Sun World Fansipan Legend in Sa Pa has made history by winning its sixth consecutive title as the World’s Leading Iconic Tourist Attraction 2025, reaffirming its global appeal and the mountain town’s rising prominence in international tourism.
The breathtaking scenery of Sun World Fansipan Legend in Sa Pa. File photo
Fansipan Legend in Sa Pa, the northern province of Lao Cai, has made history by securing its sixth consecutive title as the World’s Leading Iconic Tourist Attraction 2025. The prestigious recognition was recently announced at the 32nd World Travel Awards ceremony in Bahrain, often referred to as the “Oscars of the global tourism industry.”
Since opening in 2016, Sun World Fansipan Legend has become a landmark destination that blends the majestic beauty of Sa Pa’s mountains with the rich cultural heritage of local ethnic communities.
Visitors can take the Guinness World Record–holding cable car to the summit of Fansipan, known as the “Roof of Indochina” at 3,143 meters, to enjoy sweeping views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range and the Muong Hoa Valley.
The complex is also known for its impressive spiritual architecture, the culturally immersive Ban May (Cloud Village), diverse culinary offerings, and unique cultural festivals that bring together modern tourism and indigenous traditions.
Designed to help preserve and celebrate the heritage of Sa Pa’s five ethnic groups, Ban May at the foot of Fansipan features 11 traditional houses transported from highland villages, carefully restored to maintain their original beauty. Here, the Dao, H’Mong, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho communities showcase daily life, rituals and cultural practices.
The opening of the Fansipan cable car in 2016 marked a turning point, helping Sa Pa reach 1.2 million visitors for the first time. By 2024, the town welcomed nearly 4.2 million tourists, generating more than VND20 trillion (US$) and accounting for 59% of local budget revenues.
Tourism growth has significantly supported Sa Pa’s socio-economic development. From 2015 to 2025, the poverty rate fell from 50.7% to 13%, a reduction of more than three-quarters.
Sun World Fansipan Legend has been repeatedly honored at the World Travel Awards with titles such as Vietnam’s Leading Tourist Attraction, the World’s Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction, and Asia’s Leading Landmark Destination.
By Khanh Khanh
