Sapa is located in the Northwest of Vietnam. The weather in Sapa is temperate climate and subtropical climate, as such, the whole year is pretty cool. Especially, every day, the weather in the town changes within 4 seasons: the morning in the spring, the afternoon is like the summer with sunny, foggy falls and creates a cool feeling like the autumn, and the evening is like the winter after sundown. Many travelers are very interested in Sapa because of its weather. Hence, traveling from Hanoi to Sapa has raised most of the travelers’ concern that how to get there safely. In this article, I will give you some recommendations about the means of transportation if you want to travel from Hanoi to Sapa.

1. Getting From Hanoi To Sapa By Shuttle Bus – The Cheapest Way

Using the shuttle bus is a popular way for most travelers because of its price. I will give you more detail about this means of transportation.

Some tips if you use the shuttle bus to travel from Hanoi to Sapa:

– Book the shuttle bus tickets as soon as possible to make sure that you can start on time and your team has enough tickets.

– Put the important documents in your handbagsWear comfortable clothes (sports shoes is highly recommended)

– The tickets didn’t include the meals, if you want to eat something, please require the car assistant and be paid by yourselves.

– Learning some Vietnamese sentences to make sure that you can communicate with other people if any problems come up.

2. Getting from Hanoi to Sapa by train – The safest way

Many travelers choose the train to get to Sapa from Hanoi because of its safe. The winding and slopes are dangerous for other means of transports.

Actually, Vietnam has no train directly from Hanoi to Sapa, you must divide into 2 routes: Hanoi to Lao Cai by train and Lao Cai to Sapa by taxi or bus.

Sơme tips if you use the train to travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai:

– To make sure your trip starts on time, you should book the tickets as soon as possible, because, in some circumstances, the trains are overloaded, you must wait for another train, even till the next day.

– For some people who want to eat something on the train, you can go to the last cabinet to require. However, to ensure your health and your family, especially children, you should prepare before getting on the train.

– If you want to buy some souvenirs, I highly recommend to buy the souvenirs in the big station and remember that you well-advised buy of prestigious brands.

– Put your important documents into the handbag to avoid losing and chaos

3. Getting from Hanoi to Sapa by private car

If this is the first time you travel by private car, you should notice closer at journey map to make sure that you go exactly, especially with foreign travelers, the language barrier will create some difficulties when traveling.

Some tips if you use the private car to travel from Hanoi to Sapa:

– You need to prepare and bring some vital documents such as identity card, passport and driver license. Because when you travel, this will prove your identity when some problems come up.

– Negotiate clearly with the car owner to make sure that you won’t be tricked, you should have a contract if you want to rent a car to guarantee your rights under the law.

– You should note that besides renting a car, you must have a deposit, this should be negotiated in the contract.

– Learning some Vietnamese sentences will make your trip become perfect because actually, your map is not always correct, you must ask the local people and require their help.

– Learning traffic laws in Vietnam is also important. Because the traffic laws in all countries are not the same, there was a difference and you must know it.

The advantages of the private car when traveling from Hanoi to Sapa”

– Traveling by private car, you will gain more experience than other means of transportations. You can control the time of journey by your own way, you can stop anywhere to take a picture, even enjoy the fresh atmosphere or make acquaintance with local, as such, you can broaden your knowledge, learn more about the new ethics in the world in general and Vietnam in particular.

– Besides, there are so many things that you cannot avoid when traveling such as a broken car, out of gasoline and so forth. You will learn how to deal with difficult issues, after that, you will gain more useful and interesting things being necessary for your life.

4. Getting from Hanoi to Sapa by private motorbike

The same with traveling by private car, you will gain more unforgettable memories in your life, you can learn a lot of things including the local cultures, you can make acquainted and exchange some things to create mutual understanding. Moreover, you can explore yourselves through adventurous roads and discover several new places that other means of transportation cannot.

How to choose a suitable vehicle from Hanoi to Sapa:

1. What is your budget?

Your budget will be an important point to make your decision, if you don’t have much money, traveling by the shuttle bus and the train should be considered. For instance, if you have a lot of money and the purpose of your trip is enjoyment you should travel by car, you will have more time to relax and comfortable.

2.  Who do you go with?

The partner will be a key point to help you make a decision. If your group has children or pregnant people, private vehicles are not recommended because it may create a bad effect on their health. If your team is interested in adventurous with winding, high slopes, and they want to explore their abilities, the private vehicles will be a good idea. Depend on your group size, you can choose the suitable one. If your group has 1-3 members, you should not choose private vehicles. It is too dangerous for all of you because of the lack of local area knowledge leading to you are very easy to be tricked. Besides, you can consider all of the opinions in your group to make sure that everyone can afford your trip.

3.  How much luggage do you bring along?

The luggage seems not relative with your choice, but in some cases, it will affect on your decision, if you have a long journey and you have a lot of luggage, the private vehicles should not be considered because it will take much space and create the bulky when you drive. You should consider traveling by train because of its storage. If you have less luggage, you can choose any vehicle you and your team interested in.