Top 5 Must-Visit Mountain Destinations in Northern Vietnam for Nature Lovers

Nature and mountains are not meant for everyone. However, if you do have a love for this wonderous beauty and a will to push yourselves beyond the ordinary, the mountains become your second home.

Trekking and summiting these pristine peaks around the world becomes a hobby and you find yourself chasing higher and higher amidst the clouds. To fuel your passion for mountains and a love for nature, Vietnam becomes nothing less than heaven. So, here are the top 5 must-visit mountain destinations for your Northern Vietnam tours.

Step Above The Clouds at Ta Xua

Situated in the Bac Yen district of Northern Vietnam, this majestic peak serves as a natural border between the provinces of Son La and Yen Bai. The “call of the mountains” as they call it is enough to describe the beauty and grandeur of Ta Xua.

At an impressive height of 2865 meters (9399 feet), Ta Xua offers a breathtaking view of lush green valleys, surrounding the hill (if you’re unlucky). What’s special about this summit is that the clouds of Vietnam will be below you! This particular summit is used for “cloud hunting” where glimmering clouds fly alongside you.

The summit’s view can be described as a white fluffy pillow covering the land beneath, as Ta Xua gives you serene beauty. Although the peak offers majestic views year-round, November to April is considered a popular tourist time to visit this peak. There are a plethora of landmarks and tourist spots like Dinosaur Spine, Turtle Head Rock Formation, Lonely Tree, and more after you have spent your time with the clouds of Ta Xua.

The Lying Dragon Mountain (Ngao Long Mountain)

In fairytales, we would often see the knight climbing a treacherous mountain and find a dragon sitting at the summit waiting for them. Well, here’s your chance to make that fantasy a reality at the Ngao Long Mountain.

Called the Lying Dragon Mountain, this iconic peak is nestled in the Ninh Binh district of Northern Vietnam. From grandeur views to the Mua caves, this mountain is a must-visit for your trips to Vietnam. After climbing 500 steps, you will be greeted with two choices. Take a left turn halfway up the mountain and you will reach the famous Lying Dragon Statue.

A little further up the mountain, you will be greeted with one of the most iconic viewpoints in all of Vietnam. Rice paddies, trees, and the Ngo Dong River, tourists will get a chance to see them from a bird’s eye view at the top of Ngao Long.

PS: You can explore the Mua Caves inside the Ngao Long mountain which is also a must-see in Northern Vietnam tours.

Meet “The Lord of Mountains” in the Ba Vi Mountain Range

Covering an area of 50 km2, the Ba Vi Mountain range lies in the Lương Sơn and Kỳ Sơn districts in the Hoa Binh province of Northern Vietnam. Called “The Lord of Mountains”, Ba Vi has many summits along the way.

The most famous is the Tan Vien Summit as Vietnamese mythology calls it the home of Sơn Tinh, the mountain god. At a comfortable height of 1200 meters, the peaks offer a majestic view of the natural beauty surrounding Ba Vi.

Green farms, mythological tales, and open fields are something that you can expect to see from one of the peaks of Ba Vi. A shrine to President Ho Chi Minh is also dedicated at the summit of Vua Peak (1296 m).

Phu Si Lung

This is where things get to start a little difficult. For the thrill seeker in you, Phu Si Lung offers a trek of 100 km and a height of 3,076m (10,092 ft). The trail takes 3 nights and 4 days to complete but the views are well worth the trouble.

If you want a challenge, Phu Si Lung gives you the chance to trek through green forests, cross rivers, and explore the unexplored. Situated at the border between Southern China and Northern Vietnam, this mountain is not for everyone.

You can also see some of the iconic wild animals roaming in the greenery of the jungle such as monkeys, bears, squirrels, and even tigers! As we said, the trail is difficult but a great memory that will last a lifetime.

The arduous trek is one iconic way to spend your Northern Vietnam Holidays but make sure to book a guide and a porter for ease of things.

The Roof of Indochina - Fansipan

It’s called “The Roof of Indochina” for a reason. Fansipan is the highest mountain in all of Indochina (comprising Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia). Situated in the northwest region of Vietnam, this iconic mountain stands at a massive impressive of 3,147.3 meters (10,326 ft).

You can find azaleas and rhododendrons along the trail of Fansipan as you explore the mountain and the trail that it has to offer. Tours from Sa Pa with Threeland Travel can be arranged while summiting and traveling back usually take one or two days.

For people wanting to see the majestic view from the top without a strain on their bodies, Fansipan also offers a ropeway cable straight to the summit. What could be a better way to end your northern Vietnam tour than to visit the roof of Indochina?

Conclusion

From myriads of mystical peaks and dragon statues to the arduous treks of the higher peaks, Norther Vietnam calls to us all. The views are simply breathtaking (so is the trek for some peaks) and it has something for everyone. For the best possible experience, contact a Vietnam tour company to get the joyous experience of traveling and summiting these mighty peaks of Northern Vietnam.