Location: in the Northwestern of Vietnam
Area: 9,059 km2
Population: 415,300 (2014)
Best time to visit: the best time to visit Lai Chau is in dry season, when it is cool, but Holiday in Indochina suggests that we should visit in rice season in around September or Spring time because there are farming activities, flowers, festivals to see.
Located in the Northwestern in Vietnam, Lai Chau is the most rarely populated in the country. The scenery in this place is some of the most spectacular scenery for you to see in the far Northwest of Vietnam. There is plenty to amuse the eyes on the journey from Lao Cai, from the striking limestone mountains which reaches into distance in misty shades of green and green, to the plentiful waterfalls and village life.
This place is considered as a remote area with ethnic minorities and unique natural scenes. The total area of Lai Chau is more than 9.000 km2 with the population of about over 400,000 people. Most of them are Kinh, Thai, H’mong and Dao. Like other provinces in Vietnam, Lai Chau also boasts. The typical feature of a highland area such as green terraces, ethnic minorities with colorful traditional attire, green tea field, wooden houses and cows.
When coming to Lai Chau, visitors should not forget to reach some attractive places such as Tien Son cave which is the most famous name. Inside the cave, there are many colorful stalagmites and a perennial stream that create an ethereal atmosphere with any visitors coming.
Besides, Sin Ho village is another interesting place for you to have a new point of Lai Chau. You can have chance to meet the local people coming from many ethnic minorities like Thai, Dao and experience their daily life and get memorable moments in their colorful markets and festivals. The most famous festival in Lai Chau is “Hoa Ban festival”, which reflects the cultural and spiritual life of Thai people. Another one is “Han Khuong festival”, which takes place in spring. This is an opportunity for boys and girls to get to know each other by dancing and singing.
In conclusion, Lai Chau is exactly a captivating and typical mountainous land, absorbing a huge number of tourists widespread. If you are interested in ethnic minority culture, taking part in a market or festival there will unveils the mountainous culture of a “love-blossoming” land.
THINGS TO SEE IN LAI CHAU
O Quy Ho Pass
O Quy Ho keeps the record of the longest pass in the Northwest mountain of Vietnam with nearly 50 km. The height, length and adventurousness of this pass made it be considered as “Northwest King Pass”. Its peak located on untouched mountain and covered with clouds is known as 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. In the past, it is very dangerous to reach this Pass, but now with the good upgrade, it becomes a conduit for vehicles crossing more frequently. However, with a side of the abyss and the rest are steep cliffs, O Quy Ho pass is still a challenge for the adventurous driving.
Sin Ho Plateau
There are numerous beautiful sceneries in Sin Ho such as the Heavenly Gate, the Mountain of Tien Ong, the Mountain of O Da and so on. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised by the cloudy mountain peaks, sunny valleys spotted with terraced rice fields in the harvest season. Travelling into Pu Dao village, Hoang Ho, Ta Phin of the Mong and Dao people, visitors seemed to be lost in a fairy space to see small wooden houses standing out among the green of the jungle, ethnic women slinging water.
Sin Ho becomes more beautiful during the weekend fairs. They start on Saturday morning with mainly people from the neighborhood. 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.
Muong Thanh field
In the past, it was very difficult for tourists to go to Lai Chau because of many winding steeps and rugged high mountain passes. However, today with the launch of the Hanoi – Dien Bien air route, the movement becomes easier and tourists have more chance to explore the Northwestern region. On the way to this destination, you will be surprised at the beautiful natural scenery there.
It is described as a giant “warehouse” filled with corn and rice. From late September, the ripening rice draws a yellow picture which attracts a lot of tourists.
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. This is exactly an ideal place you should not miss when coming to Lai Chau.
RESTAURANTS IN LAI CHAU
Mong Caphe
Address: 25 Le Loi, Lai Chau
Phone: 094 9599 668
Hai Lien Restaurant
Address: No 7 Chieu Tan, Doan Ket, Lai Chau town, Lai Chau province
Phone: 0213 3875 151
Tuan Anh Restaurant
Address: 83 Tran Hung Dao, Doan Ket, Lai Chau Town, Lai Chau province
Phone: 0213 3875 217
