Top 10 Adventure Activities in Vietnam
If you are an adventure traveller, then surely Vietnam is in your bucket list for its adventure activities. Learn scuba diving at low rates at some of the safest dive sites in the world, or experience rapselling down a gushing waterfall that you will find nowhere else. Paddle boarding and kayaking enthusiasts will want to fly out to Vietnam for the magnificent experience of being surrounded by unique and majestic karst landforms. So get going. Apply for your visa and avail of extra services to focus more on your adventure holiday than the logistics. While you wait for the visa information to come through, browse on net for the adventure sites across Vietnam. You can indeed go from one location to another and make the best of adventure tourism that Vietnam has to offer.
1. Scuba diving and snorkelling
With a coastline of 2025 miles, Vietnam offers the best of year-round diving opportunities. Although the diving season is March – October, the low certification fees and cheap PADI courses are an attraction for diving enthusiasts. Most diving sites are off an island paradise with turquoise oceans coming alive with a wide marine and reef life. Nha Trang is the diving capital of Vietnam, followed by Hoi An and Whale Island. Phu Quoc is to see diverse marine while Can Dao Islands is for wreck- diving enthusiasts.
2. Trekking and Hiking
From half-day trails through the National Parks to tougher climbs up to the top of Mt Fansipan, Vietnam offers a wide range of hiking and trekking options. Seasoned trekkers will be challenged with the treks at Ha Giang, Cao Bang and the Nam Cat Tien National Park.
3. Caving
Every caving enthusiast has Vietnam on his wish list, for its largest cave in the world, the Son Doong. The network of caves running across the country and islands, make it a wonderful destination for exploring caves and subterranean caverns. While some caves are accessed on foot others can only be entered by boats. Each cave is unique in its appeal, making cave exploration an exciting adventure at Vietnam.
4. Cycling
A great way to experience Vietnam at its rural best is by cycling. Visit fishing villages and pagodas. Ride amid the rice paddies of Saapa or take the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Bicycle along back roads, get up-close with rural communities, and explore ancient sites and vivid limestone landscapes. Stay at rural home stays and stop by street cafes for an authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnam is truly a cycling paradise!
5. Kayaking and Canoeing
Vietnam has scores of island clusters and karst seascapes that offer an once-in-a-lifetime kayaking experience. The gigantic outcrops in the sea can only be admired and photographed in proximity and at leisure, that kayaking or canoeing offer. So rent a kayak or canoe, paddle in the sea waters, explore hidden caves as you go, and make the most of the vivid imagery.
6. Stand-up Paddle Boarding
Stand-up paddle boarding has taken over Vietnam by storm. Also known as SUPing, stand-up paddle boarding is popular for the scenic beauty and unexpected pleasures around the bends. Paddle board amidst magnificent karst archipelago, float past stunning rural landscapes, and glide into hidden lagoons and limestone caves.
There are plenty of locations to choose from. However, because of sudden thick mists and changing tides, make sure to be led by an expert guide.
7. Canyoning and Rapelling
For adrenalin junkies, Vietnam offers some of the most unique canyoning experiences. The rugged limestone cliffs of Vietnam offer plenty of rapelling opportunities, with Dalat taking the lead. Go hiking through a canyon; navigate steep terrain, rappel down cliffs or slide down cascading waterfalls.
8. Sandboarding
Did you know that Vietnam leads amongst the world’s best sandboarding sites at Mui Ne? The Mui Ne sand dune is known as much for varying colours, as for its fast changing shapes. With miles and miles of sand dunes before you, you can hire a quad bike, get yourself to a good spot and lo! Down you go flying past huge dunes with strong winds slapping at you. So if you like doing the unusual, do not miss out on sandboarding while in Vietnam!
9. Boating and Sailing
Adventure travellers who love the waters cannot have enough of boating adventure at Vietnam. You can zip along the Saigon River by luxury speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels, or take a speedboat through the mangrove forests of Can Gio Biosphere Reserve. Travel through the heart of Mekong Delta and rice field country on a private longtail boat, visit floating markets, or island hop on a traditional Chinese boat. If this were not enough, Halong Bay offers sailing by yachts and overnight cruises, for you to soak-in the beauty of karst seascape.
10. Motorbiking
Vietnamese are fond of their motorbikes and have introduced the world traveller and backpacker to this thrilling, budget-friendly way of exploring the length and breadth of Vietnam. You can hire a bike, pay a guide or join a group motorbike tour to sample local Vietnamese cuisine, enjoy the panoramic views and explore the many sites on-the-go.
