Sapa Weather in February: Temperature & Things to Do

Sapa is surrounded by mountains and forests. Therefore, the weather is cloudy and foggy, especially during February. However, this kind of weather cannot prevent travellers from exploring Sapa’s rich cultural diversity and rugged scenery.

Sapa, a mountainous area located in Northern Vietnam, is one of the best destinations you should not skip once visiting this country. Sapa weather is cool in the summer and super cold in the winter. Thus, if you tend to travel in the early months like February, you should check the weather carefully in order not to ruin your trip. In this article, we will show you some necessary information about this season. If you want to learn more, just keep reading.

What is the weather like in Sapa in February?

Located on the remote North-western mountains of Vietnam, Sapa is one of the most attractive destinations in the Southeast Asian region. Lied at 1650m above sea level, Sapa has cloudy and foggy weather, especially during the month of February. This is due to its mountainous surroundings and dense forest cover that surrounds the town. Famous for its rich cultural diversity as well as fine and rugged scenery, Sapa is a popular destination for travelers. Sapa's weather in February sees temperatures between 8°C and 14°C with approximately 4 hours of sunshine every day. 

The daily average temperature for Sapa in February is around 11°C. You can expect rainfall with an average of 80mm precipitation during the month. The moderate amount of rainfall in the area is due to rain, fog, and mist that is a general factor at this time of year. However, towards the end of the month, warmer weather starts to come.

Generally, a day in Sapa can bring many weather conditions like fog in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon. Humidity for the town can reach 82% but you won't feel any discomfort due to the cooler temperatures. The climate at this time of year makes it a great time to take part in outdoor activities, however, check local forecasts if you're planning on hiking or spending the day outdoors. Frost, cloud cover, and fog can cause low visibility to be impaired so proceed with caution.

Pros: February is still off-season for traveling so you don’t have to deal with a big number of people to flock to Sapa. If you don’t mind the coldness, when the fog clears, the view is quite surreal and magical at the same time. Some of the best photos are taken during this season.

Cons: The weather is still cold, freezing, and foggy, also the views are often limited to 20 -30 meters due to the fog. When the fog is clear.

What to do in Sapa during February?

Bac Ha market

There are many things to do in Sapa, including visiting the Bac Ha market. Held every Sunday, this market offers you the chance to explore a taste of Vietnam by taking a look or even purchasing local goods. Located just 2 hours and a half away from Sapa, why not take a tour to the Bac Ha region and see the diverse and minority groups that come to the market to sell their goods.

Opening early, you can spend your morning taking a stroll around the market before having dinner in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a walk around the local area and even enjoy a ride on a horse and cart before the journey home.

Bac Ha market

Phong Hai market

Phong Hai market is also a good option for you during this time of the year, which takes place every Monday. Situated only an hour and a half away from Sapa, this market allows you to take in the area close to the border gate between Vietnam and China. Here, you can buy some vegetables and fresh fruits and head back to the town for lunch. 

Events and Festivals

Sapa is the home of many ethnic minority groups. Each group has its own unique customs and festivals. Xa Pho ethnic minority group is the least dense population in Sapa and known to reside in the South of Sapa.

Every February following the lunar calendar, Xa Pho ethnic people hold the “Village Sweeping Festival”. According to the belief of the Xa Pho ethnic group, February is the time when a lot of starving ghosts come to their village and disturb local people’s daily life. Therefore, they organize the village sweeping festival wishing for a peaceful new year and an abundant harvesting season. Before the day of the ceremony, the heads of all households in the village usually meet at the oldest person’s house to discuss the preparation for the festival.

During the festival time, the master of the festival will come to each house with a wooden sword in his hand and perform the house cleaning rituals, protecting the village and making the monsters and hungry ghosts stay out of the house. After the ritual is complete, members in the house can enjoy the feast yet not bring the food into the village.

Tips for traveling to Sapa in February

• In case you forgot anything at home, you can find it at any store selling trekking gear in Sapa Town. Remember to bargain hard when buying at these stores.
• Hire a local guide, especially if you are planning to trek in Sapa in February. Regardless of the length of the hike, hiring a local tour guide is highly recommended. Even though Sapa is safe and easy to do self-guided trekking, it is better to have someone who knows the area, the best viewing spots, and understand the weather.
• If you would like to travel around Sapa, renting a motorbike is a good option. With a bike, you can easily explore the village and enjoy the view that looks over the hills. For renting options, you can look at BestPrice or some travel agencies that provide motorbike tours in Sapa.
• You might encounter many local ethnic women who try to sell you souvenirs, bracelets, etc. . There are even young children that will ask you to purchase items from them. The best thing to do is say no politely and continue walking if you don't have intentions of purchasing anything from them. They even follow you on your trekking route. But don’t worry, they do no harm so the best thing to do is say no politely and continue walking if you don’t have intentions of purchasing anything from them
•  If you do buy fabric items from the H'mong tribe such as scarves or tapestries, be careful not to let them have direct contact with your clothes. The indigo dye that is used to color the fabric will run until it is washed a few times.  

Sapa weather in Feb

What to pack?

• Bring some warm clothes as it’s been freezing during the nighttime 
• A waterproof Jacket and light jacket are essential to bring with you 
• Also, a raincoat or an umbrella can save you from an unexpected downpour 
• Spare socks and underwear
• Consider bringing a flip flop that you might need after taking a shower, especially if you stay overnight at a homestay
• A comfortable pair of shoes, choose the one with a good grip!

Now you have information that you need to know about Sapa’s weather in March and hope these are useful to your next trip. Still confusing about when to go and what to do in Sapa, or are you looking for less-known hiking trails? We got you covered, visit BesPrice Travel and we will guide you to have the best tour in Sapa that is unforgettable in your life.

Let's find the best Sapa tours to visit in February now!

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Van Anh 

Image source: Internet