Top 12 trekking sites can’t be missed in Vietnam

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? And you are thrilled at trekking adventure & staying away from the crowd ? You are not sure where to go hiking in Vietnam?Let’s review this blog about top 10 amazing trekking sites in Vietnam, then go ahead to make your dream adventure come true……

1. Ba Vi National Park – an ideal paradise for a day trekker from Hanoi.

Just 50km far from Hanoi, Ba Vi national park is one of Hanoi’s top tourist attractions famous for its outstanding natural beauty & three-peaked mountains jutting steeply out of the landscape.With its year-round cool climate & off-the- beaten hiking routes, Ba Vi mountains will be a wonderful hiking site for any hikers loving to conquer three famous summits named Kinh, Ngoc Hoa & Tan Vien.From Hanoi, you can join in a day or 2-day itineraries with hiking funs to enjoy pristine landscapes of tropical forest, scenic waterfalls & magnificient mountains; inhale the fresh air; participate in healthy trekking routes; and learn more about Vietnamese culture & history.

  • Best time to visit : Each season, Ba Vi mountains have its own specific beauty so you can travel to Ba Vi National Park at any time in a year. However, the best time to visit is usually from April – September when the weather is dry and cool, or from November – December, when the beautiful wild sunflowers start blooming.
  • Level of trek : moderate

2. Cuc Phuong national park – the jungle trek in the biggest national park in Vietnam

As the biggest & well-protected national park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is rich in fauna & flora.You can experience many giant trees & endangered primates in a day trip to Cuc Phuong national park.There are different options of short/ long trekking routes for your choices, some of which you can do on your own, and some hard treks are requested to have the park’s guide along in case you get lost in the middle of nowhere.If you love adventure trek, we recommend you biking activitiy, long treks in the core area of the park & homestay with local Muong ethnics.Just 100 km away from Hanoi, you can connect your visit to Ninh Binh’s top attractions, then doing treks to explore Cuc Phuong national park.Make sure to take this adventure with good trekking shoes, arm yourselves with drinking waters & insect spraying.

Best time to visit : The best time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park is between November and April when there are no rains. You should avoid visiting the forest on rainy days as mosquitoes and leeches may attack you.

Level of trek : easy & hard treks upto the route you choose.

Recommended tours :

1. Cuc Phuong national park day tour ( soft trek) 

2. Cuc Phuong Jungle Trek & Van Long Nature reserve 2 days ( hard trek)

Cuc Phuong national park - trekking Vietnam

3. Cat Ba National Park – the trek for your great view of Lan Ha & Halong bay.

As a can’t-be-missed place to visit in Northern Vietnam, Cat Ba National Park is an essential part of Cat Ba island, which is regarded as the biggest island of Halong bay. Trips to Cat Ba island, we highly recommend that you should spend one night on a luxury Lan Ha bay cruise to feel the beauty of Lan Ha bay, take part in water activities : swimming, kayakking & fishing.Moreover, Cat Ba island also boasts its rich & diverse forest as well as a number of peaks for your adventure thirst such as Ngu Lam, Hai Quan, Connon Fort.For a soft & easy trek, you can take part in a 2 hour trek to visit Kim Giao forest & conquer Ngu Lam peak, moderate with some rock climbing, then you can have an impressive captivation of Cat Ba national park & its Lan Ha bay. For a hard & adventurous trek, you can join in a long trek of 12km across the jungle to reach Viet Hai fishing village, then conquer Hai Quan summit, where you can have an outstanding capture of Lan Ha & Halong bay.This trekking route has no people living and you have to go with an experienced tour guide who will leads you go through a frog lake.If possible, treat yourselves a special night at a bungalow nested in Viet Hai  fishing village.

Best time to visit : The best time to visit Cat Ba National Park is from April to October, because at this time the weather in Cat Ba is very pleasant, avoiding the rainy season so that you can enjoy many exciting climbing activities or exploring the natural ecosystems

Level of treks : easy & hard one depending on the route you choose

Recommended tours : 2 day Hanoi – Cat Ba island tour

Cat ba national park - trekking sites

4. Mai Chau valley – the leisure hike to scenic & rustic region in Northwest Vietnam.

Just in a 3.5 hour drive from Hanoi capital, you will reach Mai Chau valley – the idyllic & rural district of Hoa Binh province in Northeast Vietnam Mountain.The valley is evergreen with rice & corn fields and surrounded by gorgeous mountains.
The paddies and fields of the valley provides the main food for the people living there and elegantly change colour up to the seasons. In Spring, the fields are bursting with the bright, vivid green of the young plants. Over the Summer this gradually changes, the paddies turning into a sea of gold in the Autumn ( harvest time). Dotted between this green valley are peaceful hamlets of friendly Thai & Muong hill tribes mostly living in traditional houses on stilts, which are skilfully built using a combination of bamboo and timber with thatched roofs.
 
Trips to Mai Chau, you’ll find yourself getting lost in this natural & rural landscapes with green forests, gentle hills, and stilt-house villages; be a part of a culture, a way of life so different from where you’re from. Trekking routes in Mai Chau are easy ones passing by local hamlets &  viewing mountain & valley landscapes.Mai Chau is indeed the place for those who seek peace of mind, an escape from the bustling urban noises and come back to what are basic to human’s happiness – beautiful nature and  people’s friendliness.
 
Best time to visit Mai Chau valley : The climate in Mai Chau is temperate & pleasant all year around thanks to the mountainous area so you can visit Mai Chau at any time of the year. However, March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Mai Chau. October is perhaps the most ideal month because harvest takes place and the rice takes on a glorious golden hue
 
Level of trek : easy & moderate
 
Recommended Mai Chau tours : 2 day trekking & Biking in Mai Chau valley
 
Mai Chau trekking site Vietnam
 

5. Pu Luong Nature Reserve – the scenic hike to admire picturesque waterwheels, rice fields, mountains & peaceful villages.

60km away from Mai Chau valley, you will find Pu Luong a spectacular nature reserve in Northern Vietnam with soaring limestone peaks, cascading waterfalls and deep green rice terraces dotted with ethnic Thai & Muong minority villages, who have inhabited in these parts for centuries. Pu Luong nature reserve is a new tourist destination attracting nature lovers & adventurers who would love to stay away from the crowd & get lost in scenic trekking routes along remote hamlets overviewing the mountainscapes, rice terraces & waterwheels day & night feeding the water to the rice fields from the rivers. Adventure to Pu Luong, you can choose to stay in a few newly -built resorts of stunning surroundings or to homestay with local families – chances to interact & get to know more about their culture.
 
Best time to visit Pu Luong : is during rice harvest season, from September to November or February until May. This time, the plantation is lush and the weather is pleasant
 
Level of treks : easy & moderate
 

6. Sapa – the heaven of various trekking routes for your choice.

Sapa is a top travel hub in Northwest Vietnam, a place to list in any travellers’ itinerary travelling to Vietnam. Cool climate, beautiful landscapes & rich cultures are the reasons why people choose to visit Sapa.In addition, Sapa offer numerous trekking sites of different levels (soft, medium & hard ones), which can meet any demands of tourists. Such easy treks as Muong Hoa valley, Cat Cat village, Ta Phin valley are popular options if you love leisure hike down the valley & along the villages taking beautiful photos of streams, rice fields, hamlets & meeting local hilltribes.If you love adventure treks conquering the summits, trekking thru the jungle, Fansipan & Ngu Chi Son peaks are great challenges to try yourselves.For your safety & wonderful experiences, it’s recommended to join in organinsed tours with the support of tourguide & porters along.

Best time to visit Sapa : March to May and September to November. At these times, the weather is relatively stable with sunny days and cool nights

Level of treks : easy & hard ones depend on the route you choose

Recommended tours : 

1. Sapa day trek to Ba Khoang- Ta Giang Phin villages & Love waterfall ( easy trek)

2. Fansipan Peak conqueration day trek ( hard trek)

Sapa trekking site in Vietnam

7.Mu Cang Chai – an awesome trekking site to admire the most impressive rice terraces in Vietnam.

As a remote district of Yen Bai province, Mu Cang Chai is a part of Hoang Lien mountain & at the height of more than 1,000 metters above the sea level.Far to reach & lesser known among foreign travellers, Mu Cang Chai is still an off-the-beaten-path destination featuring high mountains, deep valleys, rich cultures & its most outstanding rice terraces – being considered as the most impressive one in Vietnam.The best way to admire the masterpiece of rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai is taking part in wonderful trekking routes which will lead you to the most beautiful areas of rice terraces for your great shots, visiting remote hamlets & meeting locals.
 
Accommodation in Mu Cang Chai is limited with some small hotels & homestays so we recommend you to book the service far in advance or better to book a Mu Cang Chai tour package which is well customized for your wonderful hikes along the hills filled with rice terraces, and  included with tourguide, meals, entrance sightseeing fees, accommodation…..
 
Mu Cang Chai sometimes experiences a number of constant landslides in rainy season between July & August, which may cause dangers & block the roads for a few days so it is good to plan your trip well with the right time & weather check.
 
Best time for the best beauty of Mu Cang Chai rice terraces : between the late September and early October – the time of ripe rice terraces showing its fullest golden beauty.
 
Level of trek : moderate & hard trek
 
 
Mu Cang Chai rice terraces- trekking site Vietnam

8. Ha Giang – the heaven on earth for your trekking experience in Vietnam

Ha Giang is the most remote province in Vietnam & hard to reach due to its snaking roads & steep passes. However, you can expect a less touristy Ha Giang & its spectacular views of marverlous Dong Van Geopark & stunning rice terraces in Hoang Su Phi. Adventure trips are a must we must take part if you love to captivate Ha Giang’s beauty.If you are skilful at driving motorbike, renting ones in Ha Giang city to conquer amazing high & winding passes & blow your minds with the heaven- on-earth beauty along Dong Van geopark.If you love adventure treks on the hidden trails along the forest, local hamlets & stepped rice fields, there are no other places in Vietnam better than Hoang Su Phi & Ma Pi Leng Pass. Surely, this adventure is not for anyone and should be well planned with a local travel expert so you can have a good support & lifetime experiences.

Best time to visit Ha Giang : October to May. During this time of the year, the weather is dry & less rainy, the scenery is magnificent with mountaintops hiding in the cloud and wild peach flowers & yellow kales blooming everywhere

Level of treks : moderate & hard up to the route you choose

Recommended tours :

1.Impressive Ha Giang Adventure 6 days ( moderate trek)

2.Hoang Su Phi Adventure with off-the-beaten-path treks & homestay 4 days ( hard trek)

 

9. Cao Bang, the land of Global Geopark & the most impressive waterfall in Vietnam.

While exploring to Ha Giang, you can make a round further to Cao Bang, the land of wonderful Global Geopark & the most beautiful waterfal in Vietnam.For trekking adventure, the popular sites are in Quang Uyen & Trung Khanh districts for your wonderful capture of gorgeous rugged mountainscapes, valleys of rice fields dotted with local hamlets of Tay & Nung ethnics, and streams.

The ideal time to do Cao Bang hiking : is between November & April when the weather always stay dry & clear for your photograph. But best time for great photos of Cao Bang Geopark falls in late September & early May when the rice fields turn its green to golden colours – you can expect to have the photo as below.

Level of treks : moderate & hard up to the route you choose

Recommended tours :  Ba Be lake – Ban Gioc waterfall Exploration 3 days

Cao Bang - trekking site in Vietnam

10. Bac Son valley – the green paradise with fascinating trekking routes.

Surrounded by rugged mountains, Bac Son is a beautiful valley likened among visitors as the green paradise, a trending destination for nature lovers & photo hunters on the time of rice season. The best way to captivate the beauty of this valley is climbing up to Na Lay peak, the highest point in the region, where you can capture all Bac Son valley’s amazing landscapes into your sight : green/ golden rice fields with snaking river & dotted local hamlets backgrounded by gorgeous mountainscapes…..

As a new tourist destination, travel service is really limited with a few homestays operated by local Tay ethnics.Plan your trip to Bac Son valley, it is highly recommended to do with a local travel company who knows well about the region & will give you useful consultancy & customized travel program for your best exploration of the valley.

Best time to visit Bac Son valley : There are two rice crops in Bac Son valley and the rice turns golden later than other places in Vietnam, roughly in July & in November – considered as the best time to visit Bac Son valley.

Level of treks : hard trek

Recommended tours : Bac Son Valley day tour

Bac Son valley - trekking site in Vietnam

11. Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park – breathtaking trekking sites to explore the caves

Located in Quang Binh province – Central Vietnam, Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park is welknown as the Kingdom of Caves & the setting location of the latest King Kong movie. Travelling to Quang Binh, you can expect to have wonderful beach breaks on resorts overviewing pristinely sandy beaches, or further explore such beautiful caves as Phong Nha, Thien Duong…. in the core area of Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park.If you are the fan of adventure trek & cave exploration, you can join in typical organised trekking tours of 2 – 4 day itineraries to discover the nature & other grottoes sach as Hang En, Lu Lan.. & the best of all – Son Doong carvern, the biggest cave in the world.That will be the trip of your lifetime experiences.

Best time to visit Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park : April to August.During this time, the weather is beautiful and sunny, so it is very suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Level of treks : moderate & hard ones up to the route you choose

Recommended tours : Central Vietnam Heritage Tour 8 days

12. Bach Ma National Park, the green paradise for nature lover & hikers

Situated between Hue & Da Nang city, Bach Ma national park is an ideal place for nature lover & hikers.With its high altitude & its proximity to the sea, Bach Ma mountain is pleasant its cool climate all the year around and is likened as “ Da Lat” in the center of Vietnam. Travelling to Hue or Da Nang, you can make a day / two day interaries to visit this national park. Trekking is a must for any travellers to conquer Hai Vong Dai summit for your parnoramic view of surrounding regions, to admire waterfalls while trekking down along five-lake route & to enjoy pristine nature.

Best to visit Bach Ma National Park is in summer or at the beginning of autumn ( March to October), when rains hardly occur and the weather is always cool and comfortable – good for your outdoor adventure.Moreover, fresh air, light aroma, and the pleasant winds of these seasons will absolutely make your exploration even more fascinating…
 
Level of trek : moderate & hard up to the route you choose
 
Recommended tours : 6 day Central Vietnam Highlight Tour
 
Hiking site Vietnam - Bach Ma national park

Essential travel tips on trekking in Vietnam

We have just shared you top 12 trekking spots in Vietnam with suggestions on right time to go, trips to take. For your safety & enjoyable experiences, take the following tips for consideration when it comes to trekking in Vietnam.

1. Before Going on Treks

  • Well plan for your trip : think about how long you will travel, what kind of place you want to see (ethnic villages, mountains or national parks, etc.), the period you are in Vietnam (it’s better to stay here in the dry season – the best time for trekking in Vietnam)
  • Be well prepared and ready for physical and mental challenges
  • Check out the weather forecast. It is not recommended to hike on rainy days when the roads are too slippery.
  • Ask the local people for more instructions or consider hiring a local tour guide with you.

2. What to Take on Treks

  • Bring enough food and water and a first-aid kit
  • Right trekking shoes with high quality
  • Raincoat or waterproof jackets and pants in case it rains
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • GPS navigation devices and a map.
  • For long hikes, bring your tent and warm sleeping bag
  • Sunscreen and mosquito repellent

Customised Vietnam trekking tour

Trekking Vietnam with Golden Holiday Travel

We hope that the above share of top 12 trekking places in Vietnam is helpful for your coming adventure trek in Vietnam, you will know which trekking route is right for you in terms of trekking levels & things to expect. In need of more information : travel consultancy, travel services or Vietnam adventure tour packages, feel free to email us : goldenholidaytravel.vn@gmail.com or whatsapp us + 84.988451530.As a local licensed tour operator, we have operated many successful adventure tours for thousands of happy clients travelling to Vietnam and we are pleased to be your travelmate & wish you would have good time in Vietnam.

See you soon in Hanoi, Vietnam

Golden Holiday Travel Team.

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Ban Vu Dinh

Start working in travel industry in Vietnam from 2003, I had the great chance to learn and see the change as well as the development of tourism in our country. After a few years working in different positions in some well-known international travel companies, together with some co-founders, we found Golden Holiday Travel in 2012 basing on our passion and knowledge with the dream to show tourists around the globe more about Vietnam’s beautiful attractions and to be the travellers’ best local partner for their enjoyable Vietnam holidays of unforgetable memory.

Hope this personsal blog do some help for your Vietnam trip plans ! Any questions or support you need, feel free to let me know.....

See you soon in Vietnam !

Ban Vu Dinh

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