Adventure activities in Vietnam

Looking for adventure activities in Vietnam? Your only struggle will be choosing from the several options on offer. This treasure of Indochina is an absolute steal when it comes to adventure activities.

With different levels of difficulty and a range of durations for each activity, adventure activities in Vietnam cater to every kind of adventure-seeker. From spelunking to trekking to scuba diving, you’ll find practically every experience here.  Read on through our run-down of adventure activities in Vietnam to get a headstart.

Vietnam is crammed with a range of amazing adventure activities.

caving in Phong Nha

Phong Nha, self declared adventure capital of Asia, is home to the Phong Nha- Ke bang national park. An off-beat destination for years, its tourist footfall is seeing a steady rise. The national park is great for those who seek adventure, with warm locals and an impressive network of some of the largest caves in the world.

The most famous is the Hang Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave. You can explore it on a 4-day expedition at $3000 per person (do not worry, you can spend half a day in a beautiful cave for as little as 15 USD). Be advised, the trek is not just expensive but also physically demanding. We recommend it only for seasoned cavers.

However, irrespective of your budget or level of adventure, Phong Nha offers an experience for everyone. From professional cavers and trekkers to families looking for a fun activity together, the 300+ caves ensure you’ll have a great time here.

Visits to these caves come in different durations, from an hour to 5-day treks. They involve a range of activity, like ziplining across rivers, hiking through the undergrowth of lush jungles, and even spending time in the villages of the ethnic minorities that live here. Sounds a bit overwhelming? You can always opt for the more relaxing hikes and follow the boardwalks to equally impressive caves. This is one of the most recommended adventure activities in Vietnam, and we highly suggest you look into it. Hit us up for an itinerary that covers Phong Nha alongside all your other interests.

Phong Nha is riddled with hundreds of caves, each more stunning and unique than the last.

Biking in Vietnam style

You can tell bikes are an important aspect of Vietnam just by their sheer numbers on the streets. Done right, it offers the most exciting way to discover part of this exotic country. The wind in your face, pacing yourself according to your journey; nothing gets better. We highly recommend checking out the following options, all guaranteed to make your journey memorable.

North Vietnam, with rice terraces, rippling waterfalls and stunning views, can take your breath away. A great way for you mountain-lovers to experience its beauty is on a bike. You can rent your own bike and drive around Sapa and the other northern hamlets. Or, join in a tour and make new friends as you traverse down the Ha Giang Loop. Starting and ending in Hanoi, this journey can take from 4 to 12 days, depending on what you choose. However, it is mandatory for all foreign riders to have a Vietnamese license or an International Driving Permit to do this. 

You can also ride down the length of Vietnam through the entire country, over 2 to 3 weeks, or choose from a half-day excursion to multi-day trips! A short ride offering ocean views is the Hai Van pass between Hoi An and Hue. A day’s journey, it also has its share of war history. 

There are also several options to ride pillion in Vietnam. Our recommendation for travelling in Vietnam? Always choose riding pillion over riding a bike yourself. Vietnam is overwhelming and it takes a lot of confidence and experience to ride without putting yourself at risk. Easy Riders, a well-known company in Vietnam, offer trips as a co-passenger. Ranging from a day to a week, you can sit back and take in the sights without having to worry about the riding. With family experiences as well, they’re worth looking into.

Biking through Vietnam is one of the most unique and exhilarating ways to discover the country.

Canyoning in Da Lat

Surrounded by coffee fields and hills, filled with European architecture, this City of eternal Spring also has an adventurous side. Canyoning in Da Lat is an adrenaline-packed activity that will leave you soaked to the bone and with one more feather in your adventure cap.

Canyoning is an exciting combination of swimming, abseiling, climbing and hiking. It is one of the best ways to get some close interaction with nature in all her glory, and meeting fellow thrill-seekers is always fun. Your guides, trained and confident, will accompany you when you go canyoning.

Canyoning stands out from the other adventure activities in Vietnam as despite the level of activity, you don’t need any prior experience. International standards of canyoning await in Da Lat, with sufficient training before you are taken on your guided adventure. So don’t be intimidated-all you need is the urge to make adrenaline-packed, fun-filled memories to enjoy yourself.

Canyoning is thrilling, and makes for great memories of Vietnam. Image By: Bold Travel

Sandboarding and kitesurfing in Mui Ne

This quaint fishing village has a world of excitement a mere 20 minutes away. Head to the red sand dunes to get in some interesting sightseeing, but head further for the real adventure. The white sand dunes at Mui Ne offer the chance to go sandboarding. You can hire a sandboard from one of the many local vendors. The slopes are steep but not steep enough to cause fear or injuries.

Additionally, Mui Ne is also a hotspot for watersports. Blessed with golden sands and strong winds, it is perfect to go kitesurfing. Intimidated? Attend a kitesurfing school to gain some confidence. Beginners will get basic training to help you on your feet, while seasoned kitesurfers can learn some tricks.

Mui Ne’s strong winds will give you an amazing kitesurfing experience like no other.

Trekking in the mountains

The abundance of nature in Vietnam leaves you with a plethora of options when it comes to trekking. With different types of treks, each has their own difficulty and views, and is one of the most varied adventure activities in Vietnam. We’ve narrowed them down for you to take your pick.

Sapa

Home to rice terraces, ethnic tribes and views to kill for, Sapa is great for some treks. You can always opt for half to one day treks. Seasoned trekkers can opt for a multi-day trek, where you spend your nights in village homestays. Though taxing, it is a great way to learn about local culture. You can also attempt the 1-2 day trek to Mount Fansipan- the highest point of Indochina. If you’re looking to travel responsibly and learn about tribal culture while supporting their livelihood, we can help. We can organise treks with tribal women, with the money going towards the locals. 

Da Lat

Da Lat and the Central Highlands offer another range of treks, this time in Central Vietnam. You can trek to see the gorgeous coffee plantations, or head to the fruit orchards. Either way, the climate will be rejuvenating and the views, promising.

Hoi An & Da Nang

On the route between Hoi An and Da Nang, you can find five limestone and marble karsts jutting out from the ground, named the Marble Mountains. Each karst represents an element, and are great for hikes and treks, especially the Water Mountain. A relatively easy way to the top, there are also steps carved into the rock to make the going easier. You can also go rock climbing, and abseiling as well. Scaling it rewards you with a view like no other. 

Bach Ma National Park

The Bach Ma National Park near Hue is a haven of nature in all her glory. Its proximity to Hue makes it great for a one day trip. However, you can also go for a 2 day trek in the park and witness its natural abundance in greater depth.

Whether by trekking or biking, discovering the rice terraces of Sapa will leave you in awe.

Scuba Diving in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc

We’ll be frank- if you come to Nha Trang with dive expectations to compete with the likes of the Philippines, you’ll be disappointed. Scuba diving is one of the lesser known and frequented adventure activities in Vietnam. However, it still makes it worthwhile for someone just looking for a pleasant dive and a dash of marine life.

Thus, while not on our must-see destinations for seasoned divers, Nha Trang’s dive spots are still quite nice to visit. Enjoyable, with clear waters and a couple of caves to swim through, they’re worth the visit if scuba diving in Vietnam is on your mind.Though not in abundance, you are certain to see some marine life.

Phu Quoc island is the Vietnamese beach destination of your dreams. The forested island has some gorgeous white sand beaches, and exciting dive sites. It was only opened for diving in 2002, and there are many new sites still being discovered. Beginners can take a few dive courses and start off slow. Seasoned divers can make the most of the sites by diving to spot some of the rich marine life here. Phu Quoc also enjoys a visa exemption, albeit with certain conditions, so we recommend checking that out before you leave for your trip.

Though not well known, scuba diving is also a possible adventure activity in Vietnam.

Rock climbing in Cat Ba

Though it pales in comparison to other Southeast Asian climbing sites, climbing in Cat Ba is still a fun experience. Located at Halong Bay, it is the most developed climbing destination in Vietnam for those looking to tick this off their itinerary.

You can either go rock climbing, or scale up the boulders by sport climbing. It is not very developed and has limited routes. However this also means it doesn’t attract too many tourists, so you get to enjoy it in relative solace. Apart from climbing you can also go swimming and kayaking on this scenic island.

Chalk up those hands and tighten the harness; Cat Ba’s rock climbing is tons of fun. Image By: The Galavanters

This treasure trove of a nation has something mesmerising everywhere you turn. And if you thought this was it with its adventures, you’re wrong. These are just some of the many adventure activities in Vietnam that you can engage in. From full day bicycle tours, to several unexplored destinations, we can help you find just what you want. Hit Plan Your Trip to know more.