About Lao Cai

Lao Cai Province is mainly known for its Sa Pa and Mount Fansipan. But there are many other marvelous cities within this province to explore such as Bac Ha with its frequent local markets, Y Ty ribboned by clouds, and O Quy Ho Pass around Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range.


Thrilling landscapes along with splendid rice terrace scenes during harvest seasons are what make Lao Cai so captivating. Tourists also have the chance to immerse in the diverse ethnic minority cultures here.

Best Time To Visit Lao Cai

The weather in Lao Cai is ideal the most from September to October, when you can watch breath-taking rice terraces in Sapa, Y Ty, and Den Sang. From June to August, the weather is cool and when the plum season begins. From December to February, the mountains can experience snowfalls. In March, the scenery is extremely beautiful with plum peach forests blooming from Sa Pa to Muong Khuong and Can Cau.

Spring
(Feb - Apr)

Scattering drizzle

Mist spreads across the pass

Plum blossoms bloom throughout Bac Ha

It's getting warmer

Going to the colorful market

Summer
(May - Jul)

Yellow sunshine and blue sky

Sunny days and cool nights

Peaches and plums hanging on the branches

The season of sweet fruits

The roads are covered in green

Autumn
(Aug - Oct)

Golden sunshine pours honey

The night mist hanging

Nice and cool weather

Silky yellow rice carpet

Bustling and colorful markets

Winter
(Nov - Jan)

Extremely cold

Mist, clouds and rain blend together

Frost on the top of the mountain

Best time for trekking and cloud hunting

Transport

You can easily get to Lao Cai by bus, private car, or train. Regular buses and luxury vans from Hanoi usually take about 5 to 6 hours and drop off at the city center. For adventurous travelers, motorbikes are a great way to soak up the nature's beauty. 

Explore Lao Cai

'Hunting' white ice on the top of Ky Quan San

Meet the snow on the top of Guan San Having conquered Ky Quan San many times, the majestic mountain range located between Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces, this year-end trekking trip I am determined to choose the coldest day to challenge myself. When I reached the top, I burst into tears because I saw the scene of snow and ice covering the landscape. I am Tran Hoang Song Thy (30 years old), living in Dong Nai, who has a passion for conquering the majestic mountains of Vietnam. After monitoring the weather situation, I and the local guide chose the last 10-12/1 to trek Ky Quan San with a height of 3,045 m. We hope to experience the feeling of standing on the top of the "top" high mountain of Vietnam when the temperature is 0 degrees Celsius. However, the actual temperature when reaching the top is -5 degrees Celsius, sometimes down to -7 degrees Celsius, the humidity is about 90%. At this time, the entire mountain area was covered with white ice, and the wind was quite strong, making me feel the bitter cold like cutting flesh, which was different from the dry cold where there was no snow. Previously, the locality had prolonged rain, the road up the mountain was very bad and slippery. I carried on my shoulder a backpack weighing about 5 kg, including thermal clothes and electronic equipment to shoot, making the journey twice as difficult. However, witnessing the breathtaking scenery on the top of Ky Quan San, my emotions are only satisfaction. A mountain for the adventurous Ky Quan San (also known as Bach Moc Luong Tu) is a mountain in the top of the highest peaks in Vietnam along with Fansipan, Pusilung, Phan Lung and is always on the "must-visit" list of any trekker. The unique road to the top of the mountain must pass through streams and craggy cliffs. The diverse terrain, steep climbs, and quite dangerous are the biggest challenges for conquerors. The best time to "hunt snow" on the top of Bach Moc Luong Tu is usually around December to January of the following year. Due to the influence of the continental cold high pressure from the North, it is forecasted that in the coming days, the high mountains will continue to be cold, damaging with fog and frost. In my opinion, tourists who want to come to "snow hunting" need to carefully prepare thermal insulation. However, you need to choose compact and lightweight warm items, avoid carrying bulky carrying, climbing equipment such as sticks, non-slip shoes, or essential medicines are indispensable. Photo: Tran Hoang Song Thy According to Zing

Nature & Adventure 17/01/2025

'Hunting' white ice on the top of Ky Quan San

Choosing trekking when the peak of Ky Quan San (Lao Cai) is the coldest of the year, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the snow and ice covering white.

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From October to April next year, Sapa enters the beautiful "cloud hunting season". According to experiences from locals and tour guides, the best time of the day to hunt clouds in Sapa is after rain, at dawn or dusk.
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Coming to Bac Ha in December, tourists go to the session market, visit Hoang A Tuong palace and visit Suoi Thao steppe, Ha Giang to see buckwheat flowers.
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