By aussiematesvietnam 
G’day Fellow Adventurers!
There’s something about lacing up a good pair of hiking boots that makes this old bloke’s heart sing. After calling Vietnam home for nearly 20 years now, Tracy and I have tramped along more trails than we can count. From the misty mountains of the north to the lush valleys of the central highlands, Vietnam offers some ripper hiking experiences that most tourists completely miss out on.
When we first arrived here from Down Under, we had no idea that Vietnam was such a trekking paradise. Most Aussies think of Vietnam and picture bustling cities, bowl-shaped boats, and bowls of steaming pho. But crikey, there’s so much more to discover when you venture off the beaten track and into Vietnam’s spectacular wilderness.
So grab a cold one, kick back, and let me share some of our favorite Vietnamese hiking trails that’ll have you reaching for your backpack and booking flights before you finish reading.
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Sapa’s Terraced Magnificence
If you’re after jaw-dropping views that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy, Sapa is your spot. Located in Vietnam’s northwest, this mountainous region is home to ethnic minorities like the Hmong and Dao people who’ve shaped these mountains into stunning terraced rice fields.
Tracy and I first ventured here back in 2005, and we’ve returned at least a dozen times since. The classic trek from Sapa town through the Muong Hoa Valley to villages like Cat Cat, Lao Chai, and Ta Van offers spectacular scenery that changes with the seasons. Go between May and October to see the emerald green rice paddies at their best, or September-October for the golden harvest hues.
Fair dinkum, the locals here are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet. Many offer homestay experiences, which I reckon gives you a much more authentic experience than the fancy hotels in town. Just be prepared for some potent rice wine – it’s considered rude to refuse a toast, as I learned the hard way!
Top tip: Hire a local guide. Not only does this provide income to the communities, but they’ll show you spots you’d never find on your own. Our guide Chi took us to her grandmother’s house where we helped make traditional indigo fabric – an experience you won’t find in any guidebook.
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Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secret
About 160km southwest of Hanoi lies Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and blimey, it’s a beauty! This lesser-known destination offers similar terraced landscapes to Sapa but with a quarter of the tourists. Tracy reckons it’s her favorite spot in all of Vietnam, and that’s saying something after two decades of exploration.
The 3-day trek between Mai Chau and Pu Luong takes you through Thai and Muong villages, bamboo forests, and past massive water wheels used for irrigation. The biodiversity here is incredible – the reserve is home to 89 mammal species and over 160 types of birds.
What makes this trek special is the serenity. Unlike the more commercial trails, here you can walk for hours meeting only farmers tending their fields and water buffalo having a splash in the streams. It’s Vietnam as it was twenty years ago when we first arrived.
If you’re pushing 60 like me and worried about the difficulty, no worries – there are plenty of homestays along the way, so you can take it at your own pace. The trails range from easy walks along valley floors to more challenging climbs up to mountain viewpoints.
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Bach Ma National Park: From Mountain to Beach
For those of you who can’t decide between mountain and beach (typical indecisive Aussies, eh?), Bach Ma National Park near Hue is your answer. This hidden gem rises from sea level to 1,450 meters in just a few kilometers, creating five distinct ecological zones.
The Summit Trail is a ripper – a 15km trek that takes you through dense forests, past spectacular waterfalls, and up to a lookout where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the South China Sea (or the East Sea as the locals call it).
Tracy and I spent three days exploring Bach Ma back in 2015, staying in renovated French colonial villas within the park. The mist that often shrouds the mountaintop creates an eerie, prehistoric feel. You half expect to see a dinosaur wander past!
The Do Quyen waterfall trail is a must-do, though be prepared for some serious stair climbing – about 700 steps down to the base of the falls (and yes, you’ll have to climb back up). Your knees might hate you the next day, but your camera will thank you.
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Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Where Caves and Jungle Meet
If you’re the type who gets excited about underground adventures as well as overground ones, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park should be high on your list. This UNESCO World Heritage site in central Vietnam boasts some of the world’s most spectacular caves set amid pristine jungle.
While the famous Son Doong Cave (the world’s largest) requires a booking made months in advance and a few thousand dollars, there are plenty of other trekking options that combine cave exploration with jungle hiking.
The 8km Tiger Cave and Paradise Cave trek is our go-to recommendation for first-timers. It takes you through dense jungle, across streams, and into two magnificent caves. The contrast between the steamy jungle and the cool, otherworldly cave environments is something special.
Last year, Tracy and I tried the Tu Lan Cave expedition, which involves swimming through underwater cave passages. At 58, I was the oldest in our group but managed to keep up with the young backpackers (though I may have exaggerated my swimming abilities beforehand – sorry Tracy!).
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Cat Tien National Park: Wildlife and Wilderness
Just a few hours from the chaos of Ho Chi Minh City lies Cat Tien National Park, one of Vietnam’s most important nature reserves. This lowland tropical forest offers relatively easy walking trails, making it perfect for those days when you want to spot wildlife rather than test your endurance.
The 5km Botanic Garden trail and the 10km Crocodile Lake trek are our favorites. Start early (around 5:30 am) for the best chance of seeing some of the park’s residents – gibbons, langurs, and over 350 bird species call this place home.
On our last visit, Tracy managed to spot a family of yellow-cheeked gibbons swinging through the canopy – a rare sight that had her grinning like a kid for days afterward. I was too busy swatting mosquitoes to notice, but that’s another story!
The park offers basic but comfortable lodges, or you can camp if you’re feeling adventurous. Either way, falling asleep to the symphony of jungle sounds is an experience you won’t forget.
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Practical Tips for Vietnam Hiking
- Best Time to Hike: October to April offers the most pleasant temperatures and less rain in most regions. Avoid the rainy season (May-September) in central Vietnam.
- What to Pack: Good walking shoes (not necessarily heavy hiking boots for most trails), lightweight quick-dry clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
- Guided vs. Independent: While some areas can be explored independently, local guides enhance the experience with cultural insights and ensure you don’t get lost. They’re also reasonably priced compared to Australian standards.
- Fitness Level: Most trails can be adapted to various fitness levels. Be honest about your capabilities when booking guided treks.
- Respect Local Customs: When