The area included in Sapa District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai will be doubled following Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s decision.

Sapa District will be turned into Sapa town so its area will be expanded to 55.25 square kilometres

Under the PM’s decision issued late last year, Sapa District will be turned into Sapa town so its area will be expanded to 55.25 square kilometres, double the current size.     

However, according to the PM’s instruction, the expanded Sapa have to ensure to maintain the locality’s traditional cultural identities, prioritising tourism development. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been assigned to co-cooperate with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Construction, as well as authorities from Lao Cai to work out the specific plan for Sapa’s status upgrade. The plan needs to be submitted to the government for consideration in the second quarter of this year.

Tourist arrivals to Sapa have increased in recent years. Last year, the town received 2.5 million visitors, more than double 2015.

Sapa has been named among the best destinations for 2017 by TripAdvisor travellers, who described it as a perfect oasis for those looking for a strenuous mountain trek or a rice paddy tour.

Dtinews/Lao Dong