In September, terraced fields in Sa Pa and Y Ty begin to turn from green to yellow. Clouds and mist often appear in the early morning, surrounding the mountainsides and villages.
Tourists should take night buses from Hanoi to save time, spend one night in Sa Pa and one night in Y Ty.
Day 1: Sa Pa - Fansipan - O Quy Ho Pass
After arriving in Sa Pa ward in the early morning, tourists pack their luggage, have breakfast and then start their journey to Fansipan. The cable car helps shorten travel time, suitable for people without mountain climbing experience.
The weather on the summit changes rapidly. Sometimes clouds cover the path, but after just a few minutes, the wind can open up a clear sky, revealing the overlapping mountain ranges below. Visitors should wear windbreakers, glued-soled shoes and thin raincoats.
In the afternoon, you can go to the O Quy Ho pass area to watch the sunset. When stopping to take photos, you need to choose a wide location, do not park at curves or close to the roadside.
In the evening, tourists return to the center of Sa Pa, enjoy salmon, sturgeon, grilled food or local dishes and then stay overnight.
Day 2: Sa Pa - Muong Hum - Y Ty
After breakfast, tourists depart for Y Ty commune in the direction of Muong Hum. This is the longest journey, passing through many mountain roads, terraced fields and villages.
Along the way, tourists can stop to see the rice in safe locations, but they should go to Y Ty before late afternoon. After booking a homestay room, the journey continues to the S-shaped road or high spots to watch the sunset.
In the evening, tourists dine at homestays, experience cuisine and learn about the life of the Ha Nhi people. Accommodation services in Y Ty are not as diverse as in Sa Pa, so it is necessary to book rooms early, especially on weekends and the ripe rice season.
Day 3: Welcoming dawn in Choan Then
Visitors should wake up before dawn, check the weather and then go to Choan Then to hunt clouds. Located at an altitude of more than 2,000 m, the village has a history of more than 300 years, highlighted by rammed earth houses, terraced fields and Ha Nhi cultural space.
According to the Lao Cai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choan Then converges pristine landscapes, unique local culture and community tourism development potential.
When the fog dissipates, visitors can walk around the village, then admire the scenery in the Ngai Thau area if the weather and roads are favorable. At the end of the morning, leave Y Ty, return to the center of Lao Cai to get on the bus to return to Hanoi.
Expected budget
Costs calculated for one person when two people share a room and motorbike:
Bus round-trip: 500,000-900,000 VND.
One night at Sapa hotel and one night at Y Ty homestay: 500,000-750,000 VND.
Rent motorbike, fuel and parking: 400,000-600,000 VND.
Fansipan cable car tickets and connecting vehicles: 800,000-1.05 million VND.
Eating and drinking in 3 days: 700,000-900,000 VND.
Recovery costs: 200,000-300,000 VND.
The total budget is about 3.1-4.5 million VND per person. If you don't go to Fansipan, the cost can be reduced to 2.3-3.5 million VND. The actual price varies depending on the type of vehicle, room and service booking time.
