Published:  10:46 Friday - September 07, 2018

Sa Pa is one of the most attractive destination to tourists in the Northwest of Vietnam, located far 30 km from the centre of Lao Cai city and at 1500 - 1800 m above sea level. Sa Pa town seems to be floating in the clouds with the cool weather all year round, putting on Sa Pa a poetic and romantic picture. The best time to visit here is falling on March - May or August - October. Tourists come here not only want to admire the spectacular view and scenery of Sa Pa town but also discover local customs and culture of ethnic people: H'mong, Dao, Tay,,,

1. Conquering Fansipan peak mountain

The highlight of Sa Pa is Fansipan that appeals a lot of tourist to conquer. With the height of 3143 m, Fansipan is considered as "Roof of Indochina" and is the highest mountain in Vietnam as well. The mountain is in the centre of Hoang Lien Sơn pass and about 9 km from the southwest of Sa Pa town, it takes you 6 to 7 days to climb up the peak of the mountain. However, with the help of modern cable car, you only need 15 minutes to step your foot on the peak of Fansipan. You will see all the green forests, clouds floating, admire the terraced rice fields stretching til the horizon of the sky and the breathtaking view of huge mountains that actually can blow you away. 

Fansipan peak mountain

Admiring Fansipan by cable cars

2. O Quy Ho Pass

O Quy Ho pass is one of the four biggest passes of the Northwest that every adventure tourist wants to conquer and step on it. Because the pass is surrounded by floating clouds all day so the local also name it "Clould pass". O Quy Ho pass is 50 km long and runs through Hoang Lien Son range, connecting Lao Cai and Lai Chau province and it is the most dangerous road for transportation or trekking. The interesting things of O Quy Ho pass is that in the side of Lao Cai province, the climate is always thick foggy while in Lai Chau, the weather is sunny and floating clouds in summer, even snows in winter, which is such a pleasure for visitors to immerse themselves in the mysterious beauty of the pass. Viewing from the top, human seems to be smaller in front of the majestic scenery of mountains. 

O Quy Ho Pass

3. Cat Cat Village 

Lying under Hoang Lien Son huge mountain, Cat Cat village is the home of H'mong people. When you visit here, it will be a pleasure for you to discover the simple lifestyle and rustic customs of ethnic people, enjoy the beautiful and poetic nature as well as fresh yourself with new and interesting things.

Wildness of nature and poetic Cat Cat village

A stunning and amazing picture of local child 

Children living in Cat Cat village, Sa Pa 

The beauty of Cat cat village places in each beautiful small wooden roof lying down the mountain, in the daily routine and activities of the local: hard working farmers on yellow rice fields, clever women with weaving looms and innocent smiles of mountain children. 

4. Sa Pa stone church 

It is  built in 1895 and also known as Holy Rosary church. The cathedral is the most ancient architectural work of the French left in Sa Pa, Lao Cai. The shape and architecture of the church was built in the cross, in Roman Gothic architecture, which reflects through the roof, the bell tower, and the arches... The church looks the east of the rising sun, which is regarded as the source of shining of Jesus, and the behind of the architecture is Bell tower lying in the west, representing the place of birth of the God. 

The Stone Church, Sa Pa 

The ancient charm of the cathedral 

5. Sa Pa market 

 If you step in Sa pa, you should not miss a chance to shop at the local market of people here. It is not only the place for the locals to exchange products but also is where couple of young boys and girls to date, sing and flute. At the market, they sell daily products such as food, vegetables, brocade fabric and corn wine, horse or traditional dishes like "thang co", "com lam" - rice in bamboo pipes, smoked bufalo meat,,,

Morning market

Dancing and singing at local market 

Thang co

Com lam