By: Becky Rogers
Although the country is known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities, the mountains in Vietnam are also just as amazing, if not more! Many climbing enthusiasts are making the journey to this rugged landscape to escape the city crowds, explore the nature and conquer new heights. Sound like something you would love? If mountaineering is your adventure, here is our list of the best mountains near Ho Chi Minh City.
Lang Biang Mountain
Standing tall in the Lam Dong Province in Vietnam, you will find Lang Biang Mountain with a fascinating back story. Named after a Romeo and Juliet-esque love story that ends in bittersweet death, it was the unity of tribes that caused the graves of the lovers to grow into the mountain range that we know today. As well as the years of history, the mountain also boasts a variety of activity. With three mountain peaks, Lang Biang can be ‘tackled’ via jeeps up a paved road, hiking via dirt tracks to the summit or via an even more beaten trail to an unnamed peak (2,124m). However, this trek is slowly becoming more and more touristy, complete with sign posts and “Hollywood like” signs of the place. Nevertheless, the hike is beautiful and is a fun way to spend a couple of hours outdoors.
The hike itself is very easy to follow but considered a moderate difficulty due to the elevation. The diverse landscapes are stunning as you walk through coffee plantations that blend into pine forests and eventually jungle before the summit.The reward? Vast valleys as well as the Golden and Silver Streams along with the lush mountainous city of Dalat itself.
- Height: 2,167 meters
- Time to Summit: Approximately 2-3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
How to get there: You can fly into Dalat from Hanoi or HCMC. Once in Dalat, Lang Biang is easily reached via taxi (30 minutes) or bus (1 hour).
Mount Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin)
Next up on our best mountains in Vietnam list is Mount Nui Ba Den. Translating to ‘mountain lady black’ but known as ‘black virgin,’ this mountain although only 966 meters tall is the highest peak in Southern Vietnam. Sounds crazy right? But when you see the extinct volcano looming over the vast flat farm fields that surround it, there’s no missing this peak. Sitting like an upside-down mixing bowl, it is a pleasant climb to the top of Mount Nui Ba Den where you will landmark such as the large reclining Buddha statue and Pagoda. For a bit of excitement, you can even mix up the hike by taking the gondola up and the 1700 meter, winding slideway down. With a lot of history and legends surrounding the origin of its name, this mountain is a great choice for a day hike.
- Height: 966 meters
- Time to Summit: Approximately 1-2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there: You can get here easily if you rent a car or a bike from Ho Chi Minh. If you can’t however, you will need to:
- Take a bus from Ho Chi Minh to An Suong bus terminal (1 hour on #4 bus from Ben Thanh bus terminal)
- Take a minibus to Tay Ninh bus station also called Bến xe Long Hoa (buses leave every 15 minutes and cost $3)
- Take a motor-taxi to Nui Ba Den
Ta Cu Mountain
Although not a beast of a climb, this ‘smaller’ mountain makes our list due to the atmosphere that it has. The trail itself takes only about an hour, but if you opt to take the cable car, you will be up there within 10 minutes. As soon as you reach the summit, you will see an area full of stunning statues, pagodas, and a terraced platform where you can admire the panoramic views of Vietnam. The big reclining Buddha at the top is the primary reason why many people opt to do this trek. As one of our top picks for the best mountains in Vietnam, this one is a must-visit for travelers in Mui Ne looking for a fun and easy day hike.
- Height: 649 meters
- Time to Summit: Approximately 1 hour (10 mins via cable car)
- Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
How to get there: Take a taxi from Mui Ne (1 hour)
Source: https://www.adventureinyou.com
