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From January 1st, 2025, the People's Committee of Sa Pa town (Lao Cai province) will officially implement entrance fees for scenic spots at Fansipan peak and Cat Cat waterfall. The fee will be 10,000 VND per person for those 16 years and older, and 5,000 VND per person for children aged 6 to under 16.
This regulation applies to both domestic and foreign visitors, with some cases eligible for exemption or reduction of fees. Children under 6 years old, people with severe disabilities, Party and State leaders, or special guests as directed by the People's Committee of the town are exempt from fees. Meanwhile, the elderly, people with severe disabilities, and those eligible for cultural privileges will receive a 50% discount on the entrance fee.
Tourists visiting the Fansipan peak area and Cat Cat waterfall in Sa Pa (Lao Cai) will have to pay an entrance fee starting in 2025.
The People's Committee of Sa Pa town stated that collecting the fee is necessary to generate funds for environmental sanitation, preservation, restoration, and promotion of the value of scenic spots, as well as the development of cultural tourism in the locality. This fee also helps to reduce the burden on the budget and limit the need for higher authorities to supplement funding for cultural and artistic activities.
To implement this, three toll stations equipped with surveillance cameras and four barriers will be installed at key locations: The first station is on the sidewalk in front of the Sun Plaza building; the second is on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, in front of the ticket gate for the Fansipan cable car station; and the third is at the staircase leading to the summit of Fansipan. Protective fences will also be erected in these areas to ensure ticket control.
Fansipan Peak – the "roof of Indochina" – and Cat Cat Waterfall – the "green jewel" of Sa Pa – have long been dream destinations for countless tourists. However, the decision to impose entrance fees on these two locations has sparked much controversy within the tourism community.
According to the People's Committee of Sa Pa town, collecting entrance fees to the Fansipan peak area will contribute to increasing budget revenue for Sa Pa town.
One of the biggest concerns for tourists is having to pay too many fees. Besides the entrance fee, visitors also have to pay for additional services such as cable cars, electric vehicles, or other recreational activities. This makes many people feel burdened by the cost and worry that traveling to Sa Pa will become too expensive. Charging entrance fees is necessary for the preservation and development of tourist attractions. However, management agencies need to find reasonable solutions to minimize the burden on tourists while ensuring the best quality of service and travel experience.
The People's Committee of Sa Pa town affirms that applying entrance fees to Fansipan peak and Cat Cat waterfall is a necessary step to protect and sustainably develop these valuable natural heritage sites. The revenue collected will be directly invested in upgrading infrastructure, preserving the ecosystem, and developing new, high-quality tourism products. As a result, tourists will have even better experiences, and Sa Pa will increasingly solidify its position as a leading attractive tourist destination in Vietnam.
In the last three months of 2024, Lao Cai province welcomed 1,691,097 tourists, a 42% increase compared to the same period in 2023, and the total for 2024 is expected to exceed eight million visitors. Sa Pa alone received 4.4 million visitors, accounting for approximately 55% of the total number of tourists visiting Lao Cai province.
