Hanoi to Sapa: 2-Day Trek, Homestay & Cooking Class

Summary

From Hanoi to Sapa’s valleys trekking villages cooking spring rolls

You’ll trek from Hanoi through Sapa’s valleys with a local guide, taste home-cooked meals at a village homestay, learn spring roll secrets in a hands-on cooking class, and meet H’mong families along muddy paths. Expect laughter over dinner and quiet moments in misty rice fields—this trip lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the bus from the Hanoi Old Quarter — turns out “6:15 sharp” means “be ready at 6:05,” and I was still wrestling with my backpack zipper when the shuttle honked. The drive north was long but sort of hypnotic, watching the city dissolve into green hills. By the time we reached Sapa town, my legs were stiff and my stomach was louder than I’d like to admit (lunch at the hotel restaurant fixed that fast). Our local guide, Minh, met us with this easy grin and a bright scarf — he seemed to know every single person in town.

We left our heavy bags behind and started trekking down into Muong Hoa Valley. The path was muddy from last night’s rain — I slipped once and got mud on my jeans (Minh just laughed and handed me a leaf to wipe it off). The air smelled faintly sweet, like wet grass and wood smoke. We passed water buffalo standing perfectly still in the mist, kids waving from doorways, women weaving baskets on their stoops. When we reached Y Linh Ho village, Minh explained how the Black H’mong dye their clothes with indigo — he let us rub some between our fingers; it stained my thumb blue for hours.

By late afternoon we made it to Ta Van Village. My legs felt like noodles but somehow I wasn’t tired — maybe it was the way the light hit those rice terraces or just being somewhere so different. At the homestay, we learned how to roll Vietnamese spring rolls (I ripped two before getting one right; Li laughed when I tried to say “nem rán” in Vietnamese). Dinner was loud and warm — everyone sharing stories around a low table while rain tapped on the tin roof outside.

The next morning started early with thick fog curling around the valley. Breakfast was simple but filling — hot tea, eggs, sticky rice. We trekked again through Giang Ta Chai and Supan villages; there was this moment crossing a narrow bridge where everything went quiet except for birds and my own breathing. Lunch at Supan felt earned after all those kilometers. On the way back to Sapa town I realized I’d stopped checking my phone hours ago — there just wasn’t anything better than watching those green hills roll by outside the window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Sapa and afternoon trek

• Shuttle pick up in Hanoi Old Quarter
• Bus travel to Sapa
• Transfer to hotel and have lunch
• Leave big luggage at hotel lounge
• Trek 5 km to Y Linh Ho village
• Continue 3 km trek to Lao Chai village
• Arrive at Lao Chai village
• Arrive at Ta Van Village and check in homestay
• Attend cooking class for spring rolls

Day 2 — Morning trek and return to Hanoi

• Breakfast and check out at homestay
• Trek 8 km to Giang Ta Chai and Supan villages
• Lunch and rest at Su Pan village
• Bus back to Sapa Town
• Free time to explore Sapa
• Prepare luggage at hotel
• Board sleeping bus to Hanoi
• Arrive in Hanoi Old Quarter

Top questions

How far is Sapa from Hanoi by bus?

It takes about 6-7 hours by bus from Hanoi Old Quarter to Sapa town.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup is included from any hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

What villages do you visit on this trek?

You’ll visit Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Giang Ta Chai, and Supan villages.

Are meals included during the trek?

Yes—two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast are included.

Will we stay overnight in a hotel or homestay?

You’ll spend one night at a private room in a local homestay in Ta Van Village.

Is there a cooking class during this tour?

Yes—a traditional Vietnamese spring roll cooking class is included at the homestay.

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

The trek requires good physical fitness; it may not be suitable for beginners or those with health issues.

What’s provided for luggage storage during trekking?

You can leave your big luggage at the hotel lounge before starting your hike.

What’s included

Your trip includes round-trip VIP cabin bus transport between Hanoi and Sapa with hotel pickup in Hanoi Old Quarter, all meals (two lunches plus dinner and breakfast), an English-speaking local guide throughout your trekking days, private room accommodation at a family-run homestay in Ta Van Village, luggage storage during hikes, plus a hands-on Vietnamese spring roll cooking class before dinner on your first night.