Vietnam is not only famous for its diverse traditional cuisine and beautiful beaches but also for a number of ideal destinations for hiking due to incredible hiking routes and spectacular mountain views. Hiking in Vietnam will give you unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the true beauty of Vietnam through getting to know people of different ethnic minorities, deepening your understanding of their culture, and, of course, discovering the pristine places of Vietnam.

Read this “top 6 best places for long-distance places hiking in Vietnam” topic so that you can find out more about top-rated places for hiking and make the most of your time while visiting Vietnam!

What to Know Before Hiking in Vietnam

The best region for hiking in Vietnam is the north, mainly the mountainous areas where the natural landscapes are the most diverse and magnificent. Traveling to the North, you can see the roof of Indochina (Mount Fansipan with a height of 3143 m), belonging to the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, and see many beautiful landscapes from above, such as endless terraced fields, the flowing streams, and villages. Northern Vietnam is also a land of cultural diversity, with the cohesion of many ethnic minorities. And most of the people living here still wear their traditional clothes and maintain their cultural practices.

We suggest the best time for hiking in Vietnam is during the dry season, which usually lasts from October to April next year. Make sure you watch the weather forecast before traveling, as the roads would be dangerous to hike on days with rainfall. 

What Is the Famous Hiking Trail in Vietnam

To ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking trip in Vietnam,  please note a few things below:

Research the destination: Before going hiking in Vietnam, do thorough research on the location you intend to go to, including the weather, topography, altitude, and local features. This helps you prepare for the environment and the necessary information for your plan.

To make the best of your hiking in Vietnam, prepare your mental and physical health, as it would be a challenging experience, especially when you choose to hike in mountainous areas. 

Consider having a local hiking tour guide with you for a better experience or do research to communicate with the locals for more instructions.

Prepare necessary supplies like drinking water, extra food, bandages, mosquito repellent, and tools such as flashlights, maps, and compass... 

Wear suitable clothing: You should wear something that is comfortable, lightweight, and appropriate for the weather and environmental conditions of the hiking site. Clothing should be sun and insect resistant, along with a wind and rain jacket.

And the final thing is to remember to always put your “safety first,” do not try to climb dangerous areas, and be careful and aware of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, or bad weather.

With these important notes in mind, you are ready for a memorable hiking adventure in Vietnam. We believe below are some of the best places for hiking in Vietnam: 

Hoang Su Phi - Ha Giang

Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging

Located about 300 km North of Hanoi, Hoang Su Phi district of Ha Giang province is a perfect place for long-distance hiking in Vietnam and for those who want to discover the culture of ethnic minorities. It's a pristine mountainous area that not many people choose to venture into, but those who do would have a chance to witness one of the most beautiful destinations of Vietnam. 

Nam Hong Village and Tan Lap Skygate are both great places to start your hiking in Vietnam. It is here that you can hike through the fabulous landscapes—mountains, forests, and ethnic villages and see the high-terraced rice fields built in the mountains, especially around Ta Su Choong—a great hiking spot. Hoang Su Phi is also the home of many ethnic groups, such as the Hmong, Red Dao, Nung, etc., whose life is still very authentic; you can share a slice of life with charming people here. A trek to Hoang Su Phi takes at least 4 days and requires a local guide.

Sapa - Lao Cai

Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging

The landscapes of Sapa are also similar to those of Hoang Su Phi. Sapa is located in Lao Cai, in the highest region of Vietnam, home to Mount Fansipan, also known as the roof of Indochina. 

It is very easy to access Sapa, as there are many buses and trains from Hanoi to Sapa during the day. The treks in villages around Sapa town are often crowded because there are many people coming here every day to visit. You will have to go further, about twenty kilometers from the city for treks outside of the crowds of tourists.

You'll have to prepare for some challenging terrain, such as the slick and muddy paths that wind through the rice terraces and forests. However, most of the hike will likely be on a paved trail so it is really suitable for beginners to have a good trek. A Sapa trek takes at least 2 or 3 days.

Mount Fansipan 

Difficulty level: Intermediate to Hard

The name “Roof of Indochina” comes from the impressive height of Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain on the Indochinese peninsula, with a height of 3,143 meters. This is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in Vietnam to conquer Fansipan mountain, which is believed to satisfy the adventurous thirst of any traveler. 

You can begin the hiking on the Tram Ton route that most hikers usually take. The  Tram Ton route is moderate, especially if you are used to hiking. The shortest route can be covered in a day if you are in good shape and in a day and a half if you are average. But due to the large boulders and stairways, the trail also needs considerable scrambling. You will witness forest regions with trees, flowing streams, and even blossoming wildflowers. 

This hiking is not easy; it is probably for those who like the intermediate level. Heading to the final path to the top is the most dangerous, as the path is really slippery and steep so beware! When you get to the top, you can explore sights like Buddha statues, temples, and, of course, Sun World's Fansipan Legend. 

Depending on your skills and the number of breaks, the hiking can take from six to twelve hours or longer. However, it’s better if you take the slower route over two days, with an overnight stay at a campsite or one of the indoor shelters.

Mai Chau - Hoa Binh

Difficulty level: Easy

If you are looking for another easy hike, then Mai Chau is your next destination to go to. 

Mai Chau is located in a tranquil valley in Hoa Binh, about 140km from Hanoi. 

Hiking to the Mai Chau countryside is a wonderful experience. Mai Chau and the surrounding area are very suitable for hiking. From simple walks to multi-day hikes with overnight stays at homestays, there is something to suit everyone and all levels; you can go alone or go with family and friends. You can explore Mai Chau's rice-growing valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and covered by trees. Hiking is an opportunity to observe country life. Depending on the season, you can see the farmer plowing the field with buffalo or planting or harvesting ripe rice fields.

While hiking in Mai Chau, you can also explore a number of beautiful attractions, including Go Lao Waterfall, Mo Luong Cave, Chieu Cave, and Thung Khe Pass. 

Pu Luong - Thanh Hoa

Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging

Pu Luong is located in the northwest of Thanh Hoa province and belongs to two districts, Count Tuoc and Quan Hoa, and is about a 4-hour drive from Hanoi, not far from the Mai Chau valley. Possessing high mountainous terrain, Pu Luong is a nature reserve with an area of ​​about 17,600 hectares with thick vegetation. It is also a good destination for treks and hikes.

This place is home to the Thai ethnic group and a local guide would be needed to visit Thai villages. The terraced rice fields here are magnificent. In particular, while in the highlands such as Hoang Su Phi, Sapa, and Mu Cang Chai there is only one harvest per year, in Pu Luong, there are two harvest seasons taking place every year. That means you can also see green rice fields between February and May. 

Hiking in Pu Luong is your chance to immerse yourself in the landscape of beautiful golden terraced fields, the unspoiled beauty of mountains, and peaceful villages lying low at the foot of the hill. When coming here, visitors will truly immerse themselves in nature and spend the night at the house on Thai stilt houses, taking a break from the hectic life of the city... You can do treks of 2 days and 1 night or more.

Cao Bang

Difficulty level: Moderate

Tucked away in the mountains of Northeast Vietnam, Cao Bang (about 290 km from Hanoi) boasts a pristine beauty of nature and the people living here. In Cao Bang, there are fewer ethnic groups than in Hoang Su Phi but the mountainous landscapes are also magnificent. This destination attracts fewer visitors due to its long distance. 

You can choose Black Lo Lo village in Bao Lac district, Cao Bang, as the place to start. The village is located at the top, from where the view is breathtaking. A concrete road leading to the village has just been built so tourists don't have to walk several hours to reach the village anymore.

From this village, you can trek for a few days. You shouldn't skip Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Nguom Ngao cave, Thang Hen Lake, Pac Bo cave, or Ky Sam Temple in your trekking list.

A trip to Cao Bang also takes at least 4 days and is quite expensive.

Conclusion

Apart from these destinations, you can also do treks in other places such as Sin Ho, Lai Chau, Dien Bien... There is no trek map in Vietnam, so the accompaniment of a local guide is essential. To conclude, we hope with the help of this “Top 6 best places for long-distance hiking in Vietnam” article, you can make the most of your time in these stunning parts of Vietnam.

Read more

=> Hoang Su Phi Trekking 4 Days

=> 15 best places to visit in Northern Vietnam