Lao Cai is one of several provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese borderline. It is in the northwestern part of the country. Topography of Lao Cai is diversified with rivers, high mountain peaks, steep and high mountain passes, deep streams and wide valleys. Lao Cai is home to primeval forests with several kinds of rare timber plants such as Po Mu (fukiena), Lat Hoa (chukrasia tabularis) and Cho Chi. It is also the habitat of many kinds of medicinal herbs and rare animals including deer, wild boars, tigers... Lao Cai is also reputed for its mineral resources.
Sapa is the most attractive rendezvous in Lao Cai. Visitors to Sapa can attempt the walk across a suspended bamboo bridge over Muong Hoa River. Next to the bamboo bridge is a beautiful water fall known locally as Thac Bac (Silver Fall). The rooftop of Vietnam is called Fansipan mountain peak which is 3,141m above sea level. The highest peak in Vietnam is in Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Lai Chau is the northwestern province in North-Vietnam borders on China and Laos. Its provincial capital - Lai Chau - is situated in a valley near the junction of Nam Ron River and Da River. Lai Chau province is inhabited by up to 23 ethnic groups, most notably the Thai and the H'MONG. The most attractive tourist site in Lai Chau is the former battlefield of Dien Bien Phu, which is now situated in Dien Bien Phu district. Dien Bien Phu lies in Muong Thanh Valley and is surrounded by steep, heavily forested hills and mountains. This valley witnessed the extremely heroic attacks by Vietnam People's Army (VPA) against the French forces. On May 7, 1954, the VPA forces overran the headquarters of the beleaguered French garrison at DIEN BIEN PHU after a 56-day siege, capturing General Christian de Castries and all his staff and troops. Since then, Vietnam has been famous for its resounding victory at Dien Bien Phu.
Fom Ha Noi driving along National Highway 6 for more than 300km, you reach the provincial capital of the same name, Son La, on a plateau some 600m above sea level. Son La is a northwestern moutainous province. It has two large plateaux also named SON LA and Moc Chau and an immense area of crop fields. The rest consists of valleys, high hills and mountains. The province is inhabited by XA, H'MONG, DAO, MUONG, KING (or VIET) , KhoMu, TAY, THAI.. The Thai is the largest single ethnic group. 80% of the province's natural area is covered with mountains. Son La Prison was built by the colonial regime to detain Vietnamese revolutionaries and other patriots.