Fansipan

Etymology

The origin of the name Phan Xi Păng is unclear. The most commonly accepted theory is that it evolved from Hủa Xi Pan ("the tottering giant rock")—the name that the locals called the mountain, based on its shape. Another theory suggests that the name came from the Hmong people, as it means "azalea mountain" in their language, due to the prevalence of azaleas and other species of the Rhododendron genus on the mountain.

It has also been suggested that the name could have derived from Phan Văn Sơn, a geography official in the Nguyễn dynasty who helped the French map the area and define the border with China in 1905. Due to the inaccurate local pronunciation, the name generally evolved into Phan Xi Păng.

Geography

Fansipan is the tallest mountain in the Hoang Lien Son range, situated on the border of Lào Cai and Lai Châu provinces, with its peak located on the Lào Cai side. The mountain is part of Hoàng Liên National Park. It has a topographic prominence of 1617 m, ranking sixth in Vietnam.

Geology

Fansipan was formed around 250–260 million years ago, between the Permian period in the Paleozoic era and the Triassic period in the Mesozoic. The Himalayan orogeny since Late Mesozoic has further uplifted Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Son range and created the Red River Fault to the east.

Summit mark

The initial metal pyramid was made and installed on the mountain's peak by Soviet engineers from Hòa Bình province, in 1985. The amateur mountaineering expedition was the first since the end of the colonial period and was officially timed to the 40th anniversary of Victory Day of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.

Climbing

Hiking

Fansipan can be climbed in a steep and fairly strenuous hike. Previously, it took about 5–6 days from Sa Pa to reach the peak and return. Now, the total time is usually only about three days, even two, or for experts and strong, healthy people, it can be done in one day.

Tour companies in the area will arrange hikes to the summit that take one to three days. Most recommend taking the two- or three-day options, and few guides will take tourists on a round trip in a single day.

A very small village is located at around 1500 m, where accommodation and food is offered. Further up, at 2800 m, is an overnight camp. Most booked trips include the use of these facilities in their price, should they be required.

Cable car

A cable car to the peak of Fansipan was inaugurated on 2 February 2016. The gondola lift departs from a terminal in Muong Hoa valley, near Sa Pa, and takes twenty minutes to reach the summit. The service holds two Guinness World Records for the longest nonstop, three-rope cable car in the world, spanning 6.3 km, and the greatest elevation difference by a nonstop, three-roped cable car for the 1410 m difference in elevation between the termini. Currently, there are also climbing trains that help climbers get past the walking stairs.

References

References

1. . (26 June 2019). ["Fansipan peak found to be 4m higher than old measurement"](https://en.vietnamplus.vn/fansipan-peak-found-to-be-4m-higher-than-old-measurement/155087.vnp). *[[Vietnam News Agency]]*.
2. Martin Morgan. (2 July 2019). "Indochina's highest mountain just got taller". [[BBC Online]].
3. (22 February 2006). "Southeast Asia Mountain Ultra-Prominence".
4. ""Phanxipăng" thực chất là ... "Phan Văn Sơn"?".
5. "Đỉnh Fansipan". [[Hoang Lien National Park]].
6. "Đá đỉnh Fansipan "chợt già thêm" vài trăm triệu tuổi". Vietnam Union of Geological Sciences.
7. [https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=10961 "Fan Si Pan, Vietnam"], Peakbagger
8. (7 February 2006). "Guinness cable car begins service to Fansipan". Viet Nam News.
9. "Longest non-stop three-rope cable car in the world opens in Vietnam". [[Guinness World Records]].
10. "Fansipan Legend Sunworld Ticket Website".