Tourist spots in Sa Pa, Ha Giang, and Yen Bai reopen post-typhoon Yagi, while safety concerns still linger for some areas.
Vietnam's northern tourist attractions have reopened after a week of closure due to the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which brought severe floods and landslides to the region. Popular destinations in
Sa Pa town and
Ha Giang and Yen Bai provinces, which were severely affected, are now welcoming visitors once again, albeit with caution in some areas.
In
Sa Pa, many key attractions, such as the
Fansipan Legend cable car and famous spots like Bac Waterfall, Ta Phin Stone Garden, Green Valley, and Ham Rong Eco-tourism Area, resumed operations on September 13. The next day saw the reopening of Love Waterfall, Golden Stream, Dreamy Rose Garden, and Cat Cat Village, providing travelers with much to explore. However, a few locations, including Rose Hill, Muong Hoa Valley, and Sin Chai Village, remain closed due to lingering safety concerns.
Local authorities, along with residents, have been actively working to clear roads and ensure the safety of visitors. In nearby Cao Bang Province, known for the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall, the weather has returned to normal. Although the waterfall remains muddy, the surrounding landscape has been restored. Hoang Thai Binh, a representative of the Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourist Area, reported that tourism activities have resumed. However, visitors are advised to exercise caution due to the risk of landslides near Ma Phuc Pass. Travelers are encouraged to use alternative routes and to avoid areas near the water's edge where the potential for accidents remains high.
In Yen Bai Province, sunny weather has returned to Mu Cang Chai and Tu Le towns, and the iconic terraced fields have started their golden transformation. Routes to popular sites like Khau Pha Pass are accessible again, and local tourism has already seen a slight uptick in visitors, especially those traveling by motorbike. Paragliding activities, a favorite at Khau Pha, have also resumed.
Meanwhile, in
Ha Giang Province, an official from the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism confirmed that the weather is clear, and there are no restrictions on tourism activities. Despite the green light, concerns over safety have kept many tourists away for now.
In contrast, some destinations remain heavily impacted. Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan and Na Hang Lake in Tuyen Quang are still experiencing high water levels. Attractions and accommodations around the lakes are still flooded, and many areas are waiting for relief efforts to make significant progress. Roads near Ba Be Lake are currently impassable, and local homestays are not yet able to host guests.
Le An, an experienced backpacker familiar with the northern mountains, advised travelers to delay their trips for a couple of weeks. "The northern mountains still face significant risks of landslides and sudden flash floods," he cautioned, suggesting that tourists wait for safer and more enjoyable conditions.
As recovery efforts continue, travelers are urged to monitor weather updates and choose licensed service providers who comply with safety standards when planning their visits.
