Vietnam’s remarkable scenery and breathtaking landscape make it the perfect hiking destination. The welcoming and charming country offers excellent trekking trails for both the more experienced as well as less strenuous options. With every view looking postcard-worthy, it’s no wonder trekkers are swarming to the southeast Asian country.

How to arrange your visa

Getting visa on arrival Vietnam

The majority of people will require a visa to travel to Vietnam so it’s important to make sure you’ve double checked your visa requirements before booking anything. Some tourists can travel visa-free for up to 14 days however if you’re looking to explore Vietnam for longer, which is definitely advisable then you need to arrange your visa.

Evisa-Vietnam.com can help do everything for you so you don’t need to stress about your visa. Whether you need an E-Visa or Visa on arrival, they can sort it out. All you need to do is fill out a simple form, follow the instructions, pay the fees and wait for your visa.

1. Cat Ba National Park

Trekkers walking in the dense jungle of the Cat Ba National Park, Halong bay, Vietnam

On an island near Ha Long Bay, you can find Cat Ba National Park. If you’re looking for a long yet beautiful hike, there’s an 18km hike trailing up and down a mountain. The roughly six-hour trek is a pretty hard hike but the wildlife and natural beauty more than make up for it.

2. Sapa

Fansipan peak – the roof of Indochina located in Sapa, Lao Cai Province, Northern of Vietnam

A well-known hiking destination is Sapa, not only for Fansipan Mountain but its surrounding area. The landscape is unlike anything else with rolling hills and terraced rice paddies. Sapa is the perfect place to find a hike that’s just right for you with so many options of varying levels. Take a two-day hike up Fansipan Mountain, rising early to reach the summit before sunrise or take one of the trails to an ethnic minority village nearby.

3. Lang Biang Mountain

View from Lang Biang mountain or roof of Dalat city

Located in Da Lat, Lang Biang Mountain is one of the tallest mountains in the area. As well as an excellent hiking spot you can also take part in rock climbing and camping. The views of the city from the summit are amazing and the cool temperate of Da Lat makes for great hiking weather.

4. Cao Bang

A view of Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang Province, Northern Vietnam

A four-day trek will take you past several hill tribes and Vietnam’s largest waterfall – Ban Gioc Waterfall. Considered one of the top trekking spots in Southeast Asia, the Cao Bang province has a strong ethnic culture and is a five-hour drive from Hanoi, featuring mountains, caves and lakes. Simply fly into Hanoi then get the bus or a private car to Cao Bang and book your trek. There are a number of hiking options to choose from including both an eight-day or six-day option for Ba Be National Park and Cao Bang Trekking.

5. Yen Tu Mountain

A view from Yen Tu Mountain – Quang Ninh

Yen Tu in the province of Quang Ninh is home to several beautiful Buddhist temples and offers a one of a kind hiking experience. The whole trek from start to finish lasts around 12 hours, with the highest temple being at 600m. Along the way, you’ll stop at a number of temples and shrines to really immerse yourself in the religion. There are approximately a thousand stairs to climb with steeps slopes so you will need a certain level of endurance to complete the trek.

6. Nam Cat Tien National Park

Jungle in Nam Cat Tien National Park (Southern Vietnam). Evergreen Tropical Forest

The national park is a five-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City and is one of the country’s most protected areas. The park is home to a number of fascinating creatures including gibbons, wild boar, deer and black-shanked douc. As one of Vietnam’s killer trekking destinations, the gibbon trek sets off from the Forest Floor Lodge early in the morning and offers up an incredible way to view the gibbons.

7. Bach Moc Luong Tu Mountain

Trekking to Bach Moc Luong Tu Mountain in Lao Cai Province, Northern Vietnam

Much less known than the popular Fansipan mountain, Bach Moc Luong Tu Mountain is the fourth highest peak in Vietnam, at 3046 metres. Expect heights and scrambling over steep rocks for long periods of time. The terrain is dense and often boggy with trees and rocks so expect a challenge with this trail. The three-day trek is very rewarding and the views at sunset are fantastic.

8. Ha Giang

A view in Dong Van (Ha Giang)

Sharing a border with China, Ha Giang is the northernmost point of Vietnam. A much more rugged and untouched trekking option, the trails fall far off the tourist circuit. There are several trails that go along the mountain from Dong Van to Meo Vac town which can be very challenging. There are much fewer options for accommodation and dining and your guide may not speak English, the views, however, are unbelievable.