Joanna James
If you are looking for a holiday that offers plenty of thrills and adventures, Vietnam is the destination for you. Set amidst some breathtaking natural backdrops, you can enjoy exhilarating activities both on land and at sea.
If you are new to canyoning, it involves many active pursuits that generally take place in and around waterfalls; it can include jumping from heights, abseiling or sliding down waterfalls, swimming, hiking and more. Sounds like your kind of thing? Then head over to Dalat which is one of the best spots for canyoning in Vietnam. You can try all the activities mentioned above on special tours organised here, with some tour operators offering zip-lining too.
Those interested in some pedal-powered adventures can look forward to mountain biking in Vietnam. It offers a great way to see the countryside, witness traditional livelihoods and enjoy local cuisine on the way too. One of the best local destinations for this would be Sapa set amidst landscapes of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range and terraced paddy fields. Other places to enjoy this activity include Fansipan, Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chao.
Here's your chance to not only explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site but get in a cardio workout while doing so! Kayaking in Halong Bay is a not to be missed activity and lets you discover this stunning area home to secluded islands, unspoilt beaches, intriguing caves, remarkable limestone formations and more. Amongst the popular sites, you can kayak to are the Luon Cave, Hon Co Island and Vung Vieng floating village where you can soak up some traditional culture as well.
While sand dunes may seem solitary objects amidst a desert, they also offer lots of thrills when you slide down them! Sandboarding is one of the top things to do in Mui Ne, Vietnam, where you can, in fact, choose from two areas; named after the colour of the sand, they are the White Sand Dunes and Red Sand Dunes. Within easy reach of local properties such as Anantara Mui Ne Resort, these dunes are ideal for sandboarding, especially at sunrise or sunset.
The mountains of Vietnam are perfect for travellers looking to enjoy treks to the summits. One of the most well-known treks is the one up Mount Fansipan which at 3,143 metres, is the highest mountain in the country. Sometimes referred to as the "Roof of Indochina", the mountain offers a challenging trek which can take anywhere from one to four days, depending not only on your level of fitness but what you want to experience; either way, the view at the top will be mind-blowing!
It is not just on land where you can find adventures, but out at sea too. Scuba diving in Vietnam offers one a chance to witness stunning corals and diverse marine life including reef fish, bamboo sharks, dugongs and more, found amidst vibrant underwater worlds. Amongst the best areas for this activity is Nha Trang from where one can easily access diving hotspots such as Hon Mun Marine Park and Whale Island.
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