Explore the beauty of Ta Van village, a hidden gem in Northern Vietnam. The lush terraced rice fields, welcoming local people, and vibrant Black H’mong community make this area truly unique and a must-visit when you explore the mountainous countryside.
Unlike neighboring Sa Pa, the true charm of Ta Van is still intact making it a perfect destination. Over my past 2 years of traveling full-time, this has been my absolute favorite location – keep reading to find out why!
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Is Sa Pa worth it? Learn how the area has changed and if it should still be on your itinerary.
Why Ta Van over Sa Pa
Sa Pa is great, don’t get me wrong. This mountain town has been a common destination for decades, and with the construction of an international airport, tourism is only growing.
But personally, I wouldn’t stay there. We came from Hanoi with some friends and landed in Sa Pa for 4 nights, and while it was a cool city, it didn’t have the mountainous charm that we were looking for.
Walking around the streets we felt like a target. It borderline felt like harassment from the locals trying to sell us a trekking tour or their handmade crafts (which were beautiful, but it was a lot).
Unfortunately, that is a result of overtourism. Many of the local people have found lucrative ways to make money off the tourists, and it has changed the essence of the place completely. Sa Pa has been compared to an amusement park, and I completely get why.
The tourism impacts in Sa Pa have been unfortunate, which is why Ta Van is such a gem of a location that still provides the authentic experience you’re probably looking for.
“Sa Pa started to change once the government put in the highway in 2015. It used to be a nice mountain town, where people cared, but now there are so many tourists that the owners just want your money. They don’t care about making it a nice experience. It’s so fake now. Every place sells salmon and acts like it’s caught here, but it’s not. It’s from a freezer.”
– Vu, owner of Ginn’s Homestay & employee at Sa Moc cafe.
Getting to Ta Van Village
Ta Van Village is only 10 km outside of Sa Pa – 25 minutes down a winding scenic road into the valley. To get to Ta Van, you will have to separate the journey by first getting to Sa Pa, and then hiring a Taxi.
Since Sa Pa is so popular, it is easy to get to from Hanoi. There are buses and trains daily for less than $20 that take you the 5.5-hour journey into the mountains.
I took a sleeper bus for $17 through Grouptour, found on 12Go.com. The bus was *nice* – it was my first experience with a sleeper bus in Vietnam and I get what the hype is about.
Once you arrive in Sa Pa, you’ll have no problem finding a taxi… they will be waiting for you! The ride to Ta Van shouldn’t cost more than 250.000 VND ($10) so don’t get ripped off!
Getting Around in Ta Van
Once you get to Ta Van, there are limited transport options. There is no Grab. There is 1 motorbike rental in the town (and the bike they gave us died while driving it). So, you have 2 main options: using a taxi driver from Sa Pa, or renting a motorbike in Sa Pa and using it during your duration.
There are a lot of fun mountain roads, waterfalls, and beautiful drives you won’t want to miss in Ta Van village. Having a motorbike is one of the best ways to get around! However, it is illegal to drive without an IDP. Luckily there hasn’t been a police officer in Ta Van for years probably, so don’t stress too much!
Save your taxi driver's info - once you're in Ta Van, there aren't any taxis around. If you need to go anywhere else, you'll need to call a taxi from Sa Pa to come for you! Your homestay will also be able to help set up a ride.
Things to Do in Ta Van Village
As soon as you arrive in Ta Van, you’ll realize that one of the best things to do in this town is just enjoy it. The people are some of the friendliest we’ve ever met. The views are BEAUTIFUL, and the restaurants and shops are so cute.
While Sa Pa has neon lights and an overwhelming amount of things to do, Ta Van is a breath of fresh air.
1. Hike to the Bamboo Forest & Waterfall
The bamboo forest is an easy (yet steep) walk up the valley. The rice fields suddenly transition into a dense forest of tall bamboo, filled with wildlife. If you continue to trek past the Black H’mong housing, you’ll arrive at a roaring waterfall perfect for taking a swim!
2. Rice Trek with the Local Black H'mong Women
You don’t have to go too far before an eager local woman approaches you ready to take you on a rice trekking tour. This land has been their home for hundreds of years, and they know it best! Depending on how far you trek, they will show you the scenic routes and best photo spots.
3. Herbal Bath at the Charm Spa
The region is known for their use of herbs for medicinal healing, consumption, and relaxation. Enjoy a spa day with an herbal bath and massage at the Charm Spa, a proper local experience!
4. Batik Workshop
You will notice the dark blue fabric with intricate white designs made by the Balck H’mong people. These are batik creations, an intricate process of using a honey material to prevent the indigo dye from coloring the fabric. You can try it yourself with local women at the Ta Van Batik Workshop.
5. Live Music at Wildbeast Restaurant
Wildbeast is in the center of town, a laid-back restaurant with the best drinks and a chill atmosphere. The views over the valley are beautiful, and the place lights up Friday nights weekly for live music. This is the best way to get a sense of the artistic and authentic local way of life.
Where to Stay in Ta Van
Although Ta Van Village is small, there are quite a lot of options for accommodation. The entire town is accessible on foot, so don’t worry too much about the location. However, if you want to be in the middle of the best area, then you’ll want to look Southern side of the village.
Ginn's Homestay
For an authentic stay in this beautiful town, Ginn’s Homestay is the best choice. The family is so sweet, the rice field views are amazing, and the hospitality is unmatched.
Sa Moc Bungalow's
Not only are these bungalows spacious, affordable, and extremely comfortable, but the food at Sa Moc cafe is our favorite in town – and it’s right at your doorstep. The team at Sa Moc is so down to earth, and the owner’s artistic style is infectious!
Music Garden Cafe
This is where I stayed for my entire month in Ta Van, and I loved it! Quyen the owner is really kind, the space is quiet and natural…. and there is the CUTEST puppy ever named Lucky that lives here. Even if you come in 5 years, he is a puppy (he is 2kg max!). Even if you don’t stay here, stop by and give Lucky some pets for me <3
Summary - Guide to Ta Van Village in Northern Vietnam
If you’re exploring any part of Northern Vietnam, don’t miss Ta Van Village. This town is a hidden gem close to the well-known city of Sa Pa, but has much more charm and authenticity you won’t want to miss.
The ethnic communities and their vibrant creations, the welcoming local people with restaurants and homestays, and the scenic environment of rice fields creates your perfect destination tucked in the mountains.
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