Fansipan Cable Car Guide
Fansipan mountain is one of the best things to do in Sapa and Fansipan Cable Car is by far the easiest way to see it!
Sure, you could take a 2-day trek up the mountain, but for those of us who are short on time (or simply prefer to take the lazy easy route), the Fansipan cable car is a speedy, convenient, and aesthetic way to see the tallest peak in Vietnam!
So here's the ultimate Fansipan Cable Car Guide for 2026 including including ticket prices, where to buy tickets, how to take it, and ideas for what to do at the peak.
Fansipan Cable Car Quick Guide
TICKET PRICES
| Adult | Children (1m–1.4m) | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | 800,000 VND (~$30.4 USD) | 550,000 VND (~$20.9 USD) |
Hours Of Operation*
| Day | Weekday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Times | 8am | 8am | 7:30am | 7:30am |
| Last Ride Up | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 3:30pm | 2:30pm |
| Last Ride Down | 4pm | 5pm | 5pm | 4pm |
*you actually need to consider hours of operation for the Muong Hoa Monorail Train (takes you back to Sapa town) and final funicular ride too but we'll dive into that later on…
About Fansipan Cable Car
Okay, so the Fansipan Cable Car is a super convenient mode of transportation... but did you know that it's also the longest nonstop 3-rope cable car system in the world at 6292.5m in length?
The journey takes you from Hoang Lien Station in the Fansipan Legend Tourist Area all the way up to Fansipan Station, gaining over 1,400 meters in elevation in just 15 minutes.
It's a relaxed and scenic ride with jaw-dropping views of the Muong Hoa Valley and Hoang Lien Son National Park below. I visited on a foggy day in February and still remember how dreamy it felt with the mists rolling in and out of the mountains.
Each cable car accommodates 30-35 passengers per cabin and during high season, it can have a wait time of 30-40 minutes (so come early)!
Fansipan Cable Car Ticket Price
As of Jan 2026, the Fansipan Cable Car Ticket price is 800,000 VND (~$30.4 USD) for adults, 550,000 VND (~$20.9 USD) for children between 1 meter and 1.4 meters tall, and free for kids under 1 meter (but must be accompanied by an adult).
I recommend pre-booking tickets ahead of time but you can also buy them at the train station if you want to decide day-of.
| Operating Hours | Weekday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapa Station | 7:30am - 2pm | 7:30am - 3pm | 7am - 3pm | 7am - 2pm |
| Hoang Lien Station | 7:45am - 2:15pm | 7:45am - 3:15pm | 7:15am - 3:15pm | 7:15am - 2:15pm |
How To Take The Fansipan Cable Car
The process to visiting Mount Fansipan's peak is a multi-step process:
Take the Muong Hoa monorail from Sapa Town to Hoang Lien Station.
Get off at Hoang Lien Station. This is where you'll get on the cable car that takes you to Fansipan Station.
From Fansipan Station, you can either walk to the peak or take the mountain climbing train (best for if you're traveling with elderly individuals or children)
The entire process is pretty straight-forward with clear signs and directions along the way, but I'll break it down even further.
Begin your journey at Sapa Town (for details on how to get from Hanoi to Sapa, check out this blog post). Set your Google Maps directions to Sunworld Sapa Ticket Station. This is located right in Sapa Town at Sapa Station. You can buy your tickets directly at the kiosk or pre-purchase a bundled and discounted ticket from Klook.
Hop on the Muong Hoa monorail (sometimes called the funicular) to Hoang Lien Station. This 6-minute ride is a quick journey in a picturesque red and yellow train up the lower foothills of Fansipan mountain. Please note that this is a separate ticket from the cable car ticket and is an additional 120k-200k VND (depending on if you get a one-way or roundtrip ride).
You'll get off at Hoang Lien Station and make a transfer to the Fansipan cable car. If you have extra time, definitely take a few minutes to walk around the fair grounds outside. We did this on our way down but by that time, it was pretty late and all the activities and attractions were wrapping up.
The Fansipan cable car takes 15 minutes from station to station. Take that time to enjoy the views and snap some incredible photos!
Alight at Fansipan Station. If you've opted for the additional train ride to the very peak, walk to Do Quyen Station (don't worry, there are signs), and then board the final leg of your journey.
If you've opted to skip the final train ride, walk up 600 steps to the very peak and call it a day!
We booked our tickets through Klook and selected the round-trip Muong Hoa monorail & cable car option without the last mountain-tram leg because we figured that the stairs would be a breeze but definitely wasn't as easy as we thought (high altitude makes the climb a little more challenging).
However, if you work out regularly and want to save a few bucks, then feel free to go for it.
Hours Of Operation
I mentioned in the intro that this gets a little tricky but here's a full breakdown of time schedules.
| Services | Monday to Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Toward Fansipan | Last Trip Toward Sapa | Trip Toward Fansipan | Last Trip Toward Sapa | Trip Toward Fansipan | Last Trip Toward Sapa | Trip Toward Fansipan | Last Trip Toward Sapa | |
| Muong Hoa Funicular | 7:45am - 2:15pm | 4:30pm | 7:45am - 3:15pm | 5:30pm | 7:15am - 3:15pm | 5:30pm | 7:15am - 2:15pm | 4:30pm |
| Cable Car | 8am - 2:30pm | 4pm | 8am - 3:30pm | 5pm | 7:30am - 3:30pm | 5pm | 7:30am - 2:30pm | 4pm |
| Fansipan Funicular | 8:30am - 3pm | 3:30pm | 8:30am - 4pm | 4:30pm | 8am - 4pm | 4:30pm | 8am - 3pm | 3:30pm |
All-in-all, make sure that you get on that last trip towards Sapa and you'll be fine!
What To Do At Fansipan Mountain
So, you've made it to Mount Fansipan. Now what? Here are some ideas on how you can spend your time there!
Hike To The Summit
This is obviously what you're here for... to touch the "Roof of Indochina"!
The trek from Fansipan Station to the peak is a 600-step journey up passing the spiritual Buddhist complex with incredible mountain views all around. It took us about 30 minutes but that's because there were so many sights to see along the way! If you book it with a clear goal to reach the peak, it should take 15-20 minutes.
Wander The Spiritual Buddhist Complex
On your way to the summit, make sure to stop and explore the Buddhist sights!
Wander the Arhat Path, a serene stone walkway lined with 18 bronze statues representative of qualities valued within the Buddhist tradition; stop by the Bich Van Thien Tu Temple and the Kim Son Bao Thang Tu for some prayers and reflections; and of course, you can't miss the Great Amitabha Buddha statue!
The record-breaking statue is Vietnam's largest bronze Buddha and the biggest in Asia at this high of an elevation (3,075 meters above sea level). As someone who has seen Buddha statues from all across the world, from the The Reclining Buddha in Thailand to the local representations in Taiwan, I can attest that this buddha is truly mystical in its own right!
Grab A Bite & Sip
The cold and the mist really take it out of you, so warm up with a tasty meal or warm cup of coffee at the peak.
Here are some of the top restaurants and cafes near Fansipan:
Hai Cang Fansipan Restaurant: buffet-style restaurant near the cable car station
Sharia Restaurant: newly opened halal restaurant (opened Dec 2025! details here)
Cafe Du Soleil: iconic cafe at the Fansipan summit
Explore The Sun World Fansipan Legend Cultural Villages
These cultural village are technically located at the base of Fansipan mountain outside the Hoang Lien Station, but it's something to do when you're all done with the peak!
Sapa Rose Valley: dreamy floral escape with over 10k rose bushes and lots of photo setups. I visited in January so obviously there was nothing to see, but if you're there from spring to early autumn, take advantage and snap all the photos!
May Village: a cultural village highlighting the crafts and traditions local to the Hmong, Tay, and Red Dao minority groups.
FAQs For Visiting Fansipan
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
It's best to visit in the spring (March - May) or autumn (October - November)! This way, you get to enjoy the incredible views while avoiding typhoon season and a frosty, wet winter.
What Should I Pack?
Definitely bring water and snacks. The trip can get a little physical so it's nice to refuel on the go. Additionally, wear lots of layers and consider bringing a waterproof layer just in case. Wear comfortable walking shoes and maybe bring a hat for the UV protection!
Is The Fansipan Cable Car Safe?
Yes! It was built by Austrian company, Doppelmayr Garaventa and is regularly maintained. The most dramatic incident to happen so far was a 3-hour malfunction, but other than that, there hasn't been any serious accidents reported so far.
Is Fansipan Okay To Visit With Children And Elderly?
It depends. Fansipan is considered a high-altitude mountain at 3,147.3 meters (10,326 ft) so elderly or sick individuals should with heart or lung conditions should reconsider their trip. Oxygen is thinner at such altitudes, it can get quite breezy at the peak, and emergency services are harder to come by so if you're traveling with children or older individuals, I would weigh the dangers appropriately.
Fansipan should take a half-day to full day to explore depend on your travel style. It's a pretty empty complex, but I really enjoyed taking the time to just take in the beautiful mountain views.
Once you're done, take the cable car back to Sapa town and warm up with a delicious salmon hot pot. Spend your evening exploring the rest of town, and then continue on with your itinerary or head back to Hanoi for more Vietnam adventures!
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