5 Best Things To Do In Sa Pa Vietnam (Relaxing Activities)

Did you know that you can reach the summit of Mount Fansipan without hiking it? You can do that by taking the Fansipan cable car, the “longest” uninterrupted 3-rope cable car in the world. It will take you to the top of the tallest mountain in the entire Indochina peninsula in just 15 minutes. You don’t have to spend three to four days hiking to enjoy the incredible scenery. You can sit back and relax in the cable car and admire the view!

What’s interesting is that when you hop on the Fansipan cable car, you experience two world records at the same time. Not only will you ride on the longest cable car, but you will also ride on the one with the highest altitude difference in the world.

You’ll soar 1410 meters higher than the first station in fifteen minutes. I had an exhilarating experience when I tried it. My ears hurt a little due to the sudden change in altitude, though. But it didn’t matter. The scenic view from the cable car kept me fascinated throughout the ride.

If you want to try the Fansipan cable car, you should book in advance for cable car trips. That way, you won’t have to wait in line at the cashier. The journey to the summit of Mount Fansipan begins at a funicular railway station at the center of Sapa town, near the Accor hotel building.

Once you arrive, you can find trams that will bring you uphill to another station adjacent to Sunworld Cable Car station. That’s where your actual cable car experience starts.

When I arrived at Sunworld Cable Car station, I was surprised because it looked more like a park than a cable car station. There were beautiful flowers and shops all around. In front of the main entrance of the cable car station, there was a temple with an enormous landmark of Sunworld Fansipan Legend. Behind it, there were picturesque mountains in the backdrop.

One of the best things that you will see when you ride on the Fansipan cable car is the beautiful rice terraces of Sapa. From above, you can clearly see the shapes of each step of the terraced rice fields. I suggest that you visit Sapa and ride in a cable car during the pre-harvest season. That way, you may see the rice terraces glowing in gold color. They look like stairs covered with golden carpets for colossal beings in my imagination.

Another exciting experience awaits you in the cable car if the weather is good. As you move further and further upwards, you get closer and closer to the clouds. It will feel like you’re going to touch the sky!

What can be wondrous in Sapa is the possibility that you enter a whole new world after entering the clouds. What do I mean by that? Some clouds just stay at an altitude lower than the summit of the mountains, typically 1,500 to 2,500 meters above sea level.

Above the clouds, if the atmosphere is clear, you might see a spectacular sea of clouds with mountains resembling islands in the ocean. The sea of clouds is the phenomenon that serves as a significant reason why you should go to Fansipan. If you witness it, I think you’ll be awe-inspired for the rest of your days in Vietnam.

The temperature drops significantly when you arrive at the Fansipan cable car station. During my visit, there was a 10 degree Celsius difference between the Sunworld and Fansipan cable car stations. I was kept updated with the temperature readings thanks to Instagram stories.

I was not prepared with warm clothes when I visited Fansipan. I only had two layers of clothing, a shirt and a sweater. Clearly, that was perfect for the 5 degrees Celsius at the mountain’s summit (Sarcasm. LOL!) I was shivering a few minutes after I arrived. So yeah, I recommend bringing your own warm clothing. Otherwise, you might have to buy jackets with prices that are as high as Mount Fansipan! I regret not doing that, though.

There is more fun to enjoy after you arrive at Fansipan station, though. You have the option to ride on another tram to avoid climbing 600 steps to the summit. Or you can choose the stairs and see grand structures, temples, and statues along the way.

I took the stairs after I reached the summit. I was really impressed by the structures around the summit of Mount Fansipan. They were both artistic and gigantic! I wondered how they built every massive structure on the top of the mountain.

At the summit of Mount Fansipan, you can find a coffee shop called Cafe Du Soleil. It is a cozy place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the clouds and mountains. It was my refuge from the chilling weather at the peak of the mountain.

The coffee shop has a well-themed establishment with walls decorated with colorful fabric weaved in a Vietnamese way. The tables are also decorated with mats printed with some kind of ethnic pattern. They made me feel that I was really in Vietnam sipping a coffee, not just in any ordinary coffee shop.

The seats are comfortable, and the view from the window is marvelous. The coffee is a little bit expensive, though. A small cup costs between 3 to 6 USD. The latte I bought for 130,000 VND was nice, but I did not find the taste I was looking for. I would have bought another drink if I were not traveling on a budget.

The shop offers other beverages like fresh fruit juice, smoothies, whiskey, cocktails, and non-alcoholic miracle juices. If I were traveling slowly in Vietnam and the weather was fine in Fansipan, I would stay in Cafe Di Soleil for much longer. How long? Maybe from after lunch until the last cable car trip back to the Sunworld station in Sapa. I love to stare at the mountains and watch the sea of clouds spectacle for hours in a day.

Before I arrived in Sapa, all I knew was that beautiful mountain views and magnificent rice terraces awaited me. I also knew I could quickly visit Mount Fansipan’s summit through the Sapa Cable Car, but I never knew Sapa had a lake.

I love lakes. They are places I always look for whenever I travel. Lakes are lovely, and they seem to give me peace of mind and many other benefits. That’s why, when I discovered from Google Maps that there was a lake in Sapa, I immediately got the directions and followed them.

If you are traveling to escape emotional tension, anxiety, or stress in your life, I recommend Sapa Lake. I have experienced those too. And I promise that seeing calm water helps relieve the pain inside.

When I arrived at the lake from the town center, the first thing I saw was the lovely park view. The lake reflected the colorful houses and buildings that were behind the park’s garden. Flowers were everywhere. They seemed to invite me to explore the area further.

As I walked around, I saw locals hanging around the park and roaming along the lakeshore. I saw families bonding together, kids playing badminton, teens arranging events in the park, and guys fishing in the lake. It might seem usual, but it gave me a moment to think about how beautiful a simple life can be.

There are seats around the park beside Sapa Lake, where you can sit and rest your legs. I spent some “me” time there with my Vietnamese coffee frappe. It was also the same spot where I waited for the sunset to catch the golden hour – the best time to take photos.

Sapa Lake will satisfy your artistic self if you are a photography enthusiast. The lake is really calm, perfect for creating mesmerizing water-reflection shots. The lakeshore railings also create good leading lines, an element that enhances your photos.

Here are some of the pictures I captured from Sapa Lake:

Do you need a body massage to ease your pain in your feet, back, or legs? Then you should try Do Quyen Spa. You get a full-body treatment from head to toe for just a few dollars. You will also get a cup of soothing tea after your massage. It will make you feel pampered and refreshed. It offers more than just body massage. You can also enjoy a sauna, a Red Dao Footbath, a Red Dao Herbal Bath, a Hot Stone Body Massage, or a Vietnamese Body Massage.