Looking for the best things to do in Sapa with teens? We can help!
We spent three nights in Sapa as part of our 2-week Vietnam itinerary, travelling direct from Hanoi, after a cruise in Lan Ha Bay. After really enjoying our time there, we’ve put together a guide so you can plan your own trip. Below are the top things to do in Sapa with teens, plus tips on where to stay, where to eat and how to get to Sapa without stress.
If you don’t have three days to spare, you could consider a 2-day tour from Hanoi, which still covers the highlights.
Sapa is a mountain town in northern Vietnam, famous for its terraced rice fields, trekking routes, and ethnic minority villages. It’s perfect for nature lovers, outdoor families, and anyone who enjoys breathtaking scenery and memorable adventures. It’s become one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist spots, right up there with Halong Bay.
To be honest, we almost skipped Sapa because of the long journey up the mountain, but it was easier than expected, so we’re really glad we didn’t. Although, Sapa is known as a backpacker hub, it’s surprising family-friendly especially for older kids.
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Things to know before visiting Sapa
Before we get into the best things to do in Sapa, here’s some essential information to help plan your trip.
How to get to Sapa
Sapa is in northwest Vietnam, near the Chinese border. It’s about 320 km from Hanoi, and you have several options to get there.
By private minibus or VIP van
The easiest and quickest option for families is with a luxury minibus. This is the option we chose.
The journey takes about 6 hours door-to-door. It’s comfortable and direct and ideal if you’re worried about motion sickness on the mountain roads. One of our kids get travel sick but was totally fine on this route.
By overnight bus
The overnight sleeper bus is a budget-friendly and time-efficient way to travel. The bus usually leaves Hanoi about 10 pm and arrives in Sapa at 4am. You save a night of accommodation, but arriving early can be tiring and the bus won’t drop you at your hotel. It is also unlikely that you’ll be able to check in that early.
By train (+ taxi)
You can take the sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then take a taxi or shuttle bus for another 1-1.5 hours to get to Sapa. It’s the longest option, but good if you enjoy train travel and want a classic Vietnam overnight experience.
Getting around Sapa
Once you are in Sapa, you can get to most places by foot. For anything further out, it’s easy to book a Grab taxi.
Where to stay in Sapa
Because Sapa is such a popular tourist destination, you’ll find plenty of accommodation across all budgets. You can either stay in Sapa town, where you’ll be close to restaurants, shops, and the Fansipan cable car, or choose a homestay in one of the nearby villages for peaceful views and more of a cultural experience.
We stayed in a family room at Sapa Highland Resort & Spa, within walking distance of town and the Fanispan station. We chose it for the pool, thinking it would be useful if it rained (as August is the rainy season). However, we ended up with sunshine, apart from at the mountain summit.
Here are some of the most popular accommodation in Sapa:
If you’re looking for luxury hotels in Sapa, you should look at the Laxsik Ecolodge, a beautiful resort with exceptional facilities or the Sapa Pine Hill Eco Lodge, which is near the lake. For a mid-range option, try the Eden Boutique Hotel or the Sapa Highlands, where we stayed.
For families looking for a budget option, Mintu Home is a gorgeous property overlooking the valley. Alternatively, you could stay at one of the homestays.
Another option is to split your stay, spending a night in town for convenience, then moving to a homestay for the scenery and cultural experience.
Best things to do in Sapa with teens
Explore Sapa town
Sapa town was bigger and busier than we expected. It’s very touristy and not the rustic mountain village we’d imagined. However, it provides a good base for exploring the local countryside and is still a fun place to visit with teens.
The high street is lined with brightly lit restaurants, cafés, and shops and has a good ambiance. It reminded me of a mini Vegas. At the southern end of the town is a picturesque lake, surrounded by gardens.
One of our favourite stops was Le Petit Gecko, a French-style café. Just sit away from the front if you don’t want constant souvenir sellers approaching you! You’ll see lots of Hmong people peddling their crafts, including some very young children.
Try Swing Sapa
One of the most fun activities in Sapa for kids is a visit to Swing Sapa. We went at the children’s request, as they’d seen it on social media. It’s one of the top Instagram spot in Sapa, thanks to the huge number of photo opportunities.
Sapa Swing is at the top of the town, with views across the valley. There are lots of creative photo props, including a giant hand, a cloud swing, and a “stairway to heaven,” all positioned for dramatic mountain shots.
Alongside the photo areas, there’s the Rainbow Slide, a fast, colourful ride where you zip down the track in an inflatable rubber ring. It’s not just for kids. We all had several goes and it turned out to be great family fun.
Swing Sapa offers different ticket options, depending on whether you just want access to the photo zone, or a combined ticket with multiple activities. For younger kids, there’s also a ticket option which includes electric go-karts.
It’s a much cheaper alternative to Bana Hills in Da Nang. It’s smaller and more low-key, but still fun and perfect if you want an affordable, teen-approved activity with panoramic views.
Take the cable car to Fansipan
One of the must-visit attractions in Sapa is the Fansipan cable car. It’s one of the most expensive activities in Vietnam, but after travelling this far, we felt it would be silly to miss it out of our itinerary.
The ride itself takes about 20 minutes and is a real wow moment, even if it is a bit daunting in places. At 3147 metres above sea level, Fansipan is the highest point in Indochina and is known as the roof of Indochina. As you can imagine, the views as you go up above the valleys, rice terraces and clouds are magnificent.
The Fansipan cable car is open from 8am to 5pm and leaves from the main station in town. This is a stunning art deco building and worth a visit in itself.
At the top, you can take a funicular train even closer to the summit. We bought tickets, but the queues were huge, so we walked instead. It was tough, but worth it for the views. Along the way, you’ll pass several beautiful temples, pagodas, and statues before you reach the summit. The weather was cold and drizzly when we went, so these made a good refuge.
Once you get to the summit, you can get the ultimate photo from the top of the world! But that’s only if the weather is good!
You should be prepared for unpredictable weather and no views at all! We left the base station in warm sunshine, only to reach the top in drizzle, fog, and almost zero visibility. Visibility at the top can change quickly and you might not get the views you’d hope for. It was good atmosphere there and there are large flags you can borrow for your photo.
Even though it is pricey, the Fansipan experience in unique and one of the top things to do in Sapa with teens.
Go hiking through the rice terraces
Its position in the mountains makes Sapa a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. It’s a dream destination for outdoor-loving families, thanks to the unique landscape and endless mountain trails. Our teens loved hiking here and said it was one of the best experiences of the whole trip.
We started from Cat Cat Village, and followed a trail through the Muong Hoa Valley, passing waterfalls, terraced rice fields, and tiny villages. We stopped for lunch, drinks and ice-creams with incredible views and met local farmers, housewives and even a few water buffalo along the way.
Hiking in Sapa can be challenging in places, especially in the heat, but the scenery is spectacular. It is definitely one of the top things to do in Sapa with teens, so is really worth including your Vietnam itinerary.
If you’d rather not walk on your own, you can easily book a guided trek with a local guide. Or book a homestay that includes trekking with a local guide.
Stay in a local homestay
If you want a more immersive experience in Sapa, consider staying the night in a village homestay. You’ll get home-cooked meals, mountain views, and the chance to chat with a local family.
Visit Cat Cat village
Cat Cat Village is one of the most visited spots in Sapa and gives you an insight the culture of the Black Hmong people. It’s located about 2km from Sapa town centre, so we took a Grab taxi to get there. You could take an organised tour with a minibus, tour guide, and hike to a the waterfall, but it’s easy to navigate by yourself.
Inside the village, you can see traditional houses, weaving demonstrations, and dance performances. You can watch the Hmong children at school and visit the shops selling local crafts.
Cat Cat is undeniably touristy, rather than a “real” working village. The experiences are very staged, but you do get to see the local people in their colourful costumes. You can even rent an outfit for a photo shoot in the village, which was popular with Vietnamese visitors.
We didn’t love it as it didn’t feel that authentic, but it’s still worth a visit, especially if you combine it with a longer hike through the valley.
Have a massage
After a day of hiking, nothing beats a massage. Sapa has plenty of affordable massage parlours and most are very family-friendly for older kids. One of our teens was very keen, as he’d been sick on the day we had one in Thailand. As there are so many to choose from, you really don’t need to book in advance. Also, don’t take their first price, be prepared to shake your head and start to walk away, we found we were offered much better rates almost instantly.
Our 3-day Sapa itinerary
Here’s how we planned our time in Sapa. In the evenings, we wandered into town for food. We felt that 3 days was the ideal time to see the sights at a relaxed pace.
Day 1
- Transfer from Hanoi to Sapa
- Go to Swing Sapa
- Explore Sapa Town
- Swim at hotel pool
Day 2
- Cat Cat Village
- Hiking through Muong Valley
Day 3
- Cable car to Fansipan
- Massage
Day 4
- Transfer to Hanoi Airport (for flight to Danang)
Is Sapa worth visiting?
Don’t be put off by the length of journey to Sapa. With its amazing scenery, and mix of adventure and culture, Sapa is one of the most rewarding family trips you can do in Vietnam. Whether you’re hiking the rice terraces, exploring Cat Cat Village, or riding the Fansipan cable car, Sapa will provide an unforgettable experience.
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