How to Plan Vietnam Adventure Tours?

If you are an adventurous type, then Vietnam may be an ideal place for an adventure holiday for you, and your friends and family too. Some of the activities have been available in Vietnam for many years, while some of them are relatively new to the country. And it makes it even better that you can now cover a wider variety of adventure sports and extreme sports in Vietnam.

Vietnam adventure:1. Hiking

Spa Hiking

Hiking is a popular activity in any country around the world, but when you pair it with the unique and spectacular views of Sapa in northwest Vietnam, it is an incomparable activity. Known as the Town of Clouds, Sapa has one of the best hiking areas in Vietnam, and is home to several ethnic tribal groups as well.

Sometimes called “cloud hunting”, trekking is best done in the northwest of Vietnam from April to June and late September to November, in the more temperate parts of the year. This region gets very cold from December to March, and can be a little too warm and wet in the “summer” months.

And the area around Sapa is remote and can be confusing for people without experience, so the best tip you can get is to get a guide for your trekking. The remoteness and vast area of the region means it would be easy for inexperienced trekkers to get lost.

Vietnam adventure:2. Kitesurfing

Way down in Mũi Né, the beach resort capital of Vietnam, kitesurfing has become a majorly popular activity. You can often see clouds of kites in the skies above the sea, pulling people along at high speeds on specially-designed surf boards. And for those with experience, the deep blue sea and golden sands make this the ideal location for kitesurfing

The best time for kitesurfing is from November to April, when the reliable northeast winds blow strongly to power the kites. There are even kitesurfing schools can help with beginner instruction, and you can and should get a little instruction first before taking to the regular waves.

Kitesurfing in Miu Ne

Vietnam adventure:3. Diving

Even with more than 3500 kilometers of coastline, Vietnam’s status as a diving hotspot is still far in the future. But that just means that there are less people diving off the coasts of Vietnam, which makes it better for diving aficionados to make the most of the best diving spots.

Diving near Moray Beach, Nha Trang

The best time for diving across the country’s coastline is from December to April, when there is less chance of rain and more bright days for diving among wrecks and reefs.

For the inexperienced, you can get certified in the best school in Nha Trang, and the top diving spots in the country include the Black Island (Hon Mun Island) and Madonna Rock.

Vietnam adventure:4. Zip-lining

Another of the awesome outdoor activities Vietnam has to offer, Zip-lining is really starting to gain in popularity in Vietnam. And there are few thrills better than flying at high speeds over the jungles and rivers of Vietnam.

An activity that can be done any time of the year, as long as it is not raining, this is definitely one that is best done when it is bright and sunny.

And the best place currently for this is at the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh, which has the longest zip-line in Vietnam, stretching for over 400 meters.

Zipline fly in Hue

Vietnam adventure:5. Rock Climbing

Another extreme sport still in its infancy in Vietnam, rock climbing is on the rise in popularity, and those formerly hard-to-reach locations are now opening up to climbers from around the world. And with thousands of rock faces to choose from, hardened climbers are making the most of this new-found destination.

Rock Climb in Huu Lung

December to April is the best time for climbing, as there is little chance of rain making the cliffs slippery. And if you are not as experienced, then taking a guide is a good idea when rock climbing with or without equipment.

The best locations for rock climbing are currently in Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay and Da Lat. And if you are more experienced, you can try traversing the Marble Mountains outside Da Nang for the most rewarding climb in the region.

Vietnam adventure:6. Canyoning

A relatively new idea on the whole extreme sports scene, Vietnam has come to canyoning early on, making this Asian country on of the best canyoning destinations worldwide. It entails traversing the canyons by means of rock climbing, trekking, scrambling and passing through rivers, all of which takes strength and stamina.

Again, the months from December to April are best for this activity, staying away from the rainy months as much as possible. And a high level of fitness is required for this activity, making it unsuitable for everyone. And the best place for canyoning is in Da Lat, which has a plethora of suitable sites.

canyoning in vietnam

Vietnam adventure:7. Sea Kayaking

Paddling out on the open waters in a small shallow boat is an experience you will never forget. And this is one adventure sport that Vietnam excels at, with thousands of kilometers of coastline to choose from.

The optimum time for sea kayaking actually depends on where you are traveling to, as there is always a part of Vietnam’s coastline that has good weather for this fun experience. That said, Halong Bay is the obvious best location for sea kayaking, with its amazing karst limestone islands. This pristine environment offers the best experience ever.

Vietnam adventure:8. White Water Rafting

Another first in Vietnam, white water rafting is only now becoming available in the country, and is becoming increasingly popular with locals and foreign travelers alike. Ratfers can satisfy their adrenaline rush needs with fast-running rivers and extensive stretches of white waters.

The best time is usually in the late rainy seasons, as the rains disappear, as the rivers are fast and filled with monsoon waters. But if you prefer drier weather o nthe river, November to May is ideal for rafting.

The best river for rafting is the Lang Bian River near Da Lat, where the rapids range from Level II to the more challenging Level IV types. However, for safety, it is best to join an organized tour for this activity.

Amazing experience for rafting in vietnam

Vietnam adventure:9. Caving

son doong cave in phong nha ke bang national park

Vietnam is home to thousands of caves across the country, so for the ardent spelunkers amongst you, this is like paradise on earth. Filled with all kinds of caves from small holes to vast caverns, Vietnam was made for spelunking.

What makes it better is that you don’t need to pick a certain time of year to be underground. Obviously, it is best to avoid the heavier monsoon rains, since you don’t want to get trapped underground with water pouring in. Other than that, you can find caving can be done almost any time of year.

The world’s largest cave, Son Doong, is found in Quang Binh and attracts thousands of adventurous spelunkers every year. And if you are more into the adventurous caves, the most famous caves in the region include Hang En, Hang Tien and the Dark Cave.

Vietnam adventure:10. Sand Boarding

Similar to snowboarding, sand boarding applies the same principles only on sand instead of snow. The sport involved riding a board along and down sand dunes, and Vietnam’s Mũi Né has the ideal location for this just back from its popular beaches. And all you need to do is climb a dune and ride the board back down.

Any time of the year is fine for this, as there are few locations available. Mũi Né has its own large sand dunes and a desert microclimate just a short drive from the beach, something only a few locations have across the whole of Asia.

Conclusion

Vietnam not only offers breathtaking views but also offers unique opportunities for various adventure sports and extreme sports. When deciding on a plan for adventure travel in Vietnam, you’ll want to consider the duration, price, and inclusion, and the most importantly is the safety. Keep in mind the weather with your chosen activities and we suggest you to find a local tour agency to consult more information.