No backpacking trip to Vietnam is complete without a stay in Sapa, the mountain town located in the north of the country. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to lay your head before trekking, or hoping to spend some time exploring Sapa and enjoying the unique vibe of the town, here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best hostels in Sapa.
Fulfill your childhood dream of staying in a den – or something like it – with Miku Chill House. The wooden huts are hidden away in the mountains, which means you’ll wake up to the incredible views, best experienced at sunrise from one of the hammocks. The hostel is owned by a local family, so there are children and adorable dogs running around, giving it a homely vibe. It’s slightly out of town, but worth it for the experience.
A homestay is a great option for somewhere like Sapa, where you want to meet and mingle with the locals. AnhDuc is a backpacker favourite, thanks to its stunning gardens and bungalows. The food here is delicious and cheap – the spring rolls are a particular highlight – and the staff will even eat with you, sharing their stories all the while.
Joy House Sapa is actually 10km away from Sapa centre, but with the more obscure location comes stunning nature gems such as a nearby waterfall, bamboo forest and, of course, plenty of rice fields. Built by locals and with a focus on the spiritual values of the H’mong community, Joy House is the perfect place to remind you how beautiful the world can be.
All rooms here offer balconies overlooking the mountains, perfect for reading or enjoying a meal with unforgettable views. Sapa Odyssey Hostel offer some of the best beds and comfiest mattresses, something not to be underestimated in Vietnamese hostels. A good night’s sleep and a mountain view? It doesn’t get much better.
The location is the real selling point for Sapa Terrace View Homestay, and the clue is in the name. Wake up surrounded by rice fields before enjoying your complimentary, and very delicious, breakfast. Rooms here are spacious and cosy, and the staff are friendly, but with beauty comes sacrifice – the road to get here isn’t for the fainthearted.
After a busy day hiking (or potentially catching the cable car…shh), you’ll probably just want some peace and quiet, which is why the curtains on the dorm beds alone make this worth booking. However, if you’ve had a sudden burst in energy, Go Sapa Hostel is in a great location, a stone’s throw from the central lake, and is close enough to the town’s bars to convince you to make it a late one.