Located in Lao Cai provincein the far north wesr of the country near the Chinese border, this old French hill station is home to many ethnic minority people, including the H’mong, Tay ,Dao and Thai, whose markets and festivals add colour and character to the town. The Saturday love market in particular is a great tourist drawcard. The area has average annual temperarures of 18-28 degrees in the mountains, but the temperature can fall below zero in winter.