A thin layer of frost and ice unexpectedly appeared on the summit of Fansipan (Sa Pa, Lào Cai), covering walkways, railings, and vegetation in white, creating a rare and magical early-winter scene. This is considered the first icy spell of this winter on the 3,143-meter-high “Roof of Indochina.”

White Frost as Temperatures Drop Below 0°C
According to staff members and visitors present at the top of Fansipan, nighttime temperatures dropped below 0°C under the influence of a strong cold front combined with clear skies. Moisture in the air froze into a thin layer of ice clinging to iron railings, wooden floors, stone surfaces, and even the leaves and branches along the sightseeing paths.
Shared photos show the ice forming into pristine white patches, covering the cable car arrival station and walkways, making the early-morning Fansipan landscape look as though it were draped in a typical temperate-zone winter coat.



Why Ice and Frost Form on Fansipan
Meteorologists explain that frost and ice on Fansipan commonly occur from late November to January. When the night sky is clear, temperatures at the mountain peak can easily fall below 0°C. Moisture condenses and instantly freezes upon contact with cold surfaces, creating the characteristic frost and ice seen in the area.
Thanks to its unique geographic location and elevation of over 3,000 meters, Fansipan consistently records some of the lowest temperatures in northern Vietnam whenever a strong cold spell arrives.



A Magical Landscape That Draws Visitors
The appearance of frost and ice makes Fansipan look almost “European,” a sight many travelers eagerly await each winter. Numerous visitors captured the moment when the rising sun illuminated the shimmering white ice, creating a breathtaking scene rarely seen in Vietnam.
Some tourists shared their excitement at touching the icy layer for the first time or observing frozen leaves and blades of grass—phenomena typically found only in high-altitude European regions.



A Golden Opportunity for Winter Tourism
Frost and ice have long been considered a “winter specialty” of Fansipan and Sa Pa, attracting large numbers of visitors each year who come to experience and photograph the phenomenon. Tours focused on hunting frost and clouds have seen a surge in interest following the latest icy spell.
For those who love winter landscapes, this is the ideal time to visit Sa Pa and admire the unique natural beauty found nowhere else in Vietnam.