Lao Cai Vietnam, the most popular travel destination offers not only a huge collection of trekking tours in Vietnam, but also many mountain bike tours, highland market discovery, ethnic culture, homestay experience. Some of well known places of Lao Cai province include Sapa, Bac Ha market, Fansipan mountain.
Lao Cai Vietnam Map
Lao Cai is a province of the mountainous Northwest region of Vietnam bordering the province of Yunnan in China on the north, Lai Chau Province on the west, Ha Giang Province on the east and Yen Bai, Son La provinces on the south.
Located 300km from Hanoi, Lao Cai can be reached by car or train. Most of tourist trains leave Hanoi at night, arriving Lao Cai early morning the following day. The car journey is now only 5-6 hours thanks to the Express highway Hanoi – Lao Cai.
Lao Cai and Sapa are two important cities within the province at the border with China; the former is well known as key trading post and the latter is hill station famous for tourism, in the Northwest region of Vietnam. Lao Cai is also the capital of Lao Cai Province and shares border with the city of Hekou, in the Yunnan province of Southwest China. This border town was closed after the 1979 war with China, since reopened in 1993, has become a major tourist centre between Hanoi, Sapa and Kunming (China).
Lao Cai what to see
Lao Cai still preserves lots of cultural and historical sites. One of outstanding vestiges is the ancient stone in Muong Hoa Valley (Sapa). There are many beautiful caves such as Thuy Tien (Bat Xat), Ta Phoi (Cam Duong), Tien-Trung Do (Bac Ha), Xuan Quang (Bao Thang).
Sapa is the most popular travel destination of the province. Many new married couples like spending their honeymoon in Sapa because of good weather and romantic sightseeing. Coming to Sapa in summer you can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. Discover interesting places including Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo forest, Ta Phin Cave and Sapa ancient rock field.
Bac Ha Market hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands. It is a typical weekly activity for the H’Mong and other minority groups living in the locality. In Cat Cat Village many H’Mong residents are good at manipulating gold and silver jewelry.
It is festinate to travel from Lai Chau to Lao Cai following National Highway No. 4D because of scenery along roadsides and impressive sight of Hoang Lien Son Range. This way attracts to people liking the adventure and discover on bicycle, too.
Lao Cai Weather
Lao Cai has typical mountainous climate. The dry season lasts from October to March, it is cold. And the rain season is from April to September. Annual average temperature is 23oC. Specially, sometime, there is snow in Sapa.
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Trips to Lao Cai
- Sapa Tours
1 Day Sapa Trek
$57.00 Add to cartExperience the breathtaking natural beauty of Sapa, Vietnam with our 1-day trek to Y Linh Ho village and Muong Hoa valley. Follow a popular trekking route through stunning rice paddy terraces and visit Black H’mong and Giay ethnic minority villages. Book your adventure with us today and discover the hidden gems of Vietnam’s stunning landscape.
- Sapa Tours
1 Day Trekking Sapa Tour
$89.00 Add to cartExperience the beauty of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range with the 1 Day Trekking Sapa Tour from Hiking Vietnam. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, including the Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton pass, as you trek through the lush rainforest and visit the H’mong village of Sin Chai. This adventure is perfect for those seeking a challenging and rewarding day trip in Sapa.
- Vietnam Multi-Activity Holidays
13 Day Vietnam Tour – North, South Viet Nam
Read more13 Day Vietnam Tour North South Viet Nam offers the opportunity to visit Hanoi, Mai Chau, Tam Coc, Sapa, Halong bay, Ho Chi Minh city and Mui Ne beach, Phan Thiet. Enjoy hiking, countryside cycling, trekking, highland market, homestay, boat cruise, sea kayaking…
- Sapa Tours
3 Day Trekking Sapa – Sin Chai, Y Linh Ho Village Route
Read more3 Day Trekking Sapa Sin Chai Y Linh Ho Village Route takes you to such Sapa villages as Sin Chai village, cat cat village, y linh ho village, lao chai san village, lao hang chai village, giang ta van village. Begin the trekking tour with…
- Vietnam Multi-Activity Holidays
6 Days North Vietnam Itinerary – Sapa, Halong Bay
Read more6 Days North Vietnam Itinerary Sapa Halong Bay is a combination of Sapa villages trek and Halong bay cruise tour. You meet up with different ethnic groups as you hike from village to village. Spending the night at local home (homestay) also offers a real life experience.
- Vietnam Market Tours
Bac Ha Market Tour 1 Day
Read moreBac Ha Market Tour 1 Day is arranged on Sunday from either Sapa or Lao Cai. If you are into markets for people watching Bac Ha Sunday market is the place for you. Watching people going about their business buying and selling their products…