Summary

Hiking and Trekking in Vietnam

Despite the huge variety of facilities and methods of transport available to the modern day traveller, in the end, there is nothing to beat the oldest travel method of all - walking!

Whether that means strolling around the old Quarter in Hanoi or reaching some hill tribe village after trekking through dense rainforest and crossing mountain paths, there is a great satisfaction to having done it under your own steam. And there are some places that can only be reached on foot.

Vietnam offers innumerable opportunities for hiking and trekking, whether it be in the highlands of the north, the fertile plateau of the Central Highlands, or the flat wetlands of the Mekong Delta in the south.

The highlands of north-west Vietnam are real hiking territory. You can get out among the hill tribe villages and meet the various ethnic minorities. The Mai Chau valley is one good starting point. From here you can trek to H'mong minority villages such as Sa Linh, then on through tropical rain forest, using the local tracks to reach the Thai area where you can spend the night in a typical Thai stilt house. Next, you can walk on towards Mai Chau town which is surrounded by picturesque Thai villages.

The more energetic, may choose to tackle Phan Xi Pang or Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest mountain, dubbed "the Roof of Indochina". The trek begins in the town of Sapa from where you walk among the hill villages, home to the H'mong people. The mountain here is covered in forest and most treks climb to 1,650 metres before pitching tents and enjoying a meal around the camp fire.

The next day is the most strenuous as you continue to the summit. A lunch break at 2,220m allows you the chance to look back at the breathtaking views of the Sapa valley before climbing to 2,900m and another overnight stop. The third day takes you through bamboo forest to the Pahan Si Pan Summit at 3,143m. It is a strenuous climb, but worth the effort to find yourself standing on the roof of IndoChina.

In the Central Highlands, the Ba Na region around Kon Tum offers ideal hiking. You can pass through cassava and sugar plantations and have dinner in a communal village house, known as a Rong. You can the nearby Lak Lake and perhaps give your legs a rest by taking a short elephant ride then spend the night in a traditional longhouse.

The Mekong Delta, too is full of minority villages and waterways, but the land here is much more flat, allowing for more sedate hiking. You can visit the many floating markets, ethnic villages, farm lands etc.

Around Ho Chi Minh City are many reminders of the Vietnam War, most of which can be reached by foot for those interested in this period of history. One memorable site is the 75-mile long complex of tunnels at Củ Chi which has been preserved and turned into a war memorial park.

The most popular trekking, hiking package tours in Vietnam are jungle trekking, mountain hiking, countryside hitch-hiking, walking, rambling adventures; The most wanted destinations for trekking, hiking are located in the North Vietnam such as Sapa, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Ha Giang. The central highland including Dalat, Kon Tum, Pleiku, Dak Lak can also be good places for short trekking, hiking tour.

Althrough the non-stop growth of our business, our mission remains unchanged - to customize high quality jungle trekking, mountain hiking, countryside hitch-hiking, walking, rambling tours at low cost for those who like discovering the real and authentic Vietnam.

Here we have only given a few suggestions for hiking and trekking in Vietnam. The possibilities are limitless.

* GTT Vietnam Hiking & Trekking Tour Package

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary in brief
DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HANOI
DAY  2: HANOI - LAO CAI
DAY 3: LAO CAI - SAPA
DAY 4: SAPA - TAVAN
DAY 5: TAVAN - DEN THANG
DAY 7: BAN HO - THANH PHU
DAY 8: THANH PHU - BEN DEN
DAY 9: HANOI - HALONG
DAY  10: HALONG - HANOI
DAY  11: HANOI - DEPARTURE

Detail Itinerary

DAY  2: HANOI - LAO CAI
This morning we enjoy a half day city tour, seeing the the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi. The next stop of our trip is the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see on our forthcoming days. We also visit the Temple of Literature and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. The reminder of the day is free for your own exploration of Ha Noi until transferring to the rail way station for a night train to Lao Cai. The train conditions are very basic however we will travel in soft sleeper class which is compartment for 4 passengers. O/N on board .(B)

DAY 3: LAO CAI - SAPA
The train journey arrives in Laocai this morning. We embark on a scenic drive uphill to SaPa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa is the former hill retreat for French administrators when the heat in plain became unbearable. The remoteness and simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are very basic. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. O/N in Sa Pa. (B)

DAY 4: SAPA - TAVAN
Today we get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region. On the way we pass by the hill villages of  San Sa Ho and Lao Chai which are home of the Black Hmong hill-tribe people. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We finish our walking day on arrival at Ta Van village  where we are guest of a Zay family. The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities. O/N at Ta Van village. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: TAVAN - DEN THANG
The  majority of local trails follows undulating mountainsides therefore our trek will involve some uphill and downhill walking, but it is still an unforgettable experience. A part of the  pleasure of our adventure is the simple joy of seeing the verdant and rugged mountain scenery  and the lifestyle of local people. We ascend a very steep slope before arriving at Den Thang. This remote village is conquered by the Hmong hill tribe people who are very poor, but have an interesting history and a colorful culture. O/N at Den Thang Village. (B.L,D)

DAY 6: DEN THANG - BAN HO
Upon leaving the village of our previous night we set off on a full day walk towards Ban Ho. The trekking of today is also challenging; however some physical preparation will allow you to maximize enjoyment from the walk. Along the way we pass through several hamlets, and are sure to attraction attention as this part of the country receives very few visitors. On arrival at Ban Ho village by mid afternoon we will have time to walk around this charming village, enabling us to understand a little more about their culture and lifestyle. O/N at Ban Ho village. (B,L,D)

DAY 7: BAN HO - THANH PHU
The extremely beautiful mountain region around Sapa is ideal for anyone seeking a true adventure and trekking expedition. We continue venturing into the lowland with  stopover at the Xa Pho, Tay hill tribe villages, just some of Vietnam's most colorful ethnic minority groups. After a full walking day, we reach our final destination, the Tay hill tribe village of  Thanh Phu which is situated in a picturesque valley. Here we will be toasted as honored guests and will be sample some of their homemade rice wine!. O/N at Thanh Phu village. (B,L,D)

DAY 8: THANH PHU - BEN DEN
The impressive way to complete our trekking expeditions  is a few hour walk along the local path. On arrival at the small village of Ben Den, we meet up with our local transport and take a short drive to Pho Lu for a night train back to Ha Noi. The train conditions are basic; however this journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real Vietnam'. The food on board is not the best you will have in Vietnam, so we recommend you to prepare some foods, water, snack . O/N on board. (B,L

DAY 9: HANOI - HALONG
An early morning arrival in Hanoi. We enjoy a shower before travelling by roads to Halong Bay. We make stop en route in Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. This charming town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are  the Hang Kenh Communal House, the Du Hang Pagoda,  the Hang Kenh Carpet Factory and the vibrant Sat Market. A drive through tree lined boulevards punctuated with many striking French colonial architecture, will deliver us to some of these landmarks. We continue our journey Halong Bay and spend the remainder of the day for a well - earned rest on Bai Chay Beach. O/N in Ha Long. (B)

DAY  10: HALONG - HANOI
The legendary Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. Today we embark on a sailing boat for an exploration of this wondrous bay, which is dotted with some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we make our way back to Ha Noi, arriving in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets. O/N in Ha Noi. (B,L)

Departure & Price

INCLUDING
+ Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver in delta and local transport in mountain
+ Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels, guesthouses or similar one and home stay during the trek or tent
+ English or French speaking guide and local guide for trekking
+ Meals as mentioned:B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
+ Train ticket ( soft sleeper cabin for 4 passengers)
+ Entrance fee to indicated sights
+ Permit and porter for trekking
+ Sleeping bag and mattresses
+ Waterproof bluebag for luggage
+ Tents if needed
+ Mosquito net
+ Water puppet show
+ Cyclo trip
+ Boat trip
+ Motorbike
+ Water, Fruit and Snack (3L/ pax/ day)
+ Equipment

NOT INCLUDING
+ Other meals
+ tip
+ drinks
+ airport tax
+ single room supplement
+ personal expenses
+ travel insurance
+ visa
+ flight in/ out of Vietnam
+ any optional additional tours or activities during free time
+ surcharge for peak season
+ local holiday days and gala dinner (X’mas, New Year & Tet “Lunar New Year”)

We turn what you have in mind into fabulous experience!
You might have decided a specific plan to visit Vietnam and countries around. Now, you need a trustworthy tour operator to review, optimize and carry out this plan. As a tailor-made tour operator specializing in Vietnam and countries of Indochina (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and/or countries around), we are confident that Asian Trail Tours will be your best choice. Because no other company puts more efforts in every detail of your personal requirement than we do. Our service guarantees not only a smooth journey but also an enjoyable experience belonging to you and yours. (more about us)

Travel facts

Asian Trail Tours - Traveller Tips for Vietnam

GEOGRAPHY: Vietnam stretches over 1600 km.along the eastern coast of the IndochinaPeninsula. The S-shaped country is broad in the north and south and very narrow in the centre. Almost 80% of Vietnam consists of mountains and hills. The TruongSonMountains extend almost the length of Vietnam along the borders with Laos and Cambodia.

VISAS: All visitors are required to have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas for regular visitors. All visitors must obtain visa approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department before a visa is issued.

MONEY: The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used informally throughout the country. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 100,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately 18,000d = US$1. Australia Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, some international hotel and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and MasterCard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops.

ELECTRICITY: Electric current in Vietnam is 220 volts and will operate all Australian appliances. Always carry a torch with fresh batteries. Recharge photographic batteries regularly.

CLOTHING: Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home

CLIMATE / WEATHER: Vietnam’s weather conditions are pleasant for visitors throughout the year. The WINTER monsoon comes from the northeast between October and March with wet chilly conditions in the north, but dry warm temperatures to the south. From April to October the southwest monsoons bring warm, humid weather to the whole country.

LANGUAGE: Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people

ACCOMMODATION: All group tour hotels have been especially selected. All have private western bathroom facilities. Laundry service can launder clothing within 24 hours. It is not customary for all hotels to have refrigerator and tea/coffee facilities.

FOOD / DRINK: The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.

SHOPPING: Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

TOILETS: Public toilets can sometimes be difficult to find. Take every opportunity you can to use clean toilets in hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit on your stay.

HEALTH: Consult your medico or visit the Traveller Medical and Vaccination Centre for professional medical advice well in advance of your departure, Wash hands before and after eating. Carry ‘wet-ones’,anti bacterial handwash, insect repellant, band aids and emergency medicines eg. Diarrhoea. Drink plenty of water and have adequate rest. Seek medical care, if needed. Don’t take risks with health and personal hygiene.

SAFETY / SECURITY: Always maintain a high level of personal security. Cash or wallets in pockets, obvious jewellery and open bags attract unwanted attention. Beware of pickpockets in crowded places. Lock your case, Carry a hotel card so that taxis know where to take you.

LUGGAGE: All passengers are limited to TWO items of luggage each. One case with maximum weight weight of 20 kg. and maximum size of 70 litres. It is essential to lock this case. One piece of hand luggage with maximum weight of 5 kg. It is advisable that hand luggage consist of a ‘daypack’ to carry camera, water, toilet paper, umbrella, hat etc.

TIPPING: Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped.

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