Trekking through the Sapa
Overview: One destination that you cannot miss when coming to Vietnam is Sapa Valley. This place is world-famous for its cool climate and beautiful scenery, making it perfect for trekking and exploring. In addition to trekking through the valleys and pine forests, you can also visit and experience the daily life of the locals here. It can be said that this is one of the best treks in Vietnam that any tourist should experience at least once.
Sapa - Nature's Gift of Majestic Beauty
Difficulty: When starting a trekking journey through Sapa, your physical fitness is the most important aspect, especially for those with less experience in long-distance hiking.
Best time to go: The period from September to November or from March to May every year is the best time for you to experience this place as the air during this time is quite comfortable and cool.
Getting there from Hanoi - the steps: The most common means of transportation to get to Sapa Valley are by bus and train:
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By bus, you can depart from My Dinh bus station, and the travel time can take up to 6 hours with ticket prices ranging from 150,000 VND to 350,000 VND (approximately $6.52 and $15.22 USD) depending on the bus company you choose.
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By train, this is a safe option for you to consider. You can depart from Hanoi train station with a travel time of up to 8 hours and ticket prices for one-way journeys ranging from 200,000 to 1,200,000 VND ( approximately $8.70 to $52.17 USD) depending on the seat class.
Advice: To make your walking trip easier, you should prepare some essential gear and make a specific plan for the journey. This will help you save additional time so that you can experience more.
Trekking through the Sapa
Conquering the highest peak in Indochina - Mount Fansipan
Overview: Fansipan Peak, located in Lao Cai province, is not just the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia but also one of the best hikes in Vietnam. With an impressive elevation of 3,143 meters above sea level. This majestic mountain provides an exhilarating adventure for thrill-seekers while treating them to awe-inspiring natural scenery. It's no wonder that many tourists opt for this unforgettable experience when exploring Vietnam.
Difficulty: Conquering Fansipan requires facing challenges and demands good strength and physique.
The best time to go: The period from October to March of the following year is ideal for starting your trip. At this time, the air is cooler and you can especially experience the misty scenery.
How to get there from Hanoi - Steps: You can start your journey from Hanoi by various means of transportation such as bus or train:
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You can take a bus from nearby bus stations like Ha Noi SSB, Noi Bai Airport or on the route to Lao Cai, the average travel time is 5 hours and ticket prices range from 190,000 to 2,000,000 VND (approximately $8.26 and $86.96 USD) depending on the bus company.
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Trains are quite popular in Hanoi, you can start from Hanoi Station, the average travel time is 6 hours and ticket prices range from 200,000 to 1,000,000 VND(approximately $8.70 and $43.48 USD) depending on the seat class.
Advice: This will be a significant challenge that you need to overcome in order to experience nature on this mountain peak. To achieve that, you need to prepare thoroughly, such as footwear, clothing, and medication.
A foreign tourist has successfully conquered the peak of Fansipan
Hiking through the stunning nature of Cat Ba Island
Overview: Cat Ba is an island that you cannot miss when visiting Halong bay, Vietnam. It is recognized as one of the most worth-experiencing destinations. Cat Ba is covered with mountains and forests, providing a cool and pleasant atmosphere, especially in the morning. Starting a long walk here is something that you cannot miss to enjoy the natural beauty of this place.
Difficulty: Discovering this area by walking can take a lot of time and physical effort, you will need a good health and experience in hiking long distances.
The best time to go: The period from September to May is the time when this island has the freshest and coolest air for you to start your trekking journey.
How to get there from Hanoi - steps: There are many ways to get to Cat Ba Island, one of the popular ways is by taking a bus:
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Many bus companies have been deployed to make it faster for tourists to travel to this tourist destination. Some companies such as Cat Ba Express and Hoang Long allow you to travel to Halong Bay and from there you can take a ferry to Cat Ba Island, the average cost ranges from 150,000 to 400,000 VND (approximately $6.52 and $17.39 USD).
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Taking a coach bus can also be a good option if you want. You can take a coach bus from My Dinh Bus Station, which takes about 5-6 hours and costs around 150,000 to 300,000 VND (approximately $6.52 and $13.04 USD).
Advice: Prepare yourself with enough knowledge to start your trip and pay attention to your luggage. Bring motion sickness medication if you have health issues.
The stunning nature of Cat Ba Island
Discovering the beauty of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range
Overview: The Hoang Lien Son Range is a mountain Range in the Truong Son Mountains of Vietnam. It is filled with beautiful forests, stunning waterfalls, and captivating caves. The area is also inhabited by various ethnic minority communities. It is considered one of the best walks in Vietnam that many tourists choose. This location offers a fantastic opportunity to embark on a long and immersive journey along the scenic mountain range.
Difficulty: Exploring this area on foot can take a lot of time and physical exertion.
Best time to go: If you want a comfortable and smooth trip, the best time to go for the best hikes in Vietnam is from September to April each year. When the weather is dry and not too cold, making it easy for you to start your journey. However, if you want to experience the cold air and snow here, then from October to February of the following year will be a suitable choice.
Getting there from Hanoi - the steps: Similar to the trip to Lao Cai, you can choose from various modes of transportation such as buses or trains:
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There are many bus routes starting from Hanoi for you to choose from, choose the bus stations in Hanoi and after 4 - 6 hours you will be in Lao Cai and start your journey, the ticket price for this option falls in the range of 150,000 to 350,000 VND( approximately $6.52 and $15.22USD).
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Taking the train is a safe option as you can relax before arriving, you can go to Hanoi station and buy a ticket, the travel time can be up to 7 hours and the ticket price ranges from 200,000 to 1,000,000 VND (approximately $8.70 and $43.48 USD).
Advice: It is advisable to prepare well in terms of equipment, and if necessary, hiring a guide is also very important to ensure safety and gain more knowledge for your trip.
Discovering the beauty of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range
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Taking in the breathtaking Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces
Overview: Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces is one of the best hikes in Vietnam. It is a dream destination where you can immerse yourself in a magnificent landscape of terraced fields and shimmering golden rice paddies. Here, you can hike and experience picturesque scenery with thousands of such rice terraces that are like paintings.
Difficulty: The rice terraces with slippery and challenging paths can be difficult for some tourists without a specific itinerary.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
The best time to go: The optimal time to visit the Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces is during the months of September to November or April to May. In the fall season, the terraces transform into a stunning golden hue, presenting a truly magnificent landscape. On the other hand, April to May marks the start of the new rice crop, resulting in lush greenery and a refreshing ambiance throughout the area.
How to get there from Hanoi - Steps: To reach Mu Cang Chai, you will need to take a motorbike taxi or a bus:
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The bus system has been developed widely since the tourism area expanded, you can take a bus from My Dinh bus station to Nghia Lo - a nearby town of Mu Cang Chai, and then take a taxi. The travel time can be up to 7 hours and the fare is around 200,000 VND (approximately $8.70 USD).
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You can also rent a motorbike and travel there from Hanoi, which takes approximately 7-9 hours. The average daily rental price for a motorbike is 150,000 VND ( approximately $6.50 USD ).
Advice: To have a comfortable hiking and check-in experience here, you need to prepare a good amount of knowledge and physical fitness to climb high hills and bring suitable equipment and medication.
Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces
Before starting to explore these best hikes in Vietnam, it is recommended that you have a tour guide so that you can receive advice and gain more knowledge for yourself before starting your journey. Above all, we hope you will have a smooth trip and experience of the beautiful scenery in Vietnam.
