Here are the best suggestions on where to go for your adventure in the best trekking places in Vietnam . Feel the real adventure and explore the remarkable beauty of Vietnamese nature on these treks.
There is more to Vietnam than the rich history and diverse traditions or the mouth-watering food and beautiful beaches.
Thanks to the diverse topography, Vietnam offers many breathtaking trekking routes through rice terraces, lush green valleys and towering mountains, with different levels of difficulty, making them suitable for different health conditions and those with different levels of experience. Northern Vietnam offers a plethora of treks through towering mountains while the rest of the country offers you trails in nature reserves and national parks.
From high mountains meant for professional trekkers to small hills that can be conquered by amateurs, you will find a trekking tour in Vietnam for you.
1. Sapa
Trek Level: Easy – Medium – Difficult.
Highlights: Sapa is probably one of the most popular tourist spots in northern Vietnam along with Halong Bay. Nestled at an altitude of 1,500m and 315km from Hanoi, this mountainous town overlooks a region of lush green rice terraces and beautiful mountains.
Sapa is famous in Vietnam for the ethnic minorities who live there, including the Black H’mong, Red Zao, Zay, Tay and Xa Pho. Combining both culture and natural beauty in one attractive package, Sapa is definitely worth a visit if you get the chance.
Sapa also attracts many tourists who spice up their Vietnam trips by trekking through rice terraces and rainforests. An average trek in Sapa takes two days; however, there are options to trek for three or four days.
One of the attractions of trekking in Sapa is, which you should not miss, is spending the night at a local homestay. It is an enriching experience as you can make new friends and learn about the local culture at the same time. Sapa is still considered a paradise Trekking in Vietnam for adventure tourists.
Best time to trek : The climate only allows one rice harvest per year in Sapa, which means that the terraces are not always bright green. The best time to see the rice terraces at their peak is also the rainiest time of the year (May to early September). However, no matter what time you visit Sapa, there is something to see at every time of the year.
Popular Trekking in Sapa : Sapa offers trekkers a variety of trekking sports. Below are some of the most recommended sites that every traveler should experience at least once when visiting Sapa. Prepare to get lost in the breathtaking beauty of the land and not find the exit!
• Cat Cat – Sin Chai (3-5 km).
• Lao Chai & Ta Van Village (6-8 km).
• Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai & Ta Van Village (12-15 km).
• Sa Seng & Hau Thao Village (12-15 km).
• Ta Giang Phinh Village.
• Thanh Kim Village.
• Conquer Fansipan – Roof of Indochina (2 or 3 days).
Read our detailed article on Trekking in Sapa
2. Mai Chau (Hoa Binh)
Trekking level: Easy – Medium.
Highlights: Mai Chau, a mountainous region located in Hoa Binh province, is a cool and peaceful place with breathtaking scenery. Mai Chau is synonymous not only with ecotourism, but also the home of different ethnic minorities.
Mai Chau is where you can do some of the best treks in Vietnam. Walking through the local rice fields and villages (Cun Pheo, Ban Buoc, Hang Kia, etc.) can be a highlight of your Southeast Asia trip.
Best time to trek : early October and early May. Outside of these periods, Mai Chau can become unbearably hot, particularly from June to August.
Popular Treks in Mai Chau :
• Light trek to immerse yourself in the slow life of the Thai and Muong people: Ban Buoc, Xam Khoe Market, Cun Pheo, Te Village, Black River…
• More sporty treks: Mai Chau Valley, Hang Kia Village.
3. Ha Giang
Hiking level: Easy.
Highlights: Ha Giang is located in the northernmost part of Vietnam, about 300 km northwest of Hanoi, on the border with China. This remote and mysterious province is one of the best destinations for all adventure lovers.
It is a showcase of marvelous mountain landscapes, rolling hills, impressive karsts and green valleys, roaring rivers, smiling people and adorable ethical children.
It has the most majestic and impressive natural scenery in Southeast Asia, but so many travelers regretfully overlook it due to Hanoi’s distant gateway. Trekking in Ha Giang is quite far from the tourist trail, so you can wander the Ha Giang mountains uninterrupted for days at a time.
In addition to an inspiring landscape, you have easy access to the most authentic, ethnic side of Vietnam, unique tribal villages, etc…
Best time to trek : October to May.
Popular hikes in Ha Giang : Most treks in Ha Giang last 2 to 5 days. Although you can’t walk from Ha Giang itself, there are trails starting from small villages nearby.
• Lung Vai – Khuoi My Village – Ban Tha – Nam Dam.
• Town of Tam Son (gate to heaven).
• Dong Van Valley – Thien Huong Village.
• Ma Pi Leng Pass – Tu San Valley.
• Hoang Su Phi (Ban Phung, Nam Hong, Khoa Thuong, Nam Ai, Nam Son, Lung Thang, Ho Thau – Chieu Lau Thi Peak, Tay Con Linh Mountain).
4. Ba Be National Park (Bac Can)
Hiking level: Easy – Medium.
Highlights: Located at a distance of 240 km from Hanoi, Ba Be National Park is a magnificent national reserve boasting rolling hills, large limestone karsts and more than 550 varieties of plants. Ba Be is not heavily affected by tourism and remains very authentic.
It offers stunning landscapes with dense rainforests, crystal calm lakes, limestone mountains and caves amid towering peaks. The entire region is also home to many ethnic minority communities.
A multi-day trek passing karst outcrops, waterfalls, caves and rice fields is a perfect choice for nature lovers. it offers a moderate to good level of fitness and a strong sense of adventure.
Best time to trek : from April to October.
Popular hikes in Ba Be National Park :
• Pac Ngoi Village – Mo, Qua, Chay Village.
• Coc Toc Village – Pe Lu Creek – Dau Dang Waterfall – Hua Ma Cave.
• Nang River – Puong Cave – Coc Toc Village.
5. Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong Town)
Hiking level: Easy.
Highlights: Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay listed as a World Heritage Site and the only island with a significant settlement. Recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in April 2005, Cat Ba is the unique natural beauty and ecological value of the park.
According to UNESCO, the area includes tropical rainforests, wetlands, mangroves and coral reef types of ecosystems. Cat Ba National Park is home to 32 species of mammals, including most of the world’s 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world’s most endangered primate. Besides relaxing on the beach and exploring Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba is a good choice for those who have extra time and want to explore the island and its national park.
This island is big enough for quite a challenging trek that can last up to 5-6 hours a day and really make you sweat.
Best time to trek : from April to November.
Popular Treks in Cat Ba :
• The short but arduous trek to the summit of Ngu Lam Peak.
• The challenging 9km hiking trail through the park to Viet Hai village.
6. Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Thanh Hoa)
Trekking level: moderate to difficult.
Highlights:If you are looking for a less visited hiking spot that is rustic and supremely beautiful, you must add Pu Luong Nature Reserve to your bucket list. About 160 km southwest of Hanoi, Pu Luong is located on the border of Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces.
It is a popular weekend getaway for locals and sees an increasing number of foreign visitors. Boasting rich forest, limestone vistas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking landscapes, this hidden gem is the combination of the beauty of northern Vietnam with charming rice terraces like Sapa, the magnificent mountain passes like Ha Giang and green fields like Mai Chau.
Pu Luong, with an area of 17,662 ha, has a great biodiversity of fauna and flora. From here you also have the chance to experience the daily life and culture of the Thai and Muong people.
Best time to hike : during the rice harvest season, from September to October and from February to May.
Popular hikes in Pu Luong :
• An adventure trekking tour will take you to the dense jungle of Pu Luong and to authentic and remote villages such as Hang, Kho Muong and Kia villages.
• More familiar trekking routes include Hieu Village – Nua Village, Nua Village – Son Village.
7. Son Doong Cave (Quang Binh)
Trekking level: Extreme.
Strong points: Son Doong is the world’s largest cave and one of its greatest natural wonders, comparable to the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest.
Son Doong Cave is in the heart of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province. Recently explored in 2009-2010 by the British Cave Research Association, the cave has only been open to the public since 2013. Son Doong Cave is no ordinary underground adventure.
Imagine trekking straight into the depths of the world’s largest cave on an expedition like no other. A cave so massive that a 747 could fly through its largest cavern. A space so fascinating that it makes you wonder if you’re still on this planet.
To explore this case, adventurers must cross underground rivers, explore two gigantic cave ceiling collapses, traverse underground rainforests, and sleep in some of the most magnificent campsites in the world.
Son Doong offers a number of unique environments to explore. A long guest list is hungry to experience this exotic cave. Visitors must therefore book in advance with health authorization. It is reserved for adventurous travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Surely, Son Doong is listed in The best trekking places in Vietnam .
Best time to trek : Only available from January to August due to annual flooding.
8. Bach Ma National Park
Hiking level: Easy – Medium.
Highlights: Bach Ma National Park is located in a mountainous area exactly on the border between northern and southern Vietnam, about 45 kilometers southeast of Hue city, and extends from west to east of the Laotian border to the East Sea at Col des Nuages. Here you can see a mix of both landscapes, making Bach Ma much more varied than other national parks. With waterfalls, cool forests and blooming rhododendrons, this area is absolutely beautiful.
Although a must-see for tourism in Hue, Bach Ma is visited more by international travelers than locals. Their adventurous nature, unsurprisingly, is cited as justification. The adventure tour usually involves a drive to the summit, located 1,450 m above sea level, and then a 7 kilometer hike to the 5 lakes.
Although not difficult, the trek requires ropes to pass 10 meter cliffs. Only 6-7 hours, this little adventure is a break from the calm and slow travel tradition of central Vietnam.
Best time to trek : December to April.
9. Lang Biang Mountain (Da Lat)
Trekking level: Moderate – Difficult.
Highlights: Located in Dalat, Lang Biang Mountain has three peaks, (1) a paved road leading to a radar base, which is used by most tourists as it is a simple jeep ride, (2) the real Lang Biang peak at 2,167 m, accessible by dirt roads/trails, and hiking only and (3) one unnamed peak.
Trekking to the top of Lang Biang Mountain, where the views are truly spectacular, takes 3 to 4 hours from Lat village. The path begins due north of Lat and is easily recognizable as a red gash in the green mountainside. Take a walk in nature, burn calories and take fantastic photos while strolling on one of the most natural rooftops in Da Lat!
Best time to trek : from November to May (dry season).
10. Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai)
Hiking level: Easy
Strong points: Cat Tien National Park located in three provinces: Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc, about 150 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The park is home to a vast range of wildlife, including hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, birds and fish.
Primates are particularly widespread, particularly gibbons and langurs, as are Asian elephants, clouded leopards and sun bears.
However, Cat Tien’s most impressive inhabitants are perhaps the plants, with the area teeming with an incredible 1,610 botanical species. The 72,000 hectare park is one of Vietnam’s exceptional natural treasures, a veritable jungle, and the trekking, cycling and bird watching are the best in the south of the country.
Best time to trek: December to May each year. It is the dry season where the weather is very pleasant and suitable for trekking. It is very difficult to explore around this nature park in rainy season.
Popular hikes in Nam Cat Tien :
• Walking trail to the giant Tung Trees.
• Hike to Crocodile Lake.
• Wild Gibbons Hike.
• Hike the ridge of the dormant Green Hill Volcano.
