Facts
- Elevation: 3,147 m (10,325 ft)
- Prominence: 1,617 m
- Ribu category:
Sangat Tinggi - Region:
Northern Vietnam - Coordinates: 22.3034, 103.7754
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Fansipan (also spelled Phan Xi Păng) is the highest mountain in Vietnam and across all three countries of former French Indochina, thus nicknamed the “Roof of Indochina”. It lies in the scenic Hoàng Liên Sơn range, a remote stretch considered the southeasternmost spur of the Himalaya and with striking topography.
Historically, summit trails were carved by early French colonial surveyors and local hill‑tribe guides in the early 1900s. Until 2016, hikers faced a challenging multi‑day hike (usually 2 or 3 days) from Sa Pa through dense bamboo and conifer forests, alpine zones and variable weather conditions including occasional frost.
Since 2016, the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car and mountain train system have transformed access. Visitors can now summit within 15–20 minutes, with sweeping views over Muong Hoa Valley and easy access to a summit garden, pagodas and bronze Buddha statues. Yet for adventure trekkers, the traditional trails – Trạm Tôn Pass (the most popular) and Sin Chai (starting lower down on the edge of Sapa and with more ups and downs) – remain the standard routes, each offering great scenery.
Most trekkers base themselves in Sa Pa town (1,500m), where you can arrange local guides, porters and accommodation. The main trailheads are all within short driving distance of Sa Pa:
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Trạm Tôn Pass trailhead (1,950 m) to the north of the peak – approx 10 km west.
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Sin Chai trailhead (1,350m) – 2 km southwest of town.
Camping is allowed at designated campsites (at around 2,230 m and 2,800 m on the Trạm Tôn route), though many hikers now do the climb as a long day hike from Tram Ton Pass if fit and acclimatised. For those not hiking, the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car station is also just a short taxi ride from Sa Pa centre.
Practicalities
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- Getting there: Fansipan is located roughly 9 km southwest of Sa Pa, a popular town in Lào Cai Province in northern Vietnam. The nearest major city is Lào Cai, about 35 km from Sa Pa and reachable via a direct train from Hanoi (7–8 hours overnight or 5–6 hours on faster services). From Lào Cai, regular minibuses and taxis make the 1-hour climb to Sa Pa.
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- Permits: A permit is required for trekking Fansipan and must be arranged in advance, usually by your guide or tour company. Independent trekking is officially not permitted and there are checkpoints along the trail. As of 2024, permits cost around VND 200,000–300,000 per person (included in most guided packages), guides are mandatory and access to the summit is also controlled (whether by trail or by cable car) and includes entry fees.
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- Water sources: There are a few stream crossings along the traditional trails, but dry season (Nov–April) can see these reduced to a trickle. Bring at least 3 litres per person, especially if tackling the full route on foot. Some known sources include streams near the 2,200 m and 2,800 m Trạm Tôn route campsites, though reliability varies. Local guides often carry or boil water for their clients. If using the cable car route, bottled water is available at lower and upper stations, but still bring your own for the summit walk.
Local Average Monthly Rainfall (in Hanoi) 
Location
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Origins and Meaning
The name “Phan Xi Păng” likely stems from the local Hʼmong term Hủa Xi Pan, meaning “tottering giant rock”, describing the peak’s dramatic shape and stature.