Ta Nang – Phan Dung – The Most Surreal Trail
© Trung Phạm
Ta Nang – Phan Dung is a hiking trail through three provinces: Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan. With a total length of 55 kilometers and surreal scenery like no other, it is hands down the most beautiful hiking trail in Vietnam. You can hike Ta Nang – Phan Dung anytime, because it’s actually stunning all year round. If the rainy season appeals to you with the most drop-dead gorgeous green grass, the dry season captures travelers with classic yellow grass and shrubs.
Observing the view from top of the hill is the cherry on top. From here, you will be completely mesmerized with the hearty “feast” that is well-tended by mother nature, including vast lush green grass, peaceful forest, and addictive cool air. Words cannot describe its beauty enough, so you have to get here to understand!
Yen Tu – The Home of Life and Buddhism Morality
© vietravelasia.com
Dating back a thousand years ago, Buddhism has been the main religion of the country. And after King Tran Nhan Tong resigned, he chose Yen Tu to become his contemplative destination. This explains why in the heart of Vietnamese people, Yen Tu is not only a high mountain but also the place where the bold Buddhist tales originated. Hiking to the top of Yen Tu mountain will let you feel the stream of life and morality.
From the bottom to the top, the length to Yen Tu Mountain is nearly six kilometers. During the journey, you may encounter rocky slopes and slippery routes. One tip to avoid embarrassing yourself is to utilize a tree branch as a hiking stick. The trail will take you to murmuring streams, a poetic bamboo forest, and dozens of hundred-year-old trees waiting for you to visit. One small note is to not step on the tree roots while you’re hiking. Some trees may live up to a thousand years old, and they need to be protected.
Fansipan – The Indochina Rooftop
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Even if you’re not a fan of hiking, you might have heard about Fansipan – the rooftop of not only Vietnam but Indochina! It is 3,143 meters high and belongs to the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. Fansipan has always been a symbol of courage since the day it was born around 100 million years ago. Life on Fansipan mountain is so diverse that there are 1,680 plant species and lots of them are rare. The higher you climb up, the closer you get to the clouds. Admire the fairy landscape at dawn and paddling in the fog and clouds are both truly unforgettable experiences.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
© greendiscoveryindochina
Pu Luong National Park is breathtaking with its pristine beauty of primeval forest, terraced fields, and indigenous people. The most interesting thing when traveling to Pu Luong National Park is to conquer Pu Luong peak. If you are adventurous, you can climb Pu Luong Peak with the height of 1,700 meters. At the peak of Pu Luong mountain, you can admire the full poetic landscape. Remember to try the food here, it’s truly delicious and can knock you down at the very first bite! The candidates are grilled chicken, grilled rice, and a special alcohol called ruou can.
Nui Chua National Park – Where Desert, Ocean, and Forest Combine
© Gavin White / Flickr
Although Nui Chua mountain is approximately 1,000 meters above the sea level, it is not easy to conquer. Why not? Because Nui Chua mountain has the roughest, toughest, and hottest weather of Vietnam. The higher you climb, the more dehydrated you’re going be. That’s why many people admit that climbing Nui Chua is even harder than Fansipan mountain. And don’t forget to check out Hang Rai – the cave close to the ocean. It is truly mind-blowing to see the algae growing on the coral under the clear water.
Ba Be National Park
© toquoc.vn
Ba Be national park will completely amaze you with romantic lakes, mysterious caves, and countless streams. At the heart of the national park is Ba Be Lake which is eight kilometers long and 800 meters wide. If you’ve been dreaming about a peaceful, relaxing, and poetic hiking spot, this is the one for you!