Nestled into the northern mountains of Vietnam, you’ll find the backpacker paradise that is Sapa. Home to rolling rice terraces, mighty mountains and villages that have been frozen in time. It’s a fascinating part of the country and full of culture to discover.
However, Sapa is no longer the small, remote village it once was. The town itself is now absolutely chocker-block with western restaurants, hotels and neon lights. There is even a Starbucks!
This is by no means me telling you not to go. There is still ample magic and beauty that can be found in Sapa; you just need to travel a little further out from the main town to find it. Luckily, more and more hostels have popped up in these small villages on the outskirts of Sapa, so that we travellers can still experience what Sapa once was.
In this guide, I’ve noted my favourite hostels in Sapa from my time backpacking in Vietnam – I’ve included a couple of options in town, as it is still a convenient option for those who are short on time, but I would encourage you to look at those that lie just outside the crowded centre.
So, let’s dive in.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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In a hurry? Here are my top hostel picks in Sapa
Let’s take a closer look at each hostel
Once you get deep into the north and find the town of Sapa, you’ll discover the beauty in its rice terraces and the misty mountains for yourself. It’s hard to believe that this remote part of the country is home to some of the best hostels in Vietnam. Each place in Sapa is a little different from the next, so be sure to keep your eyes open for the perfect backpacker’s hostel for you!
1. Hoa’s Homestay Sapa – Best for Authenticity
- Price: $$
- Best for: Cultural travellers, hikers, couples, slow travellers, and a true homestay experience.
- Highlights: Free breakfast, nightly family dinners, incredible Muong Hoa Valley views, balconies in every room, 24‑hour pickup, restaurant & bar on-site
- Dorms from: $10 USD
- Privates: $28 USD
- Location: Thon Ban Village, Hau Thao. 6.8 km from Sapa town, deep in Black H’Mong country.
Hoa’s Homestay is the kind of place people come to Sapa looking to find. It’s a true village homestay that is surrounded by rice fields, river views, and daily life in the Black H’Mong community! It’s a completely different experience from what you would have staying in the centre of Sapa town. It quickly became one of my favourite hostels in Vietnam.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Absolutely incredible views over the rice fields
- Free breakfast and nightly family dinners are a great time to meet people
- Community-based stay, away from the crowds in town
There are dorm rooms and private rooms; they are simple but have everything you need. There is a shared kitchen, bar and garden on-site. It’s perfect if you want a true mountain Sapa experience. Although it might be a little out of town, the hostel offers a 24-hour pick-up service, so you won’t have any problems getting there when you arrive.
2. SAPA HUB hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers
- Price: $
- Best for: Solo travellers, couples, hikers, comfort & convenience
- Highlights: Big modern rooms, super comfy beds, hot showers, excellent breakfast, friendly staff, scooter rental, tour + bus booking, quiet location near the bus station
- Dorms from: $6 USD
- Privates: $23 USD
- Location: Sapa. 10-15 minute walk to the town centre, close to the bus station but still quiet
This social stay will have you hanging out on the balcony, trying some local delicacies, and chatting with the other guests. It’s located close enough to town that it’s convenient to everything you could need, but far enough away that it maintains peace and quiet. This stay is quite the opposite of the homestays in the mountains; instead, it is full of modern comforts. Comfy beds, modern design and hot showers.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free breakfast with plenty of options!
- Close to the bus station, making it easy for arrivals and departures
- Modern, comfy dorm design
If you’re after a more upscale stay, this budget hostel gives you a hotel-level of comfort while keeping all the chill vibes of a youth hostel. There’s even a free breakfast served in the cafe every morning! There is no better place to call home in Sapa than SAPA HUB hostel.
3. Hmong Sister House – Best for Hiking
- Price: $
- Best for: Cultural travellers, hikers, slow travellers, and a true homestay experience
- Highlights: Family‑run H’Mong home, home-cooked meals, diverse hiking routes, handicraft tours, peaceful hilltop setting, hot showers
- Dorms from: $6 USD
- Privates: $23 USD
- Location: Hau Thao Village (Ban Pho), 6.2 km from Sapa town – deep in H’Mong community territory
For travellers wanting to immerse themselves in all things Hmong in Sapa, there’s no better place to call home than the Hmong Sisters Hostel. Blending all the best elements of a homestay and a backpackers hostel, Hmong Sisters will have you staying in a small hilltop village, a bit removed from the tourist traps of the town. No one travels to Sapa to stay in the city.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- A true H’Mong family experience, learning their traditions, and sharing homecooked meals.
- Peaceful hilltop setting with nature views, quiet surroundings, and a break from Sapa town’s crowds.
- Diverse hiking trails at your doorstep. From gentle walks to guided multi-day trips.
At Hmong Sisters Hostel, you’ll be strapping on your hiking boots and hitting the trails in no time with their tours and treks. Even if you want to stay closer to home, you’ll still have cultural demonstrations and other activities nearby in the village! Topped off with a delicious breakfast served every morning, Hmong Sisters Hostel takes the spot as one of the best hostels in Sapa.
4. Zizi Mekhoo Sapa Homestay – Best Budget Private Room
- Price: $
- Best for: Cultural travellers, hikers, couples, volunteers, anyone after a deeper village experience
- Highlights: H’Mong‑run homestay, handicraft tours, hiking tours, volunteer teaching, family meals, peaceful mountainside setting
- Dorms from: $7 USD
- Privates: $11 USD
- Location: Hau Thao Village, Ban Pho, 8 km from Sapa town, surrounded by rice terraces and H’Mong communities
If you’re a couple travelling through Southeast Asia, you’ll eventually want to leave the dorm rooms behind for a few nights and cosy up in your own private room. You’ll fall in love all over again when you book yourself into Zizi Mekhoo Sapa Homestay! Putting you a bit outside of the city centre, you’ll be up close and personal with the waterfalls and countryside of Vietnam.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Affordable private room, for those needing a break from dorm life!
- Volunteer opportunities to help teach local children and support community education.
- Home-cooked meals and family dinners are a great way to connect with others
Even if you want a lazy day at the hostel, Zizi Mekhoo Homestay offers stunning views, an onsite bar, and a cafe! With a free breakfast waiting for you every morning, don’t be surprised if you end up staying at this hostel longer than you expected.
5. Venus Sapa Hostel – Best for Budget Travellers
- Price: $
- Best for: Solo travellers, couples, trekkers, anyone wanting a cheap, central base
- Highlights: Central Sapa location, mountain views, private rooms at hostel prices, hot showers, tour desk, motorbike rental
- Dorms from: $5 USD
- Privates: $16 USD
- Location: Sapa Town Centre. Walkable to the lake, restaurants, cafes, and the main hiking trails
Venus Sapa Hostel is the perfect, simple, budget-friendly base in Sapa Town. It’s super conveniently located and will have you within walking distance from everything you could need – restaurants, cafes, the lake and starting points for most hiking routes. If you plan to spend your days out exploring and just need a comfy room to crash – this is idea.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Conveniently located in central Sapa Town
- Great value for money, especially the private rooms
- Easy hiking logistics, the hosts can arrange guides, buses and scooter rentals
It’s practical, comfortable and central. You’ll be within walking distance of some of the best restaurants in town serving up delicious Vietnamese dishes. It doesn’t have a huge social vibe, but if you want to meet travellers, it’s definitely doable.
Travel Safety Tips for Sapa
Overall, Vietnam is a pretty safe country to visit; it’s been well-trodden by many a backpacker before us! But things can still go wrong. And if they go wrong in the middle of a mountain village in Vietnam, you’ll be counting your lucky stars you got that insurance everyone told you to get.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Still not sure where to stay in Sapa?
Sapa is like an amusement park for backpackers seeking to get lost in the idyllic fields and towering mountains of Southeast Asia. For days, you can venture from village to village, discovering temples and breathtaking scenery. With lookouts offering views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, and a culture unlike anything you have experienced in Vietnam.
If you’re still a bit unsure about where to stay in Sapa, I’d go for one of the following: if you want a more authentic Sapa experience, book outside of the town at Hoa’s Homestay Sapa. You won’t regret it. But if you want the convenience of staying in the town itself, SAPA HUB hostel is your best choice.
Have you ever travelled to Sapa? I’d love to hear about your trip and where you stayed! Let me know in the comments below if you think I’ve missed any goodies.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Vietnam for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places in Spain covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Vietnam before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
