Chaotic motorbike-filled streets, a maze of bustling night markets, steaming bowls of pho eaten beside the road on small plastic chairs: these experiences epitomise visiting vibrant Vietnam.
But combined with natural landscapes that look almost like something out of the Avatar world, Vietnam offers travellers not only a vibrant culture, but an abundance of adventurous outdoor experiences as well. There are so many incredible outdoor activities to do in Vietnam, but why?
Geographically, Northern Vietnam is largely mountainous (about half of the country) with lush valleys and attractive terraces cut into hillsides for rice cultivation, like in the region of Sapa. The area experiences cooler temperatures and misty conditions, especially in winter.
The landscape in Southern Vietnam offers a contrast: low, flat and often marshy or with expansive river deltas, like the Mekong, and swathed in tropical rainforest. The climate is warm year-round, often very humid.
This variety in climate and geography means travellers can enjoy a wide choice of activities. Plus, all on a budget too, as it’s one of the cheapest countries to travel in the world! There are simply countless exciting outdoor activities in Vietnam that will suit every type of thrill-seeker.
Here are my top eight picks!
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Canyoning in Da Lat
Da Lat’s surrounding hills and network of rivers and waterfalls create the ideal setting for canyoning. Here, you can abseil down a dry cliff, slide over water-eroded rocks, conquer a 25-metre waterfall, then free jump into natural pools.
Canyoning is one of the most adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities in Vietnam and undoubtedly not for the faint-hearted. It can be frighteningly challenging yet exhilaratingly fun.
Canyoning in Da Lat centres around Dalanta Waterfalls. You need to book a tour with an authorised company for your safety and convenience. The excursion costs around $60-75 per person and includes hotel transfer, an English-speaking guide, safety equipment and lunch.
Most trips consist of five to seven participants but could go as many as 15 people. For the best experience, look for a tour company that caters to smaller groups.
Although canyoning seems daunting, it does not require you to have prior experience. Be sure to wear water shoes with a good grip and light, quick-drying clothes over your swimwear.
To capture the spectacular moments, remember to bring a waterproof camera or GoPro!
Caving in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park
Located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in the Quảng Bình Province, the iconic Son Doong Cave, the largest on the planet, was only made accessible to the public in 2013.
The cave is so massive that it could accommodate several forty-story buildings. Inside are striking stalactites and stalagmites, cave pearls, underground rivers, 150 individual caves, and a jungle with trees as high as 50 metres.
Due to conservation efforts, access to Son Doong is limited to 1000 tourists a year, and all groups should not exceed ten visitors per tour. Presently, only Oxalis Adventure has the licence to conduct tours. The four-day expedition costs $3,000 per head and includes a guide, cooks, porters, safety personnel and a park ranger.
If Son Doong is the largest cave, Paradise Cave is the longest dry cave in Asia.
Also situated in the UNESCO Heritage listed Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng, Paradise spans 31 kilometres, although only the first one is open to visitors. A wooden staircase descends into the cave, then winds around otherworldly stalagmites and stalactites that are illuminated by giant floodlights. The result is a surreal and mesmerising underground paradise.
You can explore Paradise Cave on your own or join a guided tour. The entrance fee is $22, excluding the fare for an electronic car that will take you to the road leading up to the cave. However, you can walk the 1-km distance if you don’t mind a little exercise. Be sure to visit in the morning to avoid the afternoon crowd.
Trekking in Sapa
The picturesque town of Sapa sits on the Hoàng Liên Son Mountain range and overlooks the Muong Hoa Valley. Stunning and unspoiled, Sapa is the perfect starting point for trekking Vietnam’s northwestern highlands.
Unexplored trails meandering up and down steep hills and along rice terraces lead to villages where ethnic tribes have lived for hundreds of years. Sapa is also the base for climbs to Fansipan, the country’s tallest mountain.
You can hike solo, especially if you’re on a day trip to Sapa. However, if you intend to explore off-the-beaten routes or get on a multi-day trip, be sure to take a guide with you.
You can get lodgings for overnight stays on the spot. But if you wish to spend a few days at a village homestay, make arrangements ahead of time.
Some parts of Sapa have become touristy, with hotels, shops, restaurants and bars popping up to accommodate the visitors. For a more serene and authentic mountain experience, head to the neighbouring villages of Lao Chai or Ta Van.
Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
Not all adventure travels in Vietnam are adrenaline-fuelled. Some are relaxing and soothing, like paddling on the bright emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. Kayaking through the bay allows you to reach stunning spots that larger vessels cannot access.
Head to the tiny but beautiful Luon Cave or the mystical but romantic Trinh Nu Cave. Row to the fishing villages of Vung Vieng, Cap La and Cua Van or go around the islands of Cong Do and Hon Co. Make a side trip to the enchanting Ba Trai Dao Islet and the secluded Ba Ham Lake.
You don’t have to be on a cruise to enjoy kayaking in Ha Long Bay. However, you’ll need to book the activity with licensed tourism companies. A guide will also show you the best spots to paddle around and ensure you’re safe.
The bay’s generally warm climate allows you to kayak any time of the year, but always take note of the tides, currents, weather and wind strength before you go on your adventure.
Hiking Mount Fansipan
Soaring at 3,143 metres above sea level, Mount Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina. Surprisingly, you can reach its peak without any special gear.
To climb the Fansipan, you need to obtain a permit, which typically requires a guide. Here is a popular one day tour where you climb up and get the cable car back, and here is a two day option.
Depending on your physical condition and pace, you can ascend the summit within eight hours via the Tram Ton Trail. Some climbers prefer the more scenic but more difficult route that takes two to three days to complete.
The region’s unpredictable weather sometimes covers the trails with grey mist, making the climb more challenging. But the views that await you from the top and the feeling of achievement are all worth the effort.
The best times to climb Fansipan are from March to April and September to October. In 2016, a cable car was added to the vicinity, opening the area to a surge of visitors.
Despite these touristy changes, scaling the roof of Indochina remains a magical experience.
Motorbike Riding – Anywhere
Motorbikes are the most convenient and popular means of getting around the country, and no adventure travel in Vietnam is complete without gallivanting about on a motorbike.
You can do a day tour around Dalat, cruise the coastal roads of Hoi An, drive past rice paddies in Sapa, or stopover in Hue to sample the local delicacy Bánh bèo.
If you have enough time, take the iconic north-to-south route, which begins in Hanoi and ends in Ho Chi Minh. For the ultimate adventure, follow the Ha Giang Loop, which winds around jaw-dropping canyons and craggy mountains, offering breathtaking views of the northern highlands.
You can rent a motorbike for anything between $5 to $10 a day, or buy one from a reputable store and resell it after your trip.
But if neither of these options appeals to you, you can join a guided tour. The downside of this is, you will have less freedom to explore on your own.
Still, motorbiking around Vietnam is a must-do if you love the outdoors – and you have nerves of steel!
Diving in Nha Trang
Most of the diving trips in Nha Trang take place in Hon Mun Marine Park, a 160-square-km protected zone. It is home to a diverse marine ecosystem that includes an extensive collection of corals, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and algae.
Apart from its colourful marine life, you’ll find numerous stunning caves, some as deep as 15 metres. During peak season, the area could get crowded, but you can head to Whale Island, where you can spot pufferfish, groupers, snappers, stingrays and barracudas.
For beginners, Moray Beach is perfect for training dives due to its shallow waters and sandy bottom.
Nha Trang has plenty of dive shops, so booking a tour is easy. Most scuba diving excursions cost around $55 and include equipment, entrance fee to the marine park, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and lunch. The best time to dive in Nha Trang is from April to August.
Mountain Biking the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Mountain biking may be a recent addition to the long list of outdoor activities in Vietnam, but it is quickly becoming a popular means of exploring the country’s beautiful landscape, fascinating culture and rich history.
The historic Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the most renowned mountain biking destinations in the country. Enveloped by dense jungles, the steep roads hauled supplies during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese’s preferred mode of transport, of course, was bicycles.
If you want a more straightforward route, check out the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh trail, which traverses the Ho Chi Minh Highway on the western Truong Son Mountain range. Ride along the terraced rice paddies in Sapa, pedal to street food stalls in Hoi An, glide past the temples in Hoa Lu or travel down the banks of the Mekong Delta.
You can do mountain biking on your own; however, a guided tour will take you to the best cycling spots in the country. Some excursions are only half-day, while others are multi-day trips that include overnight stays at hill villages.
Whether you cycle solo or join a group, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re diving over vibrant coral reefs or hiking up misty mountains, Vietnam offers a world of adventure. With its incredible diversity of landscapes and activities, there’s no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in the country’s natural beauty and rich culture.
Going travelling Soon? Don’t forget these essentials!
Flights: compare and search for the cheapest flights using Skyscanner
Accommodation: hotels to hostels, glamping to apartments, I always use Booking.com
Tours: to find the best group tours and activities worldwide (with up to 20% off), use Viator
Visa: don’t forget to check the entry requirements for the passport you are travelling with
Inspiration: to kick-start your next adventure, how about Lonely Planet’s Guide to the World?