What’s there in Sa Pa in November and December?

Sa Pa in November and December – What’s there in ?

Entering November and December, the weather in the Northern provinces changes to winter and Sapa is no exception. Possessing a cool climate all year round, Sapa’s winter brings a new discovery experience for visitors. You can walk among the foggy white roads, explore the legendary Fansipan peak and, most wonderfully, enjoy the famous beef hotpot and warm apple cider. 

If you love the majestic mountain scenery and want to explore the cultural beauty of the highlands, traveling to Sapa in November and December is a great suggestion for you. 

What is the Weather Like in Sapa in November and December?

The weather in Sapa in November is still sunny during the day, enough to bring comfort to visitors. The temperature drops low in the evening but not to the point of freezing, just cool enough. If you love photography, this is the “golden” time for you to capture the image of Sapa’s mountains and forests covered with a layer of golden sunlight like honey flowing on the hillsides. The scenery is truly very vivid, rarely seen in this country somewhere else if not Sapa.

The weather in Sapa in December is much colder, because winter has already begun. If you’re lucky, you can experience the extremely romantic feeling of welcoming the first snow of the season. If November is the ideal time to see majestic nature, December is the “golden hour” for the festival season of many ethnic minorities. Wearing traditional brocade costumes and dancing next to a warm fire is not a bad idea!

What’s Beautiful in Sapa Nature in November and December?

The nature of Sapa in November will lack the terraced fields with golden rice fields that are a unique feature here. However, the terraced fields after harvest have their own beauty, in harmony with the cold weather and romantic scenery of Sapa at this time. It can only be said that Sapa in November is as beautiful as a multi-layered picture of colors: the dark brown of the rice fields between the green slopes, dotted with the yellow of a few late-ripening rice fields. 

The landscape of Sapa in December is not only beautiful but also unique, because it is also the only month of the year where snow can fall, starting the peach blossom season. There’s no need to go all the way to Korea or Japan; In Vietnam, there is also a romantic peach garden for you to freely check-in.

According to the experience of many tourists, do not miss the opportunity to catch the sunrise in Sapa to see the villages hidden in the morning mist, along with the clouds across the mountainside. When the first rays of sunlight begin to appear, the fog gradually dissipates, revealing a row of simple houses and fields spread across the mountainside. As dusk gradually falls and the sunlight gradually fades, the silk mist covers Sapa, making us think of it as a giant “blanket”. You will definitely not be able to help but admire the “fairyland-like” nature here. 

Where Should You Go When Traveling To Sapa In November and December?

1. Embrace the Northwest Flower Season from the Train to Climb Muong Hoa Mountain

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Northwestern nature in all four seasons is full of life with blooming flower fields. If the beginning of the year is the “golden” time to see plum blossoms, banyan flowers, and azalea flowers, then traveling to Sapa on your own in November or December, you can admire the most beautiful buckwheat flowers and mustard flowers. 

The journey on the Muong Thanh Mountain Climbing Train will take visitors through the most beautiful mountain road in Sapa, opening up a panorama of the so-called “soul of Northwest poetry”. The final destination is Sun World Fansipan Legend – the leading theme park and spiritual architectural complex in Vietnam. Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in this colorful artistic space.

2. Fansipan Peak or Ham Rong Mountain

If you want to experience conquering Fansipan peak or climbing Ham Rong mountain, you should do it in November. From the top of the mountain, visitors will see the panorama of Sapa suddenly hidden in the mist, reaching out to welcome them. Each cluster of clouds is momentum. Dubbed the “roof of Indochina”, Fansipan will not disappoint you with its majestic natural scenery and cool space. Don’t miss the “cloud hunting” experience when traveling to Sapa in November and December.

3. Picking Cat Apples In The Village

Cat apples are a Sapa specialty that are only available in the fall. November and December are ideal occasions to participate in picking cat apples with Sapa people. Visitors have the opportunity to see H’Mong ethnic girls diligently picking apples with sun-kissed cheeks. Cat apples can be eaten right after picking with a slightly sour taste, or can be used to soak in delicious wine. You will listen to mysterious stories of the mountains and forests and experience the authentic life of ethnic minorities. 

4. Cat Cat village

Late fall is the right time for you to visit Cat Cat village. The village is not far from Sapa town center, only about 3km, you can walk to enjoy the scenery along the way. Coming to Cat Cat, you can integrate into the life of the villagers, enjoy the fresh air, admire the poetic scenery and learn about traditional crafts here.

5. Sapa Stone Church 

Sapa stone church was built by the French and still retains its intact and unique shape. Up to now, the church is hundreds of years old but still retains its peaceful and nostalgic beauty. This place is also a source of inspiration for young people to take interesting check-in photos. This is definitely the most ideal Sapa tourist destination in November and December for you. 

6. Sapa Love Market 

When coming to Sapa, you cannot miss the unique Sapa love market activities that take place every Saturday. In the last days of autumn, when the weather is cold, it is also the time when young men and women in the village eagerly participate in love markets. You can learn the generous, gentle dance of the H’Mong girls, or enjoy the flute sounds of the boys. Also, don’t forget to buy souvenirs at the market to give to your friends to remember your trip.

7. Go to Sapa Market to Eat Grilled Food

In the cold weather of the evening in Sapa, sitting with grilled dishes on a flickering fire is an indispensable experience for visitors. Sapa has many grilled dishes that tourists love such as grilled bamboo rice, grilled pork, grilled chicken, grilled corn, grilled bird meat, grilled rice cake… with unforgettable rich flavors.

8. Sapa Heaven Gate 

If you are a travel enthusiast, you have certainly heard the name of O Quy Ho – or Sapa Heaven Gate. Sapa Heaven Gate is located on the top of Tram Ton pass, nestled in the middle of the majestic Hoang Lien Son range. The smoky gray gate suddenly appears and disappears as if flying through layers of fog, directing visitors’ eyes to the vast valley. This is the ideal “background” for a “virtual life with millions of likes” photo. Dress nicely and warmly to “work” right away. 

9. Love Waterfall

Possessing a height of up to 100 meters, the sound of water flowing from the top into the lake of Love Waterfall can make an unforgettable impression on any visitor. Legend has it that this is where the unrequited love of a fairy and a flute player took place. Because she was so infatuated with her lover’s talent, she accepted to become a bird and spend her whole life listening to him play the flute. The resounding sound of the waterfall also represents the poor fairy’s immortal love. Besides this somewhat “steamy” story, Love Waterfall is also a sightseeing spot worth considering, thanks to the majestic green carpet of the plateau surrounding the waterfall. 

10. Explore Sapa Silver Waterfall

The weather in Sapa enters the winter months and turns cold, fog begins to cover the rolling mountains. At this time, Silver Waterfall looks like a fairy stream pouring straight down from the sky. About 15 km from the town center, Sapa Silver Waterfall is one of the famous “tourist magnets” in the locality, thanks to its impressive height of 200 meters surrounded by magnificent scenery of pine hills and terraced fields. Silver Falls is also the place with the heaviest snowfall in Sapa, with a record of 15cm of snow in 2013. Come here to have the opportunity to experience “white winter” in Vietnam. 

11. Dao Do Herbal Bath Experience

After a series of active days exploring Sapa, your body deserves to be taken care of with a real “this and that” treatment. Soaking in rare herbs is a medicine passed down for hundreds of years by the Dao Do people, helping to circulate blood, reduce musculoskeletal pain, relieve stress, sedate, and fight inflammation… and is especially useful for postpartum women, the elderly, people who are often sick and tired.

12. Go to Glass Dragon Cloud Bridge in Sapa

Traveling to Sapa in November and December, you have the opportunity to see blooming flower gardens or terraced fields hidden in the mist. The most ideal “virtual living coordinates” during this period is Sapa Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge. A construction on the top of O Quy Ho pass at an altitude of 2,200m above sea level. This is one of the highest glass-bottomed bridges in Vietnam, giving you a comprehensive view of the endless mountains and forests. And the multi-dimensional beauty of your beloved Sapa. Do not miss it.

It is never too early or too late to travel to Sapa. The mountain town is famous for its majestic natural scenery, mild climate and diverse local culture.

If you are still wondering where to go, Sapa will definitely be an ideal destination. With the unique beauty of the late autumn and early winter days of Sapa, it will be an unforgettable memory in the heart of visitors. With Sapa travel experiences in November and December from Compass Tourist, you can definitely make the best plan, whether traveling to Sapa on your own with friends, family or alone.