Best hiking in Vietnam – In Vietnam, you can hike through the highland valleys, the terraced rice paddies, and the high-rise limestone mountain ranges. Check out the best hiking in Vietnam, ranging from leisurely walks to long-distance treks.
There is more to Vietnam than mouth-watering food and rich past and culture. Perhaps less known is that you can go on some pretty awesome hikes in Vietnam, too. Hiking in Vietnam covers the entire hiking spectrum, from simple walks through historic villages and scenic beaches to extreme, long-distance jungle treks.
Landscapes offer hikers a unique experience. This is where you can walk through the highland valleys, along the terraced rice paddies, and underneath the towering limestone mountain ranges. No matter your hiking experience or physical fitness, you’re going to find a hike in Vietnam for you. If you’re looking for remarkable mountain scenery, northern Vietnam is your best bet. In other parts of the country, you’ll find trails in nature reserves and national parks, as well as along the coast.
Below, we’ve selected the ten best hiking in Vietnam.
1. Lang Bian Mountain
Also known as the Da Lat Plateau, Lang Biang is located in the Lac Duong district, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Da Lat. One of the highest mountains in Dalat, Lang Bian Mountain is a popular hiking destination in this corner of Vietnam. The region offers a wide range of adventure activities. Besides hiking, there’s rock climbing and camping. A vibrant local community adds to the appeal of the area. You can see the Silver and Golden Streams and Dalat City from the summit of Lang Bian.
The Liang Biang Peak is going to give you the challenge you’re looking for. With an elevation of up to 2,169 meters and a beautiful surrounding, Lang Biang is truly one of the best hiking in Vietnam.
back to menu ↑2. Sapa
Undoubtedly Vietnam’s leading hiking destination, Sapa is home to a dense network of trails. However, there is no individual trail that stands out from the rest. It’s the chance to link the trails together and create the perfect hike for your skill level that makes this region so popular. On top of that, Sapa boasts some of Vietnam’s most spectacular mountain scenery, a landscape of terraced rice paddies, and wonderful mountain villages.
It has some of the best hikes in Vietnam because Sa Pa is surrounded by mountains and greenery. Another reason why this is a popular hiking spot, apart from the views, is that there are several trails you can choose from. If you’re new to hiking, Cat Cat Cat Village is just a short walk from Sa Pa. You can take the Heaven’s Gate or the Ta Phin Village trails for a more advanced hiking experience.
back to menu ↑3. Ba Be National Park
Founded in 1992, Ba Be National Park is also known as Ba Be Lakes. Featuring gorgeous landscapes including deep valleys, dense rainforests, waterfalls, and limestone mountains, the park is centered on Vietnam’s largest natural lake. There are a lot of hiking trails in the Ba Be National Park. The best way to experience and explore this stunning region is on a multi-day hike. These excursions take you past waterfalls and caves, karst outcrops, and rice fields.
What makes this one of the most exciting hiking trails in Vietnam is that it’s home to Ba Be Lake, a freshwater lake in the middle of forests and limestone formations. Hiking one of the trails around Ba Be Lake will give you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the best nature on Vietnamese soil. If you’re lucky, you could see some of the wild animals that live in the area. Rhesus macaques, red giant flying squirrels, and several species of birds and reptiles consider Ba Be National Park their home.
back to menu ↑4. Cat Tien National Park
For wildlife watching and hiking, head south of Vietnam to Cat Tien National Park. This park is one of the most important nature reserves and one of the best hiking trails in Vietnam. It’s located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City and travel can take up to 2 to 4 hours depending on your mode of transportation.
This is where, if you’re lucky, you can spot gibbons, some of the 79 reptile species, and about 400 brightly colored butterfly species, protecting ancient trees and an impressive number of wild animals. You may even catch a glimpse of a tiger or an elephant if you are exceptionally lucky. However, make sure to call in advance to make a reservation, as only a limited number of visitors are permitted by this park.
back to menu ↑5. Pu Luong Nature Reserve
The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is about 145 kilometers from the city of Hanoi, which can be reached in about 4 to 5 hours. It’s also near the Cuc Phuong Park, where you can easily explore two famous destinations in Vietnam back and forth at a distance of 25 kilometers.
You are encouraged to visit the Pu Luong Nature Reserve for a peaceful rural landscape. This is where you will find picturesque rice terraces, limestone hills, and biodiverse forests comprising two parallel mountain ranges and the valley between them. This one is also best explored during the overnight trek, as is the case in many areas of Vietnam.
Beautiful rice terraces make it hard for Pu Luong to be excluded from the list of the best treks in Vietnam. During the autumn, the green terraces transform into golden fields, which serve as a source of fascination for visitors. Hiking is going to give both of you sanoy and challenge with its fantastic views and height gains of up to 1700 meters (5577 feet).
back to menu ↑6. Cat Ba National Park
One of Vietnam’s most epic (longest) day walks is located in Cat Ba, near Ha Long Bay, and there’s an 18km hiking path up a mountain in Cat Ba National Park. It is advisable to take this six-hour walk with a guide but not obligatory. The benefits of this strenuous climb are the chance to enjoy beautiful views and wildlife like macaques, calves, and horses.
The limited golden-headed langurs are called their sanctuary by the Cat Ba National Park. Its declining population is 65, making the langurs one of the 32 mammals in the park’s endangered species. Trekking through the Cat Ba national park, travelers are lucky to see precious langurs.
Two-hour treks to Ngu Lam Peak and day-long hikes to Viet Hai Village are what travelers usually take part in. Both choices, however, make an interesting journey because of the challenges that each activity poses. Just by yourself, the short but strenuous hike to the top of Ngu Lam peak is completely doable and offers views of the surrounding jungle; while a guide is recommended to accommodate travelers wishing to hike the 9-kilometer trail to Viet Hai village.
back to menu ↑7. Mai Chau
In the northwest of Vietnam, more than 130 kilometers from Hanoi’s busy city life, Mai Chau offers peace. While Mai Chau has little to give on its own, it is the surrounding landscape of rice fields and tiny villages that make this one of the best destinations for casual hiking in Vietnam. The services are excellent and the network of trails in the area is dense.
There are a few caves worth exploring in this area. Not to mention the native stilt houses that make a good Instagram post. This mountainous region is also home to several ethnic groups, so hiking here means that you can both experience local culture and the beauty of nature through Vietnam’s lenses.
back to menu ↑8. Cuc Phuong National Park
The oldest and largest national park in Vietnam, established in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park is one of the most important conservation areas in the country. The biodiversity in this park of primeval forests and karst mountains is exceptional. It makes for a great day trip from Hanoi, catering to all levels of skill with its variety of hiking trails. For amazing views down the valleys, the recommended hikes to do are up to the ridge of the Karst mountains. Some day hikes in the park are available, whether self-guided or with a local guide.
Its dense rainforest is home to diverse creatures from the kingdom of plants and animals. This alone makes Cuc Phuong one of the best hiking spots in Vietnam. Not to mention the limestone caves and the botanical garden that are the most fascinating of all.
back to menu ↑9. Cao Bang
One of Vietnam’s largest trekking destinations, Cao Bang is a northern province characterized by mountain scenery. With its landscape of karst mountains, deep gorges, rice terraces, magnificent waterfalls, and meandering rivers, the view is fantastic anywhere in the region. One of the best hikes in Cao Bang is the Ban Gioc waterfall on the border with China. This is not a long or difficult hike, though. It’s just incredibly gorgeous.
Adventurous travelers can find this mountainous area the perfect spot for outdoor activities, especially trekking and hiking. Most people choose Quang Uyen or the Trung Khanh district for their hiking trips. Secluded hamlets and waterfalls add mysticism to the distinct experience of people and nature.
back to menu ↑10. Ba Na Hill
Located 35 kilometers from Da Nang, it can be reached in just 2 hours. Easier yet scenic hiking trails can be found around the Ba Na Hill Resort. It’s a theme park, with a replica of a French colonial town and a funicular railway. While it’s not a big challenge for hikers, it’s still one of the best treks in Vietnam that you’ll ever take because of the beautiful views of its surroundings, plus home to the world-famous Golden Hand Bridge.
It is also home to other fascinating attractions, such as the Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Garden, where you can enjoy the beauty of flowers and greens. Another wonderful feature of Ba Na is the Linh Ung Pagoda, which sits at the top of the mountains. The cable car ride also offers a magnificent view.
