Essential Information for Trekking Tours in Vietnam

Difficulty Levels

Our trekking tours are categorized into three difficulty levels:

Easy
These treks cover approximately 8-10 km on flat terrain. No prior experience is required. Anyone in good health, capable of occasional hiking, can take part in an easy trek. Easy treks are available in Hanoi, Bac Giang, Mai Chau, Ngoc Son Ngo Luong, and other locations.

Moderate
These treks involve 10-15 km of hiking on flat and hilly paths. No specialized experience is needed, though hikers should be familiar with trekking in hilly areas like Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Lai Chau, or Yen Bai. These treks are moderate in difficulty and typically involve a mix of shorter yet more challenging sections. Participants should be in good health and fit.

Difficult
These treks cover 16-23 km on rugged, rocky, and uphill/downhill trails. High physical fitness is crucial, and some treks may require you to lead yourself home. Most treks at this level are comparable to long hikes in the Fansipan mountains or the remote regions of Ha Giang and Cao Bang, often at higher altitudes. The difficulty can also be influenced by climate and isolation. Previous trekking experience is recommended, though not essential if you're confident in your fitness level.

Packing Tips

For comfortable travel in Vietnam, lightweight, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is ideal. The dress code is casual, but covering arms and legs in the evenings is advisable to protect against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is essential during the rainy season, and warm clothing is necessary in northern Vietnam during the winter. When visiting religious sites such as pagodas or temples, avoid wearing shorts, skirts, or revealing clothing, and always remove your shoes before entering private homes.

What you pack depends on your travel style and destination, but here's a useful checklist:

- 1 medium-sized backpack

- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip

- 1 pair of long pants and a long-sleeved shirt for trekking (quick-drying fabric)

- 1 pair of flip-flops (sandals)

- 1 pair of shorts and a T-shirt for the campsite (2 sets if doing a 4-day trek)

- 1 medium-sized towel

- 1 medium-sized dry bag

- Hiking poles/walking sticks

- GPS device

Porters

Local porters are used to carry luggage and trekking equipment during all tours where required. We employ local villagers for this service, which also helps generate income for the community. Each participant is assigned a porter who will carry up to 15 kg of luggage and equipment. Travelers only need to carry their daypacks.

Transportation

Depending on the nature of the tour, travel between destinations will be by air-conditioned car or minibus, covering longer overland sections.

Accommodation

In Vietnam, campsites and lodges are uncommon. Instead, we offer homestay experiences, staying in tribal villages along the trekking route. While the facilities are basic, they are clean. Travelers typically share bamboo-slat floors, separated by curtains. Animals usually sleep underneath the house, and bathrooms and showers are often located outside. Mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets are provided. Over the years, Lotussia Travel has worked on improving the comfort of homestay accommodations. Despite basic amenities, staying in tribal villages and sharing meals with locals offers a truly unique cultural experience. We have received no complaints after 15 years of organizing trekking tours in this way.

Food

Meals are prepared at local restaurants or in village homes along the trek. They are cooked by our guides, local cooks, or hosts, who are well-trained in food hygiene. The meals often include local delicacies, which may involve the slaughtering of animals such as chickens or pigs. We also bring some Western foods, snacks, and drinks like coffee and tea from Hanoi for breakfast and picnics along the way. Our cooks make an effort to provide a variety of foods, and porters assist as needed.

Drinking Water

Bottled water is available in many shops and villages. On remote treks, we buy enough water for the next few days. We recommend bringing water purification tablets as an additional precaution.

Tour Guides

Our tour guides are fluent in English or French and hold university degrees in tourism, along with a national guiding license. For group tours, you can rely on the knowledge and experience of our local guides.

Remote treks are always accompanied by a local representative who manages permits, authorities, and the porter team. They speak the local dialects, understand cultural traditions, and offer guidance on proper behavior in sensitive ecological and tribal areas. In some cases, the tour leader and representative roles are combined.

Best Time to Trek

Northern Vietnam has two distinct seasons: winter and summer. Winter, from November to April, is cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25°C during the day and 0 to 10°C at night. With minimal rainfall, the winter season offers the best weather for trekking in Vietnam.