Sapa Adventures: How We Slept on Buses and Lived It Up on a Mountain

Who needs a 5-star hotel when you’ve got sleeper buses and a mountain-top resort for one glorious night? 😂

Our 4D3N trip to Sapa from Hanoi (and back) in 2019 was one for the books—way before Sapa became the cool kid on the travel block like it is today! Not only did we experience jaw-dropping views, local eats, and unexpected manicures, but we also slept in style—on a bus. Yup, that’s right. We only stayed one night at a fancy mountain resort, and the rest of the time? Snoozing on wheels. And we loved every second of it.

Here’s a fun breakdown of our whirlwind adventure:

Day 1: Touchdown Hanoi & The Iconic Train Street

• Flew into Hanoi and landed past 3PM.

• Took the public bus to somewhere (because adventure starts with confusion, right?) and got lost trying to reach Train Street.

• Gave up and hailed a Grab to take us to the legendary Train Street.

• Found a cute little spot to eat and sit by the railway—and then after a while... WHOOSH! The train passed just inches away from us. It was exhilarating and mildly terrifying. 10/10 would recommend.

Sleeper Bus Time!

• Grabbed another ride to the sleeper bus pickup point.

• We wanted to try the scenic overnight train to Sapa, but at 8 hours, it was just too long. The sleeper bus takes only 6 hours and we needed to maximise our time.

• Hopped onto our comfy, air-conditioned, toilet-equipped sleeper bus around 11PM. Honestly, the bunk beds were surprisingly cozy.

Day 2: Sunrise at Sapa Lake & Manicures for the Win

• Arrived in Sapa early morning, ahead of schedule and just around sunrise. Thankfully, the drop-off point had a resting area.

• Changed clothes and freshened up (a bit) as the sun began to rise.

• Took a peaceful early morning walk to Sapa Lake—gorgeous at sunrise!

• Found a restaurant that was (blessedly) open at 7am for breakfast and chill time.

• Located the Topas Ecolodge town office, which had a lounge to rest, store bags, and even nap. Love them.

• After a power nap, we:

• Got a super cheap and fabulous manicure 💅

• Explored the town

• Sipped bubble tea

• Found a 2nd-level restaurant with a killer view and had lunch

Unexpected Limo Life 🚐

• Got picked up by a private limo (seriously!), expecting just a shuttle. Apparently, we were a party of four, so... luxury upgrade!

• The ride to the resort was stunning—rolling hills, rice paddies, mountain views.

Day 2 Afternoon – Day 3 Morning: Topas Ecolodge Bliss

• Arrived at Topas Ecolodge, and our jaws dropped. It’s perched on top of a mountain, with insane views all around.

• Checked in, chilled out, and soaked up every minute of our ONLY night in luxury.

Day 3: Back to Town & Night Market Vibes

• Checked out of the resort and hopped back into the limo (we’re fancy now). Thanks a bunch Topas Ecologe! You will always be the #1 boutique resort for me. You indeed spoilt us! 😍

• Back at the town office, we stored our bags and headed out for more town adventures:

• Explored more of Sapa town

• Got a massage

• Ate a delicious dinner

• Visited a shisha café - my partner in crime did (I just had a drink!)

• Strolled through the night market, which was buzzing with life

• Around 10PM, we headed back to the pickup point then caught our sleeper bus back to Hanoi.

Day 4: Airport Sleepover & Souvenir Haul

• Arrived back in the city super early, and our flight wasn’t till after 9AM.

• Solution? Sleep at the airport. #BudgetLife

• Woke up, grabbed souvenirs, and flew home with hearts full and phones full of photos.

🧳 Why This Trip Was Epic:

• Slept three nights but only paid for one resort night.

• Experienced both Hanoi and Sapa in a short timeframe.

• Had spontaneous moments—from manicures to limo rides.

• Got the perfect mix of city hustle and mountain calm.

• And seriously, those sleeper buses rock.

Pro Tips If You're Planning a Similar Sapa Adventure:

• Book the sleeper bus with a toilet (game-changer).

• Don’t stress about exact plans—flexibility = magic moments.

• Get to Train Street early and grab a front-row seat. We got there early in the evening and still found a nice spot to eat and chill (it wasn't crowded at that time), but now that it's way more popular, it’s probably best to go early to snag a seat!

• Use Grab a lot, if necessary. Affordable and saves time when you're lost.

• Say YES to the mountain resort even if just for one night. Worth. Every. Dong.

• Did you know Sapa has winter—and sometimes snow? If you visit between December and February, you might just catch a magical snowfall! Yup, it actually snows in Sapa—how cool is that? So don’t forget to pack some warm layers, especially if you’re heading up to the mountains or doing early morning walks.

We may not have had 5-star comfort every night, but we had 5-star memories every day. Would we do it again?

Absolutely. Maybe next time with two nights in the resort. See you again, Sapa!😎

18 - 21 Apr 2019