Sapa welcomes the first snow of the season atop Fansipan, kicking off the year-end snow hunting season.

On the afternoon of December 18, 2025, around 3:30 PM, the Fansipan peak suddenly saw the first snowflakes appear in conditions with temperatures fluctuating between only 1–2°C. The snowfall did not last long but was enough to mark the first snowfall day of Sa Pa this year, opening up the possibility that the "Roof of Indochina" will enter a winter covered in ice and snow in the coming time.

Preparing for the "snow hunting" season on Fansipan peak.

Before the snow appears, for nearly a month now, the Fansipan peak area has continuously recorded deep cold spells accompanied by frost and ice cover. According to records from previous heavy snow seasons like 2019 and 2021, snow usually starts with light falls, then gradually thickens as cold air intensifies, finally blanketing the entire mountain peak area. With the current weather developments, the possibility of Fansipan continuing to receive heavy snowfalls in the coming time is assessed as quite high.

The end of the year is also considered a "golden season" for tourists from the North and surrounding provinces to visit Fansipan to hunt for snow, hunt for clouds, and enjoy the rare characteristic winter atmosphere in Vietnam. Not only boasting impressive natural scenery, the mountain peak area over 3,000m also offers a distinct experience with low temperatures, thick cloud cover, and unique icy landscapes.

Christmas atmosphere is also clearly present on Fansipan peak with the highlight being three special Christmas trees, created entirely from natural materials of the Northwest mountains and forests such as corn cobs, pine branches, and pine wood boxes. These works are handcrafted by Sun World Fansipan Legend staff, conveying a message of honoring nature, preserving the mountains and forests, and pride in the sacred land of Fansipan.

Tourists enjoy checking in with unique pine trees on the Fansipan peak.

To welcome the year-end tourist season and kick off the season of conquering the 'Roof of Indochina', Sun World Fansipan Legend is currently implementing a program a flat-rate cable car ticket promotion of 500,000 VND/ticket for tourists of Vietnamese nationality. The promotion applies from December 13 to December 31, 2025, precisely during the period considered the most beautiful of the year for cloud hunting, snow hunting, and experiencing a special winter at Fansipan.

Sa Pa Winter Festival 2025 this year is organized on an expanded scale, taking place continuously from late October 2025 and lasting until after the Lunar New Year 2026 holiday. The festival space covers many familiar destinations in Sa Pa such as the town center area, Sun World Fansipan Legend, Sa Pa Stone Church, and outlying tourist villages. With the message “Sa Pa – Winter Dance in the Source of Culture”, the event series not only honors the cultural identity of the highland ethnic groups but also contributes to promoting the image of Sa Pa as a four-season tourist destination, linked to a sustainable development orientation.

One of the notable highlights of this year's festival season is the Stone Flower Festival, an event honoring the plant characteristic of the strong vitality of the Northwest mountains. Here, visitors have the opportunity to admire many unique types of stone flowers, participate in experiential activities such as stone flower planting competitions, exchange and share plant care techniques, and admire artworks inspired by the image of stone flowers.

Concurrently, Sa Pa Winter Festival 2025 also offers a series of rich activities, harmoniously combining culture, art, sports, and cuisine. Outstanding events such as the “Sa Pa Forever” mountain bike race, and special artistic performance programs like “Sacred”, “Dance Under the Moon” contribute to creating a vibrant festival atmosphere, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists throughout the winter.

In the context of the Fansipan peak recently recording early season snowfalls, Sa Pa Winter Festival 2025 becomes more attractive and experiential than ever before. The blend of rare snowy landscapes, the bustling festival atmosphere, and special cultural activities promises to bring visitors a memorable winter in Sa Pa, where nature and people create unforgettable moments in the Northwest highlands.