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 Home>Regions
& Provinces>North
East Region>Lao Cai |
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Provinces
of North East Region
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Lao Cai Province
+84-(0)-20 |
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Basics |
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Capital city: |
Lao Cai |
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Area (sq km): |
8,050 |
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Population: |
616,500 |
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Average temp: |
In high mountainous area is between 18 - 28şC, between 20 - 22şC in the
lowlands. |
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Ethnic data: |
Bo Y, Dao, Giay, Ha Nhi, H'Mong,
Khang, La Chi, La Ha, Lu, Muong, Nung, Nung, Phu La, Tay, Thai, Xa Pho |
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Districts/wards: |
An Phu, Chau Phu, Chau Thanh, Cho
Moi, Phu Tan, Tan Chau, Thoai Son, Tinh Bien, Tri Ton |
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Map |
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Description |
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Lao Cai is one of several
provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese border. Topography of Lao Cai is
diversified with rivers, high mountain peaks, steep and high mountain passes,
deep streams and wide valleys.
It is home to primeval forests with several kinds of rare timber plants such as
Po Mu (fukiena), Lat Hoa (chukrasia tabularis) and Cho Chi. It is also the
habitat of many kinds of medicinal herbs and rare animals including deer, wild
boars, tigers...
Lao Cai is also reputed for its mineral resources. Sapa is the most attractive
rendezvous in Lao Cai. Visitors to Sapa can attempt the walk across a suspended
bamboo bridge over Muong Hoa River. Next to the bamboo bridge is a beautiful
water fall known locally as Silver Fall. The rooftop of Vietnam is called
Fansipan mountain peak which is 3,141m above sea level. The highest peak in
Vietnam is in Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Lao Cai town was destroyed in the 1979 invasion of ViętNam by the Chinese Army -
who were thrown out in 20 days. |
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Economy |
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Cattle breeding, fruit gardens, tourism. |
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Natural beauty sights |
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Mount Fan Si Pan (1) at 3,141 metres, Sa Pa (2).
The winter makes Lao Cai the picturesque snowcapped mountain peaks emulate the
Alps or the Rocky Mountains. In the Spring many white peach flowers are blooming,
welcoming the visitor. |
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Historic sights |
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Few - the border areas remain dangerous with active mines remaining from the
Chinese invasion in 1979. |
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Festivals |
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Long Tong Festival of the Tay, Spring Mountain Festival. |
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Markets |
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Bac Ha Highland Fair - every Sunday - in Bac Ha; Can Cau Market (20
kilometres north of Bac Ha) - every Saturday, one of ViętNam’s most exotic
open-air markets;
Coc Ly Market (Tuesday) - transport from Sa Pa; Lung Phin Market - Sundays - between Can Cau Market and Bac Ha, about 12
kilometres from the Bac Ha; Muong Hum Market (Sunday - transport from Sa
Pa;) Sa Pa Market - every Saturday; several interesting markets
are centred around Bac Ha, within a 20 kilometre circle. |
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Transport |
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Lao Cai is 340 kilometres from Ha
Noi and can be reached by road or rail.
Transport - Air
An airport is presently under construction. Emergency flights are presently
handled by helicopter.
Transport - Rail
Two trains depart Ha Noi daily. The first departs Ha Noi's Ga Ha Noi at 06.05H
(promptly) arriving in Lao Cai at 5.30H. The second departs Ga Ha Noi at 22.00H
arriving in Lao Cai at 07.10H the following morning. Return to Ha Noi from Lao Cai
is by the morning train departing at
10.20H arriving in Ha Noi at 19.20H. The evening train departs Lao Cai
at 06.45H arriving in Ha Noi at 04.00H the next morning.
Transport - Road
Minibuses link Lao Cai and Sa Pa, 38 kilometres and 2 hours driving with travel
coordinated with rail schedules, and there are bus services at other during the
day. Costs are USD$2.00.
Daily Lao Cai bus service to Bac Ha covers the 63 kilometres for USD$5.
A bus service from Sa Pa to Bac Ha is provided on Sundays that includes a guide
and a trekk to a Flower H’mong village. The cost for 110 kilometre journey is
USD$12. Passengers may alight on the return leg at Lao Cai to meet the evening
train to Ha Noi. |
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comments,
tips? Click on E-mail. |
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