Lao Cai is one of several provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese border in the northwestern part of the country. Apart from the Kinh people, the province has several ethnic minority groups, including the H’mong, Tay, Dao, and Thai. The average temperature in the high mountainous area is between 18 and 28oC, and between 20 and 22oC in the lowlands. Economic potentialities: fruit gardens, cattle breeding.

In the winter, European people visiting Lao Cai may feel nostalgic at the site of the picturesque snowcapped mountain peaks. One may feel lighthearted when spring comes and many white peach flowers are in bloom.

Other famous sites include Fansipan Mountain, at 3,141m above sea level.