Vietnam, a country of staggering natural beauty, offers far more than its famous cities and culinary scenes. Beyond the well-trodden tourist trails lie rugged mountains veiled in clouds, pristine jungles echoing with wildlife, serene lakes, and untouched beaches—a paradise waiting for those willing to pitch a tent.
But finding the right camping spot can be challenging. Information is scattered, and it’s hard to know what to expect. Are there facilities? Is it safe? Is it really as beautiful as the photos?
This is not just another list. This is your definitive, all-in-one guide to camping in Vietnam.
We’ve compiled the most breathtaking, accessible, and unique camping spots across the country, rivaling and surpassing the collections of Vietnam Discovery and CampingVietnam. We provide the in-depth, personal detail you’d expect from Vietnam Coracle, but for the entire country.
Whether you’re a hardcore trekker seeking a wild mountain peak or a family looking for a weekend escape from the city, you will find your perfect adventure right here.
How to Choose Your Perfect Vietnam Camping Spots
To make your choice easier, we’ve organized our top picks by region. Unlike simple directories, our guide breaks down why each spot is special.
By Region:
- Northern Vietnam: (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang) – Famous for dramatic karst mountains, terraced rice fields, and a cooler climate.
- Central Vietnam: (Da Nang, Da Lat, Binh Thuan) – A diverse mix of jungle-clad mountains, high-altitude plateaus, and stunning, rugged coastlines.
- Southern Vietnam: (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Islands) – Known for warmer tropical weather, tranquil lakes, vast national parks, and idyllic islands.
By Camping Type:
- Wild Camping: No facilities, just you and nature. Requires full preparation and self-sufficiency.
- Established Campsites: Organized areas, often with basic toilets, food stalls, and rental gear.
- Glamping: Luxurious “glamorous camping” with comfortable beds, electricity, and full services.
10 Best Camping Spots in Northern Vietnam (The Dramatic North)
The North offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in Southeast Asia. Prepare for cooler temperatures, especially from December to March.
1. Ba Be Lake, Bac Kan Province
- Why it’s a top spot: This is Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake, a “Ha Long Bay on land” surrounded by towering limestone karsts and dense jungle. It’s incredibly serene.
- Location & Access: About 230km north of Hanoi (a 5-6 hour drive). You can park at a local homestay in Pac Ngoi village and then hire a boat to take you to a private, wild camping spot on the shore.
- Costs: Varies. Expect to pay a small boat rental fee and perhaps a small courtesy fee to a local family if you camp near their land.
- Facilities: True wild camping. You must be 100% self-sufficient. Bring all food, water (or a filter), and shelter.
- Pro-Tip (The ‘Coracle’ Insight): The best experience is to kayak or SUP (rentals available in the village) to a remote inlet on your own. The water is like glass in the early morning. Don’t miss the Dau Dang Waterfall, a short boat ride away.
2. Tà Xùa, Sơn La Province: The Cloud Hunt
- Why it’s a top spot: Famous for the “sea of clouds” (săn mây). Waking up on a mountain ridge, looking down on a valley filled with rolling white clouds, is an experience you will never forget.
- Location & Access: A challenging 200km drive from Hanoi, with the final stretch being steep and winding. A high-clearance vehicle or a sturdy motorbike is recommended.
- Costs: Free (wild camping).
- Facilities: None. This is pure, high-altitude wild camping. It gets very cold and windy at night, so bring serious cold-weather gear (4-season tent, warm sleeping bag).
- Pro-Tip: The “dinosaur’s backbone” (sống lưng khủng long) is the most famous spot, but it gets crowded. For a quieter spot, continue along the ridge. The cloud sea is most reliable from November to April. Check the weather obsessively before you go.
3. Đồng Cao Plateau, Bắc Giang
- Why it’s a top spot: A vast, rolling grassland plateau often called the “mini-Mongolia” of Vietnam. It’s a popular and accessible weekend escape for Hanoians seeking open space.
- Location & Access: Only about 150km from Hanoi. The road is now mostly paved, making it accessible for most cars and motorbikes.
- Costs: Free.
- Facilities: None. Pack everything in and pack everything out.
- Pro-Tip: This spot is all about the open air. It’s perfect for flying kites, stargazing (minimal light pollution), and enjoying a group BBQ. It can get surprisingly chilly at night.
4. Pù Luông Nature Reserve, Thanh Hóa
- Why it’s a top spot: Imagine a miniature Sapa, but without the crowds. Pù Luông is a stunning valley of terraced rice fields, traditional Thai villages with wooden stilt houses, and lush forests. It’s the perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty.
- Location & Access: About 160km (4-5 hours) southwest of Hanoi. The road is scenic but winding. Best accessed by car or confident motorbike rider.
- Costs: Wild camping is possible but tricky. The best option is to camp at an established site (like Pù Luông Camping) or ask a local homestay if you can pitch your tent on their land for a small fee (100,000 – 200,000 VND).
- Facilities: Established campsites offer toilets, showers, and food. Homestays will let you use their basic facilities.
- Pro-Tip (The ‘Coracle’ Insight): The iconic water wheels (Cọn nước) are unique to this area. For the best camping experience, base yourself near Kho Mường village or Hang village. Rent a motorbike and explore the side valleys—that’s where the real magic is, far from the main road.
5. The Ha Giang Loop (Nho Quế River View)
- Why it’s a top spot: This is arguably the most epic road trip in Vietnam. While the “Loop” itself is a journey, the ultimate camping spot is overlooking the turquoise Nho Quế River from the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass.
- Location & Access: The spot is between Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc. You’ll need to rent a motorbike in Ha Giang city (a 6-hour bus ride from Hanoi). This is for experienced riders only.
- Costs: There are now a few designated (but very basic) viewpoints where you can camp for free. You can also pay a small fee to a local eatery to use their patch of land.
- Facilities: Almost none. A few local stalls may sell water or instant noodles, but you must be self-sufficient.
- Pro-Tip: Don’t camp right on the main pass (it’s dangerous and windy). Look for small turn-offs. A better option: ride down to the Nho Quế River itself and find a spot by the bank, then take the boat tour through the Tu Sản Canyon (the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia) the next morning.
6. Mù Cang Chải, Yên Bái
- Why it’s a top spot: Home to some of the most dramatic rice terraces on earth, a UNESCO heritage site. Camping here during the “golden season” (September/October) means waking up surrounded by a sea of gold.
- Location & Access: A long (300km, 7-8 hour) but beautiful drive from Hanoi. The roads are very steep.
- Costs: Free to wild camp, but finding a flat spot can be hard. The best bet is to ask a H’mong family in one of the high-altitude villages (like La Pán Tẩn) if you can camp on their property for a small fee.
- Facilities: None. You will be relying on the hospitality of locals or be fully self-sufficient.
- Pro-Tip: The “Mam Xoi” (Raspberry Hill) viewpoint is famous, but for camping, find a spot with a wider, less-crowded view. The “watering season” (May/June) is also stunning, when the terraces are silver pools of water reflecting the sky.
7. Sapa (Lao Chải / Tả Van Valley)
- Why it’s a top spot: Sapa itself is very touristy, but the surrounding valleys offer incredible camping opportunities with views of Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak. The Tả Van valley is populated by the Giáy and H’mong people and is stunning.
- Location & Access: Take an overnight train or 5-hour bus from Hanoi to Sapa. From Sapa town, it’s a 30-minute taxi or motorbike ride down into the valley.
- Costs: You must camp at a designated homestay or campsite. Wild camping is generally not permitted or welcomed. Expect to pay 100,000 – 250,000 VND per person at a place like “Sapa Camping Site” or a local homestay’s garden.
- Facilities: Good. These spots cater to trekkers and offer hot showers, western toilets, Wi-Fi, and excellent home-cooked meals.
- Pro-Tip: This is “easy camping.” Don’t bother bringing much gear; just rent a tent or a small bungalow from a homestay. The value is in waking up in the valley, ready to start your trek before the day-trippers arrive from Sapa town.
8. Ba Vì National Park, Hanoi
- Why it’s a top spot: The easiest and most accessible mountain escape from Hanoi. In just 90 minutes, you can go from the city’s chaos to a cool, misty forest with multiple peaks and temples.
- Location & Access: A very easy 60km drive from Hanoi. The road goes all the way up the mountain.
- Costs: You must pay the park entrance fee (60,000 VND) and a separate camping fee (approx. 50,000 VND) at the designated camping ground.
- Facilities: The main campsite (Cốt 400) has basic toilets, some benches, and large flat grassy areas. You can rent tents and BBQ gear on-site, but it’s better to bring your own.
- Pro-Tip: Don’t just stay at the campsite. Hike to the Uncle Ho Temple at the summit (Vua Peak) for an incredible 360-degree view (on a clear day). There’s also an abandoned, atmospheric French church and summer camp nearby that are perfect for photos.
9. Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bằng
- Why it’s a top spot: This is one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls, marking the border between Vietnam and China. Camping near here (not at the falls) gives you the chance to see it at sunrise, long before the tour buses arrive.
- Location & Access: A very long (330km, 7-8 hour) journey from Hanoi, but the new highway has made it faster. You’ll want to stay in Cao Bằng province for at least 2-3 days.
- Costs: You cannot camp in the main tourist area. However, there are guesthouses and homestays (like Khuổi Ky stone village) just 2-3km away that will let you camp in their gardens for a small fee.
- Facilities: Basic, provided by the homestay (toilet, shower, food).
- Pro-Tip: The main waterfall is just one attraction. Rent a motorbike and explore the surrounding area: the stunning Ngườm Ngao Cave and the “Angel Eye” Mountain (Núi Mắt Thần) in the Thung Valley, which is an epic wild camping spot in its own right.
10. Mai Châu, Hòa Bình
- Why it’s a top spot: A gentle, beautiful valley of rice paddies and Thai stilt villages, Mai Châu is the “go-to” for a relaxing, cultural, and easy weekend. It’s less dramatic than Pù Luông but far more accessible.
- Location & Access: A simple 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi. The road is in excellent condition.
- Costs: Like Sapa, wild camping is not common. You camp in the garden of a homestay in Lác Village or Poom Coọng Village. Many “glamping” sites (like Mai Chau Hideaway) have also popped up.
- Facilities: Excellent. You’ll have full access to the homestay’s restaurant, hot showers, and Wi-Fi.
- Pro-Tip: The main villages are quite commercial. For a better experience, rent a bicycle and ride 5-10km to the other villages (like Làng Chiềng Sại), where life is more traditional. The camping is a comfortable “base” for a weekend of cycling, hiking, and enjoying local food.
Best Camping Spots in Central Vietnam (Coast & Highlands)
From the cool highlands to the epic coastline, the center of Vietnam is a camper’s dream.
1. Đa Lat Pine Forests, Lâm Đồng Province
- Why it’s a top spot: Da Lat, the “City of Eternal Spring,” is surrounded by vast pine forests, serene lakes, and a cool, crisp climate. It’s the camping capital of the Central Highlands.
- Location & Access: Tuyen Lam Lake (Hồ Tuyền Lâm) and Suoi Vang Lake (Hồ Suối Vàng) are the two most popular areas. Both are just a short drive from Da Lat center.
- Costs: Many areas are free (wild camping). There are also established campsites (like Thung Lũng Vàng) that charge a small entrance fee (around 50,000 – 100,000 VND).
- Facilities: Varies. Wild spots have nothing. Established sites offer toilets, tent rentals, and pre-set BBQ options.
- Pro-Tip: The “Lonely Pine Tree” at Suoi Vang Lake is famous, but also crowded. For a quieter spot, head to the far side of Tuyen Lam Lake (you can hire a small boat to cross). Be prepared for the chilly, damp fog in the early mornings.
2. Cù Lao Xanh (The Green Isle), Binh Dinh Province
- Why it’s a top spot: A pristine, relatively unknown island off the coast of Quy Nhon. It offers crystal-clear blue water, healthy coral reefs, and empty beaches perfect for camping.
- Location & Access: Take a 30-minute speedboat or a 2-hour wooden “market” boat from Quy Nhon. Once on the island, you can rent a motorbike or hike to a secluded beach.
- Costs: Free to camp on the beach, but it’s courteous to ask a local family or the border post first.
- Facilities: Very basic. There are a few small eateries (quán ăn) and homestays, but no real tourist infrastructure. You must bring your own gear.
- Pro-Tip: This is a true island escape. Bring snorkeling gear. The lighthouse on the island offers the best 360-degree view, especially at sunrise.
Best Camping Spots in Southern Vietnam (Lakes, Islands & Parks)
The South is perfect for year-round camping, with warm weather, tranquil lakes, and stunning tropical islands.
Tri An Lake (Hồ Trị An), Đồng Nai
- Why it’s a top spot: The most popular and accessible “wild” camping spot for residents of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a massive man-made lake with numerous small islands and peninsulas.
- Location & Access: Only 70km from HCMC (about 2 hours). You can drive directly to many spots on the lake’s edge. Mã Đà island is a popular spot requiring a short boat ride.
- Costs: Mostly free. Some local “sites” have set up and charge a small fee (50,000 VND) for parking and security.
- Facilities: Varies. The free spots have nothing. The paid “sites” (like Bãi Cắm Trại Lạc Mẫn) offer basic toilets, tent rentals, and pre-marinated food.
- Pro-Tip: The lake is best at sunset and sunrise. It’s a popular fishing spot, so bring a rod. It can get very crowded on Saturday nights; for peace, go on a Friday or find a more remote peninsula.
Côn Đảo Islands, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu
- Why it’s a top spot: A breathtaking archipelago that is a protected national park. Camping here means empty, stunning beaches, clear water, and jungle backdrops. It’s far more remote and pristine than Phu Quoc.
- Location & Access: A short flight from HCMC or a 4-hour high-speed ferry from Vung Tau. Once on the main island (Con Son), you must get a permit from the National Park Headquarters to camp.
- Costs: You must pay the National Park entrance fee (60,000 VND) and a small camping fee.
- Facilities: The park provides designated camping areas (like on Bãi Bàng) with basic toilets and water. You must bring your own tent and food.
- Pro-Tip: This is one of the few places in Vietnam where you can watch sea turtles lay their eggs (seasonal, May-Oct). You must book this experience via the National Park office.
Your Essential Vietnam Camping Checklist (All-in-One Guide)
This is the section that adds massive value and turns your article into a true resource.
Shelter & Sleep:
- Tent: A 3-season tent with a good rainfly is essential.
- Sleeping Bag: A lightweight (10-15°C) bag is fine for the South. For the North, you’ll need a warmer (0-5°C) bag in winter.
- Sleeping Mat: Crucial for comfort and warmth.
Cooking & Food:
- Stove & Fuel: A small portable gas stove is easiest.
- Water: Bring more than you think, or a reliable water filter (e.g., Lifestraw).
- Food: Easy-to-cook meals (instant noodles, pre-marinated BBQ, coffee).
Safety & Essentials:
- First-Aid Kit: Include antiseptic, bandages, and insect repellent (DEET is best).
- Headlamp/Flashlight: A headlamp is non-negotiable.
- Power Bank: To keep your phone/GPS charged.
- Rain Gear: A lightweight poncho. The weather changes fast.
- Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
Leave No Trace Principles (The Golden Rules):
- Pack It In, Pack It Out: Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it. This is the #1 rule in Vietnam.
- Dispose of Waste Properly.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance.
- Be Considerate of Others: Keep noise to a minimum.
FAQ: Camping in Vietnam
1. Is wild camping legal in Vietnam?
- It’s a grey area. It’s generally tolerated in remote areas, especially if you are discreet and respectful. On beaches or near villages, it’s polite to ask a local family or official. It is not allowed in most National Parks without a permit (like in Con Dao or Cat Tien).
2. What about insects and snakes?
- Yes, they exist. Mosquitoes are common, so use a good tent with mesh and bring repellent. Snakes are shy and rare to see, but always be cautious: zip up your tent, and shake out your boots before putting them on.
3. Where can I rent camping gear?
- Yes, in major cities. In Hanoi, check out Umove or Fanfan. In Ho Chi Minh City, search for “Thuê lều Sài Gòn” (many local shops) for good rental options.
Conclusion: Your Adventure Awaits
Camping in Vietnam is one of the most rewarding ways to see the real country. It takes you away from the crowds and connects you directly with its stunning landscapes and generous people.
This guide provides the most comprehensive and detailed list of camping spots available online. You now have the “what,” “where,” and “how.” The only thing left to do is go.
We are a group of young people in the Mekong Delta who are passionate about travel, with the dream of discovering many beautiful places to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism. Follow Cuu Long Camping to explore all the beautiful scenery of the Mekong Delta and many new lands on our trips here!
