Fansipan among five top destinations for mountain trekking at year-end

Fansipan mountain is located in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai and the height of its peak is 3,147.3 metres.

It is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula which comprises of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, leading to its nickname of "the Roof of Indochina".

Fansipan is tucked away in the scenic Muong Hoa valley, an area known equally for its photogenic rice field terraces and excellent hiking trails, according to Singaporean website Women's Weekly.

The climb to the summit can be conquered in a couple of days with the help of local guides, or a 20-minute cable-car ride from the centre of Sa Pa, a quaint town that itself is worth attention. The cable-car ride has led to the peak now being slightly more touristy compared to a decade ago, particularly as it has been extensively renovated for accessibility and as a showcase of Vietnam’s culture, the website noted.

The massive statues and temples at the peak are an impressive sight nonetheless, as are the views of the surrounding area, the website added.

Rounding off the top five destinations near Singapore to go mountain trekking at the end of this year, as compiled by website Women's Weekly, are Mount Kinabalu and Borneo of Malaysia, Mount Phongun of Myanmar, and Mount Rinjani of Indonesia.