Photo by Jireh Foo on Unsplash
The history of Vietnam has been a tremendously dramatic one. From being victims of oppression to standing up to their race and being loyal to their roots, Vietnam deserves a standing ovation.
Apart from that, we also cannot deny that Vietnam has been blessed with a terrific geographic location. That’s because the country boasts lagoons, towering limestones, and mountains for hiking.
It’s one of those Asian countries that will spark your love for nature even more. That’s why we’ve listed down the ten most breathtaking hiking trails that you should see and experience when you visit Vietnam:
Sapa (Lao Cai)
You won’t believe your eyes when you reach Sa Pa. It’s a humble town located in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains overlooking the beautiful terraced fields. It’s also a famous trekking base in Northwestern Vietnam.
The mist that covers the land adds to the magical scene. It’s home to many Vietnamese ethnic communities, which can make your trip even more fascinating.
You can stop by a local hill tribe during your hike and get to know the culture that makes up the area.
Mai Chau (Hoa Binh)
One of the hiking trails you can check out en route to Hanoi is Mai Chau. It’s surrounded by Thai villages, one of which has existed for more than 700 years already.
You can experience calm and serenity in this place because it exudes the very epitome of rural living.
The best time to visit is between September to May, when the weather ranges from 15 to 30 degrees celsius.
Lang Bian Mountain (Da Lat)
If you’re looking for a more exciting trail, you can go to Lang Bian mountain. It’s one of the tallest mountains in the Dalat region, famous for mountain climbing and canyoning.
It’s also an excellent place for camping, especially if you plan to explore a good portion of the area.
Da Lat, which means “Love City,” because they say that the place is usually flocked by lovers looking for adventure. Well, we can’t blame them. Lang Bian Mountain offers romantic views of the sunset and the sunrise, perfect for traveling lovebirds.
Ba Be National Park (Bac)
Ba Be National Park is perfect for jungle trekking. It has dense rainforests that will excite the adventurer in you. It will take you about four days to explore the entire trail, with stops at remote villages.
Right in the middle of the park, you can find a vast freshwater lake that you can experience by cruising down a boat across both ends. It’s the perfect way to appreciate the fantastic display of nature all around you.
Cuc Phuong National Park
From Hanoi, you can visit Cuc Phuong National Park via a 2-hour drive. It’s the oldest national park in Vietnam, where you can choose between taking a day trip or a more extended stay at one of their guesthouses.
The national park is famous for its limestone caves, where one of the earliest discoveries of humans in Vietnam was found.
There’s also an endangered primate center for langurs, loris, and gibbon species that are well-taken care of.
Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park offers tourists a trek along a tropical rainforest. This is where they can see and experience a naturally biodiverse land.
An impressive home for flora and fauna, Cat Tien brings excitement to its visitors, especially wildlife enthusiasts. That’s because the place is filled with exotic bird species, elephants, and tigers.
It’s the perfect shelter for endangered species like apes in the conservation center and Siamese crocodiles.
Ha Giang
Ha Giang is another interesting trail that will let you get closer to an ethnic Vietnamese tribe.
Known as the country’s final frontier, Ha Giang offers different trails with varying difficulties. You can go to Quan Ba Valley and experience a fantastic overlooking view of the green rice fields and village below.
You can also visit Dong Van and hike up the hills of Don Cao, where you can see an ancient French fortress.
Cao Bang
If you want to experience a hike that’s not too crowded with tourists, we suggest taking the Cao Bang trail.
Once you’re here, you should not miss stopping by the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall, whose cascades will hypnotize you with its beauty and grace. It’s a fulfilling trip that will allow you to reconnect with nature.
Now, if you wish to see the waterfall’s full potential, visit around August to September.
Cat Ba National Park (Cat Ba Island)
Another wildlife haven for enthusiasts is the Cat Ba National Park located off the coast of Northern Vietnam.
It’s filled with stunning peaks covered in mixed green hues. You can take an 18-kilometer hike up the mountain to truly experience the wonders of Vietnam. It usually takes about six hours of hiking before you reach the top.
The trail can be steep at times, so wearing the proper footwear will save you from an injured ankle.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Pu Long Nature Reserve is one of the most accessible parks in Vietnam. It even gives you a bonus view of beautiful landscapes and ethnic villages during your drive up to the park.
You’ll get to cross different villages during your hike, including the Ban Hang Village, Kho Muong Village, and the Ban Hieu Village, to name a few.
It’s best to stay in this nature reserve for at least three days. Doing so allows you to maximize the trip and explore enough towns in the area for a more meaningful journey.
Conclusion
When hiking in Vietnam, it would be ideal to bring your trusty hiking poles. That way, you can hike from one mountain to another without torturing your legs.
Believe us when we say that you can’t resist the temptation of taking every trail in this list because that’s how beautiful these places are.
Vietnam may be a quiet country, but its beauty overflows. It’s more than just the bustling cities of Ho Chi Minh and the beautiful lakes and lagoons of Hanoi.
Vietnam is a paradise for lovers of nature and advocates of wildlife. That said, are you ready to have your breath taken away?
Comments