cross Viet Tri city and go straight to Doan Hung (Phu Tho)
Follow Highway 70, and you will arrive in Lao Cai city. After that, turn onto Highway 4D and keep riding until you reach Sapa town.

Option 2: Hanoi - Hoa Lac - Son Tay - Trung Ha Bridge - Phong Chau Bridge - Phong Chau - Doan Hung - Highway 70 - Lao Cai - Sapa (Total distance: 370 km)

off road Sapa

Hanoi to Sapa via Lai Chau:

Motorbike Route #2: Hanoi - Hoa Lac - Son Tay - Thanh Son - Highway 32 - Sapa (Total distance: 420 km)

Hanoi - Son Tay - Thanh Son: Going along Highway 32, you will meet Khau Pha Pass, with a length of over 30km. Then, continue to drive to Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Lien Son National Park.
From here, you will conquer the O Quy Ho Pass - one of the four most stunning passes in Northwest Vietnam. On the way from O Quy Ho Pass to Sapa, you can also visit Love Waterfall and Silver Waterfall if you have enough time.

By train

There is no direct train to Sapa from Hanoi. Instead, the train will drop you in Lao Cai, and then you rent a motorbike to go to Sapa. The 40 km road from Lao Cai station to Sapa is fantastic, with majestic mountain ranges and vast terraced fields on both sides. Just pick up the camera, and you will have incredible photos of the mountain scenery in Vietnam.

By sleeper bus

Daily sleeper buses depart Hanoi from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm. The one-way trip takes about 5-6 hours. Traveling by bus is both fast and saves time as it goes direct to Sapa without stopping in Lao Cai like the train. So, if you want to have plenty of time to explore Sapa town, sleeper buses are highly recommended.

Accommodations to stay

Considered one of the famous tourist spots in Vietnam, Sapa attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to explore the beautiful natural scenery and experience the unique culture of the local people. So, you can find pretty much in Sapa, from luxury hotels and eco-lodges to rustic hostels and homestays.

The accommodation area in Sapa can be divided into three zones: the lake area, Cau May - Muong Hoa, and the town center. Alternatively, a homestay outside the town is also a good choice.

Views in sapa

Cau May - Muong Hoa

This area offers the most beautiful and comfortable hotels in Sapa. Of course, the room rate will be more expensive, ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 VND per night. Choosing to stay in the Cau May - Muong Hoa area, you will easily walk to popular attractions such as Sapa Market, Stone Church, Ham Rong mountain resort, etc.

Lake area

This is the cheapest place for booking accommodation compared to similar quality rooms in other areas of town. Room rates range from 200,000 to 300,000 VND, depending on your needs. If you are on a budget, you can choose to stay here.

Town center

This area offers many hotel options, from affordable to expensive luxury hotels. You can also easily move to popular tourist destinations and visit art and entertainment venues.

Homestay

For travelers who prefer to explore Sapa by motorbike, spending a night in a local homestay is a perfect choice. It gives you a great opportunity to explore the daily life and cultural spaces of ethnic minorities. You can find affordable homestays in Ban Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, and even in the town center.

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What to eat in Sapa

Sapa is a great place to grow various vegetables thanks to its mild climate. Making a visit to local markets in Sapa, you can see a lot of delicious fresh vegetables like cabbage, chayote, and medicinal herbs that you may have never seen before. Apart from greens and herbs, there are many other amazing dishes to try when you are hungry.

Thang Co

The ethnic people's specialty is made of all kinds of ingredients from the horse, including blood, bones, meat, and even organs. This soup is quite popular with Vietnamese tourists, but its strange taste is only something for adventurous foodies.

Lon Cap Nach (carried-under-arm pig)

This is a traditional grilled pork dish of locals. Self-feeding on the steep slopes and struggling with the cold weather of Sapa throughout the year has faded this type of pork meat. An adult carried-under-arm pig weighs only 7-8 kg. Overnight is not impossible when enjoying the carried-under-arm pig meat with a cup of cat apple wine. Do not forget to taste this dish while visiting Sapa, or you will regret it someday!

Cuisine Sapa

Com Lam

It is made of glutinous rice stuffed into bamboo tubes and baked on fire. This gives the rice a wonderful aroma of burnt bamboo, creating a special flavor that cannot be recreated with any other cooking method.

Sapa food

Places to visit in Sapa

Ham Rong (in the center of Sapa town)
Silver Waterfall (about 12 km from Sapa Town's center)
Cau May (17 km from the center of Sapa town)
Cat Cat village (2 km from the town)
Ta Van village (8 km from Sapa Town's center)
Ta Phin (12 km from the center of town)
Ancient Rock Field (10 km from the center of town)
Fansipan - the roof of Indochina (about 9 km from the town)
Bac Ha Market (about 70 km from Lao Cai)
Ha Khau border gate (located in Lao Cai City).

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Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tours tailored by BM Travel Adventure

Check out scenic off-road Sapa motorbike tours designed by BM Travel Adventure, which are best for off-road riding. To adventure lovers, these are ecstatic motorbike routes to challenge and explore! Just choose the one that suits your plan most and head to Vietnam in no time!

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Lai Chau and Sin Ho - 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Binh Lu Junction → Lai Chau city → Phong Tho town → Chan Nua Junction → Sin Ho town→ Lai Chau city → Binh Lu Junction → Sapa town

Only From $298

Are you searching for a short motorbike ride to explore Sapa deeply? Join our awesome 2-day Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Lai Chau and Sin Ho; you will be rewarded with some of the greatest alpine landscapes in Southeast Asia. Riding on the stunning roads leading to Sin Ho, you will have the chance to admire the breathtaking natural scenery of rocky mountains and old forests and discover the unique customs of Vietnamese ethnic minorities. With lots of good experiences, our motorbike tour will never let you down!

Check out the detailed itinerary!

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Bac Ha and Can Cau Markets - 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Lao Cai → Bac Ha → Can Cau Market

Only From $298

Sapa, one of the greatest tourist attractions in the north of Vietnam, has the most ubiquitous Northwest markets and Bac Ha and Can Cau markets. During the motorbike trip, travelers will be immersed in the unique atmosphere of mountainous areas, experiencing cultural traditions such as savoring the typically indigenous dishes and exploring the bustling mountainous kermis views. The vibrant, colorful, and lively market atmosphere is bound to appeal and leave you with memorable experiences. Let’s join the Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Bac Ha and Can Cau Markets - 2 days to explore such distinguished characteristics of mountainous kermises.

Check out the detailed itinerary!

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to discover Bac Ha Market - 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Lao Cai → Bac Ha → Can Cau Market

Only From $298

Lao Cai, a mountainous province in Northwest Vietnam, is home to many famous sites such as Ham Rong, Fansipan, and Love waterfall. Besides these tourist spots, Bac Ha market is one of the must-visit places on the trip to Lao Cai. This market will give you a chance to experience a challenging ride and discover the indigenous cultures of the highlanders. A 2-day Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour to discover Bac Ha Market will be the best choice for you to explore every corner of Bac Ha market. Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the market days to gain the most enjoyable experiences right now!

Check out the detailed itinerary!