Tram Ton Pass

Sapa


The road between Sapa and Lai Chau crosses the Tram Ton Pass on the northern side of Mt Fansipan, 15km from Sapa. At 1900m it's Vietnam’s highest mountain pass, and acts as a dividing line between two climatic zones. The lookout points here have fantastic views in clear weather.

On the Sapa side it’s often cold and foggy, but drop a few hundred metres onto the Lai Chau side and it can be sunny and warm. Surprisingly, Sapa is the coldest place in Vietnam, but Lai Chau can be one of the warmest.

Most people also stop at 100m-high Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall, admission 20,000d), 12km from Sapa. A one-way/return xe om here costs 80,000/150,000d.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sapa attractions

1. Fansipan Cable Car

3.4 MILES

Towering above Sapa are the Hoang Lien Mountains, once known to the French as the Tonkinese Alps and now a national park. These mountains include the…

2. Sapa Museum

4.36 MILES

An excellent showcase of the history and ethnology of the Sapa area, including the French colonial era. Dusty exhibitions overview the various ethnic…

3. Sapa Church

4.48 MILES

Sapa's small stone church was built by the French and is still a central landmark. It opens for Mass on Sunday and on certain evenings for prayers.

4. Sapa Market

4.98 MILES

Turfed out of central Sapa and now in a purpose-built modern building near the bus station, Sapa Market is still interesting, and hill-tribe people from…

5. Coc Ly Market

28.27 MILES

The Coc Ly Market attracts Dzao, Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung people from the surrounding hills. It’s about 35km southwest of Bac Ha. Operators in Bac Ha…