What Do Do In Lao Cai? Top Things To Do For Your Northern Vietnam Trip
What to do in Lao Cai? For a long time, the Lao Cai province, located in northern Vietnam, has been famous for its renowned tourist sites such as Sapa, Bac Ha, Fansipan, Y Ty,... The grandiose natural beauty and unique ethnic culture of the northwest region captivate and leave an indelible memory for all travelers worldwide. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam and looking for the top things to do in Lao Cai, read this article for an authentic and memorable journey!
Table of Contents
1. Go hiking in Lao Cai
With majestic karst mountains and vast rice terraces stretching as far as the eye can see, trekking is one of the best activities in Lao Cai. Located at a high altitude with a cool climate year-round, this region is perfect for hiking.
For those who love challenges, you can opt for a multi-day trek on Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, known as “the roof of Indochina". For a gentler experience, you can trek in the Lao Cai ethnic villages, such as Y Linh Ho, Ta Phin, or Nam Cang.
2. Enjoy Lao Cai's unique food
Inhabited by numerous ethnic minorities from northern Vietnam, Lao Cai is rich in cultural identity and diverse in local cuisine, attracting many food enthusiasts. Tasting the culinary specialties is one of the top things to do in Lao Cai.
Among the best dishes in Lao Cai are thang co (a soup made from horse or goat meat), Sapa salmon, dried buffalo meat, and sour pho from Bac Ha. Notably, all the ingredients are sourced directly from Lao Cai, including fresh temperate vegetables, rice, and free-range animals raised in the forests and rivers. This gives each dish from Lao Cai a unique and authentic flavor.
3. Reach Fansipan peak
Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, located in Lao Cai Vietnam. Conquering the roof of Indochina is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Lao Cai. However, besides the climb of over 3,000 meters, you can also take the cable car to the top of Indochina. The cable car experience attracts many tourists as it is the longest cable car in Vietnam. During the 20-minute ride, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lao Cai, from limestone mountains to lush fields and local villages.
Round-trip cable car fares to Fansipan:
- Adults: 800,000 VND
- Children: 550,000 VND
4. Train in Muong Hoa Valley
Located within the Fansipan tourist complex, the Muong Hoa mountain train is also a must-do activity in Lao Cai, offering a unique experience for visitors. It is the longest and most modern mountain train in Vietnam, designed in a European style. Throughout the 2 km route, the train runs along the mountain, providing a complete view of the Muong Hoa Valley, Cat Cat Village, and the beautiful surrounding mountains.
Muong Hoa climbing train fare: 180,000 VND
5. Meet ethnic people in craft villages
Traveling to Lao Cai, you will discover beautiful villages that resemble vast landscape paintings, which you can admire endlessly. It’s not only because of the picturesque landscapes but also because it’s home to many ethnic minorities of northern Vietnam. Thus, exploring ethnic villages is one of the best activities in Lao Cai, allowing you to discover the unique customs of the local people.
The ethnic groups living in Lao Cai include the Hmong, Tay, Dao, Giay, Nung, and others. The ethnic villages in Lao Cai are also divided according to regions and traditional crafts, such as alcohol distillation, traditional fabric embroidery, bamboo weaving, and more. In Lao Cai, the homestay model has developed, offering you the opportunity to live and directly interact with the locals.
Some ethnic villages to visit in Lao Cai:
- Cat Cat Village of the Hmong people
- Sin Chai Village of the Black Hmong people
- Lao Chai Village of the Dao people
- Ta Van Village of the Giay people
- Ho Village of the Tay people
6. Go shopping at Lao Cai ethnic markets
For a long time, many people have come to settle and trade in Lao Cai. Gradually, this region has become a commercial hub with numerous local ethnic markets. These are the ethnic minorities of northern Vietnam, leaving their villages early in the morning, either on horseback or carrying their goods to the market. There, they sell a wide variety of local products, from agricultural goods to handcrafted textiles, offering a fascinating shopping experience in Lao Cai.
While exploring the ethnic markets, you can meet many different ethnic groups. The locals don’t just go to the market to buy and sell but also to chat, share stories, and sometimes even find a partner and get married. Thus, visiting the ethnic market in Lao Cai seems like a unique cultural activity that visitors shouldn’t miss.
7. Discover beautiful waterfalls in Lao Cai
Blessed by nature with wild, majestic, and abundant landscapes, exploring the peaceful and poetic beautiful waterfalls, accompanied by many legends, is an activity not to be missed in Lao Cai.
The high waterfalls cascading down in white streams create a clear creek that meanders through the primary forest, offering a picturesque scene. You can trek to the top of the waterfalls, navigate on a wooden raft, or simply follow the river to explore the surroundings.
The most beautiful waterfalls in Lao Cai:
- Love Waterfall (Sapa)
- Dragon Waterfall (Bat Xat)
- Ta Lam Waterfall (Muong Khuong)
- Dau Nhuan Waterfall (Bao Thang)
Here are the best things to do in Lao Cai if you plan a trip to northern Vietnam. Visitors will surely have a beautiful and memorable journey exploring this lovely region. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your unforgettable vacation in this magnificent Southeast Asian country!
The best time to visit Lao Cai is from September to November and from March to May.
During these months, the weather is pleasant, with moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities like trekking and exploring scenic landscapes.
The autumn months of September to November offer stunning views of the rice terraces, while the spring months of March to May bring vibrant blooms and lush greenery.
These periods provide the perfect conditions to enjoy the natural beauty and cultural experiences that Lao Cai has to offer.
For shopping in Sapa, you can find a variety of unique, handcrafted items that reflect the local culture.
Traditional brocade products, such as bags, scarves, and clothes, made by ethnic minorities, are popular souvenirs. Silver jewelry, crafted by the Hmong people, is another highlight.
You can also purchase herbal teas, organic honey, and dried fruits from the local markets.
For those interested in textiles, hand-embroidered fabrics, and batik-dyed materials are great choices.
Additionally, Sapa's local wine, made from fruits like plums and peaches, makes for an interesting gift or keepsake from your visit.
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