In the distance, Fansipan – the “Roof of Indochina” – silently rises, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible amidst the majestic mountains. The Hmong people call this place “Sa Pa” – the sandy market area. From a small stopover point in the Northwest mountains, over 120 years, Sa Pa has gradually become a land where many cultural colors converge, with highland markets, the sound of Hmong flutes, the scent of Red Dao medicinal herbs, terraced rice fields during harvest season, and waterfalls cascading down hillsides like white silk ribbons… All of this creates a Sa Pa that is both familiar and yet seems to have stepped out of legend.
Legend has it that Ham Rong Mountain is the reincarnation of a dragon that couldn't fly to heaven in a great flood, forever gazing into the distance, waiting for its mate. Then there's O Quy Ho Pass, Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall, the ancient stone field, the terraced rice fields… each place in Sa Pa seems to be associated with a legend. Perhaps that's why this land always evokes a feeling of both grandeur and poignancy, as if still holding untold stories.
But Sa Pa today is no longer just a land of legends. Following the reorganization of administrative units according to the two-tiered local government model, the entire area and population of Ham Rong, O Quy Ho, Sa Pa, Cau May, Phan Si Pang, and Sa Pa wards were merged into the new Sa Pa ward, covering an area of over 60 km² and nearly 24,000 inhabitants. This new administrative space opens up a much larger development potential for wards, while also posing new demands on urban governance, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
The First Party Congress of Sa Pa Ward, for the term 2025-2030, took place in that context. The atmosphere of the Congress was not only solemn, befitting a political event, but also reflected a new aspiration for development, with the spirit of: "Unity - Democracy - Creativity - Decisiveness - Development," aiming to build Sa Pa into a key national tourist destination, elevating its international standing, and developing in a "Green - Sustainable - Smart" direction.
The figures presented at the congress showed the strong dynamism of this region: an average economic growth rate of 14% per year; per capita income exceeding 91.72 million VND; and tourism and service revenue reaching over 19.5 trillion VND... But what is even more noteworthy is not the numbers. The biggest change in Sa Pa today lies in its development mindset and actions.
Sa Pa does not want to be just a place for tourists to come, admire the scenery, and then leave. This region is moving towards a sustainable development model: preserving nature as the core, using cultural preservation as the foundation, and placing the people as the main actors in development.
Therefore, alongside tourism, Sa Pa is paying special attention to developing clean agriculture linked with green services. With its rare temperate climate, Sa Pa has long been famous for its vegetables, flowers, medicinal herbs, and cold-water fish. But now, agriculture in Sa Pa is no longer just fragmented production following old practices.
On the misty mountain slopes, many high-tech agricultural models are taking shape.
Over 300 hectares of high-tech agricultural production have been implemented; 29 OCOP products and 5 collective trademarks associated with the Sa Pa area are gradually establishing their own brands and are available in supermarkets nationwide. Currently, Sa Pa ward has over 10 businesses, cooperatives, and hundreds of households investing in high-tech agricultural production.
Many models not only generate significant economic value but also become attractive experiential tourist destinations, such as strawberry gardens, tomato gardens, cold-water fish farms, the ancient Sau Chua rose garden, or the herbal bath model of the Red Dao people. In Sa Pa, agriculture is no longer simply a livelihood, but is gradually becoming an integral part of tourism products and local identity.
Having been associated with this region for over 20 years, Traphaco Sa Pa Company has strongly developed the medicinal plant growing area under the forest canopy. Medicinal plants that were once only used by the Dao people in their daily lives are now becoming high-value commodities. Many businesses and cooperatives are also investing in clean agriculture, opening up new development directions for the highlands.
Speaking of Sa Pa ward today, I would also like to briefly recall the journey of Sa Pa town in the past: Indigenous cultural tours, eco-agriculture, and majestic natural landscapes have created a unique direction for Sa Pa. In today's new development space, Sa Pa ward not only inherits that direction but also elevates its cultural identity into the "core technology" of local tourism.
Mr. To Ngoc Lien, Secretary of the Party Committee of Sa Pa Ward, shared: “Building a smart organic agricultural tourism ecosystem is not only a development strategy but also a commitment to sustainability and responsibility towards the community and the environment. This is the direction to restore the true value to farmers, instill confidence in tourists, and create unique experiences that are deeply rooted in local culture. Looking ahead to 2035, Sa Pa will not only be a key national tourism center but also its own distinctive agricultural tourism city.”
However, behind today's successes, Sa Pa still faces many challenges: agricultural production in remote areas remains fragmented, and supply chain linkages are not yet strong; some tourism models are still spontaneous; and the problem of counterfeit goods labeled as "Sa Pa specialties" continues to affect the local reputation. Climate change and extreme natural disasters are also posing new challenges to cold-water fish farming and highland agricultural production. But Sa Pa does not shy away from these difficulties, viewing them as tests of its will to overcome obstacles and a measure of a green growth model for the future.
A positive sign is that digital transformation, product traceability, and tourism development linked to environmental protection and preservation of local culture have truly become a part of daily life. As a result, Sa Pa has not only preserved its most valuable assets but is also gradually integrating into the digital age in the new era of the country.
Sa Pa will continue to change and develop even more strongly. But as long as white clouds still drift over the mountain peaks, rooftops still appear and disappear in the mist, and the sound of the flute calling to lovers still echoes on the mountain slopes, this place will still make people want to return – not only to remember a magnificent land, but also to feel the vibrant green aspirations flourishing in the vast Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/noi-may-trang-gap-khat-vong-xanh-post911047.html
