Marveling at Fansipan from the record-breaking cable car

March isn't the peak tourist season, but the buzz of the record-breaking cable car to Fansipan peak continues to draw visitors to Sapa. Admiring the beautiful valley below, immersed in the mist, gently letting the soul drift into the wispy white clouds atop the mountain, or touching the milestone of the Indochina roof... is an unforgettable experience for many, despite having to queue and inch forward in the cold of the Northwest mountains.

Traveling to Sapa: Marveling at Fansipan from the record-breaking cable car

Our group arrived in Sapa on a Saturday afternoon. By half past three, the road leading to the hotel on the hillside was blanketed with thick white mist, the chilly air below 10 degrees Celsius making everyone shiver despite their well-prepared attire.

Traffic jams and parking shortages are not uncommon in Sapa on weekends since the cable car to Fansipan peak commenced operations in February this year. Many tourists without prior bookings also face hefty charges due to overbooked accommodations.

By four in the afternoon, the square in front of the church remained bustling with people despite the thick fog. The weather forced our group to postpone our cable car excursion to the next day.

The weather improved in the morning. After breakfast, we were excited to see the sun emerging from the mist. At eight o'clock, the whole group rented motorbikes and followed Dien Bien Phu Street to the cable car station.

Exploring Sapa by motorbike this season is fantastic. Besides avoiding traffic jams, you can easily venture into remote villages to enjoy the scenery and take plenty of photos.

We passed through misty forests, dreamy valleys with terraced fields snaking along the mountainside, and mountain ranges shrouded in clouds... Just 20 minutes later, we arrived at the cable car station with newly planted cherry blossom trees right in front.

The cable car to Fansipan peak is the most modern three-rope cable car in the world, currently holding two Guinness World Records: the largest gap between departure and arrival stations (1,410 meters) and the longest three-rope cable car in the world (over 6,292 meters).

The journey from Muong Hoa village to the summit passes through six main pillars, each pillar spaced 1km apart. If the weather is warm and clear, without fog, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Muong Hoa village and the majestic mountain landscape.

For those who have ever dreamed of conquering the roof of Indochina but lack the health and time, this is undoubtedly an opportunity not to be missed. Therefore, despite the not-so-cheap cable car fare, 600,000 VND for adults and 400,000 VND for children from 1-1.3 meters tall, the queues for tickets and the crowded station are constant.

After purchasing tickets, we joined the crowd inching forward in the waiting area to board the cabin. After 20 minutes, the whole group was 'on board' and began to cheer excitedly as the cable car started moving, gliding over the villages below.

The Muong Hoa Valley was veiled in mist. As we ascended, the air thinned, the chilly wind pierced the cabin, making everyone shiver but still not letting go of their cameras, phones to capture this wonderful moment. The feeling of reaching out to distant mountains and floating clouds is indescribable.

From the Fansipan station, you have to conquer another 600 steps to reach the roof of Indochina. Although the distance is not long, in cold weather and thin air, many people have given up.

The experience to conquer these 600 steps is not to exert too much effort but to move smoothly, take breaks when tired. So, our group followed each other climbing, occasionally stopping to catch our breath and take photos. Finally, the roof of Indochina appeared before our eyes.

Today, the weather is quite nice. From the top of Fansipan, we can clearly see the mountain ranges peeking through the white clouds. A cold gust of wind blew through, my hands became numb, but I couldn't stop the excitement of taking photos from every angle.

Anyone who has climbed Fansipan wants to touch the milestone marking the 'roof of Indochina' once, but the crowds have discouraged many. Some lucky groups managed to climb to the summit, plant flags, and take photos, while others, seeing the crowded scene, reluctantly gave up.

When in Sapa, you definitely cannot miss the cable car journey to experience the sensation of floating above the mountain clouds, wandering through the dreamy Muong Hoa Valley with its terraced fields. If possible, it's best to go on weekdays to avoid crowds and fully appreciate touching the roof of Indochina.

According to Doanh Nhan Sai Gon

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour