A performance at the opening of the 2025 Fansipan Rose Festival on April 26.
Kicking off on April 26, the 2025 Fansipan Rose Festival promises a series of vibrant experiences, cementing Sapa's status as a leading destination in northern Vietnam for the upcoming April 30 – May 1 holiday and the summer season.
One of the most anticipated annual events in Sapa, the 2025 Rose Festival is taking place at Sun World Fansipan Legend under the theme "Radiance Amidst the Clouds," running from April 26 to May 5.
Visitors at the festival.
Millions of blooming roses will colour the landscape throughout the three-month summer festival, guiding visitors through a lively series of cultural and artistic activities at Fansipan. The festival's main venue is located in one of Vietnam’s largest rose valleys, covering an area of 50,000m² and showcasing hundreds of thousands of rare rose varieties from around the world, including the ancient Sapa rose, Abraham Darby, Society, Catalina, Molineux, Juliet, Black Baccarat, Rouge Royale, and Spirit of Freedom.
Beyond the stunning floral displays, the festival offers a "paradise of experiences" for visitors of all ages. The "Sweet Market" — a shopping and dining area inspired by roses — serves up unique treats like rose-flavoured ice cream, rose tea, and rose-themed pastries. Against the backdrop of cool Fansipan breezes and fragrant blooms, guests can savour tea and desserts while enjoying energetic performances at the resort.
Quirky games such as "Carry Love to Pick Roses" and the "Northwest Dance" will also be held throughout the festival, stirring up excitement in the highlands and offering visitors a chance to win attractive prizes.
During the opening ceremony on April 26, visitors joined a rose-themed carnival parade from Sun World Fansipan Legend to Sapa town centre. Thousands of roses were artfully arranged on electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages, accompanied by performances from 300 ethnic minority artisans along the streets.
Journey to the roof of Indochina
Just a few steps from the rose valley lies May Village, a vibrant community where seven ethnic minority groups coexist. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the rhythmic sounds of traditional instruments, explore local handicrafts, and try their hand at traditional folk games.
At May Village, guests can savour authentic mountain cuisine, with specialties such as grilled "carried-under-arm" pork, bamboo sticky rice, fried stream fish, black chicken stew, and horse meat hotpot — all prepared by local chefs eager to impress even the most discerning palates.
This season also marks the peak bloom of rhododendrons across the region. Visitors to Fansipan during this time will be treated to an endless parade of flowers stretching from the foothills up to the "Roof of Indochina." Riding the cable car through layers of drifting clouds, visitors can marvel at the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and the shimmering terraced fields during the water-pouring season.
Upon reaching the summit at 3,143 metres, guests can take part in the flag-raising ceremony and experience the live art performance "Colours of the Frontier Flags," vividly portraying the historic journey of nation-building and defence in the highlands.
The 2025 Fansipan Rose Festival not only marks the start of the summer tourism season in Sapa but also positions the town as a top destination for the National Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays.