Lao Cai

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

Travel to Lao Cai

From Vietnam

Lao Cai Railway Station Ga Lào Cai GPS 22.492262,103.978327. As of 2023 and there are 3 night trains and 1 day train each day from and to Hanoi (about 9 hr, US$20 for a soft sleeper depending on the train).

From China

Hekou-Lao Cai Bridge - P1380385 - The entrance to Vietnam from China, at the main border crossing between downtown Hekou and downtown Lao Cai

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

There are also trains from Kunming to the new (standard-gauge) Hekou North Train Station. The station is several kilometers away from the border crossing, but buses meet each train and take passengers to the border crossing area and other locations around town.

The border is open 08:00-23:00 Chinese time (07:00-22:00 Vietnamese time).

As of 2023 and there is no passenger railway service on the narrow-gauge bridge across the border river, even though physically the narrow-gauge tracks connect to the new Hekou North station on the Chinese side.

Get Around

What to see in Lao Cai

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lao Cai

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lao Cai

There 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 crossing. However and they accept only some international cards. There is one ATM accepting all international cards, but it's neither close to the border nor to the train station. Motorbike drivers usually know it and will drive you there (one-way 10,000 dong).

As soon as you leave the immigration building you will be approached by money changers. They usually offer poorer exchange rates than the bank. There are two banks just next to the border and a third one just at the other end of the first bridge, though these are all annoyingly closed at weekends. Banks in Hanoi will also readily exchange your RMB for dong.

Bac Ha|Bắc Hà Sunday Market 22.5, 104.25 - Bắc Hà Sunday market can be visited from Saturday 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.

Halal Food & Restaurants

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lao Cai

Lao Cai - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lao Cai, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lao Cai. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lao Cai and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lao Cai. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lao Cai. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLao Cai: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lao Cai.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lao Cai: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lao Cai, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lao Cai.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lao Cai, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lao Cai, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lao Cai and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lao Cai, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lao Cai, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lao Cai without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lao Cai is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lao Cai.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lao Cai is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lao Cai, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lao Cai Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Lao Cai

eHalal Group Lao Cai is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Lao Cai. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Lao Cai.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Lao Cai ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Lao Cai. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Lao Cai, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Telecommunications in Lao Cai

Internet Cafe's in Lao Cai

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

News & References Lao Cai

Travel Next

Lao Cai has a public bus station and a train station. Together they constitute the centre of town. While the train station can be found next to the primary street and the bus station is around 300 m southwest of it, down Phan Đình Phùng. Additionally, shuttle vanes are abundant (destinations usually indicated on the windshield), which will drive around town until full and can be flagged down. Prices are fixed, but conductors usually try their luck and ask for more, including mock tickets with fake prices.

Hanoi

Trains run from the train station in Lao Cai to Hanoi with an overnight sleeper option. This will put you in Hanoi rather early in the morning with your only company being a million motorcycle and taxi agents. So its generally a good idea to have a plan as to where you will be heading on arrival. Prices for a soft sleeper ticket are around 300,000 dong, lower classes are cheaper. Check for up-to-date information on prices. Livitrans Train Company

There is a bus service to Hanoi costing 89,000 dong. The night bus to Hanoi costs about 150,000 dong. Very uncomfortable with loud music and no leg space. Train is much better option, but often needs to be booked in advance.

Sapa

Minibuses run from outside the Chinese Hekou border immigration exit, and train station straight up the mountain. Cost should be 25,000 dong per person and the bus leaves only when it is full. There does not seem to be a bus from the public bus station to Sapa.

If arriving via the Chinese Hekou border, watch out for agents who will persistently attempt to get you to pay up to 150,000 dong, or RMB20 (roughly 50,000 dong) per person to get to Sapa. Just ignore them and walk to a main street and flag a shuttle van with a sign showing Sapa at the windscreen. Confirm with the driver or bus attendant 25,000 dong and hop into the shuttle van to Sapa.

If arriving by train (usually around 05:30) watch out for shuttle van scams asking at least 200,000; generally they can be bargained down.

Bac Ha

Bac Ha, and its Sunday market, can be visited via public bus in around two hours for 70,000 dong.

Ha Giang

Ha Giang is a really tourist attraction for anyone who love to explore nature and people. Amazing scenery: Conquering Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geo Park.

Yunnan Province, China

About 40 min walk from bus/train station, is the border crossing to Hekou in China. Border office is a big building next to a bridge, opposite Sapaly Hotel/Biti's trade centre. From here you can catch an onward bus through to Kunming for around RMB120.