scenic viewpoint
Sapa Rice Terraces
Breathtaking cascading rice terraces carved into misty mountain slopes by ethnic minority communities in Vietnam's far north.
21 km · about 25 min drive
Lao Cai, Vietnam · Asia
Lào Cai is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Hekou, 24km from Thac Bac Silver Waterfall.
Lào Cai is a city located in Lao Cai, Vietnam. With a population of 130,671, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Lào Cai sits in Vietnam, where you drive on the right. It's in the Asia/Bangkok time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Lào Cai to your route.
Lào Cai (Vietnamese pronunciation: [làːw kāːj] ) is a former provincial city that has been dissolved and reorganized into wards and communes within Lào Cai province, Vietnam. It was formerly the capital of the province. It is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) northwest of Hanoi, at the meeting point of the RedRead more
River (Sông Hồng) and the Nanxi River. It borders Bảo Thắng, Bát Xát, and Sa Pa, as well as Hekou Yao Autonomous County in Yunnan, China.
The area is an important regional trade and transport center. Lào Cai railway station lies on the Kunming–Haiphong railway, which connects northern Vietnam with Yunnan in China.
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Lào Cai offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Lào Cai is located in Lao Cai, Vietnam, Asia. The coordinates are 22.4856 latitude, 103.9707 longitude.
Lào Cai has a population of approximately 130,671 people, making it a city in Vietnam.
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4 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Breathtaking cascading rice terraces carved into misty mountain slopes by ethnic minority communities in Vietnam's far north.
21 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
A 200-metre cascade dropping beside the O Quy Ho pass road above Sa Pa, with staircases climbing to viewing platforms at several levels. It is directly roadside on the route to Lai Chau.
24 km · about 30 min drive
mountain pass
Vietnam's longest mountain pass climbs nearly 50 km to about 2,000 m between Sapa and Lai Chau, skirting Fansipan with cloud-sea views from the 'Heaven's Gate' summit.
26 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
A Ha Nhi village at 2,000 metres near the Chinese border, reached by a rough ridge road from Lao Cai, known for mushroom-shaped earthen houses and a sea of cloud that fills the valley at dawn.
41 km · about 50 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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