Vietnam is a country with both tropical as well as temperate climates is nothing short of a paradise. Coming to the peaks that this beautiful country has, Mt Fansipan needs a special mention.
Fansipan is the highest and the most stunning mountain in the Indochinese peninsula, also known as the ‘Roof of Indochina’. It is situated in the Loa Cai province of the Northwest region of Vietnam, with an altitude measuring 3147.3 metres (10,326 feet). The trek to Mt Fansipan usually gets covered in 2 days and 1 Night by experts and might take more than two days for beginners.
People with reasonable fitness levels can easily climb it in one day. The Vietnam trek became popular fairly recently when the Sunworld cable car ride was launched in February 2016. It is the longest three-wire cable car in the world and can make the return trip to SaPa* easily possible on the same day.
The picturesque cable car ride from SaPa Town takes you to the base camp of Mount Fansipan. This one-way trek allows you to dig into the beauty of Vietnam’s loftiest mountain. If you are an adventure seeker, try both cable car rides and trekking in one trip, climb up by cable car and come down on foot!
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The highlights of the Mt Fansipan trekking in Vietnam are as follows:
- Climb the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula (comprising Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia)
- Experience the highest and longest suspended cable system in the world.
- 2D/1N Halong Bay Cruise
- Trekking in Sapa inside the Bamboo Forests
- Meet and greet with Hmong Hill Tribe people
- Explore the Ba Trai Dao area
- Kayaking at the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay
- Visit the famous Frog Pond area – the filming location of the famous movie Kong Skull Island (King Kong)
Why is Mt Fansipan trekking in Vietnam so famous?
Fansipan attracts countless local and international visitors with its magnificence. As soon as you reach the SunWorld Fansipan Legend yard, you will be greeted by a field of beautiful sunflowers. The cable car ride, as mentioned earlier is another main attraction that gives you an enthralling experience. Each car can easily carry up to 35 passengers. You will come across a serene garden complex with Azalea trees and a celestial Budhha statue situated on the mountainside. There are 18 well-sculpted bronze statues. As you put your final leg to the Fansipan summit, you will be welcomed by an incredible vista of cloud-covered peaks.
The highest point of the peak is best suited for capturing unforgettable memories. The Fansipan trek offers breathtaking views, a trip through the native village, hidden trails, and many other activities along the way. The Sapa Cat Village in Vietnam is one of the stops on this trek that many trekkers find memorable. There are also plenty of other activities to do that you do not want to miss. Overall, Mt Fansipan trekking in Vietnam offers an unforgettable experience with its impressive views and unique culture – absolutely worth your time!
How to get to Mt Fansipan in Vietnam
The starting point for the ascent is usually the town centre in Sapa, Lao Cai City. It takes around two to seven days to reach the top of Mount Fansipan and return, depending on your fitness level, the state of the trekking trail and also how many der-routes/activities you want to engage in. International travellers can arrive at the Noi Bai International Airport, which is the nearest landing point. From here, you have to reach Sapa, and you can opt for any of the three options given below to reach sapa-
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Take a train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
You can take an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, which is around 8 Hours of the journey. Two local trains depart from Hanoi to sapa at night, one as early as 7.40 pm and the other at 11 pm. You will reach Lao Cai at around 6 to 7 am. You have to take a local bus or private car from Lao Cai to Sapa, which takes an hour of drive. Head to Silver waterfalls from Sapa, keep walking until you see the sign of love waterfalls and stop at Tram Ton.
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Hanoi to Sapa by bus
There are buses from Hanoi to Sapa, which take around 6 hours to reach Sapa. My Dinh bus station in southwest Hanoi has coaches departing to Sapa day and night.
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Hanoi to Sapa by private car
You can quickly get to Sapa by private car. Several tour companies offer private car services, and these are flexible too. You can stop anywhere to sip on coffee or take snaps. The journey from Hanoi to Sapa takes about 6 hours; you can refresh yourself by taking a nap.
The best time for Mt Fansipan trekking in Vietnam
Fansipan is always beautiful; every season gives it a unique appearance and beauty. But, the period between early September to the end of April is the best suitable time for the Fansipan trek. If you want to relish its beauty in the cold months, then December and January are the best. If you are looking for bearable temperature ranges, we suggest October and November.
For easy reference, we have categorised the times to visit as follows:
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The Quyen flower season.
February to April is when the Roof of Indochina blooms with Do Quyen flowers. If you trek anytime during this period, you will be amazed by its beauty. There are around 50 different species of Do Quyen flowers with different colours. Although these flowers bloom throughout the year, during this period, the place radiates with thousands of vibrant coloured flowers. This will make you fall in love with Sapa at first sight.
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Ripe rice season
Another great time to visit the place falls between early September to November, which is considered the Ripe rice season. You will have an opportunity to witness the captivating terrace fields with a lovely green background, just as you see in Bollywood movies. This spectacular view remains in your memory forever. The place is worth capturing. During this period, the weather of Sapa keeps changing in the day, giving you the experience of 4 distinct seasons in a day. All of these events make Fansipan a must-do trek.
Mt Fansipan trekking in Vietnam- all about hiking permits
As an International hiker, you must have a permit to climb the Mt Fansipan trek. The centre of Ecotourism and Environmental Education is in charge of permitting International hikers. The centre is in Sapa, on the road leading to the Cat Cat village. If you book a trek with Treknomads we will be getting the permit for you. Otherwise, if you are taking the trek on your own, then you will have to apply for a permit; once the permit is approved you will be notified about it as you arrive at the Sapa centre of tourism. Sometimes, your application might also get rejected and hence you will have to re-apply. Hence, make sure you have enough buffer at the time of application.
Before you start the trek, ensure you have all the necessary documents, including a passport and other credentials, and be prepared for the trek.
Final words
Although Fansipan had been loved by numerous trekkers, there has been a steep decline in the number of visitors because of the construction of the cable car. It definitely would not go extinct but we can’t say how long is it going to survive. Thus, we suggest you witness the Roof of Indochina as soon as possible as we don’t want you to regret it later. See you at Fansipan, hoping to give you an extraordinary experience.