Located in the high mountainous northern Vietnam, Sapa is famous not only for its stunning landscape, but it also is home to many ethnic minorities such as Hmong people, Dzao people,... with rich cultures. Sapa has a lot of interesting things to offer tourists. So when is the best time to visit Sapa Vietnam? Thanks to a prime location and ideal height above sea level, Sapa weather is quite nice nearly all year round with an average temperature of 15oC.
- Spring’s weather is cold and wet. This is a great time for flowers admiring, and experiencing the tribal festivals.
- Summer, Sapa is recommended as an amazing destination for a high-temperature escape vacation. There is lots of rain in summer, especially in August.
- Fall in Sapa is cool and dry. The golden rice terraces at late September are so worthwhile for visiting.
- Winter climate is characterized by cloudy, foggy and cold weather. It is time for trekking and admiring the snow that just comes sometimes.
I - Is Spring the best time to visit Sapa?
Cherry blossom in spring in Sapa - Source: Nhatlongtravel
Spring in Sapa lasts from February to April. The weather in Sapa at this time is characterized by a cold and wet climate. The air temperature fluctuates from 10oC to 17oC. And the rainfall is about 110mm.
Spring is the best time to go to Sapa. The natural scenery is brilliant and full of colors with the pink color of the peach and the pure white of the plum. The white-pink patches stretching through the undulating hills turn Sapa into a giant silk fabric that attracts a lot of visitors and photographers.
At the same time, spring is also a good time to visit Sapa when you have the chance to experience spring festivals and cultural activities of ethnic minorities, including the Love market fair. The 8th day of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam (celebrated around late January to early February) is a down-to-rice-field festival of the Tay and Dao people. Interesting activities are held on this special occasion including the land procession, the water procession, and the field plowing ceremony. You can participate in the exciting atmosphere of traditional folk games such as throwing balls, pushing sticks, tug of war, and spinning,...
II - The best time to visit Sapa in Summer
Summer in Sapa - Source: D Tan
From May to August is the summer in Sapa. Summer climate is characterized by high air temperature and rainfall. The temperature is from 20oC to 25oC (day time), and it can drop to 13oC at night. The highest rainfall is in August with an amount of nearly 700mm.
Compared to the coastal and plain areas, summer in Sapa is much more comfortable and pleasant, making summer the best time of year to visit Sapa Vietnam. This mountainous town is an ideal place to visit and enjoy the fresh and cool air. You can spend your summer holiday at the hillside resorts and visit the local Sapa people such as the Hmong people, and Dzao people,...
The water-pouring season in Sapa usually lasts from May to June, when people have completed the stages of storing water and pouring water into the terraced fields to prepare for the new rice season.
Admiring the spectacular green rice terraces in late July and August; and visiting the famous tourist attractions in Sapa such as Silver waterfall, Fansipan peak, Ta Van village, Ta Phin village, Lao Chai village, and Bac Ha market are top things to do in Sapa in Summer.
III - The best time to visit Sapa in Autumn
The period from September to early November is the Autumn season in Sapa. This is the best time for sightseeing and trekking in Sapa. The favorable weather with a cool and dry climate is nearly unchangeable during the autumn. From the end of September to early October, Sapa attracts lots of visitors coming for sightseeing. The sparkling golden rice fields stretching through the hills and valleys are the best things to see.
Autumn is the best time to visit Sapa rice fields - Source: Viettravel
You can capture the most stunning scenery of Sapa in the yellow shade when visiting Lao Chai village, Ta Phin village, and Ta Van village. A bit farther to Sapa, but a larger rice field for check-in and taking photos is Y Ty village.
The occasion of the new rice festival is also the best time to travel to Sapa Vietnam. After the rice harvesting season, the locals celebrate the new rice festival. This is one of the oldest and most unique cultural activities of ethnic minorities in Sapa and in the northern mountainous region. This is an opportunity for you to enjoy the diverse and unique cuisine, and discover more about the regional culture of Vietnam.
IV - Is Winter the best time to visit Sapa?
Sapa in Winter - Source: Bestprice
The winter in Sapa lasts from late November to January. Cold, dry & cloudy in the first-half period; freezing cold, icy, foggy, and humid in the second half period are the main characteristics of the weather in Sapa in winter. The average temperature is about 10oC. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 7oC, frost and dense fog are things to concern when traveling to Sapa this time. Sometimes it snows when the temperature drops below 0oC. Winter is the best time to visit Sapa snow on Fansipan.
Winter is time for sightseeing and cloud & snow hunting in Sapa, Vietnam. Conquering the Fansipan peak by cable car is highly recommended for you to immerse yourself in the cloudy sea. The Bac Ha market is one of the most famous markets in Sapa. You should not miss out on visiting this market and experiencing the unique culture and lifestyle of the tribes. Enjoying a portion of Thang Co (stewed horse meat & offal) - the typical Sapa food, or a salmon hotpot in the cold weather is a must-do thing.
It can be said that the best time to visit Sapa Vietnam is when you set foot here. Sapa is charming and beautiful all year round. Hopefully, you have a nice trip and great memories when traveling to Sapa.
— Duy Linh
