Lai Chau - A hidden beauty of the Northwest Vietnam

Nestled in the midst of sloping mountains and plateaus, Lai Chau is a quaint town with monumental government buildings. This town offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the mystic scenery of the Vietnamese countryside. In addition to that, you can learn about the locals, go trekking, backpacking or just kick back and relax with a book and some local coffee.

Lai Chau is situated on high mountainous region in the North West of Vietnam, northern of Da River. Its neighbors are Yunna (China) on the north, Laos on the west, Lao Cai Province on the north-east, Dien Bien, Son La provinces on the south.

Lai Chau is a relatively less developed town. This remoteness gives rise to a town, steeped in mystery and unexplored natural wonders. Lai Chau is also home to a variety of ethnic minorities living together in harmony. A visit to Lai Chau is ideal for those who are curious about the culture of different groups and wish to learn about them. It is also an ideal location for nature enthusiasts, trekkers, mountaineers, cavers and those who want to relax amidst the mountains and sip on some local beverage.


Lai Chau offers you a cultural paradise, the Sin Ho settlement, which is one of the highest settlements in Vietnam. You can live amongst the Sin Ho people and learn about their way of life. Apart from that, you can also go trekking in the wilds of the Hoang Lien National park, summit the largest mountain in Indochina - Fansipan, go cave exploring in Tien Son Caves or marvel at the intricate structures created by the elements at Dong Thieu Duong Caves. You can pick up some local souvenirs at the Tam Duong Market and if you manage to coincide your visit with one of the festivals, you can immerse yourself in the festivities and celebrate Vietnam style !

Lai Chau is aroudn 450km from Hanoi and it takes full day to get there by bus. Sleeping bus is highly recommended as it is comfortable and possible to sleep during the long journey. There is no airport in Lai Chau and below are our suggestions:

The best time to visit Lai Chau is in dry season when it is cool, tourists should visit Lai Chau in rice season in around September or Spring time because there are farming activities, flowers, festivals to see during the way.

 

The complex of Lai Chau Province’s Administrative and Political Center was invested and constructed at the province center of administration and politic, Tan Phong precinct, Lai Chau town, Lai Chau province.


To ensure the harmony and coherent of the building with other existing and under construction works such as the Province Conference Center, People Square, and Le Loi Avenue, the complex of Lai Chau Province’s Administrative and Political Center’s design follows the modern French architecture with some classical features to create an impression of solemnity and power for such a political and administrative center.
However, the architecture is not so rigid thanks to the proper arrangement of several gardens, fountains, bonsai basins which has created an open space for such activities like festivals and cultural goings-on of people from Lai Chau town in particular and from Lai Chau province in general.

O Quy Ho Pass  (Vietnamese: Đèo Ô Quy Hồ) is zigzag and keep a record of the longest in the northwest mountains of Vietnam with nearly 50 km. Height, length and adventurousness of O Quy Ho made the pass was dubbed the "Northwest King Pass". The peak of O Quy Ho Pass located on untouched mountain and covered with clouds, it is also known by the name Heaven Gate. When winter comes, O Quy Ho Peak can be covered with snow.


O Quy Ho Pass is squeezed through Hoang Lien Son mountain range, at an altitude of 2000m. A legend in this mountain area: Once upon a time, here has a strange bird with melancholy cry, associated with the love legendary of a couple. Since then, over time, the cry "O Quy Ho" of this bird has been named for this wild pass.
Before, O Quy Ho Pass is very dangerous, and contains many horror stories that few people dare to cross this place. But now, the Pass with good upgrade, become a conduit for vehicles crossing more frequently. However, with a side of the abyss and the rest are usually steep cliffs, O Quy Ho Pass is still a challenge for the adventurous driving.

In the past, it was very difficult for tourists to go to Lai Chau because of the hindrances from many winding steeps and rugged high mountain passes. In particular, the Pha Din Pass - one of the four most dangerous in Vietnam - was really a hardship that is not easy to overcome. Today with the launch of the Hanoi - Dien Bien air route, the movement becomes easier and the opportunity to explore the Northwestern region is available for any tourist.


From above, Muong Thanh field stretches along the Nam Rom River, spreading out like a flower petal embracing the Dien Bien Phu monuments. Whatever the way you come to Muong Thanh, at this time in the year, you will be surprised of the beautiful natural scenery of this place.
Muong Thanh field is like a giant "warehouse" filled with corn and rice. From late September, rice began ripening in Muong Thanh, dying the region in the yellow. Not only famous for its vast area, with favorable farming conditions, Muong Thanh field is the home to the nationwide famous rice brand of Lai Chau.

Sin Ho plateau (Vietnamese: Cao nguyên Sìn Hồ) becomes more beautiful during the weekend fairs. The fairs start on Saturday morning with mainly people from the immediate area. Come the next day, locals from distant villages like Mong Do people from Chan Lua, Lang Mo or Lu, Dao people from Phang Xo Lin to Mong Hoa, Phu La people from Pu Sam Cap gather in the crowed and exciting atmosphere. They bring their home-made products in baskets slung over shoulders. The gentle faces, colorful brocade dresses, the murmurs or laughter and mountain taste-dishes together create a vivid picture full of life’s colors.

Pu Sam Cap cave (Vietnamese: Động Pu Sam Cáp) include Thien Mon, Thien Duong and Thuy Tinh cave. About 7 km from Lai Chau town on the highway 129 to Sin Ho, Thien Mon cave appears wildly and mysteriously with a large arch. Groping in the dark in the cave we can feel the cold radiating from stones, the excitement at every step, with the darkness surroundings playing tricks adding to the worthy experience.


The cave curves like the terraced fields. Coming inside, we felt as if we are lost in the fairyland full of amazing flower–like stalactites such as orchids. There are stone columns with patterns carved by the hands of nature.
Coming inside, tourists will see a stream of stalactite full of strange shapes to inspire the imagination of the stilt that supports the heaven, gold stilt, silver stilt or the bronze drum…At the end of the cave we will be overwhelmed by the size of a huge majestic pelage with big gold stilts as a gift of the nature.

Besides this, if you still want to explore more destinations in Lai Chau, a North Vietnam adventure will be an ideal choice for you. Further more information, please feel free contact Galatourist Travel Agent at any time.