Our Muong Hoa Funicular ride ended at Hoang Lien Station, located in the Fansipan Legend tourist area. From this station, our cable car journey also began. We were lucky as the temporary suspension of the funicular and cable car systems was to start from November 24, 2025, just 10 days after our ride, and the cable car would reopen on December 16 and the funicular two days later.

Check out “Muong Hoa Funicular“

As we were in Sapa, a climb to the 3,147 m. high Mount Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina,” which is crowned with the iconic triangular landmark, is a must-have photo for every traveler. The Sunworld Fansipan Legend Cable Car, a 3S ropeway system (three-rope) built by the world-famous Swiss/Austrian cable car manufacturer Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group, was the best, practical and risk-free option of reaching the top of Indochina’s highest point.

The 3S system combines the benefits of the gondola lift and reversible aerial tramway.  It has two fixed, fully-locked track ropes, on which the carrier travels, and a circulating haul rope which is clamped to the carriages.

The Sunworld Fansipan Legend Cable Car System was registered, by Guinness World Records, as the tallest, longest and most advanced three-wire cable car system installed for the first time in Asia.

It has been recognized with two world records – the most extended tricable (three-line) cable car system in the world (6,292.5 m. in length) and the highest altitude difference in the world (1,410 m.). The system, an excellent spot for photos, highlights the North West area and captures the essence of Vietnamese culture.

Before the cable car ride was built, it took visitors at one or even two days of hiking it would take to reach the 1,400 meters that separate the two cable car terminals or at least a day to reach Fansipan Peak. Tourists also required physical preparation for months in advance of trekking Fansipan. Not everyone is fit enough to conquer Mount Fansipan; you must also carry heavy luggage to get there.

Each cable car, traveling at 8 m. per second, can accommodate 30 to 35 people per cabin and transfer 2,000 passengers between the 2 stations in 1 hour.

During our journey, at the height of several thousand meters, we got a clear bird’s eye view, from transparent tempered glass, of the picturesque scenery, including the poetic Muong Hoa Valley and the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Also, we were treated to an impressive 360-degree panorama of the entire breathtaking landscape, from the golden rice fields to the quaint little towns, making Sapa seem like a secret paradise in the clouds. After 15 to 20 minutes, our trip ended at the Fansipan cable car station.

Sunworld Fansipan Legend Cable Car: Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Sapa, Vietnam. Hotline: 0948-30-9999. E-mail: fansipanlegend@sunworld.vn.  The cable cars run daily, from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. A ticket for the Muong Hoa train can be purchased as part of a larger package that includes the cable car to the summit.   The ticket price for the Muong Hoa Funicular can be purchased as a separate round-trip from the Sapa station or as part of an all-inclusive ticket for the entire Fansipan journey, which includes the cable car and the second funicular at the top. For 2025, a round-trip ticket is approximately 200,000 VND for adults, with free rides for children under 1 meter tall.

Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Plaza station or online. 

How to Get There: By car, the 332-km. distance between Hanoi and Sapa take only 4 hours. Sleeper buses, suitable for budget travelers, has a longer transfer time than a car, about 5 hours. The convenient and easy trains, a popular choice as this vehicle allows passengers to enjoy the countryside’s scenery along the way, have the longest transfer time of 8 hours.