North Vietnam trekking is one of the most exciting outdoor activities for active travelers seeking for fun, active travel vacations in the northern Vietnam.
Where to go trekking in north Vietnam
There are many places for trekking in north Vietnam such as Mai Chau valley, Pu Luong nature reserve, Tam Dao national park, Cat Ba national park… For those who don’t have much time but still love having some easy and fun treks, Mai Chau valley, Cuc Phuong National Park and Pu Luong Nature Reserve will be the ideal places.
When to go trekking in northern Vietnam
The north is cooler than the rest of the country. Winter months, from November until January, can be quite cool, especially in mountainous areas. Northern temperatures range from 60°F to 90°F (16dg]C-32°C). If you are going far north to Sapa, Lai Chau, Dien Bien Phu, Bac Ha, Ha Giang along the China/Laos border, be sure to bring one extra layer of warmth (a pullover will do); near Sapa is Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest point, and there is even the occasional freeze and snow at this altitude.
Hanoi, the capital and in the north, as well as nearby coastal regions around Haiphong, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, experience relatively high humidity year-round and a rainy season from May to October. Winter months are cool (as low as 57°F/14°C) and somewhat damp, but the heat starts to pick up in April and makes for a hot, wet summer.
The best time to arrange a visit or a hiking tour in the north, though cold in midwinter, is from November to the end of April.
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North Vietnam trekking tours
There is a wide range of trekking tours can be arranged in Mai chau area ranging from a half day easy walking tour to multi-day challenging trek. It takes only three hours drive to travel from Hanoi to Mai Chau.
If departing Hanoi in the morning, visitor will arrive Mai Chau valley around noon. It will be possible for them to have lunch in a local stilt house before beginning a trek. They can trek just for some hours before returning back to Hanoi or they can hike for many days.
Pu Luong nature reserve is just one hour drive from Mai Chau. Trekking in North Vietnam can’t be complete without a trek to Pu Luong. The trek can be arranged in two days, three days or four days. You can try easy trek that go through Thai hamlets. These hamlets are situated on the foot of the mountains. The treks do not require much of skills and power.
Trekking in North Vietnam usually requires a local adventure tour guide and a local porter. The trek used to go through local hill tribe villages, hamlets. So a local guide is highly recommended. The local guide comes from the area. He (or she) know the local customs and traditions very well. He (or she) is able to explain you the culture and traditions making your trip richer in knowledge.