Sapa has been becoming a major tourist destination of north Vietnam, a natural starting point for the unique experiences in the mountainous area, which includes the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Indochina’s highest peak of Fansipan (3,143m) and 5 different hill-tribes, each one colourful, distinct, and with its own language and cultural values. Some of the villages, especially the more remote ones, are still largely untouched by modern ways of life.
The main attraction in Sapa is to visit the hill tribe’s villages. There are many unique opportunities to experience the hidden trails, breathtaking sceneries, unmixed culture and way of life…but without the availability of basic accommodation. You can either sleep in local houses, or in tents outside the villages. Here began our idea of building the Ecolodge. Topas Ecolodge is now the only one of its kind in Vietnam. It has a perfect location – situated atop two cone formed hills, set deep in the spectacular Sapa valley of northern Vietnam.
Topas Ecolodge is based on sustainable principles to ensure that the lodge has a minimum impact on the surrounding environment. We employ local people and use local products and goods, in order to bring economic benefits to the local community as well as we have implemented a wastewater facility to avoid pollution of the local area.
How it all started
It all started around 1993 when Topas Travel from Denmark arranged tours to the area in corporation with a local Vietnamese family. Together we got the idea for Topas Ecolodge in 1999. After investigating the area and applying for permissions the building project was launched in June 2003.
The main idea when we first started to consider building the lodge was to create a comfortable base near the minority villages. We wanted to offer a comfortable stay for our guests in a remote area, close to the local life. We felt that a full-service five star hotel would not be the right fit. So we built a simple base that would have the least amount of impact on the natural surroundings. When we first built here there was no electricity, no mobile reception and no internet. Much has happened since.
Topas Ecolodge opened in April 2005.

Topas Ecolodge is not to everyones taste
We want to be sure that we have presented ourselves as accurately as possible before you visit us. Therefore, there are some things you should know; Topas Ecolodge is situated 18 km outside Sapa town and the bus ride is approximately 45 min. We call it an “adventurous bus ride” mainly because the road conditions are not too good, but also because you’ll meet many of the ethnic minorities of this area and probably a few buffalos.
We call ourselves a ‘lodge’ because we are not an ordinary hotel. Our bungalows have no TV or other entertainment and we have no swimming pool or spa facilities.
Our employees are young people from local minorities and not all are equally proficient in English.
We often experience break down of the power supply and during the rice planting season we struggle with the lack of water.
Sometimes the weather is clear and sometimes it’s cloudy – and it can be even muddy.
However, we have a very unusual location with a spectacular view and lots of unique trekking and mountain biking trails in our backyard. We invite people out here to experience Vietnam in a different way and to escape the busy city life for a true and quiet mountain getaway.

* FIT: Less than 12 rooms
- Cancellation made before 10 days to arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays): no charge.
- Cancellation made within 10-05 days to arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays): charge 100% of the first night rate.
- Cancellations made within 04 days to arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays) or no show: charge 100% of the total amount of booking charge.
* GIT: More than 12 rooms
- Cancellation made before 48 days to arrival (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays): No charge.
- Cancellation made within 48-18 days before arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays): charge 100% of the first night rate.
- Cancellations made within 17-10 days before arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays) or no show: charge 50% of the total amount of booking charge.
- Cancellations made within 09 days before arrival day (except Saturday, Sunday, Holidays) or no show: charge 100% of the total amount of booking charge.