Vietnam

About

No longer in the shadow of war, Vietnam has become a fast growing and vibrant travel destination. With over 3,300km of coastline stretching from the South China Sea to the Gulf of Thailand, there are dozens of diverse landscapes not found elsewhere in Indochina. From protected coral ringed islands, to ancient stepped rice terraces, to deep within the world's largest cave passage, this tropical Asian nation has an adventure for everyone.

Top Spots

Hike Vietnam's Highest Mountain in 1 Day: Mt. Fansipan

QL 4D, Lào Cai, Vietnam, Vietnam

3.0

17.4 mi / 6561.7 ft gain

If you like mountains and challenging hikes, then this is a must-do while in Sapa. Most tourists will opt for the 2 day tour, with one night spent on the mountain (there is a 3 day tour, but that seems completely unnecessary). However, for someone in relatively good shape, a 1 day hike is totally doable (if arduous).You'll have to arrange a guide while in Sapa town, prices will vary based on yo...

Vietnam's 4 Islands Boat Tour

tp. Nha Trang, Vietnam

If you're staying in Nha Trang, you can book the 4 islands tour from any hostel or travel agency on the street for around $8-10 USD.The tour starts at 8:30 am with a pickup from your hostel, and then heads to the docks. You'll head out to the islands with your first stop at an island for some swimming and snorkeling. You'll hang out here for about 2 hours. Your boat will return with a full lu...

See Saigon From Above via the Bitexco Tower

1, Vietnam

3.0

Watch the Sunset from Ham Rong Mountain

tt. Sa Pa, Vietnam

This relatively short hike up Ham Rong starts from the city center. You'll have to pay about 70,000 VND ($3.25) for access to the mountain park, but it's worth doing it once while you're in Sapa. The path winds past many shops and park-like areas. It feels a bit manufactured, almost like Disneyland, but that detracts little from the beauty of the area.Take some time to explore around the park ...

Explore the Marble Mountains

Hòa Hải, Vietnam

1.9 mi / 328.1 ft gain

Located only a few minutes south of Danang stands 5 solid stone mountains that jut out of the coastal landscape. Surrounded by vendors and covered in shrines, these sacred hills each represent one of the elements and are filled with endless discoveries.Head down Lê Văn Hiến road from Danang or take the coastal highway about 9 kilometers south. Huyền Trân Công Chúa road connects them both and is...

Hike Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain

Thành phố Hạ Long, Vietnam

3 mi

This is one of the coolest, most scenic hikes I’ve ever done, up this gorgeous mountain through someone’s backyard, rocky slippery terrain, trees, shrubbery and barbed wire fence climbing. It's not for your beginning hiker and you should be in pretty decent shape. This place is called Poem Mountain, aka Bai Tho Mountain located in the city of Halong. The main reason to do this hike is for the...

Explore the Hidden Lagoon at Đầm Trầu Beach

Côn Đảo, Vietnam

0.6 mi / 32.8 ft gain

There are only a handful of beaches in Vietnam worth visiting as most are found on the edges of river deltas and steeped in mud. Out of the two tropical islands that offer sandy beaches, Côn Sơn Island is undeveloped and mostly a national park. If timed just right you can spend a few hours or an entire day in remote exclusion while being close to civilization on your own private beach.Protected...

Hike to Thác Hoài Dương Waterfall

Côn Đảo, Vietnam

3.1 mi / 492.1 ft gain

Take Võ Thị Sáu street north out of Côn Đảo for about 1 kilometer past the old park office on the left. The road will split to the right and fade to the left here. Continue on the left fork which is now Huỳnh Thúc Kháng street for about 50 meters. The road will split off to the right twice with a lower and upper road. The upper road is the main park entrance road and is freshly paved. Head up t...

Hike to Chieu Cave in Mai Chau

tt. Mai Châu, Vietnam

0.9 mi / 1200 ft gain

The town of Mai Chau is in the Hòa Banh Province of Vietnam, about 3 hours outside of the capital, Hanoi. Everyone in town can point you in the direction of the cave. Finding directions online beforehand would be less helpful since the roads don't have great signage. But when pointed in the right direction, you can find your way to the trailhead no more than 300m from the main road in town. The...

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Guides and stories

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