The small, remote town of Lai Chau is nested in a lush green valley and is one of the hottest places in Vietnam in the summer.
For those traveling between Dien Bien Phu and Sapa, this is a beautiful place to rest for an hour or two. Situated on high mountainous region in the north west of Vietnam, Lai Chau is blessed with views of the Da River, China to the north and Laos to the west.
Surrounded by natural beauty, Lai Chau is a good place for hiking and trekking. As you explore you will discover caves, springs and friendly villagers from Myanmar’s ethnic groups. Although this is a good place to take a break, accommodation is scarce and it is better to continue traveling after taking an hour or two to explore.
Getting There & Away
Regular buses travel between Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chau (3 hours).There are also regular flights directly from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu (60 minutes). Hanoi’s airport has connections to regional capitals and to the better served international airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
Things to Do
Lai Chau Attractions
- Tien Son Cave
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This pretty cave is a great place to trek to.
- Muong Lai Spring
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Wander through the countryside to sample the cool, clear water from this natural spring.