Muong Hoa is Vietnam’s most advanced hiking train, connecting Sapa Town to the Departure Terminal of Fansipan Cable Car. Invested and installed by Sun Group, it is due to be launched on March 31, 2018 as a new breakthrough product for Lao Cai Province’s tourist industry and as an added value to tourist experiences in Sapa.
As of now it is the longest hiking train route in Vietnam, Stretching approximately 2 km. Departing from MGallery hotel in Sapa Town and ending at the Departure Terminal of Fansipan Cable Car, it navigates through 2 tunnels and 4 flyover bridges to enable the maximum speed of 10mps and passenger capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour. Muong Hoa hiking train route shortens passengers’ commuting time to 4 minutes from 15 to 20 minutes by car along precipitous meandering treks.
The two train carriages are designed and manufactured by world famous Garaventa (Switzerland). Each carriage measures 20m long and 3m wide and weighs 25 tons and can accommodate 200 passengers. The interior of Muong Hoa hiking train is reminiscent of that of classical and elegant
European-style carriages, including the lighting system, old ceiling fans, braces. The journey to explore the Northwestern highlands by Muong Hoa hiking train resembles a slow motion footage of marvelous scenes. From the moment visitors arrive they are overwhelmed by the classical French architecture bestowed upon the exquisite Departure Terminal of Sapa by universally acclaimed architect Bill Bensley. The beautiful design features such as the domes high ceiling, the decorative details modeled after the railway, steering wheel or badge of the railway industry…, they are immediately drawn to the extravagant and regal interior décor of each carriage. The moment the train flashes through the mysterious tunnels and crosses flyover bridges you come to witness an unwinding landscape of almighty nature and undulating mountain ranges. At either dawn or dusk you can experience the breathless beauty of of Muong Hoàng valleys and tranquil quiet ethnic hamlets.
As part of entertainment complex Sun World Fansipan Legend, Muong Hoa hiking train route contributes to completing and diversifying the entire spectrum of cherry picked tourist products and experiences for visitors to the Northwestern hinterland and the mist clouded town of Sapa.
From the Terminal to Muong Hoa, visitors are invited to explore the Sun World Fansipan Legend by cable car. Visitors may also cross Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range offering a midair view of the breathtaking mountainous Northwestern landscape. Then continue to onquer the legendary Roof of Indochina and admire the magnificent religious complex atop the Fansipan. There are a number of iconic landmarks such as the largest Amitabha
Buddha Statue of Vietnam, Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda and its numerous well-crafted Buddha statues, Alahat Road of 17 copper Alahat statues standing 2.5m high, Bich Van Zen Monastery, Guanyin Buddha Statue, etc. The Journey to the Fansipan is sprinkled with sensational experiences and a myriad of emotions.
In addition, SunWorld Fansipan Legend is a non-stop feast of unheard surprises of the Northwestern culture, landscape and people through some renowned festivals such as the Fansipan Heavenly Gate Opening Festival that lasts to the end of Lunar March, there is the Azalea Festival (April 7 to May 1, 2018) and lots of other festivities all year round.
With Muong Hoa hiking train route put in operation to connect Sapa’s 5-star MGallery Hotel (due for inauguration in late 2018) to Sun World Fansipan Legend complex, a topnotch expansive compound of resorts, entertainment, shopping and exploratory tourism in Northwestern Vietnam is well underway. The local tourist industry is reinforced with another world-class product. In addition this venture will also contribute to creating more jobs, improve local lives of ethnic communities and bolster the quantity and quality of visitors and their purchasing power in the hinterland.