Best Jungle Treks in Vietnam - Hidden trails

Vietnam has so many varying landscapes that are ideal for jungle treks if you're new to it or you've been trekking forever. You can relax in the dense tropical rainforests of the south or trek through the rugged mountains of the north, and each destination's got its own atmosphere, sweet flora and fauna, and a look at how the locals live.

This travel guide covers some of the top jungle treks of Vietnam, what makes each unique, what it could cost you, and how to reach it from surrounding towns.

1. Cát Tiên National Park

Approximately 150 km to the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.

Summary

Cát Tiên National Park is unbelievably rich in biodiversity, spanning over 720 square kilometers of tropical forests, wetlands, and grasslands. It's inhabited by a multitude of endangered species, such as the golden-cheeked gibbon and Asian elephants, making it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Waking up in the morning and walking around amidst nature allows you to spot monkeys and various birds just hanging in their natural surroundings.

• Bàu Sấu (Crocodile Lake): You can literally take a 15 km round trip to visit this relaxed wetland area to view the Siamese crocodile.

• Botanical Trails: Take leisurely walks along paths that weave beneath these incredibly ancient trees, over 500 years old, and observe numerous varied plants.

Approximate Cost

• Entrance fee: Approximately 60,000 VND (equivalent to $2.50 USD).

• Guided Tours: If you take a local guide, it will cost you around 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND (that's like 20 to 40 dollars). The cost only varies with the duration of the trek and the difficulty.

• Accommodations within the park consist of only guest houses that will cost you anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 VND ($8 to $20 USD) per night.

Visit Ho Chi Minh City

• You can catch one of the public buses at Mien Dong Bus Station and ride over to Cát Tiên. It will take you 4 to 5 hours and cost you approximately 80,000 VND ($3.50 USD).

• If you take a ride in another person's vehicle or you take the taxi, you would spend approximately 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 VND, similar to $60 to $80 USD.

2. Tà Đùng National Park

Location: Đắk Nông Province, Central Highlands.

Summary

Tà Đùng National Park is even nick-named the "Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands." It features this cool lake with lots of small islands. The location is filled with dense forests and high mountains, and you may even catch sight of local ethnic minorities hanging out there.

Highlights

• The trails lead you along dense forests and then blow you away with stunning scenery of Tà Đùng Lake.

• Biodiversity: The park features really cool birds that make it highly recommended as a location to observe birds.

• Take the Mạ and M'Nông tribes to observe their way of life and the kind of traditions that they follow.

Budgeted Cost

• Admission Fee: Approximately 50,000 VND ($2 USD)

• Guided tours pay anywhere from 600,000 to 1,200,000 VND per day to local guides, equivalent to 25 to 50 dollars.

• Homestays are priced anywhere from 300,000 to 600,000 VND (about 12 to 25 bucks) for one night.

Travelling in Ho Chi Minh City

• You can take a bus from Mien Dong Bus Station to Gia Nghĩa town, the closest place to Tà Đùng. It will cost you around 200,000 VND ($8 USD) and take about 6 hours. If you want to travel from Gia Nghĩa to the park by local transportation, you will have to pay around 100,000 VND ($4 USD).

• A private car trip will cost you approximately 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 VND, which equals $100 to $120 USD.

3. Cúc Phương National Park

Ninh Binh is located approximately 120 km to the southwest of Hanoi.

Summary

Cúc Phương was established in 1962 and it's indeed Vietnam's very first national park. It safeguards animals, particularly those endangered monkeys and awesome plants.

Highlights

• The park has trees that are over 1,000 years old. Those are seriously cool to look at if you care about nature!

• Primate Rescue Center: Watch as they rescue Delacour's langur and other monkeys.

• Visit those prehistoric caves where the early humans used to live; it will make your trip so much cooler.

Approximated Cost

• Admission Fee: 60,000 VND (equivalent to $2.50 USD).

• Guided tours: Around 500,000 VND (20 dollars) per half-day trip.

• The hotel offers rooms that are priced from 300,000 to 700,000 VND per night ($12 to $30 USD).

Departing from Hanoi

• Buses from Giáp Bát Bus Station will bring you close to the park. You'll pay approximately 70,000 VND (or approximately $3 USD) for the 2-hour ride.

• A car rental for yourself will cost you approximately 1,200,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND (about $50 to $65 USD) per trip.

4. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park

Location: Quảng Bình Province, Central Vietnam

Summary

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring these mind-blowing cave systems and challenging jungle treks.

Hung Thoong Trip (3 days and 2 nights)

This fantastic hike exposes you to dense forests, secret caves, and refreshing underground creeks. I would rate it as the best adventure tour of Vietnam due to the sheer amount of adventure activities you do!

Highlights:

• Jungle Trekking: Hike in actual tropical rainforests.

• See Hung Cave, Tron Cave, and Thung Cave. They have all sorts of stalactites and underground lakes.

• You won't believe this but you can actually zipline over this gigantic sinkhole in the jungle!

• Rappelling down Midway Gorge: Rappel down the canyon walls and explore this secret cave.

Approximate Calculation

• Hung Thoong Exploration Tour is priced at 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 VND, which is approximately $400 to $480 USD per person. Prices can vary based on season and discounts!

• Accommodations in the town of Phong Nha cost between 250,000 and 1,000,000 VND, which is approximately $10 to $40 USD per night.

Departing from Da Nang or Hanoi

• From Hanoi to Phong Nha: Overnight buses are around 400,000 VND ($16 USD), and trains are from 500,000 to 900,000 VND ($20 to $36 USD).

• A bus ticket is approximately 300,000 VND (around $12 USD), but if you're taking a flight from Da Nang to Dong Hoi (the nearest airport), it will cost you between $40 and $80 USD.

5. Cát Bà National Park

It is located in Hải Phòng Province.

Summary

Cat Ba National Park features stunning jungle treks, nice limestone outcroppings, and fairly fascinating coast ecosystems.

Highlights

• Reaching the summit is challenging, but golly, the sight of the Cát Bà Archipelago from the top is simply stunning!

• Wildlife Watching: It has the super rare Cát Bà langur lounging about.

• Explore the Mangrove Forest: Search for various plants and animals in the shoreline.

Approximate Cost

• Entrance Fee: 80,000 VND ($3.50 USD).

• Guided trekking tour: 300,000 to 700,000 VND (approx. $12 to $28 USD). An overnight stay on Cát Bà Island will cost you around 300,000 to 1,200,000 VND, or approximately $12 to $50 USD.

Leave from Hanoi

• Combined bus and ferry tickets cost approximately 350,000 VND ($14 USD) and approximately 4 to 5 hours of travel.

• Take the train to Hai Phòng (around 100,000 VND / 4 USD) and then take a ferry to Cat Ba Island (that'll cost you around 200,000 VND / 8 USD).

6. Nature Reserve of Pu Luong

Location: Thanh Hóa Province in North-Central Vietnam

Summary

Pù Luông is far less touristy compared to other major towns in Vietnam. Rice fields on the hills, relaxed villages, and stunning limestone mountains.

Highlights

• Scenic Treks: The paths wander along the terraced fields of rice, woodlands, and charming villages.

• Let's look at the locals utilizing bamboo water wheels to irrigate their crops.

• Homestay Experience: You will live with Thai and Muong families in their houses on stilts.

Rapid Guess

• Entrance Fee: Free.

• Guided trekking tour: 400,000 to 800,000 VND ($16 to $32 USD).

• Accommodations range from 250,000 to 600,000 VND ($10 to $25 USD) per night.

Proceed to Hanoi

• Bus: 250,000 to 350,000 VND ($10 to $15 USD), taking about 4-5 hours.

• Personal Car: 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND ($80 to $120 USD) for a one-way trip.

Vietnam offers numerous jungle treks, ranging from the hot rainforests of the south to the challenging mountains of the north. Whether you prefer a quick trek for a day, a challenging trek for several days, or trekking through caves, you will have what you seek. Nature and animal lovers will truly enjoy Cát Tiên and Cúc Phương National Parks.

For adventure travelers:

Trekking Hung Thoong in Phong Nha is the ultimate challenge. Both of these sites provide stunning scenery and opportunities to encounter the local population. Each trek provides you with a mind blowing experience, blending nature, culture, and exciting outdoor activities. Prepare yourself, budget for guides and permits, and prepare for a thrilling experience of Vietnam's untamed nature.