Entree Kibbles: Muong Hoa Funicular @ Sun World Fansipan Legend in Sapa [Vietnam]

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Muong Hoa Funicular @ Sun World Fansipan Legend in Sapa [Vietnam]

While it's not compulsory, the first thing to do at Sun World Fansipan Legend was to take the Muong Hoa Funicular train at Sapa Station from the iconic building that also housed Hotel de la Coupole Sapa - MGallery Collection.

Sun World Fansipan Legend is the main attraction at Sapa and it's a given that visitors would want to start the day earlier so that they have sufficient time to explore! Hence, be prepared for a long line of visitors queuing to take the funicular.

General standard, common sense rules.

Photograph for our entire group of six as we were about to reach the ticketing gantry. Despite the line, the queue was cleared quite fast and I figured it was less than 10 minutes.

Stepping in; do note that taking Muong Hoa funicular was just one of a few connecting transport nodes. We still have the cable car ride after Muong Hoa funicular and also another funicular up Fansipan.

Awaiting the opening of the gantry.

Let's step into the car / train / carriage, which has the capacity to ferry 2,100 persons an hour, and operating with just two cars on opposing ends at about a ten-minute interval.

Train interior. Yes, there were ceiling fans!

No operating since it's winter time.

Starting the ride said to give us amazing views of the surrounding. It didn't materialize given the thick layer of mist that "blessed" us throughout the few days we were at Sapa.

View ahead of us along the 1,670 meters long route, where a section in the middle, along the two carriages to "meet", and for riders in both cars to wave to each other. Problem was, no one was on the "return" carriage since it was still early, at about 9am.

Nothing much to see. I am totalling treating this ride as one for convenience, rather than the added bonuses of being marvelled by the surrounding sights.

Reached Muong Hoa Station and taking photographs with the carriage!

Good thing about a free and easy trip; we didn't bother squeezing with the crowd so that we have a first-mover advantage. Let others make the path so that it's easy for us to walk on. Less stressful also.

Back at the station again a few hours later for us to take the funicular back to Sapa Town. Unlike morning, the station was actually quite empty, and I attributed the lack of crowd due to our stopover at Sapa Rose Valley and May Village.