
Mountains & Trekking
Highlands, passes, and trekking routes: Sapa, Ha Giang, Da Lat, Fansipan.
71 articlesPhoto by Lan Yao on Pexels
All our Mountains & Trekking stories
Newest stories first
Mountains & Trekking
Sapa Trekking Map 2026: Ta Van to Nam Sai 2-Day Route and Costs
This guide maps a 2-day Sapa trekking route from Sapa to Ta Van, then through Giang Ta Chai, Su Pan, Ban Ho, Nam Toong, and Nam Sai. It gives waypoint distances, 2026 taxi and homestay costs, guide rates, map advice, weather windows, and safety notes so independent walkers can follow the valley without a packaged day tour.
by Võ Hoài Nam
4 min readNorthern Vietnam

Sapa Trekking in Summer 2026: Rainy Season Routes, Safety Tips, and What to Pack
A practical 2026 guide to Sapa trekking in the May to September rainy season. It covers safe all-weather routes, local guide rules and 2026 costs, Hanoi transport, essential wet-weather gear, trail safety after recent typhoons, and realistic rainy day planning. Use it to decide whether to trek and what to book before you go.

Sapa Trekking in 2026: Guide Costs, Permits, and Village Route Planning
This 2026 Sapa trekking guide compares group, private, and multi-day tour prices, explains current permit rules for village trails and Fansipan, and lays out route difficulty, weather windows, and how to avoid street-tout scams. Use it to pick a guide, budget realistically, and plan a trek matched to your fitness.
Mai Chau to Pu Luong Trekking: Distance, Routes, and Guide Costs for 2026
This 2026 trekking brief covers the 60–70 km overland route from Mai Chau to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, including 2–3 day itinerary, guide and homestay costs (600,000–900,000 VND/day; 150,000–300,000 VND/person/night), seasonal weather, and transport from Hanoi. Use it to plan a self-guided or homestay-supported trek through rice terraces and forest paths.

Sapa Trekking Without a Guide: 3 Self-Guided Routes for 2026
Independent trekkers get three no-guide Sapa routes from Sapa town through Muong Hoa Valley: Y Linh Ho–Lao Chai–Ta Van, Cat Cat–Sin Chai, and Ta Phin–Ma Tra. Includes 2026 entrance fees, homestay and meal costs, permit registration, fitness needs, weather windows, and a ready-to-use three-day walking plan.

Fansipan vs Bach Moc Luong Tu: Which 2026 Northern Vietnam Summit Should You Trek?
A practical 2026 comparison of Vietnam's highest peak, Fansipan (3,147m), and the wilder Bach Moc Luong Tu (3,046m). We compare routes, costs, permits, fitness demands, and weather windows so trekkers can choose between a 2-day guided climb with cable-car backup and a remote 3-day circuit.

Ha Giang Loop Easy Rider vs Self-Drive: 2026 Costs, Legality and How to Choose
This practical guide compares Ha Giang Loop Easy Rider and self-drive options for 2026: rental and package costs, licensing and fine risk, riding difficulty, mountain weather, and a simple decision framework. Use it before booking to avoid impound fines, insurance gaps, and wasted money on the wrong motorbike choice.

Son Doong Cave Trek 2026: Expedition Permits, Costs, and Fitness Guide
This 2026 guide to Son Doong Cave trekking covers Oxalis-only permits, the exact US$3,000 fee, required fitness levels, March–August weather risks, and a day-by-day itinerary. It helps international adventurers book, pack, and prepare for Vietnam's most demanding cave expedition without losing money or missing critical safety steps.

Bidoup Nui Ba Trekking: High-Altitude Trails and Practical Costs in Vietnam's Southern Highlands
Plan for 1–3 day treks in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, covering 2026 entry and guide fees, required permits, seasonal weather, route options like K'Long K'Lan to Cong Troi, fitness thresholds, packing, and transport from Da Lat. Useful for independent trekkers who want realistic altitude, safety, and budget details before booking.

Y Ty Trekking Guide: 3-Day Cloud Trail Route, Costs and Border Permits in Lao Cai 2026
A practical 2026 guide for hikers planning Y Ty in Lao Cai province. It covers the 3-day trek from Sapa or Lao Cai, trail difficulty, border permit status, guide costs, weather windows, homestay options, and a realistic daily budget for this quieter alternative to Sapa.

Son Doong Cave Trekking: Permits, Difficulty, and 2026 Costs
A practical 2026 guide to Son Doong Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Covers Oxalis-only access, the US$3,000 fee, the 50-km route, physical demands, seasonal dates, and what to pack for Vietnam's most exclusive trek.

Pu Si Lung Trek in 2026: Permits, Guides, Costs, and Fitness Realities
A 2026 logistics brief for trekking Pu Si Lung (3,076m) in Lai Chau, covering mandatory permits and guides, realistic difficulty, weather windows, transport, and current costs. Useful for independent hikers planning around border-zone rules and operator-only access.
Bach Ma National Park Trekking: Trails, Permits, and Costs for 2026
Practical 2026 guide to trekking Bach Ma National Park: main trails (Pheasant, Do Quyen, Summit), current guide and permit rules, entrance fees, transport from Hue or Da Nang, what to pack, and realistic fitness expectations. Includes trail distances, costs, and safety tips for international visitors.