Published on May 28, 2021
If you’re looking for beautiful panoramic views, fascinating natural wonders, or somewhere to immerse yourself in uninterrupted nature, Vietnam has got you covered. Like Ba Den Mountain and Hai Van Pass, there are many mountains that offer incredible opportunities to take in Vietnam’s majestic natural scenery at your own pace. Mui Ne’s sand dunes and Fairy Spring provide a different kind of nature experience with their intriguing natural formations. Dalat Flower Garden is home to over 300 types of flowers and has some of the most beautiful flower displays. With many options, here are some of the best nature spots in Vietnam you don’t want to miss on your next trip.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
A few hours away from Ha Noi is the peaceful Pu Luong Nature Reserve. It was established in 1999 to protect the area’s biodiversity, with a mix of lush forest and cultivated rice fields. Pu Luong is perfect for trekking and hiking. There is something unbelievably relaxing about standing in the heart of a vibrant rice field.
A short hike from the rice fields is a series of waterfalls that flow down the hills named the Hieu Waterfalls. At the end of the streams is a large pool of water, which is the perfect spot to cool off and explore different parts of the falls. You can stay at one of the homestays at the surrounding villages near the nature reserve. From the moment you wake up in a stilt house to hiking along the countryside, the serenity of this area is sure to envelop you.
Con Dao Islands
Just off Vietnam’s southern coast is Con Dao, an archipelago of 16 remote islands. The islands are a national park devoted to sunbathers and nature seekers with coral reefs, incredibly preserved beaches, and hiking trails to explore inland. Diving is a popular activity on the islands, where you can spot various marine life, like stingrays, barracudas, moray eels, and dugongs. While the beautiful scenery is the main draw, visitors can learn more about the history of this area by exploring artifacts at the museum.
Mui Ne
Just outside the southern fishing village of Mui Ne, visitors will find two expansive sand dunes, one red and one white. Watch the sunrise on the White Dunes, and then take a walk around barefoot on the cool sand, rent a quad, go sand-sledding, or even take a hot air balloon ride to see the dunes from above. You can also visit the nearby Fairy Spring, whose natural formations were made out of wind, rain, and sand.
Ba Vi National Park
A two-hour drive outside of Hanoi is the natural oasis, Ba Vi National Park. The park was built around three mountains, with the highest, Dinh Vua, standing at just over 4,200 feet high. Once inside the park, visitors can walk or hike the park’s numerous forest trails and mountain slopes and take in the lush foliage. Other attractions include a bird garden, an orchid garden, and a temple. If you make it up to the temple, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the Red River Valley.
Hai Van Pass
Across just over 12 miles is the Hai Van Pass, or the “Sea Clouds Pass,” a breathtaking road tracing Vietnam’s eastern coast and surrounded by towering mountains. Within a day trip of both Da Nang and Hoi An, visitors can rent a motorbike to explore the pass. Standing over 500 meters above sea level, the pass overlooks misty mountains, deserted sandy beaches, lush forests, and the South China Sea. Traveling on the pass is an incredible opportunity to take in the nature of Vietnam uninterrupted and at your own pace.
Ba Den Mountain
Also known as “The Black Virgin,” Ba Den Mountain is three hours outside of Ho Chi Minh City. At 3,234 feet, it is the tallest mountain in southeast Vietnam. The hike to the top of the mountain takes about two to three hours, with many people choosing to take a cable car down. Visitors can see Tay Ninh’s majestic natural scenery and numerous temples as they trek up the mountain.
Dalat Flower Garden
Completely immerse yourself in flowers at the Dalat Flower Garden. Also known as the “city of flowers,” Dalat Flower Garden is home to more than 300 different kinds of flowers, most of which blossom year-round. There’s also a lake in the middle of the garden where visitors can paddle around in swan boats. Whether you visit the fields of orchids or the beautiful hydrangea displays, there will be countless flowers blooming around you.
From the natural ambiance of Pu Luong Nature Reserve to the beautiful greenery of Ba Vi National Park, there’s a lot of spots that nature lovers will enjoy in Vietnam.
