VietNamNet Bridge – Carrying luggage of up to 40kg on papooses to the peak of 3,143m Fansipan mount is the job of native porters, who assist tourists to conquer the highest mountain in Indochina.

Fansipan is located in Lao Cai province in Northwest Vietnam, 9 km southwest of Sa Pa Township in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Fansipan is dubbed "the Roof of Indochina". It is one of few eco-tourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.


Normally, each tourist often climbs Fansipan mount with a local porter,
who are mainly H’mong people.





Porters have to carry 30-40 or even heavier papooses on their back but they can
climb the mountain very fast.






Each porter often makes three trips to the peak of Fansipan. They carry
luggage and set up tents for tourists.






Porters are paid VND150,000 ($7) for a three-day trip.





Porters not only carry luggage for tourists and help them cross rugged
rock-tops, they are also tourist guides.





Lo A Sinh from Ho village is among the youngest porters.





Porter A Lu is playing a pan-pipe at the height of 2,200.






The road is full of obstacles from the height of 2,200m. Tourists must use half-boots and
 gloves while porters only wear plastic sandals or even climb with bare feet.





The weather on Fansipan is quite nice in October and November.





Porters are also fellow travelers of tourists.





Some porters are women.





Porters have the longest interval when tourists reach the top of Fansipan, at the height of 3,143m.


VNE