Vietnam- A Holiday our kids didn’t want to come back from!
Vietnam with Kids: (Part 1 – Sapa)
The last evening in Vietnam is still vivid in my mind.
We were packing up, folding clothes, zipping suitcases, mentally preparing to return to routine life. And then, my younger one quietly walked up to me—eyes glistening, voice trembling—and asked, “Can we stay in Vietnam a little longer?” There was a quiet happiness in that question—a reassurance that this trip had been more than just a holiday. It had been meaningful, wholesome. Something my children would carry with them.
A lot of credit goes to my husband for planning this journey so thoughtfully,but also to Vietnam itself. A country that gives so generously. Vietnam, in its truest sense, is a multi-sensory travel experience. It awakens every sense and somehow manages to touch your soul. It’s a melting pot of culture, raw nature, kind people, excitement, adrenaline, and food that caters to every palate. That’s the reason I thought of penning down the trip details. If anyone is looking for a trip that re energizes you deeply, this might help you to plan better.
Planning the Itinerary
Vietnam is geographically vast and incredibly diverse, so we decided to focus on places that would also keep our young kids engaged and excited.
Our route:
- Sapa (North)
- Ba Na Hills (central/ west)
- Hoi An (central)
I’ll break this into two parts.
Part 1: Sapa (6D / 5N)
Part 2: Ba Na Hills & Hoi An ( 5D/ 5N: coming next!)
Day 1: Singapore to Sapa – Into the Clouds
We took the morning to Hanoi. From there, it was a 5-hour car ride to Sapa (We booked the car with help of the Hotel front desk. That drive itself felt like a transition—from city life into something calmer, greener, and more magical. We arrived in Sapa towards evening and were welcomed by clouds, as if stepping into another world where the mountains meet the sky and time slows down.
Day 2: Fansipan – The Roof of Indochina
The next morning, we visited Fansipan Legend—and honestly, this was one of the most breathtaking experiences of the trip.
The Journey to the Summit
- Train/funicular to base station
- Cable car ride up the mountains
- Final funicular / short trek to the summit (3,143 m)
Approximate Ticket Prices (for reference)
- Funicular (town to cable station): ~150,000–200,000 VND
- Cable car: ~800,000–900,000 VND (adult), ~550,000–700,000 VND (kids)
- Final funicular to peak: ~150,000–200,000 VND (you can opt not to take this as walking is much more fun)
- Tip: If you choose to book tickets via the hotel front desk, do keep the last funicular option open/ unbooked as you may pay in advance but not take the short distance funicular if its super crowded or you wish to hike. Having said that, though its a short distance, its a steep uphill climb and elderly or those who find hiking strenuous, do consider taking funicular instead of walking it out . Also, check the weather at Fansipan peak before you leave from your hotel. Generally the hotel front desk will give exact information on that. Plan on the day when the skies are clear and visibility is good. If it is a go ahead, then try to visit earlier in the day on busy days/ public holidays or weekends to enjoy the beauty of the drifting clouds and less harsh sun!
The Experience:
Floating above valleys, with clouds drifting around us, was surreal. At times, it felt like we were walking through the sky. At the summit stood a magnificent Buddha statue, surrounded by ancient-style architectural structures, temples and pagodas—built at an altitude that makes you pause and wonder:
How did they even build this here?
The entire project, completed around 2018, is nothing short of an engineering marvel. There’s even a café at the top—Cafe du Soleil (Fansipan Summit Café)—where you can sip a warm drink while soaking in the panoramic views. It’s the perfect pause after the climb.
⏱️ Time needed: Half a day is sufficient.
Day 3: Village Exploration & Cultural Immersion
We explored nearby villages like Ta Van , Lao chai and Ta Phin, known for their beautiful paddy fields, skilled weavers, and handcrafted textiles and hillside cafes. There is something undeniably mystical about Sapa. It feels dreamy yet grounded, peaceful yet full of intrigue. For families especially, it is a destination that keeps everyone engaged—adventurous enough to excite, yet gentle enough to relax and reconnect. Every corner seems to hold a story, from mist-covered valleys to vibrant local life woven into the mountains.
This was a beautiful way for the kids to experience local life: seeing village homes, playing in open fields, and interacting with locals including the cute elderly weavers and kids alike.
Food and Cafes:
There is no derth of good food and that too at unbelievably reasonable price in SAPA. Of the many places we tried, most notable were the following:
- Bollywoods spice http://Bollywood Spice, 22A Mường Hoa, Sa Pa, Lào Cai, Vietnam
- Gujrat Indian restaurant 460 Dien Bien Phu, Sa Pa (opposite the Stadium and Sapa Bus Parking)
- Cong Coffee http://37 Xuân Viên(You dont want to miss visiting this retro themed cafe that serves the most amazing coffee in Vietnam: our personal favs were: coconut coffee : no one else makes it like them and salted caramel coffee) Located right in the city center, our most fav hang out place was this.
Cong Cafe: Salted caramel and coconut coffee: the best sellers!
Must-Try Restaurant: Su Vegan :https://share.google/STNMG4qm8UbW94pZP
This was more than a meal—it was a sumptuous experience.
- Stunning and soothing ambiance
- Unique sand-and-gravel flooring to ground your mind
- Thoughtfully and tastefully curated decor
- Delicious vegan spread you won’t forget
Day 3 : Highlight: Alpine coster
In the evening, we tried the Alpine Roller Coaster in Sapa.
- It sits on the slopes of the Hoàng Liên Son mountain range
- The coaster itself is a mountain-style rail ride that runs through forested terrain, giving views of valleys, clouds, and terraced landscapes.
Approximately cost:
- Adult: ~250,000 VND / ride
- Kids (4 and above): slightly lower than that
What makes the alpine coaster special here is the weather that adds a huge effect: mist, fog, or clear mountain panoramas was magical—riding through mountains, surrounded by mist and greenery. It honestly felt like gliding through clouds. It is also unique as it combines gravity-powered descent along with natural forest curves.
Tips:
- There’s a similar coaster in Ba Na Hills at a cheaper price—but the Sapa views are unmatched.
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon as its slightly cooler with clearer views of the valleys (we went in the late afternoon at 4:30-5 pm: closes at 6 pm).
Everyday Indulgence: Spas & Wellness
One of Sapa’s biggest surprises? Spas. Everywhere. Wherever you turn, you ll find a spa/ massage center/ wellness center/ beauty salon. From budget to premium, the options are endless—and incredibly affordable. We made it a ritual to unwind every day.
For anyone living in a fast-paced city, this is exactly the kind of reset your body and mind crave. The best amongst them all would recommend ” Relax Massage and Spa” http://Relax Massage & Spa Sapa, 50A Đ. Thạch Sơn, Sa Pa, Lào Cai 31000, Vietnam especially because of the warm and co ordeal staff, excellent options of luxury massages and most importantly, they helped with a kind gesture of looking after our kids and keeping them busy with activities while we were busy.
Day 4 : Cat Cat Village
Cat Cat Village is essentially a beautifully curated Vietnamese cultural village, designed for visitors but still rich in authenticity. iIt is one of the oldest traditional Hmong villages near Sapa town, located just a short downhill walk (about 2–3 km) from the center. It is known for its wooden stilt houses, handicrafts, waterfalls, and preserved ethnic culture, offering a glimpse into daily life in the mountains. What makes Cat Cat especially scenic? It is the dramatic natural backdrop. The village sits in a valley framed by the towering slopes of the Fansipan massif, part of the larger Hoang Lien Son mountain range. These peaks create a layered, cinematic backdrop that changes mood throughout the day.
Surrounded by terraced hills, waterfalls, and cloud-covered ridges, Cat Cat feels like a living postcard of Sapa’s mountain landscape: cultural at ground level, and grand alpine scenery rising all around. The entry fee at Cat Cat Village is typically around 150,000 VND per adult and 70,000 VND per child.
What You Can Do:
- Explore scenic walking paths
- Traditional performances
- Dress up in Vietnamese attire (One of the main highlights for girls/ women who love to induce in photography: Goes unsaid that me and my daughter enjoyed this part the most)
- Tip: Do wait to reach the foothill of the village before you choose the shop for traditional attire as the best ones are near the base of the hill near waterfall )
Highlight: Rainbow Slide 🌈 This was a HUGE hit with the kids.
- Ticket: ~50,000–100,000 VND per ride
You sit on tyre seats and slide down a track built into the hills—safe, thrilling, and offering panoramic views. The kids loved it so much, they went multiple times (and honestly, we didn’t mind—the tickets are quite affordable!).
Where We Stayed in Sapa:
We divided our stay at 2 places to have the experience of both the surroundings:
KK Sapa Hotel:
- Bang on central location
- Easy access to the markets , sapa station and restaurants
- Very helpful staff (Do reach out to Mayu if you stay here, generously helpful)
- Good spa services
- Great for families
- Close to cafés and food options—don’t miss Cong Cafe.
Cat Cat Hill Resort & Spa
In the lap of nature and overlooking the CatCat village and valleys. A completely different experience:
- Nestled in the mountains
- Peaceful and scenic
- Perfect for unwinding
Not too far from town, yet gives you a sense of solitude.
Slow Moments That Made It Special
Between all the major activities, what truly made Sapa magical were the little things:
- Café hopping
- Mango smoothies on repeat
- Street shopping at Sapa market
- Evening walk around the town and the relaxing spa sessions
- Sitting on the balcony as clouds drifted in to greet us.
CHALLENGES: Language barrier: Not everyone can speak or understand English. Not to worry as people are well versed with using the interface of phone based translator apps 🙂
TIPS: Places we didn’t visit but much talk of the town were:
- Cafe Moana. A cafe that has many photo spots with valleys and mountains in the backdrop. You can get similar backdrop with different props at Cat Cat village without spending separately for it.
- Rong May Glass bottom bridge for adrenaline seekers.
Sapa was the very first place we visited in Vietnam, and it set the tone for everything that followed—starting our journey on a literal high, both in altitude and in spirit. All in all, we began our journey on cloud nine : quite literally. A second home for wandering clouds. The “spa city” truly lives up to its name, offering restoration not just for the body, but also for the mind and soul.
Tucked into the embrace of the mountains, Sapa gives you the best of both worlds: adventure and stillness, culture and nature, discovery and peace. It offered us everything: moments of excitement, deep calm, rich food, cultural connection, and unforgettable views.
We left Sapa feeling like we had already experienced something extraordinary… and it was only the beginning of Vietnam as the part 2 gets even more exciting.
Would you like to read about our experiences at Ba Na Hills and Hoi An? 😊 Do switch to part 2 (released)!!
Happy planning!
Trishna Sumer
