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Overview Of Lao Cai Tourism (Part 4)
COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM
Located in the Northwest mountainous region of Vietnam, Lao Cai boasts rich natural landscapes and distinct ethnic cultural identitiesa and is a pioneer in developing community tourism combined with eco-tourism and cultural tourism.
Popular community-based tours include routes such as Lao Chai – Ta Van – Ban Ho; Ta Van – Seo My Ty; Cat Cat – Sin Chai; and Hoang Thu Pho – Na Hoi. Although community-based tourism services are simple, they promise to bring visitors unique experiences with majestic natural landscapes, rich ethnic cultures, opportunities to participate in folk cultural activities and opportunities to enjoy traditional ethnic cuisine.
ETHNIC CULTURE
Lao Cai is home to 25 ethnic groups, preserving unique cultural features. In terms of architecture, Lao Cai still preserves ancient villages with unique designs: Tay stilt houses, Ha Nhi earthen citadel in Bat Xat, Giay stilt houses combining stilt houses and ground-floor elements houses, Dao wooden houses and Hmong wooden houses, and Nung yin-yang tiled houses.
Among traditional handicrafts, ethnic groups in Lao Cai have many unique products: brocade weaving of the Dao, H’Mong, Ha Nhi, Nung, Tay; blacksmithing of the Muong Mong; weaving of the Ha Nhi, Phu La; jewelry making of the Dao and Nung and herbal medicine of the Dao and H’Mong.
Traditional festivals also highlight Lao Cai’s rich cultural heritage, such as the Roong Pook festival of the Giay people, the “Xuong Dong” festival of the Tay people, the jumping festival of the Dao people, “Say San” and “Nao Song” festivals of the Mong people.
These cultural values have been effectively exploited to create unique tourist attractions in Lao Cai.
HIGHLAND CUISINE
Lao Cai culinary culture originates from locally available ingredients, prepared by the hands of local people, creating a unique and attractive flavor for tourists. Typical dishes include grilled salmon, raised fish, thang co, smoked meat, five-color sticky rice, and dried buffalo meat. These dishes are must-try dishes for any tourist coming to this region.
With rich, rustic culinary art and many unique food products, Lao Cai cuisine creates an irresistible attraction for tourism services.
HIGHLAND MARKETS
As a mountainous province with diverse ethnic communities, highland markets are a cultural highlight that no visitor should miss. These markets offer everything from livestock to silver jewelry and handcrafted items. After shopping, visitors can relax at local food stalls to enjoy regional specialties and sip on local spirits.
As a mountainous province with many diverse ethnic communities, the highland markets are a cultural highlight that no visitor should miss. These markets offer everything from livestock to silver jewelry and handicrafts. After shopping, visitors can relax at local food stalls to enjoy regional specialties and sip local wine.
Below is the schedule for highland markets in Lao Cai:
- Monday: Ban Phiet Market (Bao Thang)
- Tuesday: Coc Ly Market (Bac Ha), Lùng Vai Market (Muong Khuong)
- Wednesday: Cao Sơn Market (Muong Khuong), Sin Cheng Market (Si Ma Cai)
- Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market (Muong Khuong)
- Friday: Lung Phinh Market (Bac Ha)
- Saturday: Can Cau Market (Si Ma Cai), Pha Long Market (Muong Khuong), Y Tý Market (Bat Xat), Si Ma Cai Market (Si Ma Cai)
- Sunday: Muong Hum Market (Bat Xat), Ta Phoi – Hop Thanh Market (Lao Cai City), Bac Ha Cultural Market (Bac Ha)
NOTABLE FESTIVALS
- The Red Dao’s Jumping Festival: January 1–2 (lunar calendar), Sa Pa.
- The Tay’s Xoe Dance Festival: January 3–5 (lunar calendar), Tà Chải, Bac Ha.
- The Giay’s Roóng Poọc Festival: January (Dragon Day, lunar calendar), Tả Van, Sa Pa.
- The Mông’s Nào Sồng Festival: February 2 (lunar calendar), San Sả Hồ Commune, Sa Pa.
- The Black Hà Nhì’s Khô Già Già Festival: Five days in June (Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey), Y Tý, Bat Xat.
- Traditional Horse Racing Festival: Early June (solar calendar), Bac Ha.
- On the Cloud Festival in Sa Pa: April 30 – May 1 (solar calendar), Sa Pa.
- Thượng Temple Festival: January 13–16 (lunar calendar), Lao Cai City.
- Bảo Hà Temple Festival: July 17 (lunar calendar), Bảo Hà Commune, Bao Yen District.
USEFUL INFORMATION: TRAIN SERVICES
- Service Type: Sleeper cabins
- Quality: Standard and deluxe
- Price: From 220,000 to 400,000 VND for a 4-bed cabin; from 440,000 to 590,000 VND for a 2-bed cabin.
- Train Schedule:
| Train No. | Type | Departure (Hanoi) | Arrival (Lao Cai) |
| SP3 (Daily) | Express | 22:00 | 05:55 |
| SP7 (Thu, Fri, Sat) | Express | 22:40 | 06:25 |
| Train No. | Type | Departure (Lao Cai) | Arrival (Hanoi) |
| SP8 (Daily) | Express | 12:05 | 19:37 |
| SP4 (Fri, Sat, Sun) | Express | 21:30 | 05:35 |
Details:
International Railway Station – Lao Cai
- Address: Khánh Yên Street, Phố Mới Ward, Lao Cai City
- Phone: 0214 3836047
- Ticket Booking: https://dsvn.vn
USEFUL INFORMATION: ROAD TRANSPORT SERVICES
| Company | Phone | Schedule | Office Location |
| Fusta Hà Sơn | 1900 6776 | 05:00–00:30 (Every 30 mins) | Hanoi: No. 2, N2A Apartment, Nguyễn Hoàng, Mỹ Đình 2, Nam Từ Liêm District |
| Sao Việt | 1900 6746 | 05:30–00:30 (Every 60 mins) | Hanoi: 779 Giải Phóng, Hoàng Mai District |
| Inter Bus Lines | 1900 1137 | 06:00–21:00 | Hanoi: BT01, TT3B, Tây Nam Linh Đàm, Hoàng Liệt, Hoàng Mai District |
Other Long-Distance Bus Operators: Việt Anh, Kết Đoàn Sunrise, Duyệt Thủy, etc., operating routes between Lao Cai, Hanoi, and other provinces like Thanh Hóa, Nam Định, Hải Phòng, Quảng Ninh, Thái Bình, and Thái Nguyên.
Contact Details:
Central Bus Station, Lao Cai City
- Address: Block 19, Bình Minh Ward, Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province.
- Phone: 02143 835 746
USEFUL INFORMATION: ACCOMMODATION
Lao Cai offers a wide range of accommodations from budget to high-end hotels. It is advisable to negotiate terms before renting. Below are some 4-5 star hotels in Lao Cai:
| No. | Hotel Name | Address | Phone |
| 1 | Aristo International | 28 Yết Kiêu, Kim Tân Ward, Lao Cai City | 02143 826668 |
| 2 | Dela Coupole | 1 Hoàng Liên, Sa Pa Town | 02143 629999 |
| 3 | Silk Path Grand | Quan 6 Hill, Block 5, Sa Pa Town | 02143 788555 |
| 4 | Lady Hill Sa Pa Resort | Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Block 4, Fansipan Ward, Sa Pa | 02143 783888 |
| 5 | BB Resort | Hoàng Diệu Street, Sa Pa Town | 0976558866 |
SAMPLE TOURISM TOURS
- Intra-Province Tours:
- Lao Cai – Ham Rong – Vang Leng – Cao Son – Coc Ly – Lao Cai
- Sa Pa – Cat Cat – Sin Chai – Sa Pa
- Sa Pa – Ta Phin – Sa Pa
- Sa Pa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Ban Ho – Thanh Phu – Sa Pa
- Inter-Province Tours:
- Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Sơn La – Đien Bien – Lai Châu – Lao Cai – Hanoi
- Hanoi – Viet Tri – Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang – Lao Cai – Hanoi
- China-Connected Tours:
- Lao Cai – Ha Khau – Thach Lam – Kunming (China)
- Lao Cai – Ha Khau – Mengzi – Dali – Lijiang – Shangri-La
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lao Cai Tourism Information and Promotion Center
- Hotline: 0813 667 667
- Address: 02 Fansipan Street, Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province.
- Website: https://laocaitourism.vn
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