Asia >> Vietnam >> Overview >> Provinces >> Lao Cai
Area: 8,057 sq. km.
Population: 639,300 habitants (2003)
Regional code: 0510
Capital: Lao Cai Town.
Districts: Muong Khuong, Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Thang, Sapa, Bao Yen, Van Ban, Si Ma Cai.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), H’Mong, Tay, Dao, Thai...
Lao Cai is one of several provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese border in the northwestern part of the country. Apart from the Kinh people, the province has several ethnic minority groups, including the H’mong, Tay, Dao, and Thai. The average temperature in the high mountainous area is between 18 and 28oC, and between 20 and 22oC in the lowlands. Economic potentialities: fruit gardens, cattle breeding.
In the winter, European people visiting Lao Cai may feel nostalgic at the site of the picturesque snowcapped mountain peaks. One may feel lighthearted when spring comes and many white peach flowers are in bloom.
Other famous sites include Fansipan Mountain, at 3,141m above sea level.
Transport: Lao Cai is 340km from Hanoi and can be reached by bus, car, or train.
Train: Two trains depart from Hanoi daily. One leaves at 6.05 am and arrives in Lao Cai at 3.30 pm; another train departs from Hanoi at 10 pm and arrives in Lao Cai at 7.10 am the next morning. From Lao Cai to Hanoi, the train departs at 10.20 am and arrives in Hanoi at 7.20 pm. The second train departs from Lao Cai at 6.45 pm and arrives in Hanoi at 4.00 am the next morning.
Bus: Minibuses leave Sapa for Lao Cai (38 km, 2 hours, costs about US$ 2 per person). Buses depart from Lao Cai for Bac Ha daily (63km) and costs about US$ 5. Sapa to Bac Ha (110km) costs US$ 12 (Sunday minibus tour includes transportation, guide and trekking to the village of the Flower H’mong). On the way back to Sapa, it is possible to stop in Lao Cai and catch the night train back to Hanoi
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