Hiking in Vietnam: Are you looking for an active holiday? Discover the best hiking trails!

Vietnam is not only a country of ancient history but also provides wonderful landscapes. The country is not yet a destination for mass tourism and enchants with its untouched nature. Green rice terraces in the mountains of Sapa, the enchanted Halong Bay or the Sahara-like dunes of Mui Ne – Vietnam's landscape is diverse and offers the most spectacular natural views and perfect conditions for a hiking in Vietnam.

Also, the mountains and mountain ranges with their native plants are not to be left out. Vietnam attracts many hikers every year, who take the routes through the mountains and admire the landscape with their own eyes.

In the following, VIETNAM VISA ONLINE shows you the most beautiful hiking trails in Vietnam. Every level of hiker is covered, no matter if you are a first-time hiker or already a professional. Additionally, we will give you tips and tricks for your Vietnam hiking adventure.

Tips and tricks for hiking in Vietnam

Since Vietnam is a country with a completely different language, letters, and overall weather conditions, you should inform and prepare yourself before hiking in Vietnam. You still need a visa for your adventure? Then you are exactly at the right place with us. Apply online for your Vietnam visa.

In the following, we will give you some tips on what you need to consider if you want to go hiking in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a country with a rich history. Thus, the sunny sides but also the dark sides of Vietnamese history are part of the natural picture of the landscape. Regarding the fact that the US war is not to be forgotten because there are many undiscovered and still active bombs in Vietnam. Especially the region Ho chi Minh is affected by undetected bombs. For security reasons, one should never stray from the official hiking trails in Vietnam.

Apart from that, you should also think about the right equipment. Because of the persistent heat in summer it is very important to take enough water with you since the villages in Vietnam do not always have clean and potable water. You should also think about long clothes. Especially in areas, such as the rainforest, there are many animals and insects which are not all harmless. Apart from the animals in the rainforest, many dogs are running free, especially in the vicinity of the villages. Most of them are not trained and tend to be aggressive. Therefore, you should carry a stick or something similar to defend you against potential dangers.

Learning the language is another issue, you should consider before hiking in Vietnam. Most of the inhabitants do not speak English and because of their culturally different sign language, communication is impeded. Therefore, it is important to get exact information about the trail and to have a map or a screenshot of the trail to be able to provide concrete data in case of an emergency. This makes communication easier and you will not be lost while hiking in Vietnam.

Hiking Vietnam: the most beautiful hiking trails

Vietnam is rich of many hiking trails due to their beautiful landscape and the mountains in between. Here you will find many impressive viewpoints. In the following, we want to show you our selection of the best hiking trails in Vietnam. We separated the trails into four parts based on your level of hiking experience.

Mai Chau (Hoa Binh)

Mai Chau is the path you should take as a beginner hiker in Vietnam. Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province in central Vietnam and offers a wonderful landscape with rural villages. The nature on this side of Vietnam is rich in green color and surrounding hills. Here you can experience the real life of the Vietnamese and immerse yourself in their cultural spirit. It is recommended to do this hiking tour in Vietnam between the end of September and the beginning of May. If you are planning a multi-day trip, you should book a guided tour, as the people on the rural side do not speak English and you will have an experienced guide with you in case of an emergency.

Sapa (Lao Cai)

The city located in the northern province of Lao Cai is a must-see for all Vietnam fans. The 3 000 m mountain Fansipan is located in this area and the mountain offers you a beautiful view over the endless rice fields. The better it is that the trails in this area are quite easy and therefore almost every hiking enthusiast can master. In Lao Cai many ethnic minorities are living here, giving a unique experience to its culture. As Sapa offers a wide range of trails it is recommended to stay for more days. Just to mention some worth seeing places: Cat Cat village, Y Linh Ho village, Ta Phin village, Muong Hoa Valley, Ham Rong Mountain, and Sky Gate are the places to go. The best time to travel there is between September and October to experience the rice terraces or March to May when it is dry.

Cao Bang offers more challenging trails and some unique and beautiful spots. This area is located on the far north side of Vietnam and is home to its steep mountains, thin winding roads, and sporadic rice paddies. If you go here you should not miss the Ban Gioc Waterfalls or Cao Bangs caves as they delight with their spectacular nature. The best time for Cao Bang is between October and April.

Son Doong Cave (Quang Binh)

Are you an experienced hiker and want to have some action? Then the son Doong cave is your place to hike to in Vietnam. The cave is the biggest discovered cave in the world and offers a difficult way to it. Have in mind that only 200 visitors per year are allowed to enter the cave. Therefore, book very early to get a guided tour to So Doong Cave.

You are convinced? Then let's go! You will find a suitable visa and all relevant information (FAQ) with us. Feel free to contact us at any time.