If you love Vietnam Northen moutainous, the imposing sight in the Northwest won’t make you disappointed. Burrowed in this area, Lao Cai province is renowed with epic scenery, ethnic culture and border gates with China. That why Lao Cai is a interfere culture area of Vietnam and China.
The first thing to talk about Lao Cai is Sa Pa – which is called “The fanciful town in fog”. This town lies at Hoang Lien Son moutain in range, about 1.600 meters above sea level, that why Sa Pa has a cool and foggy weather, but a bit cold in the winter. Discovering Sa Pa, you should visit Cat Cat village, a small peaceful village of H’Mong ethnic group. Otherwise, you might visit , contemplate breath taking view in Sunworld cable car, conquer “The roof of Indochina” Fansipan in the height of 3.143 meters above sea level or visit beautiful rice-terraced fields in Muong Hoa valley.
Another places that you should explore are Bac Ha and Can Cau markets. Bac Ha market always open on Sunday, while Can Cau market open on every Saturday. On that day, these markets become a place to trade local product, you can easily find every item for the daily life of the ethnic people, from local cuisine, brocade to cattle and poultry. Especially, the buffalo market is mainly for male traders and buyers, land in a higher area and serve hundred people.
It would be regretful if you visit Lao Cai without tasting street food and local cuisine. You should not miss a plenty of delicious dishes and foods like corn wine, pho, corn cakes, donuts, sticky rice,… Specially, you ought to try thắng cố - which is cooked from horse’s viscera and local special spices. At first, it’s a bit hard to taste it, but very delicious after that if you can feel it.