Soar above the magnificent rice terraces and experience Vietnam's most breathtaking mountain views
Sapa town stands at the head of a deep valley of magnificent rice terraces that are still farmed today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don't get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town at 3,143 meters—the "Roof of Indochina".
Situated in Lao Cai Province, Sapa sits at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level, making it a perfect destination for mountain adventures. Paragliding in Sapa is one of the most popular adventure sports among visitors, offering unparalleled views of the terraced rice fields and surrounding mountain ranges.
Experience the thrill of flying above Sapa's stunning terraced rice fields and mountain ranges with certified tandem pilots.
A 6-kilometre cable car journey will whisk you 3,143m to the summit of Mount Fansipan in just 15 minutes.
Every Sunday the Bac Ha market bursts into life, as hundreds of traders from the Dzao, Han, Xa Fang, Tay and Thai tribes descend on the market.
Sapa offers some of Vietnam's best trekking. Book an overnight trek to wander through rice terraces and experience ethnic culture firsthand.
Stay outside the tourist hub of Sapa in simple comfort at a mountaintop lodge. Set among the rice terraces, you'll brush shoulders with farmers.
Mountain biking is a great way to explore lesser-visited corners of Sapa. The annual Vietnam Mountain Marathon attracts thousands of competitors.
| Activity | Paragliding |
| Operating Hours | Early Flight: 09:00 AM Late Flight: 01:00 PM |
| Age Limit | Minimum: 5 Years Maximum: Not Applicable |
| Weight Requirement | Minimum: 25 KG Maximum: 90 KG |
| Best Months | September to October (rice terraces at their most splendid) April to May (ideal weather and clear skies) |
| Duration | Short: 20 – 30 Minutes Extended: 40 – 60 Minutes |
| Major Attractions | Valley View Terraced Rice Fields View Mountains View |
The best time to visit Sapa is in September and October when the rice terraces are at their most splendid; or in April and May when the weather is ideal and skies are clear. For those who don't mind hot weather, June to August is a fine time to visit. Expect chilly weather from November to March.
Overnight trains are the most popular way to reach Sapa via the neighbouring province capital, Lao Cai. Upon arrival, transfer vans finish the journey up the mountains. Alternatively, regular buses and shuttle vans run from Hanoi with a journey time of five to six hours, stopping in the centre of town. As a former hill station, Sapa has plenty of steep roads and pathways. Many visitors get around by foot, or by taxi. Adventure-seekers can rent mountain bikes to explore the trails along the valley.
Paragliding is a recreational and competitive adventure sport that involves flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot is seated in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, whose shape is formed by the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing.
Unlike hang gliders which have a rigid frame to maintain the shape of the wing, paragliders are shaped by the flow of air over the surface of the wing in conjunction with lines that run from different sections of the wing to the harness. The flexible nature of the paraglider wing means it can be packed into a small space and carried in a backpack, making it very portable and easy to transport compared to other forms of flight.
Paragliding flights can last many hours and cover hundreds of kilometers, although flights of one to two hours and covering some tens of kilometers are more typical. Pilots steer using brake toggles which change the shape of the rear edge of the wing.
A key aspect of paragliding is finding rising air to provide lift. This can come from thermals (columns of warm, rising air), ridge lift (caused by wind being deflected by a slope), or convergence zones (where different air masses meet and are forced upwards). Some paragliders also use small engines ('paramotors') to extend their flight.
Safety is an important consideration in paragliding, and pilots use a variety of equipment such as helmets, reserve parachutes, and GPS units for navigation and tracking. It is a sport that requires training and skill, but for those who undertake it, paragliding offers an exhilarating way to see the world from a whole new perspective.
A powerful case study exploring whether Sa Pa in Vietnam can rise as Asia’s next major paragliding hub—analyzing geography, tourism, flying conditions, and FlySapa’s role in shaping the future of mountain flight.
Read more →Discover why Sapa is the ultimate destination for paragliding in Vietnam. Fly over stunning terraced rice fields, hills, and mountains with experienced pilots and capture unforgettable moments.
Read more →Discover the thrill of paragliding in Sapa, Vietnam's #1 adventure hub. Fly over terraced rice fields, Fansipan, and the beautiful valley with certified tandem pilots.
Read more →Experience the magic of Sapa in September and October—when rice terraces are at their most splendid—with tandem paragliding flights above centuries-old terraced fields, peaceful skies, and breathtaking views of Mount Fansipan. Fly with veteran pilot Bishnu Timilsina for an unforgettable adventure.
Read more →Explore the ultimate adventure of cross-country paragliding in Sapa, Vietnam. Fly above the scenic terraced rice fields, the Fansipan range, and valleys for a lifetime experience in the skies.
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