In the flow of development, Lai Chau does not follow the trend of massive urbanization but steadfastly builds the image of a different destination, a place that "preserves the soul of the mountains" and touches the depth of indigenous culture.
City in the mist.
The attraction of "fairyland"
Located between two famous tourist destinations, Sa Pa and Dien Bien, Lai Chau possesses a favorable strategic location with spectacular natural landscapes and a diverse ecosystem that still retains its natural identity and unique culture.
For those who love to explore , Lai Chau is a dream destination because this place gathers 6 of the Top 10 highest mountain peaks in Vietnam such as Pu Si Lung, Pu Ta Leng, Bach Moc Luong Tu, Ta Lien Son... Not only because they have harsh heights, these mountain peaks also possess the most majestic beauty in the country, where ancient rhododendron forests bloom in spring, and clouds cover all year round, creating a "fairyland" scene.
Lai Chau is also home to a complex of majestic caves such as Tien Son, Ong Tien, Gia Khau and the first cave in the Northwest, Pusamcap. The climate here is fresh and cool. In particular, the Sin Ho plateau is located at an altitude of more than 1,500m above sea level, considering the second Sa Pa of the Northwest region with a cool climate all year round, the average annual temperature is only about 18 degrees Celsius.
In addition, the land at the head of the Fatherland also creates a special attraction with many other beautiful landscapes such as O Quy Ho pass, Tac Tinh waterfall, Tan Uyen tea hill, Sin Ho plateau, Muong Than fields...; Historical relics such as Nam Tun archaeological site, King Le Thai To memorial site, Deo Van Long residence, Na Cung resistance cave, Han temple...
Pusamcap Cave is located at an altitude of 1,700m above sea level, considering the "Northwest's number one cave" with more than 10 large and small caves.
Coming to Lai Chau, tourists have the opportunity to experience adventurous and ecological tourist attractions such as paragliding "Flying over the roof of Indochina" in Si Thau Chai village, trekking through the primeval forest or the journey to explore the first cave in the Northwest, Pusamcap...
Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet, founder of Pu Lai Chau Travel, shared that Lai Chau possesses three unique values that cannot be found anywhere else. First, it is a mountain range with many peaks and the most beautiful in Vietnam. Second , it is an ethnic community with an unmixed identity. Third , it is a pristine forest ecosystem preserved thanks to community awareness, creating an ideal foundation for sustainable tourism. The special thing is that the pristine forest ecosystem here is still very well preserved, thanks to the support of the government and the awareness of nature protection of the local people.
Plus points from unique identity
Lai Chau land has 20 ethnic groups living together, preserving intact the cultural identity, architecture, cuisine. With the gifted climate and soil and the skillful hands of the people here, many attractive specialties, typical of Lai Chau, have been created.
Coming to Lai Chau, from villages such as Sin Suoi Ho, Nam Pung, Ta Mung to San Thang market, visitors can clearly feel the slow, genuine pace of life of the highland people. That beauty is woven from colorful costumes, ethnic dishes with the soul of the mountains and forests such as: smoked pork, purple sticky rice, goby fish, Sung Phai corn wine... to traditional festivals such as: Gau Tao of the Mong people, Tu Cai of the Dao people; Xoe dance, Then singing of the Thai people.
In particular, the ASEAN-standard Sin Suoi Ho community tourism village is a typical model with vast primeval forests, winding terraced fields and villages looming on the mountainside in the sea of clouds. This place is also famous for its civilized, green - clean - beautiful lifestyle (no waste, no smoking, no alcohol) showing a clear change in sustainable tourism practices.
Lai Chau community tourism is building the image of a unique destination, a place to preserve the "mountain soul" and explore the depth of indigenous culture.
Currently, Lai Chau has 20 provincial-level tourist attractions, 1 ASEAN community tourist attraction and 2 tourist areas that can meet the needs of many market segments (including the high-end tourist market).
Along with that, Lai Chau has over 133 tourist accommodation establishments (including 1 5-star hotel, 35 hotels from 1 star to 3 stars with over 1,500 rooms); 150 restaurants with many traditional dishes of ethnic areas and 4G mobile network system, fiber optic cable, high-speed Internet covering 8/8 districts, cities, 100% of communes, wards and towns.
According to the leaders of Lai Chau Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in recent years, Lai Chau province has implemented many synchronous solutions to create momentum to promote growth and attract tourists to Lai Chau to experience and explore its unique characteristics. At the same time, it has stepped up promotion and called for investment in this field. Thanks to that, the tourism industry has achieved many important results.
In the first 6 months of the year, the whole province is estimated to welcome 877,469 visitors, an increase of 12.4% over the same period in 2024, reaching 59.49% of the 2025 plan; estimated revenue is 719 billion VND, an increase of 11% over the same period in 2024, reaching 59.62% of the 2025 plan.
Breakthrough opportunity
Lai Chau province has identified tourism as an important economic sector of the locality in the coming time, with the potential to spread and play a role in promoting other sectors. In recent times, the province has focused on investing in tourism development, through tourism to improve people's lives.
structuring, all plans and programs of the Central Government are specified in the plans of the province such as: Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural identities of ethnic groups associated with tourism development in the period of 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030; Resolution No. 59/2021/NQ-HDND of the Provincial People's Council promulgating a number of policies to support the preservation and promotion of the fine traditional cultural identities of ethnic groups associated with tourism development in the province in the period of 2021-2025;...
Featured Art program with the theme "Lai Chau - Imprint of a journey"
According to the leaders of Lai Chau province, the province is currently implementing the project of connecting the Lai Chau - Lao Cai expressway with Hanoi; as well as the road tunnel project on National Highway 4D with the starting point in Son Binh commune, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, the ending point in O Quy Ho ward, Lao Cai province, which has been approved by the Government, will shorten the travel time through Hoang Lien pass from 30 minutes to 8 minutes, when completed, it will open up opportunities for a strong breakthrough in tourism and logistics for the locality.
However, the provincial leaders also openly admit that Lai Chau tourism has not yet developed commensurate with its potential. The biggest challenges are the unsynchronized transport infrastructure, lack of professional tourism human resources and the lack of large investment projects. Therefore, Lai Chau is expanding open policies, ready to create all favorable conditions to attract investors in the tourism sector, especially eco-resort models, high mountain resorts, green and clean entertainment complexes.
In the coming time, the province will continue to develop types of products and services such as adventure tourism, agricultural tourism, eco-tourism, health care, etc. Organize unique cultural, sports and tourism events, associated with the entertainment industry to attract domestic and foreign tourists. Actively strengthen and expand exchange and cooperation activities with 8 extended Northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City; link tourism development cooperation between Lai Chau province (Vietnam) and 3 provinces of Northern Laos, Yunnan province (China).
It is expected that in October 2025, the Tourism - Culture Week and the 2nd Lai Chau Marathon 2025 will take place. The event is expected to take place for 3 days, from October 3 - 5, 2025 at Lai Chau Provincial People's Square. With the theme "Returning to the majestic Lai Chau peaks" (expected), the Tourism - Culture Week will take place with many attractive activities such as: Opening and closing programs of Lai Chau Tourism - Culture Week 2025; Organizing the 2nd Lai Chau Marathon 2025; Organizing and awarding the contest for beautiful photos and clips about tourism in Lai Chau province; Cultural exchange program of 03 countries Vietnam - China - Laos and performance of traditional costumes of ethnic groups in Lai Chau province; Space for displaying and introducing the culture of ethnic groups living in Lai Chau province and exhibition of books, newspapers, documents on Lai Chau geography...
It can be said that Lai Chau is not a destination for the majority, but that is what makes the difference. With the orientation of sustainable tourism development, based on indigenous cultural values and original natural ecosystems, Lai Chau is gradually positioning its brand with steadfastness, sophistication and identity. In that journey, the companionship of businesses, investors and support policies from the government will be the foundation to bring Lai Chau tourism further on the regional and international tourism map.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lai-chau-dinh-vi-thuong-hieu-tren-ban-do-du-lich-bang-gia-tri-nguyen-ban-20250707141432905.htm
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