Sa Pa – “where heaven and earth meet”

Việt Nam•11/10/2023

“Floating, floating white clouds, glimpses of undulating forests/ Sparkling clear blue stream, bustling colors of the market.../ The sound of the flute echoes as the young man goes to the market, who is he meeting that makes him so happy?/ What does the sound of your mouth harp tell us as we sit together tonight?”

A Hmong man plays the flute on the streets of Sa Pa.

As the lyrics of musician Phùng Chiến's song suggest, the defining characteristics of Sa Pa are white clouds, forests, the vibrant colors of the market, and the sound of the bamboo flute... these are all inherent features of Sa Pa.

The town of Sa Pa as seen from Ham Rong mountain.

Over 20 years ago, we visited Sa Pa when it was still just a town, with its distinctive cold climate and witnessing rare hailstorms in the evening. Returning in September 2023, Lao Cai province was celebrating 120 years of Sa Pa tourism (1903-2023) – an event marking the growth and development of Sa Pa tourism. In my personal opinion, Sa Pa has become more "crowded" now, even though Lao Cai province has planned to expand the town from 120 hectares to 300 hectares, an expansion that has been approved by relevant ministries and agencies.

Tien Sa Waterfall in Sa Pa

The town of Sa Pa is a popular tourist destination located about 30 km from the center of Lao Cai city. This distance has now been shortened with the completion and opening of the Mong Sen Bridge, eliminating the need for tourists to travel through treacherous and winding mountain passes. Situated at an average altitude of 1,500-1,800 meters above sea level, Sa Pa is always shrouded in swirling clouds, creating a strangely beautiful and mystical landscape. The area possesses an invaluable resource: a year-round pleasant and cool climate, with an average temperature of 15-18°C.

Dáy ethnic women embroider brocade products.

Red Dao women sell brocade fabrics at the market.

Grilled dishes are a favorite among tourists in Sa Pa.

Dáy ethnic women with their brocade products.

Tourists come here not only to enjoy the fresh air and the simple tranquility of a northwestern region, but Sa Pa is also a destination to admire the pristine beauty of terraced rice fields, waterfalls, majestic mountains, and to explore the customs, cultural beauty, and cuisine of the ethnic groups in the mountains such as the Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, and Day…

Road up Ham Rong Mountain

Hmong village

In Sa Pa, Ham Rong Mountain is located right in the heart of the town, accessible to any visitor for panoramic views of the town, the Muong Hoa Valley, Sa Pa, and Ta Phin, all shrouded in mist. Nowadays, thanks to human efforts in beautification, Ham Rong is truly a scenic spot brimming with flowers and fruits in Sa Pa. Climbing Ham Rong, visitors feel as if they've entered a fairy garden, enveloped in clouds and covered in vibrant flowers.

Flower gardens on Ham Rong mountain and the ancient stone church of Sa Pa.

Sa Pa also has an ancient stone church right in the town, and from the town, heading northeast on the road to Ta Phin Cave, there is a monastery built almost entirely of stone on a clear, airy hillside.

Ancient rock formations of Sa Pa

Throughout its development, Sa Pa has built unique tourism products such as: being one of the 7 most beautiful and magnificent terraced rice fields in the world, as announced by Travel and Leisure magazine (USA) in 2009; and one of the 10 most beautiful trails in the world, as announced by Lonely Planet travel guide publisher in 2011. In 2022, the most challenging race on the planet (Vietnam Mountain Marathon), with many distances, including a 160 km race along a route through ethnic minority villages and the endless terraced rice fields of Sa Pa during the rice harvest season, allowing athletes to enjoy the spectacular natural scenery of the mountains and forests, attracted 5,300 athletes from 48 countries and territories.

The rice harvest season on the terraced fields in Sa Pa.

Sa Pa boasts Fansipan Peak, reaching 3,143 meters in height, located in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. It's called Hoang Lien Son because this mountain range is the only place where the Hoang Lien plant, a rare and precious medicinal herb, grows. A visit to Sa Pa is incomplete without seeing this place. Known as the "Roof of Indochina," it only takes 15 minutes to conquer the highest point in Southeast Asia, and watching the national flag flutter in the wind fills you with pride and love for your homeland. From the cable car, visitors can witness the breathtaking scenery of constantly changing clouds, creating a mesmerizing natural landscape.

The cable car ascends to the summit of Fansipan, and tourists take photos at the mountaintop.

According to data from our Lao Cai newspaper colleagues, in 2022, Sa Pa welcomed over 2.5 million visitors, generating revenue from tourism and services exceeding 7,000 billion VND. It is estimated that in 2023, Sa Pa will welcome over 3.5 million tourists, with revenue exceeding 12,000 billion VND.

The fascinating clouds above Fansipan peak

In the future, Sa Pa will develop even further, as on March 20, 2023, the Prime Minister approved the general planning for the construction of the Sa Pa National Tourist Area – Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province until 2040. Lao Cai province has also fully prepared the conditions for the commencement of construction of Sa Pa Airport. 120 years of tourism in Sa Pa marks a milestone of continuous and relentless development, ensuring this destination continues to shine on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world.