The tourist capital of the rural north, Sa Pa is set amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Vietnam. Sa Pa has been occupied as a market town for thousands of years, made evident by the petroglyphs found in the area. However, it wasn't until the French began settling the area in the early 1900’s that it began to show up on the maps. Most of Sa Pa was leveled between the 1940’s and 50’s as hostilities grew in the Tonkin and it took a couple of decades before people returned. Now a full-fledged tourist city, Sa Pa is finally seeing the prosperity it deserves.
Sa Pa is located just a short 5 kms (3.1 mi) away from the peak of Fansipan, the highest peak in all of Indochina. What once took 3-4 days to ascend now takes a mere 20 minutes, via the new cable tram system to the peak of Fansipan. The weather in Sa Pa is unique to Vietnam as it can be quite a lot cooler at night and in the winter than most are expecting. The altitude and surrounding mountains generate cold fog and rains, and you can even get snow in the winter time so you’ll want to bring warmer clothes on your trip to Sa Pa. There are a myriad of cycling trips out of Sa Pa that will take you high into the mountains, or through the winding valleys and out into the picturesque rice paddy terraces.
This rugged terrain gives you endless kilometers of trails to explore on your mountain bike that are suitable for every level of rider, so be prepared for a more rugged ride when in Sa Pa. The entire northern portion of Vietnam is said to contain the best cycling in the country; look at booking a tour that takes you through the main regions to maximize your experience in Vietnam. The best time to go to Sa Pa is in the spring and the fall.