10 Cool Escapes in Vietnam

Although not as chilly as true temperate regions, these destinations offer travelers a chance to enjoy mild weather amidst the sweltering summer heat in Vietnam.

1. Da Lat

The city of Da Lat is situated on the Lam Vien Plateau in Lam Dong Province, built by the French in the early 20th century. Perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters and surrounded by mountains and forests, Da Lat enjoys a temperate climate and coolness all year round. A century of history has left the city with a valuable architectural heritage, likened to a 20th-century European architectural museum. These advantages have made Da Lat one of Vietnam's famous tourist destinations.

2. Sa Pa

Sa Pa is a famous highland town and resort town in Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. Located on a plateau at an altitude of 1500 to 1650 meters, this town has a subtropical and temperate climate, with cool air throughout the year and all four seasons in a day. The average annual air temperature of Sa Pa is 15°C, with the highest summer temperature reaching 25°C, and winter temperatures can drop below 0°C with snowfall.

3. Phia Oac

Situated at nearly 2,000m altitude, the untouched peak of Phia Oac is likened to a 'fairyland' for adventurous travelers. With an average annual temperature below 15°C and high humidity, clouds often blanket the area, and snow appears in winter. Hidden within the dense forests of Phia Oac are dozens of abandoned ancient villas, built during the French colonial period.

4. Tam Dao

The town of Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc province) was built by the French colonial government on the Tam Dao mountain range as a resort in the early 20th century. Situated at an altitude of 900m, it boasts a cool and fresh climate with four seasons in a day. Near this famous tourist town in the North are renowned attractions such as Tay Thien Pagoda and Tay Thien Temple, as well as Tam Dao National Park.

5. Mau Son

Mau Son is a highland area located in the northeast of Lang Son province, with an average altitude of about 1000m above sea level. It is famous for its beautiful landscapes and products such as Mau Son snow tea, six-spur fowl, wild lemon, forest frog, and roasted pork... The average temperature in this mountainous region is 15.5°C, dropping to freezing temperatures in winter with frequent frost and possible snowfall. Mau Son tourist area covers an area of about 20 hectares, equipped with full facilities to serve tourists.

6. Moc Chau

The Moc Chau Plateau (Moc Chau district, Son La province) has an average altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level, characterized by a subtropical climate. With many beautiful landscapes of tea hills, farms, mountains, and rivers... this is a 'red address' for backpackers as well as photography enthusiasts from Hanoi and northern provinces of Vietnam.

7. Ba Vi

Located 50 km from the center of Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park runs along the northeast-southwest direction of the Ba Vi mountain range, with Tan Vien peak at 1,296m and Ngoc Hoa peak at 1,120m. Since the early 20th century, Ba Vi has been a famous destination due to its diverse ecosystems and beautiful scenery, with a cool climate. It is both an ideal resort and a place for those who love to explore the beauty of the natural world.

8. Dong Van

Situated at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, the Dong Van Plateau in Ha Giang province is the northernmost land of Vietnam. This plateau has been recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark because of its unique geological structure. For tourists, this is a place with many beautiful scenic spots, unique cultures of ethnic minorities, a mild and gentle climate, and not yet commercialized, making it very suitable for long backpacking trips.

9. Bach Ma

The Bach Ma Mountain Range (Thua Thien - Hue) is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant resort areas in the highlands of Indochina. Situated at an altitude of nearly 1,500m and close to the sea, the temperature at Bach Ma never drops below 4°C in winter and exceeds 26°C in summer. The resort on this mountain peak was built by the French in the 1930s.

10. Ba Na

Together with Marble Mountains and Son Tra, Ba Na is one of the most beautiful mountains in Da Nang. This mountain range has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of about 15-20°C, reaching a maximum of only 22-25°C during the day and dropping to around 15-17°C at night. The resort area in Ba Na was established in the early 20th century but was forgotten during the war. It wasn't until the 2000s that Ba Na was revived to become a famous resort destination in the Central region.

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Source: Mytour Travel Handbook - By: Kienthuc.