Pre-guide on Trekking in Vietnam
It is very important to plan well what you should do and prepare before your trip. Below are our short tips to make your trekking in Vietnam to the fullest:
1. What To Know Before Trek?
- Plan about the length of travel, the destinations at your desize (hidden hilltribes, mountains or national parks, etc.), and the period you will come (better from March to November in Northern Vietnam).
- Get your health carefully checked for the new adventure challenges
- Research in-depth about the places you want to trek. Ask the local people for guides and instructions or better consider hiring a good local hiking tour company to arrange you the trip
2. What To Prepare?
- Food; water and a first-aid kit
- Good trekking boots and walking sticks
- Sunscreen and insect spray
- Raincoat or waterproof costumes
- Flashlight or headlamp
- GPS navigation devices and a map.
3. What To Know During Trek?
- Ask locals before taking photos of them. In some cases, you must pay money for them so you should be careful and must clarify in advance in case of arguments
- Make copies of all your documents in case you lost the original
10 Top Places For Trekking In Vietnam
1. Ha Giang
Ha Giang is the final frontier of Vietnam. It has been taking travelers’ hearts because of not only the gigantic karst mountains; breath-taking landscape and colorful markets of ethnic minorities but the incredible sense of adventure as well. The most famous places are Ha Giang city outskirts; Quan Ba; Yen Minh; Dong Van; Meo Vac and Ma Pi Leng Pass. You better arrange your trip to be present in Dong Van, Meo Vac on Sunday to witness the unique weekly fair market of Hmong people.
Level of challenge: moderate
Best time to visit: from March to mid December
Recommended trekking routes:
- Dong Van valley
- Khuoi My – Tay Con Linh Range
- Quan Ba valley
- Sky Path – Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Hoang Su Phi
How to get there: you can go by night bus and rent a motobike from Ha Giang. It is better to do the 5-Day Trekking In Hagiang to get the fullest adventure experiences.
2. Sapa
Located 350 km to the northwest of Hanoi and right next to China, Sapa has long gained its fames with breath-taking mountains, lush rice terraces and enchanting ethnic cultures of Hmong, Yao and Zay minorities. It offers easy and beautiful hiking trails such as Cat Cat village, Y Linh Ho village, Ta Phin village, Muong Hoa Valley, etc. Especially, Sapa is the home of the so-called roof of Indochina: Fansipan mount (3143 m).
Level of challenge: moderate
Best time to visit: from March to May for dry season; and from September to November for rice season
Recommended trekking routes:
There is no specific map if you choose to trek by yourself in Sapa. Most people get lost in the hypnotizing beauty of nature. Below are some recommended trek routes for you to challenge yourselves in your next adventure:
- Lao Chai Village (5 km from Sapa town)
- Sin Chai Village (5 km from Sapa town)
- Ta Van Village (11 km from Sapa town)
- Hau Thao Village (13 km Sapa town)
- Ta Phin Village (14 km from Sapa town)
- Ban Ho Village (24 km from Sapa town
- Fansipan trek from Tram Ton
- Doc Mit (Binh Lu ward) to the top of Fansipan (for professional trekkers only)
Note: if you want to go for a trek in Fansipan, you need to get permission from Hoang Lien Son management board. You are expected to pay some fees such as trekking, insurance, forest management, hygiene fees. The total cost is around VND 200.000. On trekking routes, there will be some local people following you to sell their products. If you like theirs, you can help them. If you dont, a polite refusal is recommended. And remember to bargain well before any transaction.
How to get there: you can go either by bus or by night train. If you would like to get authentic experiences, the 3-Day Trekking In Sapa adventure may meet your desire.
3. Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is an outstanding beauty of Northwestern Vietnam. It offer enchanting trails for trekking through the stunning rice terraces which is regarded as top of the world heritage. Chance for you to stay and mingle with mountainous Thai, Black Hmong local minorities. The famous Khau Pha Pass – one of the 4 greatest passes in Northern Vietnam is also a highlight. Trekking in Mu Cang Chai is regarded as one of the must-do adventure when you visit Vietnam, especially on the harvesting time.
Level of challenge: moderate
Best time to visit: from March to September
Recommended trekking routes:
Our highlighted trekking routes will take you to the top of mountains where you start to wind through local trails. It also bring you to cross and visit some local villages as well.
- La Pan Tan to Cu Che Nha (17 km)
- Sang Nhu to La Pan Tan (15 km)
- Tu Le
How to get there: public buses are at hands from My Dinh station in Hanoi. You can also try the 4-Day Trekking In Mu Cang Chai trip
4. Ba Be National Park
Ba Be National Park covers a diversity of rainforests with rare fauna and flora system; waterfalls; lush valleys and amazing limestone mountains. It is also home of Ba Be Lake – the biggest natural lake in Vietnam. The best way to explore the region is a multi-day trek that goes deep into the park where the local Hmong and Yao people settle. Ba Be promises to feed your trekking in Vietnam adventure to the fullest.
Level of challenge: moderate & hard
Best time to visit: from March to December
Recommended trekking routes:
- Nam Mau to Khau Qua (20 km)
- Nam Mau to Dau Dang Waterfall (30 km)
How to get there: The 3-Day Trekking In Ba Be National Park from Hanoi is highly recommended. But you can also get there by shuttle bus. The ticket is around $20 USD/ Person
5. Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a rural paradise in Northwestern Vietnam which is only 200km from Hanoi. You can also visit Pu Luong with a connection with Mai Chau which is close by. This destination offers you lush rice terraces surrounding the local villages of Thai and Muong minorities. Escaping into the wilderness in Pu Luong is such a must for adventure connoiseurs.
Level of challenge: easy & moderate
Best time to visit: from February to October
Recommended trekking routes:
- Hieu village to Nua village
- Nua village to Son village
- Kho Muong to Nua village
How to get there: shuttle bus that takes you directly from Hanoi Old Quarter. A 4-Day Trekking In Mai Chau – Pu Luong is also a great suggestion for you.
6. Cat Ba National Park
Located in Hai Phong province, Cat Ba National Park is a well-known destination for adventurers. This area is not only attractive by its primitive Lan Ha Bay but also by the bio diversity system of fauna and flora. Cat Ba is regarded as an adventure center in Northern Vietnam with a collection of activities like: mountain climbing; kayaking; cliff jumping; swimming…etc. And trekking through the jungle in the park will promise to be a life-time experience.
Level of challenge: moderate
Best time to visit: from February to November
Recommended trekking routes:
- Kim Giao Forest – Ngu Lam Peak (1.5 km)
- Cat Ba town – Ao Ech – Viet Hai (14 km)
How to get there: shuttle bus can be easily caught from Hanoi Old Quarter. You can also do a combo of trekking and cruising with the 3-Day Trekking In Cat Ba National Park adventure.
7. Cao Bang Geopark
Cao Bang Geopark seems less known to mass tourism. Located in frontier region in Northeast of Vietnam, it offers jagged mountains, thin winding roads, and sporadic rice paddies. Cao Bang is famous with Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Nguom Ngao Cave, Thang Hen Lake, Pac Bo cave …etc. And you can experience all the features of this destination on off-beat trekking trails.
Level of challenge: easy & moderate
Best time to visit: from February to December
Recommended trekking routes:
- Ta Lung
- Trung Khanh
- Quang Uyen
How to get there: night public buses can be found at My Dinh or Gia Lam bus station. It is more recommended you take a round trip to Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Ba Be National Park as well : 11 Day Off The Beaten Track In Unexplored Northeast Of Vietnam
8. Ta Nang – Phan Dung
Specially known as the most beautiful trekking route in Vietnam with jungles, waterfalls and natural landscape, Ta Nang – Phan Dung is a great challenge for and adventure seekers. You will have to complete the 50 km route that stretching three provinces: Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. A combo of obstacles will be waiting for you including: crossing the jungles; climbing up and down the mountains; jumping over streams and the list goes on. The trekking is really adventurous, but worth your pride.
Level of challenge: moderate & hard
Best time to visit: from February to December
Length of trekking route: 50 km
How to get there: get to Ninh Gia – Duc Trong conjunction by public bus from Dalat or Ho Chi Minh City. For more information, please contact us.
Note:
- The trek must be guided by experiences locals
- Good skill of survival is highly recommended
- Do not go alone, must join a group which you can accompany for the whole trip
- Good preparation for 3 days in the forrest including: food, water, GPS, raincoats, boots, sleeping bags or camps, flashlights
9. Lang Biang Mountain – Dalat
Located about 12 km from Dalat center, Lang Biang mountain is a great choice for adventure. The mountain is home to some ethnic minorities such as Lach and K’Ho. Trekking in Lang Biang Mountain is not just exploring nature but experiencing the local culture as well. And the best experience is when you reach the top with stunningly panoramic view.
Level of challenge: moderate
Best time to visit: from September December
Recommended trekking routes:
- Conquering the top of Lang Biang mountain from the bottom
How to get there: catch the local bus No. 5 from Da Lat, or book an online bus ticket if you are from Ho Chi Minh City.
10. Phong Nha National Park
Phong Nha National Park is familiar with travelers as the adventure center in Middle Vietnam with nature and adventure experience. It is also the home of Son Doong – the biggest cave in the worlds recognized by UNESCO. Beside some famous destinations like: Phong Nha cave, Paradise cave and Dark cave, the region offers top-of-the-world adventure by trekking through the jungles to explore some hidden caves. Undoubtedly you will achieve most unforgettable memories when exploring the park.
Level of challenge: moderate & hard
Best time to visit: from April to August (dry season)
Recommended trekking routes:
- Son Doong Cave – the biggest cave in the world
- En Cave and Tien Cave
- Tu Lan Cave
- Tiger Cave
How to get there: contact us for more information or book a tour with us: [email protected]
In all, trekking in Vietnam is also a good and favorite choice for world trekkers. Different from other countries in the world, Vietnam is a tropical country with colorful culture. Thus you can earn various experiences and great lessons that make you to remember and come back again and again.
