LÀO CAI — The Sa Pa Summer Festival 2026 officially opened on the evening of April 29 at the centre of the Sa Pa national tourism area, the northern mountainous province of Lào Cai, contributing to local efforts to stimulate travel demand and promote tourism.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Sa Pa Ward Nguyễn Phước Toàn emphasised that the festival serves as a key highlight in the locality’s series of cultural and tourism activities. It features a wide range of distinctive events, including the Fansipan rose festival, the Sa Pa brocade festival and Bản Hồ Commune’s cultural and tourism day.

These activities not only offer immersive experiences but also help to honour the cultural values, landscapes and people of Sa Pa, the local official noted.

A highlight of the opening night was a meticulously staged musical programme blending traditional elements with contemporary performance, which delivered a striking showcase and helped spread the image of a culturally rich Sa Pa to both domestic and international visitors.

In recent years, Sa Pa has continued to gain international recognition, with several notable accolades. It has been named by Agoda as one of Asia’s fastest-growing destinations and ranked among the world’s 53 most beautiful small towns. Notably, the Sun World Fansipan Legend has repeatedly received the title of World's Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction from the World Travel Awards.

In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the destination welcomed around tw million visitors, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 15 per cent.

With a vision to develop the Sa Pa national tourism area into an internationally recognised resort destination, local authorities are set to push ahead with comprehensive measures to improve infrastructure, better service quality, preserve and promote cultural values, and protect the environment. Lào Cai aims to welcome over 12 million tourist arrivals by 2030. — VNA/VNS