| Criterion | Sapa | Ha Giang |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Terraced rice fields, Muong Hoa valley, Fansipan | Passes, gorges, karst plateau, Lung Cu flag tower |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (treks, bus, train) | Harder: winding road, motorbike or "easy rider" driver |
| Suggested length | 2 to 3 days | 4 days (3 is rushed, 5 is safer) plus travel |
| Best season | Sept to Oct (ripe rice) | Sept to Nov (buckwheat Oct to Nov) |
| Budget | Wide range, dorm to hotel | Guided loop about 45 to 80 USD a day per one source; homestay 150,000 to 300,000 VND with meals |
| Crowds | More touristy | Rawer, but busier every year |
Who should pick what
- Sapa: families, hikers, short stays, non-drivers. See the Sapa travel guide and Hanoi to Sapa by bus or train.
- Ha Giang: travellers confident on mountain roads or happy to ride pillion. See the Ha Giang loop from Hanoi.
- Few days: Sapa. A full week: both are possible.
Booking
For Sapa, a two-day tour with a homestay night simplifies everything: see the 2-day Sapa trek with homestay. Prices change with the season: check them on the page.
The Hanoi Authority editorial team
