Phu Si Lung Mountain

3,076m (10,092 ft)

This hike takes about 4 days and 3 nights to complete, at least. The round trip is 100km (60 miles) long.

This is an arduous trek, lasting 3-4 days. It follows a long inclining dirt road for part of the way, and in other parts, the trail is steep and overgrown.

Many sections of the path are blocked by rhododendrons and bamboo. You will also cross multiple streams and cold rivers, as well as bridges made of decomposing tree trunks. One of the streams that you will cross is Nam Xu Luong, which runs all year round and has strong rapids in the rainy season, making it tricky to cross.

You will walk through forests, and have a beautiful view of the flowers and mountains around you.

Phu Si Lung is in the Lai Chau province, in the North Western region of Vietnam. The weather up the mountain is generally very foggy and misty, especially so during the rainy season.

The weather in the wet season is warm, humid, and overcast. It lasts from May to September with July being the rainiest month. The weather in the dry season is mostly clear and sits at a comfortable temperature. It lasts from the end of September to the end of April, with the driest month being January.

It is recommended to do the trek in the dry season as it is less wet and slippery, and easier to cross the rivers. The downside is that you will miss out on the vegetation in full bloom.

As this is a multi-day hike much equipment is needed. Quality (preferably waterproof) hiking boots, a raincoat, and hiking poles are all essential for this climb. A waterproof backpack and camping equipment must also be brought along for the trek. Check with your guides all that’s needed, what they will provide, and what you will need to bring.

There are no special facilities up this mountain. There is a village called Sin Chai which can be used as a first stop on the journey. You will need to pack all food and water needed for the trek. There are streams with water, however, you should still pack enough water as for some of these the water is not drinkable, or you do not come across a stream by the time you need water.

Both guides and porters are essential for this hike.

The summit of Phu Si Lung is located on the Chinese – Vietnam international border. To go on this hike, you need to get a permit from the Vietnamese government by applying at Lai Chau Border Guard Headquarters (which is located in Hoang Van Thai, Lai Chau). The Lao Cai Military Staff Committee will give you the permit/special license that you need and a guard who will act as a guide for the trek.

Local guides and porters can also be hired in Sapa. However, you will still need to apply for the permit even if you have your own guide from Sapa.

Phu Si Lung is in the Lai Chau Province, Vietnam. To get to the starting point you must first catch a flight to Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi, or to any other international airport nearby.

From the airport, you can catch a bus or a taxi or rent a motorbike or a car to Lao Cai City, or Sapa (a town near Lao Cai). This takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours by road.

From Lao Cai (or Sapa) you can either go straight to the Border Guard Pa Ve Su where you start the real trek, or you can split the journey in two by catching a bus (or other means of road transportation) to Muong Te and then go on the Pa Ve Su the next day. The road between Lao Cai and Muong Te is quite bad, so it is advisable to hire a driver or your guide from Lao Cai or Sapa. It takes about six and a half hours by road to get to Pa Ve Su from Sapa, via Muong Te- Pa Tan.

This is a very remote mountain, and few people climb it. The peak is situated on the international border between China and Vietnam, so the area is very strictly guarded and has a lot of security. Make sure to get the required permit before attempting this hike, and do not go underground, even with the permit. If you are found in the area without a permit, you may be treated with suspicion.