Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak at 3,147 MASL, has been on my hiking list for quite some time. Located in Lao Cai province, 9-kilometers of Sapa town where most travelers stay, it promises stunning views, cool weather and great food. The catch? It takes a 5–6 hour bus ride or an 8-hour train journey from Hanoi to get there—and honestly, that long stretch of land travel has been the one thing holding me back.
A last minute invite from my friend Gid made me reconsider - and the timing couldn't have been better. It's spring in Vietnam which means fresh mountain air without the painful cold of winter, so no need to bring a heavy jacket. There’s a cable car now that takes you up Mt. Fansipan in under an hour (transfers included), turning what used to be a grueling 7-hour hike to its summit into a much more doable adventure. From Mt. Fansipan station, it’s either 600 steps to the summit or a quick ride on the funicular. I figured I’d earn the view (and the food trip after) and took the stairs. A few years ago, I would’ve insisted on hiking the whole way, but I’m not exactly in top form these days so I decided to save my energy.
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| summit photo |
From Sapa Mountain Queen House, I walked to Sun Plaza, a fancy-looking but nearly empty shopping center that also serves as the departure point for the Muong Hoa Monorail, which takes you to Fansipan cable car station. By 8:30 AM, I was on the monorail, enjoying the scenic route with sweeping views of rice terraces and surrounding mountains. Tip: Sit on the left side when heading up for the best views.
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| stopping by for coffee before I walked the 600-steps to the summit |
Since Gid was hiking all the way to the summit, we agreed to just meet at the top while I took the cable car. (Travel Note : For hiking in Sapa, Gid availed the services of Trekking Tour Sapa)
The mono rail ride to Hoang Lien station took about 9-10 minutes. From here, I took a 20-minute cable car to Fansipan station. I was happy to see plenty of food options so I ordered coffee and took my time before heading to the summit. It was only 9:09 AM anyway.
The 600-steps to the summit start at around 2,990 MASL and those steps present its own challenge. The air's super thin so even a few steps felt like a sprint. I stopped many times to catch my breath and to manage the dizziness that comes with the altitude. Luckily, there are restrooms, ice cream and snack stalls, temples, making the ascent worthwhile. While walking, I met Chem, a fellow Filipina traveler and her Vietnamese friend, and we ended chatting up a bit and taking photos together at the summit. (Travel Note : 600-steps normally takes 30 minutes)
Surprisingly, it wasn’t as cold at the summit as I expected. While waiting for Gid—who had hiked all the way up—I kept myself busy helping fellow travelers snap their souvenir photos: couples, solo adventurers The summit was packed with big tour groups, but I noticed people didn’t stay very long, so it was still possible to find a spot for yourself.
Mt. Fansipan's summit definitely had a touristy feel —not the kind of mountain where you can sit in silence and take in the view - but I still found myself enjoying it. It was an interesting experience, and one I’d happily repeat. Hopefully next time, the view will be clearer—when we reached the top, everything was blanketed in fog, but oddly enough, I didn’t mind. There’s something dramatic and beautiful about misty mountains. It makes the greenery pop and adds some magic to the atmosphere.
How to get to Mt. Fansipan from Sapa
I booked the Roundtrip cable car & Mono Rail package from Klook.
I booked the Roundtrip cable car & Mono Rail package from Klook.
Link here.
Accommodation in Sapa
Sapa Mountain Queen House - enjoyed my stay here. Rooms are old but very spacious. It could be improved but making up for its lack of modernity is the staff and its location. They are efficient and very friendly. Location is great, walking distance from the lake and good restaurants and coffee everywhere. I booked thru Agoda. Link here.
Getting to Sapa
We took the 12:30 PM cabin bus from HK Buslines and reached Sapa at 5:30 PM. You can book through Vexere or Klook. I have tried both and didn't have any problems. In Vexere, you can select the bus company, seats and receive booking confirmation right away but the site looks a little cluttered. Klook's interface is a lot cleaner but there are only 2 bus options. Booking the bus (both in Verxere and Klook) is inclusive of hotel van pick-up/drop-off in Hanoi and Sapa (depends on the area you're staying). I find their seats comfortable and clean.
Tip : When booking a bus to Sapa, check the seat dimension to see if it suits your frame.