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Fed up with the endless rush of daily life? Sometimes all you need is a quiet trail and a view that makes you stop for a while. Vietnam has countless places like that. Read on with Asia King Travel as our list of the best hiking destinations in Vietnam will make you want to lace up your boots right away.
Sometimes, all you need is a quiet Vietnamese trail with a view that takes your breath away
Vietnam has been considered a great destination for hiking among many travelers. There are some obvious reasons for this praise.
To begin with, Vietnam’s geographical diversity is exceptional for a country of its size. Within a few hundred kilometers, hikers can encounter a wide range of terrains. You want valleys? No problems. And whether it’s terraced rice fields, highlands, or forests, Vietnam has them all. Such variety enables travelers to experience multiple ecosystems in just one journey.
Vietnam boasts remarkable geographical diversity for a nation of its scale
Beyond its landscapes, Vietnam has another thing to offer: its cultural heritage. Many of the country’s trails lead through villages inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the H’mong, Ba Na, Tay, and Ede. Trekking through their homelands, you not only admire spectacular views but also engage deeply with local life.
Last but not least, we shouldn’t forget about Vietnam’s supportive tourism infrastructure. On the one hand, a strong network of local homestays and tour operators like us makes planning a hike really simple. Moreover, transportation links between major cities and rural areas have improved significantly, allowing you to reach even the most remote destinations with ease.
Location: Tuyen Quang Province, Northern Vietnam
Duration: Full-day to Multi-day hike
Among various hiking trails in Vietnam, Dong Van Karst Plateau stands out as the top-tier. It serves as a living record of the Earth’s history, with fossilized layers that date back millions of years.
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Of all the hiking trails in Vietnam, Dong Van Karst Plateau truly stands out as one of the finest
A small tip for you is to pay attention to the window you hike at Dong Van Plateau, as there are unique attractions for each season.
In spring, peach and plum blossoms along the way, while many local fairs are held. During summer, the weather remains cool, making it ideal for long-distance trekking. As autumn approaches, golden rice terraces dominate the scenery, and yes, those pictures on social media are captured at this time.
Moving on, we have buckwheat flowers season between October and December. Their soft pink hues turn the whole landscape into a romantic background that you will never want to miss out on.
One of the most striking routes in the Dong Van Karst Plateau is the Ma Pi Leng Pass
A remarkable route at Dong Van Karst Plateau is the Ma Pi Leng Pass, which connects Dong Van Town with Meo Vac. The trail meanders along cliffs overlooking the Nho Que River. If you want panoramic views of the plateau, don’t forget to visit Lung Cu Flag Tower. Finally, when you reach Meo Vac District, let’s take a stroll through traditional markets where local people gather to exchange goods.
Read more: Ha Giang Tour 3 days: A Scenic Journey through Dong Van
Location: Annamite range, Quang Ngai Province, Central Vietnam
Duration: 2-3 days
Moving on from the previous trails, let’s explore a tougher hiking route in Vietnam, the one that leads to Ngoc Linh Peak.
To conquer this “roof of Central Highlands”, you will have to climb 2,598 meters. Just the mountain’s height alone is enough to answer why Ngoc Linh Peak can make it to the list of top hiking destinations in Vietnam. So don’t hesitate longer, keep scrolling to obtain the most useful information before planning your adventure here.
The ideal period to explore Ngoc Linh Peak is from December to March
First of all, the best time to visit Ngoc Linh Peak falls between December and March, when the weather conditions support a comfortable trek. To be more specific, these months possess not only cool air but also the best visibility to make everything safer, especially for less experienced hikers.
Your journey often starts in Ngoc Linh Commune. Here, the path winds through rice terraces and then gives way to dense forest. Most trekkers would stop at Xe Dang’s village to rest before actually climbing the mountain.
The breathtaking panorama from the top of Ngoc Linh
As you go higher, this forest would change from towering trees to mossy ridges, and the sound of waterfalls becomes your only companion. If you are lucky enough, you might encounter some wild orchids, rhododendrons, and rare jungle plants on your way up to Ngoc Linh Peak.
Eventually, after six hours of hiking, the summit rewards you with sweeping views of nature. You have officially conquered the highest peak of Central Vietnam from that moment.
Location: Stretching across the two provinces of Dong Nai and Lam Dong, Southern Vietnam
Duration: 1-3 days
When people think about where to go hiking in Vietnam, they often picture misty mountains in the far north. Yet, the southern part of our country also holds its own treasure: Cat Tien National Park.
Spanning more than 70,000 hectares across Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces, this tropical forest is one of Vietnam’s most biodiverse regions. It shelters rare animal species, many of which are listed in the national Red Data Book.
Cat Tien National Park is among the most biologically diverse areas in Vietnam
According to many Vietnam hiking guides, the most suitable time to explore the park is between November and May. During these months, you can walk deep into the jungle without worrying about slippery trails or unexpected rain.
In terms of the most popular routes at Cat Tien National Park, the Bau Sau Trail is definitely worth mentioning. About fourteen kilometers from the park center, the first part of this route can be covered by car or bicycle, while the final five kilometers must be completed on foot.
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Bau Sau is home to more than sixty freshwater crocodiles
Besides, Bau Sau is home to more than sixty freshwater crocodiles, and watching them glide through the still water is a can’t-miss experience while you’re hiking here. For safety reasons, as this is a managed crocodile habitat, you are required to contact the forest ranger station in advance before hiking in this area.
Read more: Cat Tien National Park Tour 2-Day: Wildlife and Jungle Adventure
Location: Lang Biang - Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province, Highland of Vietnam
Duration: Half-day hike
After exploring hiking spots across Vietnam from North to South, our final stop will be the Lang Biang Mountain range in the Central Highlands. Here, there are three main peaks: Ong, Ba, and Ra Da. While most visitors are only familiar with Ra Da, the true summit of Lang Biang is actually Ba Mountain, with a height of 2,167 meters.
Lang Biang has two distinct seasons for you to visit: the rainy season (from April to October) and the dry season (from November to March). Rainy months often make the trail muddy, not to mention the presence of mosquitoes and leeches.
That’s why we assume the best time to hike is during the dry season. Around late December or early spring, you will even have a chance to witness cherry blossoms paint the hillsides pink.
After hiking across Vietnam, our journey ends at Lang Biang Mountain in the Central Highlands
Overall, the trek to the top usually takes about seven hours and can be divided into two main parts. The shorter one is a 5.5-kilometre paved road leading up to Ra Da Peak. After that, the real adventure lies on the longer trail of 10.6 kilometres. Its rugged terrain leads to the highest peak of Lang Biang Range.
Along your way up, you will notice how Lang Biang Mountain’s vegetation changes with altitude. Be careful when you reach the final ascent because it can be steeper than any point on the trail. However, the panoramic view awaiting you at the top would make your effort worthwhile. From here, you can see the Da Lat spread beneath you like a miniature painting.
Now that you know how beautiful these hiking destinations in Vietnam can be, it’s time to step into the real thing. With Asia King Travel’s Vietnam hiking tours, you’ll experience every breathtaking view and discover the story behind each trail. Contact us today and make your next journey unforgettable!
Read more: Trekking Tours Vietnam
