Reality vs Expectation of Visiting Fansipan from Sa Pa: How You Can Avoid Disappointments

People call Fansipan the roof of Indochina for one impressive reason.

Soaring 3,147 meters, or 10,325 feet, above sea level, it’s the tallest mountain on the Indochina peninsula.

Today, Fansipan’s summit is both a park and a cultural attraction. It’s also one of the best places to visit from Sa Pa in northern Vietnam.

During my trip to Vietnam, I spent two days in Sa Pa, and a visit to Fansipan was part of the plan. Let me share my story so you can see what to expect and what might be the reality when you arrive. 

Fansipan Expectations vs Reality Photos

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If you are planning to visit Sa Pa, here are my tips so you can make the most of your trip. I’ll also share the beautiful, relaxing spots and attractions you should try.

I share my travels and experiences as a way to give back for all the gratitude I feel. I’m truly thankful for the chance to explore and have moments that change me. I hope my story, along with the tips at the end of this post, can help other travelers (like you) make the most of their (your) own journey.

Beyond travels, I also write about spirituality and building an online business. You can learn more about me and my mission here.

The Expectations for Fansipan

Did you know? 

The first time I saw Fansipan on Instagram, it felt like the mountain was calling me. Its photo was such a scroll-stopper that I froze mid-swipe and couldn’t look away.

I’d love to share the photo that caught my eye, but it’s impossible to retrieve it anymore. That was a long time ago. Still, the image remains in my mind, and I can picture it and describe it.

In short, there’s a guy moving up the concrete stairs. It’s a long staircase. He pauses midway to pose, and behind him is a sea of clouds so white, gorgeous, and unreal. Whenever I recall it, I can’t help but think Fansipan is a slice of paradise.

Here are the photos that look like the one I saw that day.

In a way, that photo of Fansipan reminded me of my favorite childhood cartoon. 

Guess which one? Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

If you’re familiar with it, think of the air temples. The pagodas and Buddhist statues in the picture? They gave me that impression right away.

Inspired by the pictures of Fansipan, I didn’t hesitate to decide on a trip to Vietnam. Although, I was not sure exactly when to go. 

It was only when Cebu Pacific launched an airfare sale that I set the dates. I picked the cheapest flights and when my friend was available. 

Spoiler: it turned out not to be a great idea. Yes, let this be a heads-up: don’t make the same mistake. Planning your visit at the right time of year is important. I’ll explain more later.

Anyhow, after I booked my plane ticket, my friend and I started planning the trip. We booked hotels, tours, and tickets to the attractions we planned to visit. Of course, we didn’t miss Fansipan.

That’s when we discovered something interesting: Fansipan has a funicular train. I got excited since I had never ridden a funicular train before. The train connects the summit to the cable car station and serves people who want to skip the stairs.

It was also during my preparation that we learned Muong Hoa Station is far from the town. This station is where the cable car to Fansipan starts. 

Good to know: From the town, you have several ways to get to Muong Hoa Station.

• First, a taxi. 
• Second, a private vehicle, either a car or motorbike. 
• Third, a 40-minute hike, which is not recommended. 
• Fourth, a shuttle ride provided by hotels. 
• The last and fanciest option is a train ride from Sun World Ticket Station in the town’s main square.

During my trip’s preparation, I could have chosen the train option. Bad luck, it was under maintenance. 

But yeah, the boarding platform at Muong Hoa Station is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sa Pa. You won’t want to miss it during your trip!

The Reality of Visiting Fansipan

Months later, our long-awaited trip to Vietnam arrived. Sa Pa marked the final stop on our itinerary, but Fansipan claimed the top spot on our agenda.

We arrived in Sa Pa from Hanoi on a sleeper bus, reaching the town before sunrise. 

I hadn’t expected to get there so early, but it helped us follow our plan to visit Fansipan. The plan was to explore Fansipan with few people around.

After we dropped our bags at the hotel and ate breakfast, we went straight to Muong Hoa Station by taxi. Some people call the station Sun World Fairground.

Good to know: If you plan to take a taxi, check the typical fare from Sa Pa to the cable car station. I read on other blogs that some taxi drivers overcharge tourists. Knowing the standard rate can save you money. 

In our experience, the drivers we met all charged the same fare. Their prices seemed to follow a standardized rate. I don’t recall the exact amount, but I confirmed it by asking three drivers with courtesy.

As we entered Sun World Fairground, the scene wowed me: beautiful, lively, and full of energy.

Traditional performers entertained the square. Beautiful buildings and landmarks surrounded the square where the performers performed. They left me a good first impression! 

Yet, I started feeling uneasy as dark clouds appeared. It got worse when they hovered over the Fansipan peaks.

The last time I went hiking and saw those clouds, the experience on the peak wasn’t something you’d love to remember.

Anyway, since we arrived early and the crowd was thin, we got on the gondola immediately. Our journey to the summit of Fansipan had begun. 

The ride offered stunning scenery, at least for the first half. From the gondola, we could see the marvelous rice terraces of Muong Hoa Valley. The view was breathtaking, stretching across the valley below.

Indeed, the view was incredible, though it would have been breathtaking if the sky had been blue and the sun out.

Around 10 to 12 minutes after leaving Sa Pa, our gondola reached the clouds. We stayed in the clouds until we headed back to Sa Pa in the afternoon. 

Yes. L.I.T.E.R.A.L.L.Y. That was our reality in Fansipan—surrounded by clouds and rain. 

The cable car journey lasted about 20 minutes. 

And those last few minutes inside the gondola? They turned my excitement completely upside down. 

From: “let’s spend the whole day in Fansipan!”

To: “Okay, let’s head back to Sa Pa!”

The moment I stepped out of the gondola, I felt nothing but cold. I’ll admit I felt a little disappointed too. Because… after all those months of waiting, and all I got was clouds!?

But since fog covering the mountain peak wasn’t new to me, I didn’t feel completely heartbroken.

My friend, on the other hand, probably felt a bit sorry for herself for buying a ticket just to see clouds up close.

Despite the bad weather, the dark clouds did not kill our spirits. In fact, we were already laughing at each other just a few moments after leaving the cable car terminal. 

I couldn’t help it.

My close friend, who bullied me back in first grade, had brought only a cardigan to Mount Fansipan. A paper-thin cardigan to a 3,000-meter (10,000-feet) mountain. What was she thinking? LOL.

In those moments, she wasn’t shivering yet, but her voice trembled as she spoke. She sounded so funny, but it also worried me.

The temperature had dropped to around 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, or 41 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I was glad I had prepared, bringing a sweater and a thick shirt. That kept me from shivering, though I still felt the cold. 

Seeing my friend’s lips turn purple in the freezing air, we decided to run indoors.

In Fansipan, there’s a complex that sells food, souvenirs, and winter clothes. I’m not sure what it’s called, but that’s where we went.

So yeah, inside, we spotted the winter clothes and thought they would save us from the cold. But then we checked the price and realized they would not save us at all. 

The clothes cost five times more than normal, and it wasn’t worth paying for a few hours on Fansipan. 

I didn’t buy anything, but my friend grabbed a scarf anyway because it was freezing.

After that, we made our way to the funicular station on the lower grounds, Do Quyen Station. From there, we boarded the funicular to the summit station.

Good to know: the funicular ride isn’t free. You can buy tickets at the departure station. They offer one-way and round-trip options, but we only bought a one-way ticket to the summit. We figured it would be better to take the stairs back to the cable car station. That way, we could explore the park between the funicular stations. Later, it turned out to be the right decision.

Anyhow, at the summit lies the Vietnamese flagpole and the pyramidal landmark. There, we joined other tourists and many hikers who had spent days reaching Fansipan’s summit from Sa Pa. Here’s my photo.

After taking our souvenir shots, we looked for shelter again. The wind picked up, and the cold was starting to bite. It could have been the best part, but meh, we were just grateful that Du Soleil Café was nearby. It saved us from freezing.

But Du Soleil Café proved to be more than a refuge. The café felt like a hidden gem. It was cozy inside. The interiors and background music showcased the Vietnamese culture. Their coffee impressed, though it was pricey.

I must say, Du Soleil Café might be the most beautiful coffee shop I’ve visited when it comes to location. 

I can only imagine how stunning it would look inside if the weather were clear and a sea of clouds spread below. Sipping coffee at Du Soleil Café reaches another level in that setting.

We spent a couple of hours in the café, which warmed us up. We had a few fun conversations before continuing to explore Fansipan. 

We wandered around the area for almost an hour and somehow survived the freezing weather. As we explored, we could only imagine (again) how stunning Fansipan might look on a sunny day. 

The gigantic statues, pagodas, and temples were all impressive sights. Too bad, they appeared as mere silhouettes in the fog. Instrumental music playing throughout the park made the stroll a bit more enjoyable.

It was almost mid-afternoon when we decided to head back to Sa Pa. 

On the way, we saw a bunch of people gathered near the souvenir shop. Curious, we went closer to see what everyone was obsessing over. That’s when we discovered a heater that looked like an electric fan. 

To be honest, I was half laughing, half amazed that something like that is real! But yeah, it thawed us out fast. 

We were glad our curiosity was still going strong after hours on the freezing mountain peak. In a way, our curiosity saved us from getting sick. LOL.

By the time we reached Sa Pa, the sun was out, but clouds still hugged the mountain peaks. We only felt relieved that the cold had eased. 

Before we left Sun World Fairground, nature seemed to take pity on us. It revealed some scenic mountain views. 

I loved seeing the layers of mountains. It lifted my mood after the chilly adventure on Fansipan.

Tips for Visiting Fansipan

Yep, that’s how my Fansipan adventure turned out. Not great, right? Well, that’s okay. At least I learned some lessons I can share with you. I hope you take note of everything and have an amazing trip to Fansipan for me. Here are my tips:

1. Pick the right season. You’ve seen how clouds and rain can cover the summit. So it’s important to visit during the dry season, November to April. It gives a better chance for clear skies. The rainy season, May to September, often brings fog, rain, and slippery trails. It can even snow in December and January. So if you go during that time, wear warm layers, waterproof boots, and be ready for icy paths.
2. Dress in layers. After witnessing how freezing it got at the summit, you now know how a sweater and jacket are lifesavers. Remember, it’s always cold in Fansipan because of its high altitude. Even if you’re visiting during summer, it’s best to wear something that can keep you warm. You might like to bring hat or gloves, too.
3. Pack something for rain. You already saw how fog and rain can roll in, so bring a light raincoat or quick-dry clothes. Staying dry is important because wet clothes make the cold feel much worse.
4. Check maintenance schedules. Don’t forget to confirm that the cable car, train, and funicular are operational before your visit.
5. Know how to get to Muong Hoa Station. If you’re planning to use taxis, I want to remind you to check the typical fares first so you don’t get overcharged.
6. Carry some cash. After seeing winter clothes and snacks are pricier up there, having cash on hand is essential. I didn’t see any ATMs or try card payments, so bringing cash is the safest choice.
7. Manage your expectations. Fansipan is an outdoor mountain attraction, and the weather can change fast. The perfect, cloud-free views you see on Instagram are often only a lucky moment. It’s not guaranteed every visit.
8. Get there early. Being among the first in line 100% helped us explore with fewer crowds and made the cable car ride smoother. Remember to make Fansipan your first agenda of the day for the best experience.
9. Bring a thermos or tumbler. Having hot drinks on hand helps you stay warm while exploring Fansipan.
10. Prepare for stairs and walking. There’s a lot of steps and ground to cover, so wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Even if you take the funicular you’ll still need to walk around and explore the park, pagodas, and viewpoints. Proper footwear will make your visit much more enjoyable.

Final Words

While Fansipan did not give me what I expected from my trip, I still say go for it if you hesitate. 

I saw the temples and giant statues in person. And if the sun had come out and the weather had cleared, I would have been awestruck. The beauty of the structures with the mountain scenery could have blown my mind. 

The key is: prepare your trip well and follow my tips. That way, you can have a great chance of experiencing something unforgettable.

Anyhow, this Fansipan experience showed me how social media ruins travel. It creates high expectations. It hypes places so much that it kills the meaning of travel. 

Travel is more about understanding the world and less about chasing perfect sights. 

Social media also somehow makes us forget other ways to make our trip worthwhile. 

Focus on the positive things that happen, and we can enjoy the journey itself. Focus on the fun moments, and we can create stories worth telling.

We gather moments that will stay with us for life and bring a smile when we look back in old age. That, I’m certain, is the most important thing.

Ready to plan an unforgettable adventure to Vietnam, Sa Pa, and Fansipan? I’ve gathered all the travel resources you need (hotels, tickets, private cars, even flights) right in one place. 

No more endless searching online; everything you need for a smooth, stress-free trip is here! Have a great trip! Enjoy.