A statue of Avalokitesvara near the Fansipan Peak. 

A train trip from the centre of Sapa town to the Fansipan cable car station on vintage European carriages offers visitors a stunning view of Muong Hoa valley with breath-taking terraced fields and charming small cottages.

A 75% discount until December 31, 2018 means the return ticket now costs only VND50,000 (just a little over US$2). The service is available from 6:30am to 10pm.

Don’t rush to the cable car station immediately after getting off the train. Spend your time exploring the field of buckwheat flowers that covers nearly 8,000 square metres right at the entrance to the station.

Many young women immerse themselves in the field of buckwheat flowers only to forget that they came here for Fansipan Peak.

Wander through the sea of pure white and romantic purple pink and take a deep breath of the fresh autumn air of the northwestern region.

Besides buckwheat flowers, you may lose yourselves in the local life with gorgeous ethnic costumes and enchanting dances and songs performed by people of the Mong, Dao and Tay ethnic groups.

And if you are a food fanatic, head to the market to enjoy superb local cuisine that may make you not want to return to the city.

When all the eating, flower admiring and wandering are done, hop on the cable car that takes you to a higher altitude for a magical view of the vivid colours of Hoang Lien Son mountain in late autumn.

Walk slowly along the stone steps to enjoy the spiritual atmosphere prevailing around the giant Amitabha Buddha statue.

It is a sublime experience to say prayers and listen to the sound of the bell in the wind amidst the vastness of nature.