A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Dewa Sanzan for Hiking, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a cultural, scenic, and fascinating town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Sapa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Sapa travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Sapa and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sapa. Although Sapa and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Sapa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sapa is very popular for its food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Sapa is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. It is also well known for Cat Cat Village. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Sapa different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Sapa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan is very good for its historical sights. However, Sapa is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Dewa Sanzan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Sapa offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While the many nearby villages are filled with markets and culture and have the feel of living museums, there are few actual museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Sapa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The area's food highlights the local agricultural scene with lots of meat, fish, and vegetables. If you want to check out traditional Hmong cuisine, Thang Co is one of the most common dishes. It's a soup that has a strong smell and is prepared with local herbs and meats.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Sapa is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sapa. While you don't visit the area for its nightlife, there's a big backpacker scene here so you'll likely find a crowd looking for a good time. The town has a night market and there are plenty of bars that cater to the tourists.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Sapa is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many people visit Sapa specifically for its hiking. Trekking is, by far, one of the best ways to experience the area's beauty. You'll pass by scenic rice paddies, walk along mist covered mountains, and stumble into fascinating villages. Many people hire a local guide to guide them. This helps the local economy and offers insider information.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Sapa is well-known for its shopping. Many villages have a weekly market that is very fascinating to explore. In addition to local food items, there are often locally made handicrafts that make great souvenirs from your travels.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan More Beautiful?

Sapa is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Sapa is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The region is filled with dramatic mountains and rice paddies that give it a truly Vietnamese beauty.

Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sapa is very family-friendly. Many people arrive via an overnight train, which is an adventure for the whole family. Once you arrive, your kids will experience a local culture that is uniquely its own. You can participate in a homestay and enjoy meals prepared by a local family. There are also many kid-friendly hikes through the surrounding mountains.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly town. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Sapa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy experiencing unique cultures and hiking through stunning mountain settings will love a trip to this mountain town. While the tourists have definitely discovered the area, there are still places that have a local vibe with traditional Vietnamese markets and homesteads.

Dewa Sanzan is a good town for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Sapa. Like much of Southeast Asia, this town and the surrounding areas are solidly on the backpacker trail. You'll find cheap places to stay and tours that cater specifically to the budget and backpacker crowd.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapa is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Sapa has some public transit options. There are public buses through the region. If you're hoping to visit nearby towns for their market days, an organized tour or private guide is a good option.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Sapa or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Sapa is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Sapa is a very walkable town. Trekking is, by far, the best way to experience the area and all of the beauty and culture that it has to offer.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sapa and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sapa than in Dewa Sanzan. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Sapa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Sapa than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sapa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sapa than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sapa that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapa than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sapa.

One day in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picturesque town of Sapa. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Sapa. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Dewa Sanzan is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

The picturesque town of Sapa offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums around the sacred destination of Dewa Sanzan. This religious site offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sapa or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Sapa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the hiking. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The traditional religious site of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan than you might in Sapa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sapa Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.