The town has the temperate climate zone with the coldest months from January to February; the excellent summer weather from March to May; the rains from June to August. The town has the most pleasant temperature from September to mid-December.

One of the most interesting spots is downtown Sapa. It is the place where you will see ethnic people adorn in colorful hill tribe costumes walking the streets. The H’ Mong and the Dzao are the largest ethnic groups of this region. Normally, tourists will see troops of hill tribe villagers during the Saturday market where they will come to sell their handicrafts.

Most of the attractions outside the city relate to nature such as trekking and making an excursion. Every trekker’s destination seems to be the 3,143-meter Fansipan peak that is only 9 km from Sapa but can only be accessible by foot. The trip to this pristine natural site takes at least three to five days. The best time to visit is from mid-October to mid-December and in March.

North of the city, just only 8 km away from the city, is the Silver Waterfall or Thac Bac. It is one of the highest waterfalls in the country standing at 100 meters tall. A little bit further on the same road of Sapa-Lai Chau is Tram Ton Pass at the height of 1,900 meter, the highest mountain pass of the country. It is the natural dividing line of the dramatic contrast of the coldest weather in Sapa and the warmest in Lai Chau.