Tram Ton Pass

At 1,900 meters height it is the highest pass in Vietnam. The pass is often referred to as “Heavens Gate” because of its picturesque landscapes, which you see here. It’s like a gateway to heaven.
Tram Ton Pass is about 15km from Sapa, when you drive on the road to the other side of Fansipan (mountain) and the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Most people also stop at the 100 meter high Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall) at about 12 kilometers from Sapa.
It is perhaps alone worth the drive down here to experience the incredible views from the top of the mountain pass. From a vantage point on top of the mountain pass you have an unobstructed view of the beautiful Fansipan on the other side of the valley with huge lush forests, especially on clear days.

Aside from stunning views, visitors can also witness a bizarre climate. On the Sapa side of the mountain the weather is always the same, a typical climate that contributes to the mysterious atmosphere of Sapa – cold, misty or foggy. There is sometimes a drizzling rain on the way up to the Tram Ton Pass. However, if you just pass and a few hundred meters lower down runs on the Lai Chau side than the weather can be crystal clear with a beautiful clear blue sky.
Violent winds are blowing over the mountain pass with the result that temperature differences – Sapa is the coldest place in Vietnam, while Lai Chau can be one of the warmest. Tram Ton Pass is the dividing line between two great weather fronts – and it is said that one could literally see the sky.

The trip over Tram Ton Pass takes at least three hours by car. This is a journey without a stop at the popular Thac Bac (Silver Waterfall) and scenic vistas. There are several regional day trips from Sapa, which usually make a stop on the Tram Ton Pass to enjoy the view before one travels further ethnic villages.
Motorcycle, scooter or bike you can rent in the surrounding villages, but be warned! On the route sometimes violent winds and sometimes bumpy sections of road. If you want to the other side od the Tram Ton Pass, it is wise to do so as a passenger in a four-wheeled vehicle, so you can enjoy the view.