A stunning country with glorious scenery and a fantastic culture, Vietnam offers many attractions for modern tourists. It would be easy to spend a holiday in Vietnam just sightseeing and immersing yourself in the culture – which, thanks to a heavy French influence, is different from its South-Eastern Asian neighbors, but why pass up on some fun adventure activities in Vietnam? Vietnam is not only a tourism destination, but also a country chosen by foreign investors who want to extend their businesses here and enjoy the local opportunities
Mue Ne Dunes Sandboarding
Also called sand surfing, sandboarding is an extreme sport, exactly like snowboarding, but on dunes instead of snow. Regularly named among the best sandboarding destinations globally are the Mue Ne Dunes. A series of red dunes around the resort town of the same name, sandboarding has not yet hit the professional heights here but is more of a fun cultural experience. Women in cone hats rent outboards to everyone from kids to saffron-robed Buddhist monks.
Mue Nie is also home to the magical Fairy Stream. This small shallow river winds through moon-like rock formations and is fun to walk through. You can watch the fish as you walk up to two km in the water, or you might try your hand at fishing. You’ll need some basic tackle, including rod and reels. Check out these great options for beginners.
Take on Mount Fansipan
Nicknamed “the Roof of Indochina,” Fansipan, at 3,143 meters, is the highest mountain in the region. Located in Sapa, a town in the Lao Cai province in Northern Vietnam, the mountain can be conquered via two main climbing routes, one categorized as 2D1N, the other a longer 3D2N route. Both climbs require a guide. For those who prefer an easier way to the summit, the Fansipan cable car takes 15 minutes to achieve what climbers do in 2-3 days, traveling on cables high above primitive forests.
Ride a Motorbike from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
One of the enduring images of Vietnam is the streets of Ho Chi Minh crowded with motorbikes. Still, motorbikes are also popular outside the cities, and Vietnam has become known for some fantastic motorbike routes. One of my favorite journeys is from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. There are various routes to cover the distance of more than 2,000 km, all taking you through gorgeous scenery and fascinating towns and villages.
Marble Mountain Rappelling Tour with Temple and Cave Exploration
You might think that abseiling down a vertical rock face is for experienced adrenalin junkies, but not so on a rappelling tour in the Marble Mountains in Vietnam. Located just north of the famous resort city, the Marble Mountains are known locally as the “Five Elements Mountains.” Tours start in the town, and once in the mountains, all equipment and instruction are provided to complete at least two rappels (depending on the tour company you choose). Besides the rappelling, the tours have spectacular views of the coast and include trekking through the mountains and visiting caves and temples.
Canyoning in Vietnam
Canyoning is a thrilling adrenaline rush of an adventure sport wherein you jump into a fast-flowing mountain stream and allow yourself to be carried at high speed downstream. The most popular place for canyoning in Vietnam is Dalat. Dalat is in the Central Highlands and is a lovely resort town near a lake, becoming renowned as a destination for honeymoons and the adventure sports of cliff jumping, waterfall rappelling, natural water slides, and hiking well as canyoning. Various companies offer canyoning tours in Dalat, all at similar prices for similar itineraries, so choose which appeals most.