Lao Cai is one of the provinces which are located along the Chinese-Vietnamese border northwest of the country. The city of Lao Cai is 354km northwest of Hanoi

The province enjoys moderate tropical climate; the average temperature in highlands varies between 18oC-28oC and 20oC-22oC in the plains. In winter, the mountain peaks are covered with snow and peach trees are in bloom.

The main rivers are Red River and Chay River. Forests provide valuable timber species (veined wood, removed wood, bulbous aralia, aconite). Among the inorganic minerals, there are apatite, red copper, lead, tin, amalgamated gold and silver. Rice and corn are the main agricultural products. Fruit trees that are grown here include peach, plum, orange, pineapple, etc.

Mount Fanxipan attracts visitors. It rises to an altitude of 3,143m above sea level, the highest in Indochina.

Lao Cai recalls people of peaches from Sapa and plums from Bac Ha. Without forgetting varieties of cabbage, Lao Cai is also a land suitable for the development of valuable medicinal plants: eucommia, tsaoko, amomum, ginseng, etc.

Sapa, a famous tourist site, is located at 1560m above sea level and 37km from Lao Cai, with picturesque landscapes. Here the climate is mild in summer, sometimes it snows in winter. Sapa attracts many tourists.

The ideal land and climate of Sapa are very favorable for breeding of livestock (goat, beef, buffalo, horse) and for planting fruit trees of great value.

Bac Ha and Muong Khuong markets form cultural and economic meetings of ethnic minorities including H’mong from high mountains that descend to exchange goods. All market days are like holidays.

Sapa

At 1650m above sea level and 350km from Hanoi, in a beautiful ring of mountains dotted with villages, this is the “blue country”, as it is called, and a small resort founded by the French in 1922. It is a very touristy place because now around Sapa there are rice terraces offering many opportunities for hiking.

Mount Ham Rong

A small mountain overlooking the city and whose lower part was transformed into a public park. It is sufficient to go to the garden of orchids. You will have a panorama view of Sapa and Fanxipan from Mount Ham Rong.

Sapa market

Located on the main square of the village and the stairs nearby. Most of the region’s ethnic groups come to sell their products. Black H’mong (two thirds of the population) are recognizable by their leggings that make them a sort of gaiters

Around Sapa

Cat Cat village: Black H’mong village

Lao Chai, Ta Van villages: 15km from the center of Sapa. Lao Chai is the village of Dzay people (the lower part) and H’mong (in the hills). Ta Van is a large village populated by Dzay, H’mong, and Red Dzao. We cross landscapes of rice terraces. A night at home-stay to better understand the lives of these minorities.

Ban Ho village: About 30km southeast of Sapa. The Tay ethnic group is a majority. The site of hot springs near Muong Hoa River is within walking distance. Swimming is possible in small basins.

Mount Fanxipan: This mountain is the highest peak in Vietnam and Indochina, the ascent normally takes 2 nights and 3 days. Atop Mount, a triangle of victory is placed on a carpet of wild grasses in a stony and treeless environment.