The summit marker
At 3,147 metres.
Isderion (talk) — CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Vivu Vietnam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Fansipan is the highest mountain in Vietnam and on the whole Indochinese peninsula, which is why it is called the Roof of Indochina. First measured at 3,143 metres in 1909, its height was later revised to 3,147.3 metres, and the summit rises about nine kilometres southwest of Sapa, inside Hoang Lien National Park. Until 2016 the only way up was a hike of two or three days. Today most visitors ride the Sun World Fansipan Legend system: a funicular from the centre of Sapa to the cable-car station, then a cable car opened in February 2016 that crosses the Muong Hoa valley in about twenty minutes. At 6,292.5 metres long, with 1,410 metres of height between its stations, it holds two Guinness records for a three-rope cable car. From the top station a second funicular, or a climb of about 600 steps, reaches the summit marker, and the way up passes a complex of temples and gates built with the cable car. The summit is much colder than the town and often in cloud, so bring a warm layer and a rain jacket, and go early on a clear morning for the view. Hiking routes from the Tram Ton ranger station still exist for fit walkers with a licensed guide.
At 3,147 metres.
Over the Muong Hoa valley.
On clear mornings.
Hoang Lien range, 9 km southwest of Sapa
No. The funicular and cable car take you to the top station, and either the summit funicular or about 600 steps finish the climb. Guided hikes of one to three days are still possible.
The dry season from October to March has clearer skies, but winter is very cold at the summit and can drop below freezing. Summer is the rainy season, with more cloud on the top.