General information
Lai Chau province (Lai Châu) has long been the poorest and least industrialized area in northern Vietnam. Lai Chau city is 450 km from the Hanoi and 70 km from Sapa. The North and Northwest borders with China, Dien Bien province on the west, and Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces on the east and southeast, and Son La province on the south.
When to travel
(photo: loc.nguyenxuan)
Learning about the features of its various seasons can help you determine the best time to set out to Lai Chau.
The fall (especially from September to October), which is also called the "Yellow Season", are favorable for tourists who love to get immersed in the bright yellow fields of ripening rice that cover the whole area. The comfortable weather and great visibility are also remarkable advantages of this season.
If flower fields and dry weather sound enticing to you, the period from late December to March is ideal. Lai Chau's landscapes look the most colorful during these months. Moreover, in February, you will have a better chance to enjoy spring festivals and get deeper insights into the cultural diversity of this region.
March and April are the sure bets for tourists who seek out high vista of the so-called ocean of cloud in Sin Ho district. The atmosphere is very quiet and serene during this period and hence quite attractive to introverts.
From April to early June, Lai Chau's rice terraces are filled with water, forming the most scenic and unique background for your photos. Tourists who love to explore the unique culture of Vietnamese rice plantations in mountainous regions would make the most out of their trip during this season. Due to the high seasons, Lai Chau is quite crowded in October, January and June. Hotels and flight tickets should hence be booked well in advance should you want to reduce your expenditure.
On the other hand, its low season runs from June through September, especially July and August, during which heavy rainfalls, misty weather, landslides and floods out of town make it difficult for inexperienced bikers.
How to get there?
Lai Chau is nearly 500km away from Hanoi. At present, there are about 10 automakers operating on Hanoi – Lai Chau route, the bus usually comes from My Dinh bus station.
In Lai Chau, there are no motorbike rental places, so if you do not bring a motorbike from Hanoi and still want a motorbike to get to Lai Chau, a hint is to rent a motorbike in Sapa. Instead of taking a passenger car up to Lai Chau, take a bed or train to Lao Cai (Sapa), rent a motorbike here and then go to Lai Chau.
Attractions
Here some interesting attractions that might convince you to visit this place on your vacation
O Quy Ho Mountain Pass
One of the four great peaks of the northern mountain pass of Vietnam. Visitors come to Lai Chau are definitely not to be missed. Connecting the two provinces of Lai Chau and Lao Cai. The O Quy Ho Pass is not only the longest mountain pass in Vietnam. But also possesses breathtaking scenery, which is the destination for adventurer’s lover and photographer who come every year.
Muong Than Field
Muong Than is one of the four largest fields in the Northwest region of Muong Than commune, Than Uyen district. The immense field not only creates a poetic beauty in the middle of the majestic mountains but also is the place for many famous local products such as baby corn, sweet potato Hoang Long, San Cu rice, Tam rice …
Rong May Glass Bridge
Located near Heaven gate. It takes about 40 minutes from Sapa town by bus. Coming here, clients can experience some breath taking activities bungee jumping, walking on glass bridge at 305meters height parasailing.
Sin Ho Plateau
Sin Ho plateau is like the “second Sapa” of Vietnam. Coming to Sin Ho, tourists are overwhelmed by the beauty of floating clouds in the villages, valleys, Rocky Mountains or majestic Tien cave.
Putaleng Peak
(photo: tungnguyen1503)
Located about 20 km northeast of Lai Chau city, Pu Ta Leng has an altitude of 3049 m. If Fansipan is considered as “the roof of Indochina”, Pu Ta Leng is the second roof that the challengers or young people who are passionate about challenges want to conquer even once. Every year, from October to March next year is the most beautiful time that tourists should choose to conquer Pu Ta Leng Peak because of the beauty of nature and forest flowers, especially azaleas, blooming from all over the ridge to the top.
Conquering Pu Ta Leng peak, visitors will have to pass primitive forests, waterfalls, streams or rich vegetation … and then when reaching the top, you will see hidden oases among the ocean of clouds. 3.049m altitude.
The layer of white clouds between the blue sky and the green of the mountains and forests here is like a wonderful picture. Along with Pu Ta Leng, Lai Chau also owns 5 other peaks in the Top 10 highest mountains in Vietnam.
Mount Bach Moc Luong Tu
It is located in Sin Sua Ho commune. With an altitude of 3,045m above sea level, Bach Moc Luong Tu is one of the 5 highest mountains in Vietnam and Southeast Asia in Lai Chau province. Conquering Bach Moc Luong Tu is always a challenge but also full of attractions for the adventurers. Not the highest peak, but Bach Moc Luong Tu is known for being the top of the mountain with the most beautiful scenery, and the most interesting route to explore.
Si Thau Chai
It’s about 6km from the center of Tam Duong district. Si Thau Chai concentrates most of the Dao people. Come here not only to admire the beautiful natural scenery, fresh air. But also to learn the cultural customs of the people here.
Tac Tinh Waterfall
(photo: thisisseasia)
The only waterfall in Lai Chau has lyrical and illusion. Behind the name Tac Tinh is a sad love story. Come here to enjoy the cool air do not miss the opportunity to hear a romantic love story.
Muong Te Nature Reserve
Located in the two communes of Ta Tong and Mu Ca, where the flora and vegetation are extremely rich and diverse, especially the forest ecosystem. Results of surveys and surveys of Muong Te district show that there are 542 plant species, of which 57 species of rare plants have been recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and 7 species in the World Red Book. Most of them are species, rare medicine. 22 species are narrow endemic to the Northwest, 7 species are in Decree No. 32 of the Government and 6 species are specific to the Northwest: Black melon, water cockle, and cormorant, brown parashorea, nail, chrysanthemum, flower slice.
Tam Duong Tea Hill
Stretched along Highway 32, tea is 40-50 years old with a scale of nearly 2000 hectares, not far from the centre of Tan Uyen town. Tan Uyen tea hill is now a favourite destination for many people.
Here you will enjoy the fresh scenery and nature. This is also the place where many people choose to take wedding photos or take a romantic photo shoot in a green tea field, amidst the glittering golden sun.
Tea is also one of the main economic crops of the town with famous tea products nationwide such as shan tea, oolong, Thanh Tam…
Tien Son Cave
Located in Tam Duong district, Tien Son cave makes many tourists admire the beauty of the fairy realms. Step inside, a whole world of diverse stalactites of different shapes, deep is the murmuring stream flowing through to create a sense of airiness and unexpected relaxation.