Trekking Through Vietnam: 5 Epic Hikes for Adventure Enthusiasts

Exploring Vietnam’s hiking trails remains a niche segment within the tourist industry. In contrast to the vibrant urban centers and crowded beaches, trekking routes are frequently less populated. Nonetheless, Vietnam’s breathtaking mountains, lush jungle terrain, and expansive national parks establish it as a haven for avid hikers! Dive into Sun Getaways Travel guide showcasing the top 5 Epic Hikes for Adventure Enthusiasts in Vietnam below!

1. Fansipan: Vietnam’s highest peak

• Location: Sapa, north-west Vietnam
• Level: Hard. Tram Ton Pass is 11.2km, with an elevation of 1,953 meters
• Time: 6 – 8 hours

Fansipan is Vietnam’s highest mountain at 3,143 meters tall. The mountain is located in Sapa, a region that offers some of the most incredible scenery to be found across the whole country. It is famous for its rice terraces, ingeniously carved by farmers into the side of the mountains.

For adventurers keen to hike to the top, there are various routes that vary in length and difficulty. You’ll find a range of tours available too, and if you have second thoughts, a cable car can be used to scale the heights. The clearest and most straightforward route is via the Tram Ton Pass, but even for this, you will need a full day to get up and back down again.

Anyone wishing to scale Vietnam’s highest peak without a guide will require a permit from the local Hoang Lien Son committee. Depending on your route, this will cost around 250,000 VND per person. If taking a tour, your guide will likely include this fee in their price. If going alone, the owner of your hotel will be able to advise you on where to pick up a permit. Sapa has many of the best hikes in Vietnam, but Fansipan should be at the top of your list!

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2. Lang Biang Mountain: Pine trees and stunning countryside

• Location: Da Lat, Central Vietnam
• Level: Moderate. Two different routes available
• Time: 2 – 4 hours

Lang Biang Mountain looks over the city of Da Lat and has an elevation of 2,167 meters. The mountain is largely covered in pine trees making it ideal for both hot and wet weather walking, as the trees provide a lot of shelter! There are two main routes. The easier first route is a road which is perfectly walkable within two hours. It is also the way for jeep taxi trips and reaches Lang Biang’s subsidiary peak at 1,950 meters. Here you can find a restaurant, various monuments, and the best views over the city and surrounding countryside.

A second route takes you through the beautiful forest to the peak itself in about four hours. This is a more physical trek that gets steeper as you go, but it is a delightful ramble through the mountain’s greenery. It’s best avoided in wet weather, as the forest floor can get very muddy.

3. Hang Doi Cave: A unique bat cave in Pu Luong Nature Reserve

• Location: Kho Muong Village, Pu Luong, north Vietnam
• Level: Easy/moderate
• Time: 1 hour

Pu Luong is southwest of Hanoi and relatively close to Ninh Binh. The whole area is a national park — the Pu Luong Nature Reserve — that sits between two separate mountain ranges. Various ethnic groups can be found within the national park, mostly involved in farming, and live a traditional way of life stretching back over centuries.

Whilst the scenery is reminiscent of Sapa or Ha Giang to the north, Pu Luong has the addition of feeling completely untouched — one of the many joys of trekking in Vietnam. Tourists here are few, although very welcome!

There are walks of various terrain across the national park, but for something a little different, visit Kho Muong Village, home of the Thai ethnic minority people, and hike to Hang Doi Cave. This is a bat cave, home to five different species. The cave also features stalactites formed over the past 250 million years! Staying in the park for a few nights is a wonderful introduction to an ancient way of life.

4. Nguom Ngao Cave & Ban Gioc Waterfall: Two otherworldly locations in one trek

• Location: Cao Bang, north-east Vietnam
• Level: Easy
• Time: 1.5 hours

This isn’t a trek for the hardcore, but it’s one of the most picturesque that you’ll find anywhere in Vietnam. The cave system is only 1000 meters long, but it can easily take an hour to wind your way through the various ancient structures.

For those who suffer from claustrophobia, don’t worry! The whole route is very well lit and it is literally like stepping foot into a magical fantasy world.

Once you’ve walked through the cave, the Ban Gioc Waterfall can be found close by — a short hike along the river takes you to them. A 40,000 VND fee will grant you access. The waterfall is actually a series of multiple cascades, and although only 30 meters high, they can reach an incredible width of 300 meters, making them the widest in Vietnam. Go before the crowds discover this route!

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5. Ba Den Mountain: A popular hiking route for Saigon locals

• Location: Tay Ninh, south Vietnam
• Level: Moderate. Multiple routes available
• Time: 3 – 4 hours

Whilst the best trekking in Vietnam lies mostly to the northern end of the country, Ba Den Mountain — also known as “Black Virgin Mountain” — offers a great adventure for those staying in or close to Saigon. At 986 meters high, Ba Den is the tallest mountain in the southeast, and a world away from the busy city. There are various routes up the mountain, but the “pagoda path”, which takes you via Ba Den Pagoda, is the most straightforward to follow.

The route combines a forest trail with stone steps, and a cable car can be taken for the descent. The three-hour journey from Saigon, three-hour walk, and subsequent return can all be undertaken in a day. With an early start, of course!

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Prior to embarking on these premier hiking trails in Vietnam, it’s advisable to enlist the services of a tour guide. This ensures you receive valuable advice and insights, enhancing your understanding and preparation before setting out on your adventure. Most importantly, Sun Getaways Travel wishes you a seamless journey and unforgettable experiences amidst Vietnam’s stunning landscapes.