At 3,143 metres, Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, reachable by cable car or on a demanding trek.
Fansipan towers over Sapa and is known as the “Roof of Indochina”. Most visitors reach the summit area by the cable car from Sapa, followed by a funicular and a final climb of stairs past pagodas and statues to the summit marker.
Experienced hikers can trek to the top over one or two days through forest and bamboo, a tough but rewarding route that must be done with a licensed guide.
Fansipan is not included in our day tours, but it pairs well with a half-day tour on the same or another day.
Highlights of Fansipan
- Summit marker at 3,143 m
- Cable car over the Muong Hoa Valley
- Spiritual complex of pagodas near the top
Things to do
Take the cable car
The easiest way up, with views over Muong Hoa Valley.
Trek to the summit
A demanding one- or two-day climb for fit hikers with a licensed guide.
Plan your visit
How to get there
The cable car station is a short ride from Sapa Town. Trekking routes start from the surrounding valleys.
Best time to visit
October–April for clearer skies; it can be near freezing at the summit in winter.
Local tips
It can be near freezing at the summit — bring warm clothes.
Combine Fansipan with an afternoon (1:00 PM) half-day tour, or the reverse.
Map
Questions about Fansipan
Can I combine Fansipan with a Sapa Day Tour?
Yes — visit Fansipan in the morning and join a 1:00 PM half-day tour, or book a morning tour and go up Fansipan in the afternoon.
