Travel guide 101: The 5 must-go routes when traveling to Vietnam

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Aside from world-class dishes like Pho, Vietnam has many unique routes that’ll entice you at first glance. We’ve listed 5 fantastic Vietnam travel routes for you to discover its charm. 

Bodhi Tree Road – Ninh Binh

Bodhi Tree Road is a unique tourist place that attracts tourists visiting Ninh Binh. With an age of 13, it’s the result of 3,000 Bodhi trees on the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi. This 15km road connects Hoa Lu town, Trang An eco-tourism area and Bai Dinh Pagoda.

Not only does it have spiritual significance, but the Bodhi trees also help purify the air during the route to the Trang An World Heritage Site. Every day, hundreds of tourists come to visit and check in on this unique road.

A popular activity here is cycling on the Bodhi Tree Road. The ideal time for you to cycle is early morning, from 6 am to 7 am. It’s when the golden sunlight slants through the foliage, and the air is calm. The cycling journey will entice you with the tranquil space and make you yearn to stay here forever. 

Make your way to the enchanting route with a classic 10-day holiday package. You’ll embrace the unforgettable ambiance while en route to Trang An. Also, there’re many unique architecture with profound historical values waiting for you to discover, like the temples of Vietnamese dynasties. 

Bodhi Tree Road provides a tranquil ambience

Hai Van Pass

With a length of 20km, Hai Van Pass is the boundary between Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang City. It’s recognised as one of the 10 most beautiful coastal roads in the world and the most beautiful coastal pass in Vietnam.

Throughout this coastal pass, there are U-shaped bends that’ll make you feel a heart attack. Also, you’ll encounter lush foliage, dramatic coastal views, and a rich history. The picturesque landscape will provide you with a serene escape from bustling life.

Aside from the scenic view, there’s also Hai Van Quan – one of the important gates built during the Tran Dynasty and a defensive military fortress for Hue capital. King Le Thanh Tong was amazed by the beautiful nature here and dedicated the six words which still remain in Hai Van Quan today.

You should come here by motorbike to the exhilarating twists and turns while soaking in breathtaking coastal views. Yet, you can also desire the charm of Hai Van Pass simply by booking a 5-day central tour package of Ftrip. Not just sightseeing the Pass, you’ll be offered a lot of activities and beautiful destinations to enjoy the trip. 

The stunning nature surround Hai Van Pass

O Quy Ho Pass – Lai Chau

Known as the “King of passes in the Northwest”, O Quy Ho is the longest, most dangerous and most majestic mountain pass in Northern Vietnam with a length of nearly 50 km. It’s about 10 km away from Sapa and 60 km away from Lai Chau city.

Located at more than 2,000m above sea level, the scenery of O Quy Ho Pass appears spectacular. One side is a deep abyss, and the other is a towering cliff surrounded by clouds and fog. As the sky is clear, the tranquil scenery of Muong Hoa Valley is clearly shown.

Located at the top of O Quy Ho Pass, Sapa Heaven Gate is the most beautiful place to view the Northwest mountains and forests at an altitude of nearly 2,300m. You can also enjoy the breathtaking view from Sapa Glass Bridge – a destination that brings a unique “walking in the clouds” experience.

Since O Quy Ho Pass is very dangerous, we suggest you not go there by yourself the first time. Instead, you can embrace the beauty of this route as a part of the 14-day Vietnam tour package. Aside from the Pass, you’ll discover the ‘root of inchidona’ and immerse in the tranquility of Ha Long Bay.

O Quy Ho Pass

Khau Pha Pass

Located in Yen Bai province, Khau Pha Pass is among the best Vietnam travel routes in the Northwest Highlands. The magnific Pass has a length of about 30 km and is the boundary between Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts. Khau Pha Pass is famous for being a winding pass with dangerous bends and steep cliffs.

The highlight spot when conquering Khau Pha pass is immersing yourself in the majestic natural scenery. You can glimpse mountain chains that look like curved horns rising among the white clouds. 

Because of the high location above sea level, the weather here is cool year-round. The perfect scenery at Khau Pha Pass is during the ripening rice season in September and October. Coming to Khau Pha this season, you’ll be overwhelmed by the picturesque view of terraced fields changing from green to yellow.

Aside from conquering the dangerous pass, you can enjoy the breathtaking view while parachuting when coming to Khau Pha Pass. It’s sought after by many people when Mu Cang Chai enters the ripe rice season.

Parachuting in Khau Pha Pass

Ma Pi Leng Pass 

Another destination in “Four Great Passes” is the Ma Pi Leng Pass. It’s about 20 km long and about 1200m above sea level. Ma Pi Leng serves as the main road connecting Ha Giang City, Dong Van and Meo Vac town. The pass travels amidst the limestone peaks of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized site.

The construction of Ma Pi Leng Pass dates back to the 1960s, forming a key component of Northern Vietnam’s strategic road network. It held significant military importance during the Indochina Wars as a vital link to the Ho Chi Minh Road, a crucial supply route for Vietnamese forces.

Ma Pi Leng Pass is a perfect destination for you to immerse yourself in the world of unique nature and tranquility after rough days. Also, don’t forget to take a boat trip along the Nho Que river. Gliding on the pristine waters embraced by towering cliffs will give you an unprecedented experience.

Curvy roads of Ma Pi Leng Pass

Final thoughts

Here’re the 5 fantastic Vietnam travel routes for you to travel with endless excitement. Whether gentle roads or dangerous passes, they’re always ready to offer you a unique experience.

Reviewed by

Diep Van

Phone: +84901166884

Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

Diep Van

Founder & Photography Guide

Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


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