Best trekking in Vietnam – Everyone is familiar with the rich culture of Vietnam, tasty street food, welcoming people, and scenic landscapes. Are you an active person who would like to experience Vietnam from an entirely different perspective? Well, Vietnam is a very enticing place for trekking in the SEA area.
Trekking in Vietnam is a favorite thing to do for a lot of adventurous travelers. Vietnam offers many beautiful trekking routes with varying levels of difficulty. It is appropriate for various conditions of health and people with varying levels of experience.
The entire country has a beautiful and varied landscape so that, depending on your current body state, you can select various hiking paths. If you’re a soft-adventure fan or an experienced trekker, Vietnam offers great experiences in jungle trekking, mountain climbing, and city strolling.
These treks take in some of Vietnam’s most stunning scenery, from the highest peaks to wildlife watching opportunities. They are not for beginner trekkers or hikers, but the challenges presented by each one will be loved by adventure seekers. In this article, we will give you a list of the best trekking in Vietnam that you can do while exploring this amazing country.
What to expect when trekking in Vietnam
- Vietnam offers distinct and incredible scenery from north to south. Nature is rich, diverse, and truly amazing.
- Trekking in Vietnam will make you get close to the exotic lifestyles of rural and mountain ethnic minorities. It is a rare time to mix with the locals and feel the country’s nature.
- Trekking is also an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to move away from the smog, automobiles, pollution, and major cities.
- For families, 1 or 2 days of trekking are strongly recommended. The walking is simple and slow. You have your expert guide. Besides, it is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn a lot about nature and lifestyles.
Top best trekking in Vietnam
Here you can find the best trekking in Vietnam. choose the one you like best. Each location is special and offers an unforgettable and diverse experience.
Sapa
Sapa is considered the best place to go trekking in Vietnam for two reasons. First, it is home to Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain, and the Peninsula of Indo-China. Secondly, Sapa is linked and overlaps with so many mountain paths that it allows you to create your route, based on your level of experience.
Trekking through Sapa is a wonderful experience. Mountainous scenery, combined with the lifestyle of local indigenous peoples, has produced some fantastic tales. Sapa has three main trekking routes; the simple route is a two-day trek that takes you through Muong Hoa Valley and Giang Ta Chai. The medium route involves the village of Cat Ca and the longer route to the Muong Hoa Valley.
One of the toughest hikes in Vietnam is climbing the Fansipan Mountain and is recommended only for experienced trekkers. In particular, hiking in the winter offers you a chance to explore the fog-covered views of the terraced rice paddies.
Cao Bang
Another trekking paradise is Cao Bang Province. If the cold is not what you’re afraid of, then a trek to Cao Bang in the winter might be your best option. The rains have mostly ended by now. Hiking would also be faster, safer, and much less challenging than in autumn and summer. The maximum temperature is about 19°C during the day, while 10°C at night is fully normal. Like Sapa, some of the more mountainous regions in the province are snowing every once in a while. So, make sure you’re prepared.
The biggest waterfall in Vietnam, which is also one of the most majestic cascades in Southeast Asia, Ban Gioc Waterfall, is an inevitable pause. Before heading to Pac Bo village, the trek takes you past a series of tribal villages of the Tay, Hmong, Nung, and Red Dao people. Coc Bo Cave, renowned for its presence in the revolutionary activities led by Ho Chi Minh in early 1941, lies there. This relatively simple walk also offers fascinating views of the Ba Be National Park, where many caves, lakes, and ponds are located.
Characterized by its karst mountain scenery, stunning waterfalls, wild walks, and cultural experiences, the place is one of the preferred trekking trails for explorers. Whether it’s walking on tops of peaks and rivers, on rice terraces, or from village to village, you will surely be welcomed to their home by a lot of mountain-friendly people across the province.
Ha Giang
Ha Giang is one of the best trekking in Vietnam. It is not recommended for the weak-hearted as the strenuous trek passes through multiple ridges, crosses several mountains, and passes through several valleys. The best trekking path in Ha Giang is the climb to the highest point of the Dong Van Plateau, where a series of shining mountain passes and deep valleys will broaden your view.
Many trails run along the mountains from Dong Van to the town of Meo Vac can be difficult, as they cross several passes and climb several summits. At the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass is a panoramic view of the mountain ranges, the limestone peaks, and the canyons. Then go down into the breathtaking deep valleys dotted with fields and rocky mountains.
Be sure to visit the Hmong Palace, a traditional Chinese-style mansion with four double-story wings, designed by Chinese merchants with the permission of French colonial rulers in 1902. Also, it is a fun experience to descend to the picturesque deep valleys surrounded by vast fields and rocky mountains.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
If you are looking for other best trekking in Vietnam, it would be a shame to miss a Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The reserve is situated in the North West of Hanoi City, in the province of Thanh Hoa, which includes 2 districts of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc. Created in 1999, Pu Luong was the largest natural reservation in north Vietnam with an area of approximately 17,662 hectares. The location is made up of 2 mountains and the valley and gives you the most spectacular natural scenery of the great mountains, fabulous terrace, calcareous hills, magnificent streams and waterfalls, and biological forests.
On your route, you can meet a community of ethnic minorities, and you can stay on your way around tiny villages. After reaching the top of the climb, the panorama of the villages and the valley above you will be rewarded. You can find picturesque rice terraces and limestone mountains and trekking trails that take you through them. It’s a wonderful trek for beginners since you can easily climb the top and no special facilities except camping gear are required.
Nam Cat Tien National Park
The Nam Cat Tien Nationalpark is one of the best trekking destinations in Southern Vietnam. It is home to a wealth of wildlife including gibbons, sambar deer, wild boar, black-shanked douc, and the rare fauna and flora. In the wild, the three-day gibbon trek provides an opportunity to see endangered primates. The sighting of gibbons and their everyday activities is certainly a highlight of the trek.
The dry season from November to May is the perfect time to trek through the park. When the weather is cool without rainfall. Of course, avoid visiting the height of the monsoon season (from June to November), as you can encounter rain and mud, making it difficult to go hiking in the National Park.
back to menu ↑Tips for trekking in Vietnam
- Choose your route wisely: take into account your physical state, length of travel, and who you are traveling with. If you move with children under 15 years of age, it is best to do a maximum of 2 days of soft trekking.
- Bring the needed equipment and a light daypack, and buy anything else on the road that you need.
- Trekking in small groups: Trekking trips for small groups of up to 10 people are recommended for safety reasons. The speed can be more easily followed.
- It is important to get a tour guide to: know the correct way and good places for unique landscapes; have a better chance to learn about the locals; avoid language barriers.
- Weather can be unpredictable: wear a hat, gloves, sunglasses, raincoat, and waterproof shoes.
- Be open-minded about various lifestyles and get used to some basic shelter, value nature, and different cultures, don’t litter, and conserve water while trekking in the wilderness.
