France Funds EUR8M to Develop Famous Tourist Destination in North Vietnam

The French Development Agency (AFD) has agreed to fund EUR8 million ($11 million) to expand one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam’s northern region, state media reported. Sa Pa town in the northwestern province of Lao Cai will receive the money to triple its area by 2013, the Dau tu Tai chinh newspaper reported. The local authorities will kick off the expansion project including decoration items from early 2012 to make it the four-grade town in 2015. Sa Pa is ranked among the world’s top ten sports for walking by the largest travel guide book Lonely Planet. With 1,600 meters higher than the sea level, Sa Pa has a mild temperature of 15 to 18 Celsius degree, becoming one of Vietnam’s top destinations, it welcomes visitors all year around but mostly in April and May, the time for green pastures, flowers and cloudy valleys every summer morning. Before the summer, the weather may be a bit cold and foggy, and after the summer, the rain season sets in. Sa Pa is also home to many breathtaking spots such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo Forest and Ta Phin Cave. Adventurers can also climb to Vietnam’s rooftop on Fansipan Mountain at 3.143m above the sea level. Sa Pa, which is also home to various ethnic minorities including H’mong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho, available for diversified culture with different languages, custom and traditional weaving, creating typical characteristics for part of Vietnam. (Dau tu Tai chinh – Financial Investment Oct 24 p4)