CityOutline guide

Lao Cai

Former provincial city in Vietnam

Photo: User:Vmenkov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Lao Cai is a town in northern Vietnam. It is on the border with China, separated from the Chinese town of Hekou by the Nanxi and Red Rivers.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat1 place

Nhà hàng Nhật Bản Sakura Deli
Japanese restaurant of good quality.
Address
Số 082 Hợp Thành, Phố Mới

Shop1 place

Bắc Hà Sunday Market
Bắc Hà Sunday market can be visited from Sa Pa, but is nearer to Lào Cai and best visited just after you have arrived in Lào Cai from Hanoi or when you have returned to Lào Cai to take the train back to Hanoi.

Getting there and around

Getting there

From China
Buses run from Kunming and other cities in Yunnan (China) to Hekou from where it is a short walk over the border to Lao Cai.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Taxis are abundant and have no issues with using their meters, making getting around cheap and easy. Walking is a practical option, although the town is quite spread out.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Dien Bien Phu Airport

Dien Bien Phu · Regional · DIN

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Read before you go to Lao Cai

Articles and travel topics about Lao Cai and Vietnam.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

Get inBuses run from Kunming and other cities in Yunnan (China) to Hekou from where it is a short walk over the border to Lao Cai.

Get aroundTaxis are abundant and have no issues with using their meters, making getting around cheap and easy. Walking is a practical option, although the town is quite spread out.

SeeCốc Lếu A and B Markets Cheap (very cheap if you are good at bargaining) Chinese goods are on sale and the range of products makes it an interesting diversion.

BuyThere are a couple of ATMs in Lao Cai. The Techcom Bank has ATMs on the square of the train station as well as close to the border. However, they accept only some international cards.

ConnectYou can get free Wi-Fi near the bus/train station at the Fansipang Restaurant and Le Bordeaux Restaurant. Both are visible from the station.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Lao Cai" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Lào Cai (city)", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: User:Vmenkov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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