How to conquer Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam

Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam, located in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. It used to be visited only by adventure seekers fit enough to make the trek, but now it offers a few different experiences for all types of travelers.

Regardless of the new tram that takes people to the top of Fansipan, you should take the hike, have an adventure, and talk with the locals.

There is currently more infrastructure to conquer Fansipan and, although trekking prices have increased in recent years (from €60 for the cheapest, around €120 for the most expensive), trekking makes it easier for travelers , with porter services and equipment. However, you can always choose to do this trek on your own (with a guide) and even opt for more difficult trails but with fewer tourists.

Once in Sapa, the fun begins!

Climate: when to go

It is very important to research the climate and when to visit various places in Vietnam, as the rainy season can make things cloudy. With Mount Fansipan, you will walk part way to admire the wonderful views of the peak and the Sapa Valley, but you will not see these views if it is cloudy and rainy. You might also be frozen when you get to the top.

For the most ideal conditions, do the trek between October and April. In summer it can rain and make the trail dangerous even with good hiking shoes. However, December and January can be quite cold, the peak has even seen snow!

If you are in Hanoi and have a flexible schedule, I suggest monitoring the weather to ensure you have the best experience. Sapa is a distant hike in itself, the trek even longer, so make sure the weather conditions are ideal.

The different options for Fansipan

There are several options for all types of travelers that allow you to see the magnificent peak of Mount Fansipan. It depends on your adventure level, fitness level, and schedule. I’ll break it down for you

Hikes range from one to four days. I suggest the two days and one night option because it gives you plenty of time to complete the trek, allows you to converse and connect with other trekkers and guides, and allows you to better get used to the change in altitude . The three-day trek obviously gives you even more time. If you haven’t exercised in a long time or feel hesitant about whether the distance is too long, choose this option.

Tram Ton: It’s a gradual trail that is used the most by tourists, so it has the most people. The distance from the starting point, approximately 1,500 meters, to the summit is 11 kilometers.

This trail can be accomplished in a day or two. Remember that while this is the most used trail, it is still physically demanding. Many travelers report taking the tram because they are too tired to make the return trip. It can also save you time on your route.

Sin Chai: This trail is shorter but is mainly aimed at adventure seekers. It’s treacherous and hikers often report losing the correct path. The distance from start to finish is about nine kilometers, but different groups of guides take different paths. It may take you two or three days to complete this route.

Cat Cat: This is the longest trail, but offers the best scenery. The distance from the start to the summit is approximately 20 kilometers. This trail usually takes about three or four days.

*Remember that the Sin Chai and Cat Cat trails are considered dangerous.

You can also choose to do a private or group trek. There are pros and cons to both, but I will say that I met a lot of lovely people while doing group hikes in Vietnam!

Benefits: with a group you can make friends and have a good time together. A private tour allows you to make your own plans (do you want to wake up extra early to catch the sunrise at the summit?) and set your own pace.

Disadvantages: You might have a bad seed in your crew. On your own, you may find the nights boring or lonely and there won’t be people around to push you.

With a guide

You might give yourself a headache searching for guides online before committing to the Fansipan. There is limited and sometimes outdated information online about prices, availability, and even the existence of these trekking companies, so much has changed in the last couple of years.

To avoid any complications, I suggest booking a trek with a company in Hanoi or through your host. They can explain prices, what you can expect, and they can communicate with trekking guides.

Your accommodation will also be incentivized to help you find a good tour to ensure quality reviews later. Companies generally pay their guides around 500,000 VND for a full day of hiking, this for a very basic visit.

Obviously, if you pay more, you should get more engaged guides and better food. Both of these options should limit your time spent researching online and digesting a large amount of information. Even if the agency or accommodation makes a commission, this extra money should ensure you get quality guides. Make sure you know exactly which trail you want to take.

If you are really opposed to guides, be aware that they arrange permits and register your hike with the local authorities. It costs 500,000 VND per person for a one-day permit and 700,000 VND for two days.

This fee is collected for park maintenance and access to rest. There are also rangers/guards on some of the trails and campgrounds, so you will need to bribe or lie to them, and I do not suggest either. This process changed after an incident involving a hiker who died in 2016. Overall, it’s not worth getting lost because there are few signposts on the trek, which saves a bit.

With all the fees mentioned above, a travel agency will probably quote you around 1,450,000 VND (if your group is about two people). This covers guide fees, park fees, and taxis (this will also depend on the location).

The3 Routes to Climb Fansipan

1. The Tram Ton Trail

Most people who book guides, regardless of the route they choose, will be caught on the Tram Ton Trail. Make sure you know very well which track when it comes to this step. Most information online describes hikers’ experiences on the Tram Ton Trail. This is also because the Sin Chai and Cat Cat trails are quite dangerous, as they are not distinct and lead you up steep slopes. Most guide companies and guides will take you to Tram Ton for this reason.

You will be picked up early for your departure, probably around 7:00 or 8:00 as most guides assume it will take all day to reach the campsite. However, even if you are fit it will take a lot less time, but it also depends on how many photos you want to take! Stay awake during the ride passing Tram Ton Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam.

You’ll see waterfalls and lots of greenery to inspire your hike on the trail. You will probably be accompanied by local porters and cooks who bring some of the supplies. Try to communicate, they like to speak English and amazing porters taught me some things through facial expressions and pointing.

A large part of the path has been cleared for tourists. Sometimes there are paved steps, ladders and a very clear path. There are lots of roots and sometimes you will face the elements too.

Although you might have hoped for more adventure, appreciate experiences that are distinctly local and unique. You will stop for lunch prepared by the porters. In my experience, these lunches are local, simple but delicious. For the night, you’ll stop at simple cottages with room for seven people, a kitchen and basic facilities.

The base camp is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters. If you struggle with altitude sickness, be sure to drink plenty of water when you arrive. Keep in mind that there is no electricity, the toilets are squat toilets (so bring toilet paper), and if you do this trek in winter the water will be very cold. If you are a light sleeper, you may also not get much sleep because the walls of the buildings are very thin (bring earplugs). If you are trekking in a group, you might consider bringing a deck of cards and if you are alone, maybe a book!

I strongly suggest getting up early (around 4am) in order to see the sunrise at the top and avoid all the tourists arriving from the tram. It will be a rewarding experience when the sun rises over the mountains. You will have summarized the 3,143 meters necessary to reach the “roof of Indochina”!

2. The path of Sin Chai

As I indicated above, the path of Sin Chai is the most dangerous due to the sometimes barely visible trail and overgrown plants. It also climbs quickly and has the greatest elevation gain of the three trails. It begins in the village of Sin Chai, the trail winds through thick vegetation where hikers have reported losing the trail then expands onto a more defined and wider hiking trail.

You will hike through bamboo valleys and dense forests. As you climb onto an open ridge, you will see the famous cable car and the tourists inside. The hike remains easy until you have to cross a small creek, but then the steep trail begins.

Be careful at this point as there are many ledges and loose rocks. You will need to hold on to roots and plants, so make sure they are firmly anchored to the ground. Although this route is the shortest, keep in mind that it gains elevation and you need to maneuver around certain elements of the hike.

3. The Cat Cat Trail

The Cat Cat Trail is beautiful. You begin the hike through rice fields and small villages, including Cat Cat and over the Muong Hoa River. Your first base camp is not in a big dirty house, but in a tent or bamboo hut. The next day, the landscape changes to give way to old pine forests and bamboo clearings. You might even spot a goat or a langur monkey.

The third day is usually summit day and the next day is a long descent. This is the most rewarding trail if you have had Mount Fansipan in your sights for a long time. You can walk through H’mong ethnic minority villages and test your trekking legs on this one, the summit almost becomes an afterthought and the adventure becomes the reason you did it.

Pro tip: like I said before, if you need to save time or lose your knees, take the tram down!

Cable car

If you don’t like hiking or your budget or body inhibits your level of adventure, there is always the option of the cable car. For some of you, this Fansipan Legend cable car may also seem like an adventure since it covers 6,292.5 meters, making it the longest three-rope, non-stop cable car on the market. Additionally, it also holds the record for the highest altitude gain with 1,410 meters for three-cable cable cars. It cuts through the clouds and offers views of the Muong Hoa Valley, as well as the magnificent peaks of the Hoang Lien Son range.

You still need to climb Mount Fansipan by walking about 600 steps to the top after leaving the cable car car. A round-trip ticket costs 600,000 VND.

For those of you who can’t decide whether to walk or walk through the clouds, consider both! Climb to the top then take the cable car down. Although it is a new, modern car, it still provides a stylish means of transportation to a place that was only accessible by those who could make the journey. Now every traveler can feel the true grandeur of this Sapa peak.