If you are interested in active holidays and like the idea of trekking through unique and exotic scenery, perhaps you could consider Vietnam for your next holiday destination.
Two popular areas for Vietnam hiking and trekking are Sapa and Cat Ba Island, both in the north of the country.
The main town of Sapa is surrounded by a vast mountain region abundant in rice fields and dotted with small tribal villages.
Cat Ba Island, the largest of the many islands in the region of Halong Bay, is located off the coast of north-east Vietnam.
Nearly half the island is covered by a national park, and there are lakes, waterfalls and forests to explore in the limestone hills.
There are Vietnam treks to choose from at different levels of difficulty, so there are options available to travellers of all fitness levels.
Sapa is typically reached by overnight train from Hanoi, which is a great experience in itself.
You can watch the countryside glide by as the sun sets and the train heads for the hills, before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the train.
Upon waking in the morning you will notice a dramatic change in the scenery as your travel through the spectacular mountain region of north-west Vietnam.
Sapa is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding hill tribe villages.
Alternatively, it is possible to stay overnight with a local family in one of the villages as part of a home stay, which gives you a chance to explore deeper into the region than most tourists get to experience, and you would have the chance to learn more about and be part of the daily life of the local people.
The village of Y Linh Ho is located about 7 km southwest of Sapa town on the western side of the Muong Hoa River, and the village can only be reached by foot.
It's an easy trek from Sapa to Y Linh Ho village, which is made up of about a dozen small hamlets scattered on the high, steep mountains.
While you are here you might see the people of the Black H'mong tribe cultivating their rice fields and corn plantations on the hillsides.
Another popular trek from Sapa is to the lively and crowded Bac Ha Market, which is the largest and most colourful market in the area, making it a photographers dream.
The market offers a variety of local goods you would expect to see in a country market when travelling through a country like Vietnam including fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, rice wine, livestock, blacksmiths and much more, but you can also find some pieces of local craft to treasure such as hand-woven bedspreads, blankets and cushion covers plus colourful handbags, hats and costumes all embroidered by hand by various local Vietnam hill tribes.
From the markets you can also do a short trek to Trung Do village, which belongs to the Tay minority.
In this village you can visit a traditional Tay house, and then trek back to Sapa town making it a rewarding round trip.
The best time to visit Sapa for trekking would be March to May and September to December, which avoids the colder months of January to February and the wetter monsoon months in the middle of the year.
Another place that offers good trekking in Vietnam is Cat Ba Island.
Cat Ba Island is popular for a one night stop as part of a longer Halong Bay tour; with the first night typically spent on a traditional junk boat, it makes for a fascinating 3 day, 2 night trip from Hanoi.
Nearly half of Cat Bay Island is covered by a National Park, protecting the island's diverse ecosystems.
During a trek on Cat Ba Island you could explore the rugged limestone mountains, mangrove swamps and jungle forests or discover deserted beaches.
You may also be lucky enough to spot the Cat Ba Langur, the endangered golden-haired langur endemic to the island.
The best time of year for more active treks on Cat Ba Island is from September to November, when temperatures are mild and humidity is low.
Two popular areas for Vietnam hiking and trekking are Sapa and Cat Ba Island, both in the north of the country.
The main town of Sapa is surrounded by a vast mountain region abundant in rice fields and dotted with small tribal villages.
Cat Ba Island, the largest of the many islands in the region of Halong Bay, is located off the coast of north-east Vietnam.
Nearly half the island is covered by a national park, and there are lakes, waterfalls and forests to explore in the limestone hills.
There are Vietnam treks to choose from at different levels of difficulty, so there are options available to travellers of all fitness levels.
Sapa is typically reached by overnight train from Hanoi, which is a great experience in itself.
You can watch the countryside glide by as the sun sets and the train heads for the hills, before falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the train.
Upon waking in the morning you will notice a dramatic change in the scenery as your travel through the spectacular mountain region of north-west Vietnam.
Sapa is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding hill tribe villages.
Alternatively, it is possible to stay overnight with a local family in one of the villages as part of a home stay, which gives you a chance to explore deeper into the region than most tourists get to experience, and you would have the chance to learn more about and be part of the daily life of the local people.
The village of Y Linh Ho is located about 7 km southwest of Sapa town on the western side of the Muong Hoa River, and the village can only be reached by foot.
It's an easy trek from Sapa to Y Linh Ho village, which is made up of about a dozen small hamlets scattered on the high, steep mountains.
While you are here you might see the people of the Black H'mong tribe cultivating their rice fields and corn plantations on the hillsides.
Another popular trek from Sapa is to the lively and crowded Bac Ha Market, which is the largest and most colourful market in the area, making it a photographers dream.
The market offers a variety of local goods you would expect to see in a country market when travelling through a country like Vietnam including fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, rice wine, livestock, blacksmiths and much more, but you can also find some pieces of local craft to treasure such as hand-woven bedspreads, blankets and cushion covers plus colourful handbags, hats and costumes all embroidered by hand by various local Vietnam hill tribes.
From the markets you can also do a short trek to Trung Do village, which belongs to the Tay minority.
In this village you can visit a traditional Tay house, and then trek back to Sapa town making it a rewarding round trip.
The best time to visit Sapa for trekking would be March to May and September to December, which avoids the colder months of January to February and the wetter monsoon months in the middle of the year.
Another place that offers good trekking in Vietnam is Cat Ba Island.
Cat Ba Island is popular for a one night stop as part of a longer Halong Bay tour; with the first night typically spent on a traditional junk boat, it makes for a fascinating 3 day, 2 night trip from Hanoi.
Nearly half of Cat Bay Island is covered by a National Park, protecting the island's diverse ecosystems.
During a trek on Cat Ba Island you could explore the rugged limestone mountains, mangrove swamps and jungle forests or discover deserted beaches.
You may also be lucky enough to spot the Cat Ba Langur, the endangered golden-haired langur endemic to the island.
The best time of year for more active treks on Cat Ba Island is from September to November, when temperatures are mild and humidity is low.