Visitors to Sapa absolutely shouldn’t miss Ta Phin Village. It’s a fantastic place to admire endless terraced fields and immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural world of the local ethnic people.

Overview of Ta Phin Village

Just about 11 kilometers north of Sapa Town center lies Ta Phin Village, a small, tranquil community. This remote village is home to the Dao and Mong ethnic groups, who primarily live through livestock farming and cultivating the terraced fields.

Ta Phin Village mountains and rice terraced fields. — Ta Phin Village.

In contrast to the hustle and bustle of Sapa, visitors to Ta Phin will feel a gentle, peaceful atmosphere, where human life is in harmony with the charming nature. As you walk along the zigzagging road to the village, you’ll admire an incredible natural tapestry of lush rice fields, majestic mountains, and the inspiring beauty of hard-working local people.

Guests visiting Ta Phin Village in Sapa.

Location & How to get to Ta Phin Village

To reach Ta Phin Village, visitors should first head to Sapa Town. Since Sapa is approximately 310 kilometers from Hanoi, travelers from further away can travel to Hanoi by plane or train before continuing their journey.

Travel to Sapa Town

Once in Hanoi, travelers have the option of taking a bus or train to Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province.

For adventure lovers, embarking on a motorbike journey from Hanoi to Sapa can be a fantastic way to soak in the beautiful scenery. However, this road is quite long and features many bumpy and challenging sections, so it’s not recommended for inexperienced drivers or those with health concerns.

O Quy Ho Pass looking from above. — Winding O Quy Ho Pass in Sapa.

Travel to Ta Phin Village from Sapa Center

While Ta Phin Village is only about 10 kilometers from Sapa Town, visitors have to get through many winding turns and steep slopes. There are even sections so narrow that only one motorbike can squeeze through, requiring oncoming vehicles to hug the cliffs to avoid collisions.

If you’re an experienced driver eager to explore this beautiful village yourself, you can rent a motorbike in Sapa town and head up National Highway 4D to Ta Phin. However, for most other travelers, booking a Sapa tour with Fola Travel will be the ideal choice.

Our Hanoi-Sapa shuttle service comes with experienced drivers and guides who are thoroughly familiar with the Sapa area, ensuring you have a safe, comfortable, and enriching tour. Beyond Ta Phin Village, we offer tour packages to visit other stunning highland destinations, including Lao Chai – Ta Van Villages, Fansipan Summit, Cat Cat Village, and O Quy Ho Pass.

See more: Sapa adventure tours for 2025 vacations.

Best time to visit Ta Phin Village

Ta Phin Village has the captivating beauty of the Northwest mountains and forests, transforming with each season.

Cloud Hunting Season (October – April): In the cool, humid air of these months, thick blankets of clouds transform Ta Phin Village into a truly ethereal landscape.
Flower Blossom Season (January – March): Visitors to spring festivals will be enchanted by hillsides vibrant with fully bloomed peach and plum trees.
WaterSeason (May – June): This is when summer rains fill the terraced fields and turn them into shimmering silver expanses. The downpours also bring fresh energy to fruit trees in Ta Phin Village.
Harvest Season (September – October): During this harvest period, Ta Phin becomes a magnet for tourists drawn to its vast, golden terraced fields. The sweet, rich scent of ripe rice permeates every breeze and pathway, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

Golden rice terraces in Ta Phin Village.

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Terraced Rice Fields

The breathtaking terraced fields are the highlights of Ta Phin. Stretching far along the valley and graceful curves along the hillsides, they merge with the deep green of the ancient forest, creating a magnificent spectacle that even professional photographers find captivating.

Mountains and fields of Ta Phin Village. — Ta Phin’s incredible landscape.

Each season paints Ta Phin Village’s terraced fields in unique hues. During the water season, they shimmer like silver mirrors, reflecting the sky amidst unplanted rice seedlings. As the young rice thrives, the fields transform into a vibrant green carpet. Later, when the grains ripen, this green yields to a brilliant gold, standing out amid the wild mountains.

Rice terraces in Ta Phin Village. — Rice terraces during the water season.

Ta Phin Strawberry Garden

In Ma Tra Hamlet, part of Ta Phin, you’ll find an eye-catching strawberry garden featuring many delicious varieties imported from abroad. From January to April each year, the garden bursts with ripe red fruit, hanging temptingly from pots. Visitors can enjoy the experience of picking these bright red strawberries themselves and tasting them right in the garden, or purchase them as lovely gifts for family and friends.

In addition to the strawberries, this small hamlet also has a complex of plum and peach gardens. Around May to June annually, Ta Phin’s pure white plum blossoms transform into clusters of ripe fruit. These fruits are naturally cultivated, chemical-free, and are wonderfully sweet and refreshing.

Ta Phin Ancient Monastery

The Ancient Monastery is an architectural icon in Ta Phin, drawing many visitors to admire and explore its ruins. Once a place of practice for 12 Christian nuns who journeyed to this land, the monastery has, over time, been beaten to moss-covered stone walls and missing roofs.

Visiting the ancient Ta Phin monastery offers a chance to admire classical architecture stained by time and capture truly artistic photos.

Ta Phin Cave

Hidden behind dense forests at the foot of Tri San Ky Mountain, Ta Phin Cave is about a 3-hour walk from the village center. This cave is a true masterpiece of nature, filled with stalactites of many strange and wonderful shapes, exquisitely crafted over millions of years, and emitting a magical jade green light.

Visitors can hire a local Dao ethnic person to guide them and share interesting stories about Ta Phin Village along the way.

Ta Phin Community House

Located in the village center, the Ta Phin Community House serves as a common living space for local residents. Its sharp architectural design is uniquely inspired by the iconic red scarf worn by Dao ethnic women.

Ta Phin Communal House. — Ta Phin Community House.

Here, visitors can explore the handicraft showroom to gain deeper insight into the lives of the ethnic residents. Furthermore, during community gatherings, you can enjoy the fantastic folk music and singing, and even participate in unique traditional games.

Traditional Brocade Village

Ta Phin Village is well known for its brocade craft. From the moment visitors arrive, they’ll see ethnic women outside their homes, skillfully creating colorful brocade fabrics. The village offers a diverse array of brocade products, including headscarves, clothing, handbags, backpacks, pillowcases, and wallets. To buy these products, visitors can go to local homes or ask ethnic women selling them on the street.

Ta Phin guest learning to sew. — A Ta Phin guest tries brocading.

Sapa Town

This is your perfect base for discovering the distinctive ethnic villages and breathtaking mountain scenery of Vietnam’s Northwest highlands.

O Quy Ho Pass

Known as the “King of Mountain Passes,” O Quy Ho is a thrilling ride for adventurers, featuring dramatic rocky cliffs on one side and fog-filled valleys on the other.

O Quy Ho Tea Hill

Located en route to the pass, this is a captivating spot. The tea hill offers fresh mountain air, picturesque cherry blossom trees, and stunning natural beauty.

Nam Cang Village

Nestled in the Hoang Lien Son mountains, Nam Cang provides a tranquil natural escape. Visitors can admire expansive terraced fields and charming wooden homes.

Hoang Lien National Park

This park is celebrated for its diverse plant and animal life. Hoang Lien National Park encompasses four beautiful Sapa villages and is a prime location for experiencing the natural splendor of Vietnam’s Northwest mountains.

Fansipan Summit

As Vietnam’s tallest mountain, Fansipan Summit is a legendary peak that offers an unparalleled panoramic view of Sapa’s majestic mountains, forests, and the Muong Hoa Valley below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the costs associated with visiting Ta Phin Village?

Yes, there’s an entrance fee to Ta Phin Village: US$1.6 for adults and US$0.8 for children. You should also plan for additional costs like food and accommodation based on your preferences. Since there are almost no ATMs in the village, it’s highly recommended to bring cash for any purchases.

2. What should I remember for a smooth visit to Ta Phin Village?

To ensure a comfortable and well-rounded experience:

The roads to the village can be bumpy, so choose comfortable clothes and your most supportive sneakers.
Only bring essentials to make your journey easier.
While exploring local cuisine is a highlight, it’s wise to have some snacks on hand in case it doesn’t quite suit your taste.
Respect local customs: Avoid wearing white, as it’s the color of mourning for the Ta Phin people. Do not whistle, as it’s considered a sign of bad luck. Most importantly, make an effort to understand and adapt to local traditions; this will help you integrate better and avoid any awkward situations.