10 Best Places for Camping in Vietnam

For those who are big fans of camping, there is no reason for missing out on the most popular camping sites in Vietnam. Combining your camping with discovering Vietnam natural beauty through hiking or trekking will be one of the best ways to experience amazing landscapes of the country up close and personal.

Here is a comprehensive guide on what you need to know before camping in Vietnam and a list of top 10 best places for camping in Vietnam. Let’s check it out!

Camping Equipment, Rent or Buy?

Preparing for camping equipment before the trip is necessary. It will make your camping easier and more convenient. Camping equipment should include tents, sleeping bags, mats, pillows, and kerosene lamps.

You may wonder whether you should rent or buy this equipment. Then, you should answer the question: How often will you go camping? If you travel a lot then it is better to buy a tent with good quality. So even when you finish this camping, you still can use it the next time you travel. However, if you only want to experience one night sleeping under the stars, let’s consider renting the equipment. Most of them can be hired in the national parks right near the gate. Renting fee is around VND 200,000 while the price of buying a tent in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City could range from USD 80 to USD 100. 

When to Camp?

The best time of year for camping in Vietnam depends on the region you want to camp in. In the north of Vietnam, it’s better to camp from April to August. During the summertime, the National Parks have the cooler weather that is best for relaxing. In the south region, you should choose the camping time from December to April when it is the dry season.

10 Recommended Places for Camping in Vietnam

1. Ta Xua Nature Reserve (Son La Province)

Highlights:

A hidden gem off the beaten track, Ta Xua is the 10^th highest mountain in Vietnam and famous for its legendary “dinosaur backbone” trail and a magical floating sea of clouds. Visiting Ta Xua Nature Reserve in the best time of the year – October and November, you have a chance to witness rice terraces turning ripe in bright yellow, the wildflowers blooming everywhere and enjoy the perfect weather, not too hot nor not too cold. Ta Xua will become your memorable camping site where you can see untouched natural sceneries and amazing trails, as well as enjoying the sunshine underneath a clear blue sky. You can find the best camping spot in Ta Xua Nature Reserve on the peak of the mountain by trekking up to the 2.200 meters base camp.

• Location: Bac Yen District, Son La Province; about 220 km from Hanoi
• Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm
• Price: VND 150,000 – VND 300,000

2. Coco Beach Camp 

Highlights:

If you are thinking about new experiences with building the small tents by yourself, hearing the ocean wave, sleeping right near the beach, enjoying fresh seafood, Coco Beach Camp is the camping site to go. These experiences you may not find elsewhere in other luxury hotels or resorts. On the large beach, it’s easy to see plenty of colorful tents built up in the area that stretches to the garden area inside.

The place is also famous for its beautiful corners to take some sets of photos. And active people may enjoy many outdoor games there such as boating, diving, parasailing, vegetable cultivation, and beach volleyball.

• Location: Located in La Gi, Binh Thuan. Coco Beach Camp is just about 160 km from Ho Chi Minh City or about 50 km from Phan Thiet City. It’s totally possible for you to drive by car or motorbike.

• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Price: VND 200,000 – VND 300,000/ person (depends on the area)

3. Trung Luong Camping Site (Binh Dinh)

Highlights:

Trung Luong Camping Site has attracted a lot of visitors to come for enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful beach, going camping and getting closer to nature. Comparing to other camping sites around Binh Dinh province, its scenery is quite impressive with strange shapes of limestone ridges, the fresh salty air from the sea and fresh lawns under the sunny carpet. In the entertainment area, there are colorful chairs, camps with green and red roofs and a beachfront view. The outdoor activities include snorkeling, exploring coral reefs, scuba diving,… So your trip will not be boring at all.

• Location: Cat Tien Commune, Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh province. 
• If you are in Quy Nhon City, you can drive a motorbike there. The distance from the city to the camping site is only 30 km.
• Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm
• Price: from VND 150,000/ person

4. Dong Cao Plateau (Bac Giang)

Highlights: 

Dong Cao Plateau is at a high altitude, about 1,000 meters above sea level. Its attraction is huge forests, ancient rocks in strange shapes, and the moment of sunrise flying through the foggy clouds floating over the mountains. The wildness and purity of the Plateau make it an excellent campground for adventurous travelers. It has a flat land for best camping and campers can light a campfire and prepare a meal by themselves.

• Location: Thach Son commune, Son Dong district, Bac Giang province (about 150 km from Hanoi capital).
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Price: Free

5. Mount Ham Lon (Hanoi)

Highlights:

The Ham Lon or so-called Pig Jaw, is a mountain in the range of Doc Ton. The place is quite popular among young people. With the height of 462 meters, you can think of conquering the top of the mount. Near the top is a fairly flat area where you can use for camping. The area is also a good one for resting to leave the mountain or you can wait for the sunset or sunrise.

• Location: Soc Son District, 40 km from Hanoi (about one hour by motorbike).
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Price: VND 70,000 – VND 100,000/ person

6. Ba Vi National Park (Hanoi)

Highlights:

Ba Vi National Park‘s total area is 11.372 hectares and now it is the home to hundreds of wildlife species. Visiting the National Park, visitors can explore deep caves which are hidden in the mountains, see an orchid garden at an altitude of 800 meters, or find relics of the fight against the French colonialists.

Standing in the top, you can see a panoramic view of Hanoi. The camping site you can choose in the forest or in guesthouses.

• Location: Ba Vi district, about 60 kilometers to the west of Hanoi
• Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm
• Price: VND 40,000 for the entrance fee; VND 150,000/ a tent

7. Nam Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai)

Highlights:

Nam Cat Tien is a tropical national park which is an unmissable destination for nature lovers. It is a great place for having a camping picnic at the weekend. When staying in there, you can rent a bike going around, or go trekking in the jungle. The waterfalls, the cliffs with luxuriant trees, the clouds around the waterfall are worth your trekking. The park also includes different types of flora and fauna. In the evening, you can try to have grilled chicken near your camp.

• Location: Nam Cat Tien Commune, Tan Phu District, Dong Nai (150 kilometers to the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City).
• Opening hours: 6:30 am – 10:00 pm
• Price: VND 150,000 – VND 300,000

8. Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh)

Highlights:

Cuc Phuong National Park is not only the place for scientific researching and natural reserves but also an ideal camping site in Ninh Binh. There are also available camping tents for you to stay overnight. You can get the support from the staff of the Cuc Phuong National Park while camping there. However, camping fire is not allowed here. And before you go, please ask in advance for the weather permits.

• Location: Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province, about 120 kilometers to the south of Hanoi
• Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm
• Price: VND 60,000/ adult for the entrance fee, VND 60,000/ a tent for 2 people, VND 70,000/ a tent for 4 people

9. Ta Dung Lake (Dak Nong)

Highlights:

Ta Dung Lake, which is also known as Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands, is the highlight of Ta Dung nature reserve. When setting foot on this land, most of the visitors are impressed by its wilderness and ecological characteristics. Visiting the Ta Dung Lake, you have a chance to rent a boat to surf on the calm lake to enjoy its peaceful space. Camping activities usually take place next to the lake. It is a good place for sitting quietly to wait for the last sunlight disappear and also for the sunrise with the howls of gibbons.

• Location: Dak Som Commune, Dak G’long District, Dak Nong province (about 250 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City).
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Price: VND 100,000 – VND 200,000

10. Son My Beach (Binh Thuan)

Highlights:

[UPDATE: Sadly, the Son My Beach Camping stops operating now. Nonetheless, people are still allowed to camp here by the beach with their own camping equipment. In spite of being closed, this site is still worth mentioning in this list of best places for camping in Vietnam.]

Due to its gracefulness trait, Son My Beach is also considered as a romantic version of Coco Beach Camp. Spending 3 hours to get there from Ho Chi Minh City, you can see this sightseeing spot with your own eyes. The beautiful place with lush coconut palms and the smooth sandy beach attracts a number of young people. Coming there, you have a chance to pitch the tent with your friends, make an outdoor BBQ party, play team-building games on the beach and explore the life of the fishermen.

• Location: La Gi, Binh Thuan province (11 km from Coco Beach Camp).
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Price: from 150,000/person

Other Vietnam Camping Sites: 

Besides the top camping sites as above, there are also many other attractive places to camp. Those are worth mentioning in your list include: Tanyoli in Ninh Thuan province, Starfish in Khanh Hoa province, Son Tinh Camp in Hanoi, Zenna Pool Camp in Vung Tau, Sao Bien Ecosystem Site, Co To Eco Lodge, Life’s A Beach, Dong Mo in Hanoi, Ly Son Island, Mu Cang Chai, Suoi Vang lake, Hai Van Pass and Cu Lao Xanh.

Tips on Camping

• Check the weather in advance to avoid rains and miserable weather.
• Prepare essential items such as insect repellents and medical kit for an emergency.
• Clean all the garbage before you go to protect the environment.
• If you are not familiar with camping, you can book a tour to ensure your safety.
• Ask before you cook something because fire is not allowed in some areas.

Vietnam has a lot of best places for camping waiting for you. Hope that this guide is useful for your trip to discover the hidden beauty of Vietnam. If you have any questions, please leave some comments below.