Sapa is obviously one of the best tourist attractions in Vietnam. Mother Nature has given this land breathtaking landscapes, a hospitable climate to raising of countless flowers and fruits. Moreover, here you will see the unique culture of various ethnic groups. If you choose the right homestay in Sapa to stay and the best dishes to taste, your trip will be completely perfect. The following list may not be all the best options, but it will surely give you a hand. Let’s check it out!
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Highly-recommended Homestays in Sapa
Eco Palms House
The first homestay we would love to recommend is Eco Palms House. One of the reasons why it is on the top best homestays in Sapa is the incredible view of the Muong Hoa Valley and the Hoang Lien Son Range. The layout is quite simple, neat, and clean. Eco Palms House is located in Lao Chai Village, near to Ham Rong Mountain and Sapa stone church. Therefore, it is a suitable place for you to prepare before conquering the Fansipan peak.
Phori’s House
Another famous homestay in Sapa is Phori’s House in Ta Van Village. The surrounding landscapes are stunning with a tranquil stream right in front of the house. The decoration is impressive with brocade designs. There is a kitchen with a full facility so you can go to the nearby market, buy something, and cook in your own style.
Sali House
Right when you see Sali House, you will be amazed by its unusual beauty. Situated in Ta Van village, this homestay is now about one hundred years old. The ancient yet cozy features of it are so charming that we can’t help feeling excited. The surrounding lush forest brings the house a serene atmosphere. The decorations and items in this homestay make us feel like we are living in a house of ethnic minorities.
Other fantastic homestays in Sapa for you to choose are Viettrekking Homestay at the end of Hoang Lien Road, Gem Valley in Cat Cat Village, or Nam Cang Riverside Lodge in Nam Cang village. With extraordinary views and full convenience, they are all worth staying.
Top 5 Best Dishes to Try in Sapa
7-color Sticky Rice
7-color sticky rice is a luscious traditional dish of the Nung people in Sapa. Seven colors are pink, scarlet, crimson, blue, purple, green, and yellow. All of these colors are created from a variety of leaves in the forest. Local people believe that eating this sticky rice on holidays can bring good luck. It is advisable to enjoy the dish with black sesame salt or grilled meat.
Lam Rice
Lam rice is rice cooked in bamboo tubes. This is a typical dish of many ethnic minorities in the Northwest of Vietnam. The main ingredient here is glutinous rice. Rice and pure spring water are cooked in a bamboo tube, making a unique fragrance. Lam rice has great importance in the moral life of people in Sapa, so give it a try. Also, if you join Sapa motorbike tours, you can bring some tubes of Lam Rice to eat on the way.
Sapa Pork
It will be a pity if you don’t try Sapa pork on this trip since this is a specialty of this land. We call it Cap Nach Pigs, which means the pigs carried underarms. These black pigs are so small that local people often bring them under their arms to markets to sell. The pork is incredibly delicious as the pigs wander and eat plants at the mountain foot. While you travel to Sapa, you will see many dishes made with this pork. If you are confident with your cooking skills, you can buy some Sapa pork to cook at home. Sitting in a homestay in Sapa with your friends and tasting some hot food sounds like an excellent idea, do you agree?
Black Chicken
Black chicken is a particular type of chicken with black flesh. On average, a black chicken weighs just 1.5 kilograms. Eating black chicken is believed to help with cardiovascular problems. Roasted black chicken served with salt, pepper, lemon, and mint leaves will bring you an unforgettable flavor. Incredibly sweet and tender – that’s what they say about this chicken.
Khau Nhuc
Referring to specialties in Sapa, we can’t ignore Khau Nhuc. It is actually braised pork in Sapa cooking style. This dish requires dexterity and patience as the cooking process is quite complicated. To make a standard Khau Nhuc, you must cook it for half a day, until you can feel the meat melting in your mouth. The dish is of Chinese origin and now appears in most of the northern mountains. The ingredients include bacon, basil, five-spice powder, garlic, chili, vinegar, wine, pepper, etc. Having a bowl of Khau Nhuc with hot rice is one of the best experiences to try in Sapa.
Sapa has perfect conditions to grow a diversity of fruit. Coming here, you should try peach and pear. Their taste is not just good, but really special. Sapa pear has another name in Vietnam, which is Mac Coop. Thang Co is a renowned food in Sapa, but it is not for everyone. Many people get addicted to this dish, but some can’t bear even one spoon of it. In the cold days, barbecue and grilled fish are perfect choices. There is also much other food that you should try in Sapa, but if you don’t have much time, at least try the dishes above.
Sapa is a pride of people in Northern Vietnam. Traveling to this area, you will admire majestic sceneries of mountains, forests, and waterfalls. But if you don’t know where to stay and what to enjoy, your trip won’t be perfect. The list of the best dishes and homestays in Sapa above is our little help, so consider it and have a great journey!
