As March arrives, the entire border region of Lao Cai is ablaze with colorful flowers and the vibrant green of budding trees. On a beautiful sunny weekend, we had the opportunity to travel up the Red River to the A Mu Sung area, visiting the Lung Po flagpole, an attractive destination "where the Red River flows into Vietnamese territory".
This season, Provincial Road 156, from the border commune of Trinh Tuong to Lung Po village in A Mu Sung commune, is ablaze with the vibrant red of blooming kapok flowers, drawing the attention of passersby. Upon reaching Lung Po village, most tourists choose to stop at the Lung Po flagpole – a famous landmark constructed by the Lao Cai Provincial Youth Union, starting on March 26, 2016 and completed on February 16, 2017. It sits in a unique geographical location on a raised platform near the confluence of three rivers, where the Lung Po stream flows into the Red River, marking the first point where the Red River enters Vietnamese territory.
The Lung Po flagpole is built on an area of 2,100 m² , with a height of 41 m. The flagpole itself is 31.43 m high, symbolizing the 3,143 m high peak of Fansipan. The national flag at the top of the flagpole has an area of 25 m², representing the 25 ethnic groups of the former Lao Cai province. Inside the flagpole, 125 spiral steps are designed so that locals and tourists can climb to the top to admire the panoramic view of "where the Red River flows into Vietnam." Right next to the flagpole is a memorial house where visitors can offer incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh .
On weekends, many tourists from all over the country come to visit the Lung Po flagpole. Ms. Nguyen Thi Duc Hau, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “I am very proud to visit the Lung Po flagpole, a sacred landmark at the northernmost point of the country. Especially, visiting border marker number 92, which affirms national border sovereignty , makes me even more appreciative and grateful to the border guards who are protecting this land day and night.”
Sebastien, a tourist from France, shared: “I am very proud to have come to the upstream border region of Vietnam. The people here are very kind and friendly. The scenery in Vietnam is beautiful, and I love your country.”
In recent times, the Lung Po flagpole has become an attractive destination in the upper reaches of the Red River. Many tourist groups come here to visit and experience, including many young people and students who come to learn about the history of the land "where the Red River flows into Vietnam". According to statistics from the People's Committee of A Mu Sung commune, during the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the Lung Po flagpole site welcomed over 1,100 domestic and international tourists.
Although impressed by the beauty and sacred significance of the Lung Po flagpole, many tourists also expressed dissatisfaction with the infrastructure and services available during their visit.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Duc Hau, a tourist from Hanoi, said, "I encountered difficulties because the road to Lung Po lacks clear signage. Furthermore, at the Lung Po flagpole tourist site, there are only one or two rather rudimentary drink stalls, and no food or rest areas to meet the needs of tourists. There are also no tour guides to introduce the area. Tourists cannot buy souvenirs or mementos from their visit to the Lung Po flagpole. In addition, the road from the Lung Po flagpole down to milestone 92 is still a rough, rocky trail, making travel difficult, especially in the rain."
Speaking to reporters about the difficulties and shortcomings at the Lung Po flagpole tourist destination, Mr. Hoang Manh Quyen - Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of A Mu Sung commune, said: “The Lung Po flagpole is a structure with great significance and is attracting many tourists. However, in reality, this location has not yet been recognized as a tourist destination and is still facing many difficulties and obstacles in the provincial-level tourism planning.”
Fifteen years ago, on February 21, 2011, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province issued Decision No. 400/QD-UBND recognizing community tourism destinations and pilot tourism routes in Bat Xat district. Accordingly, Lung Po tourist destination – “where the Red River flows into Vietnam” – associated with the Mong ethnic cultural tourism village in Lung Po 2 hamlet, was one of the five recognized community tourism destinations.
Although the Lung Po tourist site has been recognized by the Provincial People's Committee, it has not yet received adequate investment for development. Furthermore, during the rainy and stormy seasons, the Lung Po 2 area is at risk of landslides, making community tourism development difficult. In addition, maintaining visitor reception and improving the landscape around the Lung Po flagpole area faces numerous challenges in terms of funding and human resources for management and guidance.
In fact, the Lung Po flagpole area in particular, and Lung Po village, A Mu Sung commune in general, holds an important position in the border region, possessing great potential for tourism and border gate economic development. Therefore, it has received attention from the Provincial People's Committee and relevant levels and sectors in planning.
On January 25, 2019, the People's Committee of Lao Cai province issued Decision No. 263/QD-UBND approving the detailed construction plan for the Lung Po area, A Mu Sung commune, with a total planning area of 40 hectares. This plan aims to create an eco-tourism, commercial service, and socio-cultural area that reflects the unique characteristics of the Lung Po region, "where the Red River flows into Vietnam," with complete social and technical infrastructure in accordance with the orientation of the project to expand the border economic zone of Lao Cai province.
On September 10, 2025, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 1958/QD-TTg approving the adjustment of the general planning for the construction of the Lao Cai Border Economic Zone until 2045. Accordingly, the Lung Po area in A Mu Sung commune will become a cross-border tourism, cultural and spiritual tourism area. Regarding economic infrastructure, the development will include an eco-tourism resort along the Lung Po stream in A Mu Sung commune, bordering China, covering approximately 45 hectares, including the Lung Po pagoda. Alongside this will be the Lung Po cultural and eco-tourism park in A Mu Sung commune, covering approximately 160 hectares.
Mr. Hoang Manh Quyen, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of A Mu Sung commune, said: "The Lung Po flagpole area is currently attracting many domestic and international tourists, but it is facing many difficulties in tourism development."
At the end of 2025, the People's Committee of A Mú Sung commune worked with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and requested the department to soon appraise and submit to the Provincial People's Committee for recognition of the Lũng Pô flagpole as a provincial-level tourist destination, creating a legal basis for investment in construction and landscape improvement to meet the needs of tourists.
In reality, recognizing and systematically developing the Lung Po flagpole tourist site aligns with the national tourism system strategy and planning, and the implementation of the Lao Cai Border Economic Zone Planning needs more attention from all levels and sectors. This will create a strong impetus, a crucial leverage point for Lung Po to become a bright spot in tourism and border trade, helping A Mu Sung commune achieve important socio-economic targets by 2030 as set forth in the Resolution of the First Party Congress of A Mu Sung commune, term 2025-2030.
Presented by: Thanh Ba
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/de-lung-po-tro-thanh-diem-sang-du-lich-post895764.html
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