In the first 6 months of the year, thanks to a series of new products, and many major festivals and events, Sa Pa contributed to bringing Lao Cai to the 8th position in the country regarding tourism revenue.

Also read: TRAVEL GUIDE Sa Pa

According to a report by the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province, in the first 6 months of this year, the total number of visitors reached more than 3.78 million, bringing in an estimated revenue of 10,813 billion VND, up 90% compared to the same period in 2022.

Cable car to the top of Fansipan goes through Muong Hoa valley. Photo: Sun Group

In particular, Sa Pa town alone welcomed 1.5 million visitors, a double increase compared to last year. The attraction of Sa Pa to domestic and foreign tourists comes from the continuously innovative tourism product chain. Large-scale festivals and events are held throughout the first 6 months of the year, in addition to the inherent advantages of the natural landscape and traditional culture.

Series of festivals and events

On the weekends of July, walking along the central streets of Sa Pa town, visitors are impressed by the Rose Festival parade with dozens of electric cars, cars carrying fresh roses, and traditional performances of local ethnic artisans and actors such as H'Mong, Dao, Giay, Tay, Xa Pho. The festival's busy environment and upbeat music entice visitors to go, dance with one another, and take stunning pictures.

Read more: Interesting experiences when traveling to Sapa in July

This year's rose festival is organized by the People's Committee of Sa Pa town in conjunction with Sun World Fansipan Legend from April 27 to the end of July. The program is part of a series of summer festival events to bring tourists meaningful experiences in the journey to discover Sapa.

Visitors check-in at the rose valley located in the Sun World Fansipan Legend complex. Photo: Sun Group

Besides, from the beginning of summer, Sa Pa town attracts visitors with cultural and spiritual events such as Mau Son Temple Festival - Mau Thuong Temple Festival, the first Ethnic Cultural Festival, etc. Sun World Fansipan Legend affirms the destination brand of discovery and experience, with many cultural and spiritual events and new products.

In parallel with the rose festival, the resort launches two new products: Northwest cultural space and azalea viewing promenade, where visitors can experience nature and indigenous culture. Sun World Fansipan Legend also organizes Buddha's Birthday and Horseshoe in the Clouds season in June-July, attracting many visitors.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu - Deputy Director of Sun World Fansipan Legend, said that focusing on product investment and organizing a series of large-scale festivals creates a buzz for the resort and contributes to its attraction for Sapa and Lao Cai.

"After Covid-19, combined with the advantage of the landscape, preferential programs and unique products, contributed to creating momentum for the strong recovery of the tourist area. According to Mr. Vu, visitors climbed by 45% in the first half of this year compared to the same time in 2018 or roughly the same period in 2019.

Sapa tourism on the fast track

Sa Pa, which is 1,600 meters above sea level, excels in climate, nature, and vibrant cultural attractiveness. Since the 2000s, about 100 years after the French chose this place as a resort, Sapa has again become a destination attracting domestic and international tourists. However, this place is only really named as the leading destination in the Northwest when there is a strong investment in tourism infrastructure, products and services.

Spiritual complex at Sun World Fansipan Legend. Photo: Le Viet Khanh

Typically, the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway, together with large projects of private corporations, typically the cable car project to the top of Fansipan in 2016, and a series of products continuously invested in a systematic and high level of Sun Group.

From the milestone of 2016 to 2019, visitors to Sa Pa skyrocketed, from a destination that has never welcomed one million visitors to reach the milestone of 3.3 million. After the pandemic, in addition to the organized promotion and promotion programs, Sa Pa identified tourism products as the key to attracting tourists back strongly, contributing to promoting the recovery of the smokeless industry.

Therefore, towards 2025, Sa Pa will diversify products such as community tourism, mountain resorts, sports and adventure and a series of five-season festivals.

Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province, said that tourism in Sapa and Lao Cai province has recently made positive progress thanks to professionally invested products, bringing diverse experiences for visitors.

According to Thang, "Since Sun World Fansipan Legend has been operating up until this point, with a variety of products and projects invested in great, elegant, and high-quality service, it has contributed to affirming the Sa National Tourist Area brand. Pa, meeting the varied needs of domestic and foreign guests. 

Read more: The sea of ​​clouds on the roof of Indochina makes visitors ecstatic

Hotel de la Coupole in the "foggy town" Sapa. Photo: Sun Group

Representatives of some travel agencies also said that the attraction of Sapa in recent years also comes from the dynamism. Localities and businesses always create new products and organize various festivals and events. That not only helps promote a wide area, attracting visitors but also creates an impression for them to return again and again.

2023 Sa Pa aims to welcome 3.5 million visitors, higher than in 2019 before Covid-19. With a series of products that will continue to be launched by localities and large enterprises in the second half of the year, Sa Pa is expected to exceed the target for visitors and revenue this year.