Vietnam travel destination 26 : Lai Chau – a beautiful mountainous land

Lai Chau is a frontier province, which is 450km to the northwest of Hanoi. The province shares the common border with China on the north, with Dien Bien province on the west and southwest, with Lao Cai on the east, with Yen Bai in the southeast, and with Son La on the south.

 Lai Chau’s topography is featured with Northwest - Southeast mountain ranges and high peaks such as Pu Sa Leng peak (3.096m), Fansipan (3.143m), Pu Sam Cap 

 The well-known mountain ranges include Hoang Lien Son in the east, Song Ma in the west. The landscape is also characterized by high and steep mountains and hills alternated with deep and narrow valleys. The valleys are quiet flat, and some of which have become popular destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists, namely Tam Duong, Binh Lu, Than Uyen, Muong So valleys. The scenery becomes much more romantic and peaceful with the appearance of many plateaus, rivers and streams
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Lai Chau province features the tropic monsoon climate condition with the average annual temperature of 21-23oC.

The province is home to 20 ethnic minority groups, each of which has its own cultural features. You can experience the traditional culture by joining the highland market sessions.

With scenic landscape, rich cultural features, Lai Chau promises to be a great destination for traveling. Tourists visiting Lai Chau can enjoy the majestic scenery, visit local villages to learn new knowledge about Vietnam culture in general and local culture in particular.

Pu Sam Cap Grottoes - Lai Chau attractions

Pu Sam Cap Grottoes are favourite place in Lai Chau province and lure many intrepid tourists in Vietnam travel.

The Pu Sam Cap Grottoes in Lai Chau province, named after the nearby village or the homonymous mountain, ar noted for fine speleothems. This very young show cave which attracts many domestic tourists as well as foreign tourists in Vietnam travel to come here and visit. The cave is located high up on the 1,700m asl high Pu Sam Cap Mountain. It is reached from the parking lot on a short but strenuous walk uphill, which is rewarded by the extraordinary views of the valley and Nam Ron River, and the beautiful cave. Luckily, the road that winds alongside the valley and up the mountain offers terrific views. Though the chill grows stronger as one nears the destination, the climb up the mountain to the grotto’s entrance leaves one considerably warmer.

Upon arrival, visitors can cast their eyes back over the valley. The whole village is often obscured by clouds, though shafts of sunlight pierce through, leaving bright spots on the overcast landscape. Below, the waters of Nam Ron River are barely visible as they snake their way through the mountains. For tourists in Vietnam travel, touring the entire grotto takes at least one day if they are feeling strong enough to undertake the two-way climb. The area contains over 10 caves of varying sizes which all converge around the three largest: Thien Mon, Thien Duong and Thuy Tinh. Given a limited time frame, guides advise visiting the lowest cave, Thien Mon, as it is the easiest climb, instead of trying to reach all three. Their advice is well-heeded. Standing among the stalactites in Thien Mon, stress and weariness melt away and imaginations wander over the shapes of the stalactites. In the front, one resembles an elephant statue, another, a group of fairies dancing.

While Pu Sam Cap is not very different from other grottoes in terms of position, beauty or size, what sets it apart is its simplicity and isolation. It allows so much privacy that in addition to guiding visitors through Pu Sam Cap. In the middle of the cave there is a large, flat area where they play football. Six months after the discovery of the caves, more than 10,000 tourists have visited Pu Sam Cap, and the number is increasing year by year. Yet the simplicity of the services is posing problems for the area’s reputation. Small steps have been added to each cave to prevent tourists from getting lost and lights have been suitably arranged throughout. With much effort, Pu Sam Cap Grottoes will be more and more attractive for tourists in Vietnam travel, one ofVietnam attractions for tourism.

 Tien Son cave

Tien Son cave is formed from million-year carxto. The cave has 36 separated sections running through the two mountain sides. The deeper it gets, the more spacious it is. Each cave section is named with sacred names such as: Au Co Mother, Lac Long Quan, Ba Chua Kho, etc. Stepping inside, visitors will have opportunity to enjoy the stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes appearing at their most beauty. The atmosphere in the cave is really cool and peaceful; tourists can relax while walking around.

 Tien Son Cave is now a first-choice destination in Lai Chau for both domestic and foreign tourists in Vietnam travel. In near future, Tien Son promises to become a well-known tourist attraction of Lai Chau and of Vietnam also.

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  Sin Ho Village

Sin Ho Village with colorful Sunday Market, Tam Duong Townlet with Montagnards and other tourist sites such as Tien Son Cave and Muong Lai Spring. The road from Lai Chau to Sapa is one of the most beautiful drives in Vietnam but it is very bumpy. Also, it can suffer severe damage during the rainy season.

Lai Chau is in the tropical monsoon zone and is divided into two seasons: rain season and dry season. The annual average temperature is 21 - 23 Degree Celcious It is also one of the hottest places in Vietnam in summer. June and July temperatures can climb to 40 Degree Celcious. During the rainy season the town is prone to severe flooding from the Da River. The ideal time to visit Lai Chau is from September to April of next year.

The route Dien Bien Phu Lai Chau (around 4 hours) and Sapa Lai Chau (from 6 to 8 hours) is good with breathtaking scenery. The latter route is the most spectacular but can suffer severe damage during the rainy season, which delay your trip considerably.

Local people said that, formerly, the cave was discovered and called “Dan Don” (means White Stone) because there is a white stone cliff on the eastern gate of the cave. Recently, visitors have realized the fairy beauty of the cave, and the name Tien Son Cave (Fairy Cave) has been given to it. 

Tac Tinh is the 2-level waterfall with 50m hight high. It runs very fast and roars throughout the year. It is situated in the town of Tam Duong, about 4 km from the national road 4D with convenient access. Having a chance to come to this place, tourists are strongly advised to take some photographs of this enchanting waterfall.

Binh Lu kermis

Binh Lu kermis is organized on Saturday in Binh Lu town, Lai Chau province. This is the crowded kermis. Ethnic minorities who live in high moutains bring to Binh Lu kermis their handicrafts, raw vegetables, some products of forest in order to sell them or exchange them for salt or lamp oil… Arriving Binh Lu kermis, visitors will see the ethnic girls and boys in beautiful colorful clothes.
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