Sa Pa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has become increasingly attractive to visitors in recent years, making it important for those who love the pristine beauty of the town to find a place where they can breathe in the fresh air, dive into the green jungle, gaze over the vast paddy fields and experience ethnic culture.
Topas Ecolodge in Ban Lich village has been named in the new list of Unique Lodges of the World (Photo: Nationalgeographic.com)
LaoCai (VNA) - Sa Pa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai hasbecome increasingly attractive to visitors in recent years, making it importantfor those who love the pristine beauty of the town to find a place where theycan breathe in the fresh air, dive into the green jungle, gaze over the vastpaddy fields and experience ethnic culture.
National Geographic has the answer: Topas Ecolodge in Ban Lich village.
Naming the lodge in its new list of Unique Lodges of the World, the USpublisher says guests can “wake in the morning to the mist rising with the sun,and spend your days exploring the surrounding forests and ethnic villages, andyou’ll start to feel the pull of the hill tribes’ centuries-old lifestyle,native to these mountains and virtually untouched by the modern world.”
“The stilted common buildings at the heart of the lodge were sourced from anearby community of ethnic Tay people; and private guest bungalows swirl alongthe ridgeline, ensuring a spectacular view no matter which one you check into.”
Opened in 2005 on a mountaintop near Sa Pa town, Topas Ecolodge offers itsguests a rare experience of culture since there are five different ethnicgroups in the region with distinctive languages and lifestyles.
The resort is the first in Vietnam and the fifth in Asia to make the NationalGeographic list.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recently signed a decision recognising the resort town of Sa Pa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai as a national tourism site.
Prime Minster Nguyen Xuan Phuc has stressed the need to preserve Sa Pa’s traditional culture, considering this the most important job during the transformation process.
Among the crowds of visitors in Sa Pa district in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai in the early days of 2018, many chose to stay at the homes of local ethnic minority people to experience the unique culture first-hand.
Muong Hoa, Vietnam’s longest mountain rail route developed by Sun Group, was opened on March 31, connecting Sa Pa Town and the existing cable station to Fansipan Peak.
The annual Sa Pa Summer Tourism Festival 2018, the third of its kind, kicked off at Sa Pa resort town, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on April 28.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Topas Ecolodge in Ban Lich village has been named in the new list of Unique Lodges of the World (Photo: Nationalgeographic.com) 
