The northwestern province of Lao Cai attracts tourists with many scenic destinations that offer breathtaking natural landscapes, friendly villages, and thrilling trekking experiences. Each area in Lao Cai derives its name from local stories and legends.

Lao Cai

Lao Cai province is located in the northwestern region of Vietnam, about 300 km away from Ha Noi. Lao Cai used to have a street market called “Lão Nhai” (old street), then later opened another street market titled Tan Nhai (nowadays Phố Moi). Overtime, the name Lão Nhai was altered into Lao Cai. The province was established on July 12, 1907, adopting Lao Cai as its official name.

Lao Cai city. Photo: Bao Quoc te

Sa Pa

Just 30km away from the center of Lao Cai city lies Sa Pa, a famous tourism town lying 1,500 – 1,800m above sea level. The name Sa Pa originated from the Mandarin Chinese word “Sa Pả” (a sandy bank), indicating the bank on the right side of the bridge at the km 32 on the road from Lao Cai to Sa Pa. Before the town was established, locals often held regular market sessions at the bank, hence calling it Sa Pả. Upon the arrival of the French, Sa Pả was changed into Sa Pa as the Vietnamese tones were dropped. Sa Pa is also called Hung Hồ (red creek) in the local language, referencing an extinct ancient spring with cloudy red water.

Center of Sa Pa looking from above. Photo: Giang Huy

Fansipan

Fansipan, the highest mountain in the Indochina Peninsula, lies between Lai Chau and Lao Cai province, about 9 kilometers away from Sa Pa. Today, tourists can use the aerial tramway and mountain railway system to travel directly from Sa Pa to Fansipan in just 30 minutes, instead of two days. The name Fansipan evolved from the local word Hủa Xi Pan (the tottering giant rock).

On the top of Fan Si Pan, the highest mountain in the Indochina Peninsula. Photo: Local Vietnam

Bắc Ha

Bắc Ha is a mountainous district famous for its traditional fairs and breathtaking plum gardens in flowering season. The name Bắc Ha originated from the word Pạc Ha (a hundred pack of gianh, a local plant) in the languages of the Tay and Nung ethnic minority groups. Legend has it that bees used to inhabit the top of the Ba mẹ con Mountain, one of Bắc Ha’s most iconic spots. To scare the bees away, locals had to burn gianh. During the French colonial era, Pạc Ha was transcribed as Pakha, which locals pronounced as Bắc Ha.

Bắc Ha during the plum flower season. Photo: Du lich Viet Nam

Bat Xat

Bat Xat district locates in northwestern Lao Cai, attracting tourists with Nhìu Cồ San, Vietnam’s ninth-highest mountain, Y Tý – the cloud-covered commune or the Mường Hum valley where the Giay ethnic group’s villages are located. The name "Bat Xat" evolved from the Giay’s word Pạc Srạt, which can be understood either as one hundred weaved bamboo sheets or the mouth of a waterfall.

Y Tý's Choản Then village when night falls. Photo: VnExpress

Si Ma Cai

Si Ma Cai is a mountainous district, about 100km away from Lao Cai city. Coming to Si Ma Cai, tourists can enjoy the traditional H'Mong market, with horses tied at the market corners next to blacksmith shops. On the sides of the market are food stalls selling sugarcane, local bananas, traditional brocades and breeders.

Center of Si Ma Cai district. Photo: Truyen hinh Si Ma Cai

Locals in Si Ma Cai used to hold market sessions every six days. To boost trade, the market was moved halfway across the mountain with more open space and a view of a vast mountainous area. To differentiate the new market from the old one, locals called it Xenh Mua Ca, which means “the new horse market” in the H'Mong language. Over time, Xenh Mua Ca evolved into Si Ma Cai and became the official name of the district.

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Sophie Tran