Sa Pa tourism market booms during National Day holiday

Most of the major hotels in Sa Pa were fully booked during the September 2nd holiday this year. Sa Pa's tourism stimulus policy has contributed significantly to the growth of Sa Pa tourism in particular and the recovery of the tourism industry in Lao Cai province in general.

Sun Plaza Hotel is also the starting point of the cable car to the top of Fansipan. Photo: Q. Lien

  Stimulate demand by creating uniqueness and diversity

During the 4-day National Day holiday this year, the Sa Pa tourism market was more vibrant than previous years. Most of the big hotels such as Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel, Topas Ecolodge, Hotel de la Coupole or homestays had very high occupancy rates and were booked early by tourists.

Sa Pa town center lake. Photo: Q. Lien

It is not difficult to understand why the weather this year is very favorable, the terraced fields are in the ripe rice season, so many families choose this place as a resting place before entering the new school year.

During the September 2nd holiday this year, Sa Pa organized many events in response to the 20th Anniversary of Sa Pa Tourism, including the September 2nd Flag Raising Ceremony and the Vu Lan Festival organized by Sun World on Fansipan Peak (from August 28 to 30). More than 300 Buddhists from Quang Ninh Province and thousands of tourists participated in the spiritual festival held at the spiritual cultural complex on the top of Fansipan Mountain.

Flag-raising ceremony on Fansipan peak. Photo: Sun World Fansipan Legend

In the near future, Sa Pa will organize many attractive events such as the International Mountain Marathon - VMM Sa Pa 2023 (from September 22 to September 24), International Food Festival... The race is organized by the People's Committee of Sa Pa town in coordination with Topas Explorer Group and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the race held in Sa Pa. Compared to previous years, the 2023 race will change the distance in some events, remove some events, and diversify the running routes to increase the challenge for the athletes participating.

So far, about 4,500 professional and amateur athletes have registered to participate, of which 20% are foreigners. According to the Organizing Committee, this year's Marathon is honored to have the presence of Nicolai Prytz, Ambassador of Denmark to Vietnam.

Mountain scenery seen from Fansipan peak. Photo: Q. Lien

Among the famous tourist destinations of Lao Cai, Sa Pa town is always the most attractive destination because Sa Pa has the majestic Fansipan mountain, the highest in Indochina, with the Sun Fansipan Legend cable car that easily takes visitors to the top. Not only that, on the route from the center of Sa Pa town to the cable car area and from the cable car station to the top of Fansipan are countless wild mountain and forest scenes, vast flower gardens with brilliant colors and terraced fields in Muong Hoa village are surprisingly beautiful.

Because it is located in the Northwest mountainous region, like many other mountainous provinces, Lao Cai is very beautiful in September and October, when the weather turns to autumn and the terraced fields turn golden yellow with ripe rice. The most popular destinations for tourists are Sa Pa town, Y Ty commune of Bat Xat district and the center of Bac Ha district. The blue sky is dotted with white clouds, the mountains are covered in giant yellow shirts... creating a beautiful natural scene that captivates many tourists.

Buddha statue complex in Fansipan area. Photo: Q. Lien

Stimulate demand by improving service quality

To be able to admire the natural beauty of this place, visitors should "pocket" a list of reputable hotels, resorts, and homestays as places to stay. In that list, you should not miss Topas Ecolodge - a hotel located in a position much higher than other hotels in Sa Pa and has an infinity pool overlooking the vast natural mountains and forests, Hotel de la Coupole - a luxury hotel located right in the center of Sa Pa town, Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel - a place that can serve up to 4,000 visitors at the same time.

Topas Ecolodge has more than 30 bungalows built of granite, once called an “authentic” resort by Traveloka, because each bungalow here will give visitors a separate, quiet feeling, where visitors can immerse themselves in relaxation and enjoy the natural scenery in a quiet space.

Hotel de la Coupole, with about 250 high-class rooms, is the perfect choice for tourists who need a high-quality place to rest, diverse services, convenient transportation and beautiful views. With a modern and traditional design style, Hotel de la Coupole is a work of art that blends the traditions of ethnic minorities in Sa Pa with a touch of French luxury.

Although not located in a high position like Topas Ecologe, not as close to the center of Sa Pa as Hotel de la Coupole, Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel owns a view of the green terraced fields now turning golden and the poetic Muong Hoa valley. If choosing this as a resort, visitors can rest assured that they will clearly feel the traditional cultural identity of the local ethnic groups.

Performing a folk dance in Ban May. Photo: Sun World Fansipan Legend

Stimulate demand with preferential policies

From now until December 31, 2023, Sun World Fansipan Legend applies a 50% discount policy for groups of domestic students, from 10 people or more and studying at the same school, to experience Fansipan tourist area. Thus, the ticket price is only 400,000 VND/person. Children under 1m are free of charge.

To receive the preferential policy, students only need to present their student ID card or school letter of introduction at the ticket counter or through travel agencies. Parents and teachers traveling with the group will also enjoy the same preferential policy.

However, on holidays and Tet, the above policy does not apply./.

Q. Lien