Lao Cai is a highland border province in the North Midlands and mountainous region of Vietnam, bordering the Northwest region and the Northeast region. It borders China in the North, the West borders Lai Chau province, the East borders Ha Giang province, the South borders Yen Bai province. The capital is Lao Cai city, 330 km from Hanoi. With a favorable geographical location, in recent years, Lao Cai tourism has strongly developed with diverse forms, from cultural, ecological, and spiritual tourism to sports and research tourism. . And in form, Lao Cai also shows very well its role, making an important contribution to the development of the locality, at the same time bringing the image of Vietnam closer to the world friends.

1. The ideal time to travel to Lao Cai

If you consider Lao Cai as a gecko, it is not exaggerated. Because every different time in these five places wears a different shirt. But each shirt is extremely special, brilliant and passionate about the opposite person. That is why you can come to Lao Cai at any time.

@pystravel

But if you love cherry blossoms and plum blossoms in the villages and hills of Lao Cai, come here in spring. Do not forget to find out first because the blooming time each year is a little different.

Lao Cai white plum blossom season @ trananhthai

If you want to see the golden ripe rice fields on the terraced fields, it is usually about September – October. The golden rice carpet fluttering under the beautiful wind in Sapa and Y Ty. On cold winter days, it is best to come to Y Ty to admire the sea of clouds and white snow in some places in Lao Cai.

2. The first move to Lao Cai

Departure from Hanoi

You can take this car, this train and even a motorbike to get to Lao Cai. But the fastest and most convenient, you should choose a high quality bus from Hanoi.

– Passenger car: You can go to some car companies from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Hung Thanh car ticket price 220k / person / 1 time. Hotline 043.926.3839. Address to buy tickets: 162 Tran Quang Khai.

Inter Bus Line luxury car fare 15 $ / person. Hotline 0868 518 777. Address: 13 Nguyen Huu Huan (foot of Long Bien bridge).

@ maenwen

Train: This is the most chosen vehicle. Ticket price depends on the class of sitting knife from 130k – 600k for ordinary train. On Tet holidays you should buy tickets in advance to avoid rising prices and running out of tickets.

– Motorbike : This is the most favored vehicle by the riders. Riding iron horse to Lao Cai you can go in two main directions: in the direction of two roads.

One is from Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Viet Tri – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – Yen Bai – Lao Cai

Second, starting from Hanoi, but going to Hoa Lac – Son Tay – Trung Ha Bridge – Phong Chau Bridge – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – along Road 70 – Lao Cai.

@franpham

Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

To get to Lao Cai you will usually have to take a train, car or plane to Hanoi before passing Lao Cai. Particularly for those who take a long motorbike trip, you can go directly from Saigon to Lao Cai.

Train: If you choose the means of train, you only need to base Saigon station at 01 Nguyen Thong District 3 to start. You can book tickets by phone or buy directly at the station. However, to ensure the desired location, you should book in advance.

– Passenger car: you can choose some popular carriers such as Hoang Long (Tel: 0988 259 568), Mai Linh car (08 39292929) … The estimated time for a trip is about 60 hours.

Airplane: This is probably the fastest way to get to Hanoi, but the cost is also the highest compared to other means. However, you can hunt for super cheap fares on promotions.

A motorbike will take you all over Lao Cai. Photo: @ vitalicius

3. Means of transportation in Lao Cai

Coming to Lao Cai for the most convenience, you should choose for yourself an iron horse. You can easily rent a motorbike at homestay or accommodation.

You can easily rent a car to spread around Lao Cai. Photo: Internet

4. Where to go to Lao Cai?

Accommodation services in Lao Cai are quite developed, especially in the Sa Pa area. There are many homestays sprouting up with diversity and originality in design and decoration.

@nlmkxd

You can immerse yourself in nature, enjoy the feeling of living in the Northwest at The Haven Sapa hostel. Or Phơri’s House is beautiful and dreamy in the middle of the poetic Ta Van.

@ bongbeo3007

Viettrekking homestay

@ taylor_date97

In particular, you can come to Sapa with many unique accommodation services. It is TubOtel – a homestay with a honeycomb, or Sali House, a paradise for lovers. That you spoiled for choice. However, do not forget to book your room in advance during the holidays or peak tourist season!

Sali House

5. Places to visit when traveling to Lao Cai

Sapa

Thinking of Lao Cai is sure that everyone immediately thinks of Sapa . A place where any believer must check-in several times here. Sa Pa where you walk among the romantic foggy streets. Where you can visit the villages, learn the unique culture of the ethnic minorities. And also where you can conquer the top of Phan Xi Pang – which is known as the roof of Indochina.

@ zxxtgn

@ lenchik_soldatova

Ham Rong Mountain is a mountain in the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Here you are like lost in the middle of a thousand, where covered with a cool green color. The air was so fresh that just wanted to breathe in to “use” to compensate for sweltering urban days.

@ tvanh.98

Sapa Sky Gate must come to Sapa. The surprisingly beautiful place makes you think it is the door opening to a new horizon.

@ trinhduy.hoang

Sa Pa ancient church with unique architecture and quiet ancient features. Foot place for those who love vintage style

@__b.e.e

In addition, you will be able to see the picturesque terraced fields in Muong Hoa valley, or get lost in the white snow as if lost in some European sky at the top of O Quy Ho Pass.

@ _fye._

The terraced fields are as beautiful as a picture. Photo source: Internet

Sapa can be said as a princess in Lao Cai. A beauty that needs more than one encounter to fully admire.

@ kistagram00

Y Ty

Coming to Y Ty to conquer the paradise of clouds is the goal of many adventurers. You will enjoy the feeling of sinking in floating clouds, lost in some fairyland. A beautiful scene is so loving that nature has bestowed

@ fuong_kuk

Phien Bac Ha Market

Coming to Lao Cai and forgetting the colorful upland markets is a big regret. And one of the most popular markets for tourists is Bac Ha. Where you will experience the culture – lifestyle like the real people here.

@ thuylabi

Lao Cai children are extremely innocent and lovely. Photo source: Internet

Photo source: Internet

Ban Den

Another stop with bold culture of Dong Bac ethnic minority. Den village is located about 30km southwest of Sa Pa town center. This is a pristine village board with beautiful winding roads that are both beautiful and challenging. Coming to Ban Den, you are like being lost in the middle of the deep green hills, among the romantic streams of flowers. Somewhere a few roofs are airy. A picture of a peaceful rustic nature.

@ baily88

@ domenicoamen

Si Ma Cai

The name Si Ma Cai is a green valley, a place extremely pristine because it has not been exploited too much by tourism. Si Ma Cai owns enchanting terraced fields and green forests steeped in cold mist. In the midst of a thousand green, there are somewhere colorful embroidered flowers, making the natural picture more lively.

@phuccong

@khiancam

You can also go to Tram Ton. A good suggestion for your journey to discover Lao Cai. Tram Ton Pass is a typical place for the majestic beauty of the winding passes and mountains. How vast is the place where you feel this nature.

@margotdebacker

@eloiseroberts1

6. What to eat in Lao Cai?

Coming to Lao Cai, absolutely not to miss these delicacies that captivate these diners.

Pork steals armpits

This is a unique dish that you can only find in Lao Cai. This unique dish, okay! The pork is delicious because of the crispy skin, the lean meat is soft and sweet, if you add a little bit of Sa Pa cider, you will be tricky.

Pork armpits

Bac Ha sour pho

Bac Ha Sour Noodle includes Pho cake, char siu pork, raw vegetables and sour water. Sour water processed according to heirloom secrets. The cooking stages are extremely meticulous, package the quintessence of the Northwest mountainous and forest.

Bac Ha sour pho

Foot fungus

You can easily spot the foot fungus sold by Mong girls. And this is also a specialty of the Mong people. The bird’s feet mushroom has an elegant sweet taste. It is used to cook soup, which is exactly what the mother cooked.

Foot fungus

In addition, Lao Cai has a lot of delicious dishes such as bitter bamboo shoot rolls, large salted meat … Up to Lao Cai is to try all the specialties, it is not too wasteful!

Bitter bamboo shoot spring rolls