World record Fansipan cable car system inaugurated

Construction of the cable car started in November 2013 by the Sun Group under consulting and design from the world-famous Austrian cable manufacturer Doppelmayr Garaventa.

The system is 3,143metres above sea level, starting from the Muong Hoa valley and reaching the peak of Fansipan Mountain. It has a transport capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour; each cabin can accommodate 30-35 people, helping shorten the current two-day journey to reach Fansipan's summit to 15 minutes.

Total investment for Phase 1 of the project was VND4.4 trillion (US$198 million). All construction materials for the project were transported manually to a height of 3,143metres.

With the state-of-the-art three-wire cable technology, the Fansipan capable system is capable of withstanding strong winds and inclement weather, ensuring absolute safety for tourists and opening the opportunity to travel to the roof of Indochina for everyone, including the elderly and children.

The cable car is expected to help lure more tourists to Sapa with an increase of 30-40% a year. By 2020, the figure may be up to 3 million visitors a year. It is targeted as the main tourist product of Sapa in the near future.

Speaking at the inauguration, Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai praised the efforts of the investor, contractors and Lao Cai province in ensuring the project's schedule, quality and safety.

Stressing the importance of the cable car to socio-economic and tourism development in Lao Cai province and the Northwest region, the deputy PM requested the investor and Lao Cai operate the system in consideration of environmental protection and preservation of indigenous cultures.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management and General Director of Sun Group Dang Minh Truong said that, after the Ba Na Hills cable car system in Da Nang, the Fansipan cable car is the next step in the group's strategic development goal to build projects with sustainable values serving the tourism industry and offering more favourable conditions to discover destinations in Vietnam for all.

Also at the ceremony, Guinness World Records awarded two Guinness certifications for the Fansipan cable system, including the biggest height gap between its departure and arrival stations of 1,410 metres and the world's longest three-wire cable car at 6,292 metres.

(Source: Nhandan Online)