Tourists discouraged from summiting Fansipan

The path up to the “Roof of Indochina” passes through the center of Hoang Lien National Park and high numbers of tourists will affect preservation of rare flora and fauna, claimed a state official.
Dr. Tran Huu Son, Director of the Lao Cai Province Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, said that conquering the over 3000 meter Mount Fansipan is the dream of many climbers, especially young people and foreign tourists. What they may not realize, however, is that they can damage the fragile ecosystem of Hoang Lien National Park.
Therefore, Son explained, Lao Cai province doesn’t encourage tourists to schedule a climb, although the province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organize a mountaineering competition to celebrate Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary this October.
“We propose to reduce the number of participants in this event,” Son added.
Previously, Pham Van Dang, Director of the Hoang Lien National Park, had asserted that tourists in Hoang Lien National Park did not have such a serious effect as residents who damaged the area with activities that caused forest fires.
Dr. Son also said that the 17 licensed hydro-power projects in the Sapa area will also destroy the landscape and seriously harm tourism in Sapa.