About Fansipan

The roof of Indochina, 3,147 m above sea level in Vietnam’s Hoang Lien Son range.

Elevation: 3,147 m
GPS: 22.3033°N
103.7750°E
Last cable car down: Varies by operator & weather

Where and how high

Fansipan rises about 9 km southwest of Sapa town in Lào Cai province. Long quoted as 3,143 m, it was re-surveyed with satellite positioning and is now officially 3,147.3 m, the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Getting to the top

Most visitors ride the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car, one of the longest three-rope cable cars in the world (about 6.3 km). From the top station, a short funicular or roughly 600 steps lead to the summit marker. Trekking routes take one to three days.

Why the view changes so fast

At over 3,000 m the summit often sits right at cloud level. Warm, moist air rising from the valleys builds cloud through the day, so mornings are usually clearer and afternoons more often foggy. When cloud stays below the peak, you get a sea of clouds.

Seasons

October to March is cooler and drier, with the best chances of clear skies and seas of clouds. December to February is the coldest. Frost and occasional snow are possible. April and May are mild with flowers in bloom. June to September is the rainy season, with frequent cloud and showers.

Visiting hours

Cable car hours vary by day and season and are announced by the operator. Times can also change with the weather: in strong wind or storms it may stop early or not run. Check the operator’s announcements on the day. The week table covers the whole day in 6-hour blocks, from the night (for sunrise hikers) to the evening (for sunsets).