Top 12 Stunning Backpacking Destinations in Nghệ An

Nậm Cắn is a mountainous commune in Kỳ Sơn district, Nghệ An. This area is home to the Nậm Cắn International Border Gate, corresponding to Namkan Border Gate in the Nongket district, Xieng Khoang province, Laos - the endpoint of National Highway 7 in Vietnam. Nậm Cắn shares borders with Na Loi commune to the North, Phà Đánh commune to the East, Mường Xén town to the Southeast, and Tà Ca commune to the South.

It is famous for the Nậm Cắn Market, held every month on the 4th day (on the 14th, 15th, 29th, and 30th). Each market day is like a festival for the people in the border villages of the two countries. The market showcases local specialties such as brocade, black chickens, piglets, and bamboo shoots. Visiting the Nậm Cắn market, you can feel the lively and exotic atmosphere, similar to the markets in Bắc Hà and Sapa (Lào Cai).

Address: Nậm Cắn Commune, Kỳ Sơn, Nghệ An.

Located approximately 25km from the Ho Chi Minh trail, situated on the high mountain range in Chà Luôn hamlet, Ngọc Lâm commune, Mưa Waterfall plunges down from the upper source of the Gold stream in the resettlement area and is becoming an attractive destination for many weekend and holiday travelers. The road to Mưa Waterfall is not easy, however, many tourists are determined to conquer it. After driving by car or motorcycle from the Ho Chi Minh trail, overcoming a nearly 20km stretch, visitors will have to park their vehicles in the middle of the forest and walk along a stream with many slippery stones for over 1km to reach Mưa Waterfall.

Hiking through the forest trail, crossing small streams with slippery mossy rocks, the cool and refreshing feeling of this experience is undoubtedly delightful. Around Mưa Waterfall, there are not many dining and resting services, so many tourists bring their own food and cook right at the foot of the waterfall. According to local residents living nearby, most tourists visiting Mưa Waterfall are environmentally conscious, keeping the area clean and not littering.

Address: Thanh Hương, Thanh Chương, Nghệ An.

Located approximately 25km from Con Cuông town, Khe Kèm Waterfall is considered a natural marvel gifted to Pù Mát National Park. From an elevation of 500m, with a slope of about 800m, water cascades forcefully down in three cascades, creating a foamy spectacle. From a distance, Khe Kèm Waterfall appears like a white ribbon against the lush green backdrop of Pù Mát National Park. Above and on both sides of the waterfall is a carpet of vegetation with hundreds of flower species displaying their beauty year-round. At the foot of the waterfall is a long stretch of water with flat rocks resembling large tables, providing a resting place for tourists.

At the foot of the waterfall are small ponds with varying depths, creating a magnificent natural landscape. In the summer, the temperature around the waterfall is approximately 20°C, offering a refreshing and pristine natural environment. Visitors can enjoy playing by the waterfall, indulging in the cool atmosphere and the pure surroundings of nature, then partake in local delights such as cane wine, bamboo-cooked rice, or watch traditional Thai ethnic dances. Tourists can follow the trail to the top of the waterfall to enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and forests. From here, visitors can trek back to Khe Bu Valley or hike up Pu Loong Mountain – a high peak in Pù Mát National Park (the round trip takes about 6-8 hours). There is now an asphalt road from Con Cuông town to Khe Kèm Waterfall. Accommodations and tourism services are available to serve visitors. Khe Kèm Waterfall is a tourist attraction that captivates both domestic and international visitors.

Address: Lục Dạ Commune, Con Cuông, Nghệ An.

Thẩm Ồm Cave is situated in Quỳ Châu district, Nghệ An province. It is approximately 10km north of Tân Lạc town (Quỳ Châu district) as the crow flies. However, to reach it from the district center, you need to take National Highway 48 westward and, upon reaching Châu Tiến Commune, turn onto the inter-communal road, making the total journey about 23km. This cave, shaped by diverse natural forces, showcases remnants proving ancient Vietnamese habitation. Currently, Thẩm Ồm Cave still retains much of its pristine beauty and is undergoing development to welcome tourists.

Thẩm Ồm Cave, with an elevation of 15 meters, has its entrance facing northeast, with sediments clinging to the cave wall. In 1975, it was identified as an archaeological site and excavations yielded three human teeth, numerous fossilized animal teeth, and a quartzite tool crafted using the clacton - ton - hammer technique. These artifacts date back approximately 20,000 years, belonging to the Hòa Bình culture. This suggests that the inhabitants of Thẩm Ồm were among the first and earliest modern humans in our country. Presently, Thẩm Ồm Cave is being developed to accommodate tourists. Combined with Bua Cave in Châu Tiến Commune, especially during the Bua Cave Festival held after the full moon in January annually, Thẩm Ồm Cave offers an enticing tourist experience.

Address: Châu Thuận Commune, Quỳ Châu, Nghệ An.

A natural heritage nestled in the top tourist destinations of Quế Phong district is Sao Va Waterfall - a long-standing attraction for visitors. No one would have thought that a waterfall, the perennial cave clinging to the village, or the traditional stilt houses of the locals could become a tourist spot where travelers continuously seek to explore, admire, take photos, and be amazed.

Blessed by nature with its beauty and enriched by human history, along with the cave system, temples, and cultural architectural structures, Sao Va Waterfall has become the most promising destination in Quế Phong. With proper planning and the construction of tourist support facilities such as an art rock garden, ethnic stilt house area, market area, craft village, camping area, bird garden, orchid garden...

Address: Tiền Phòng Commune, Quế Phong, Nghệ An.

Lan Châu Island is situated right near the Cửa Lò coast, resembling a giant toad stretching into the sea. Perhaps it's due to this shape that locals call Lan Châu the 'Toad Rú Cóc Island.' The name is somewhat rustic, simpler than what others commonly use for this place, yet it holds the affectionate feelings of the people of Nghệ An for their coastal homeland. Lan Châu Island divides Cửa Lò into two farewell sections, most clearly visible during high tide. At that time, the east features rocky cliffs stretching along the sea with strange formations, while the west connects to the land forming a peninsula. The skillful and clever combination of nature creates a Lan Châu that captivates the heart.

It's this intriguing aspect that led King Bảo Đại to build a pavilion for panoramic observation of Cửa Lò, Cửa Hội, Hòn Ngư from Lan Châu Island. The viewpoint faces the wind and gazes towards the vast ocean, fully savoring the atmosphere within and the vastness of the sea. Day by day, the sea continues to lap at the shore, pushing emotions into the rocks. Over the months and years, the sea and wind have eroded the rocks, creating fascinating formations. People come here curious about the open sea waves, curious about the rock ranges and cliffs clinging to the seafloor. Lan Châu is dreamily beautiful in front of the vast, expansive ocean and in the hearts of the people. On Lan Châu, there is a lighthouse, the Lan Châu Lighthouse, not large. Even somewhat modest compared to other coastal lighthouses in our country. Despite its small, charming appearance in front of the waves, the lighthouse stands proudly in the middle of the open sea, guiding boats safely to shore. Seeing the lighthouse, fishermen know they have returned home.

Address: Cửa Lò Town, Nghệ An Province.

Sunflower Field at the TH true MILK dairy farm has become a famous tourist destination in Nghệ An. The field is part of the TH dairy farm (with the TH true MILK brand) in Nghĩa Đàn district, approximately 300km from Hanoi and 90km from Vinh city. Initially, the TH dairy farm planted sunflowers as feed for the herd of over 45,000 cows, but in a short time, the radiant beauty of the largest sunflower field in Vietnam, with towering flowers, attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Next to the sunflower field is the largest high-tech dairy farm in Asia in 2015, owned by the TH Group, with extensive mombasa grass fields, high-quality artificial turf, and modern irrigation arms stretching hundreds of meters. So, when visiting the sunflower field, you will also have the opportunity to learn about the dairy farming process and the production of fresh milk at TH true MILK. This location is so popular that many artists choose it for music video shoots or fashion photo shoots. The beauty of this field lies in the vibrant yellow color of the sunflowers covering the space, under the sunlight, resembling a luxurious carpet in the vast sky.

Legend has it that there was a romantic wanderer who loved to explore the world. He arrived here and was captivated by the mermaid's beauty and enchanting voice. Following her melodic song to the open sea, he paused by the temple to offer incense, seeking divine blessings for his love. Standing pensively by the shore, he transformed into Mount Lữ. The beach at the foot of that mountain is none other than Lữ Beach.

Lữ Beach is a tourist destination in Nghệ An, where mountains, sea, and forest converge to create a captivating landscape. The scenery is a harmonious blend of deep blue waters and the lush greenery of mountains and forests. Besides the familiar Cửa Lò, Lữ Beach promises to be an ideal spot for tourists and photographers alike. It seems that you will always capture a beautiful moment in nature from any angle here.

Moreover, the Lữ Beach Resort has recently been developed, featuring a series of charming adjacent houses surrounded by trees and facing the sea, creating a romantic atmosphere. In this area, you will have picturesque photos with the presence of houses, not just the pristine forest and sea anymore.

Address: Nghi Thiết Commune, Nghi Lộc, Nghệ An.

Without the need to wander far, Nghệ An now boasts an incredibly adorable sheep farm. The flock is raised in a field in Hamlet 11, Bảo Thành Commune, Yên Thành (Nghệ An). In 2015, after investing and building the farm model, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tứ went to Ninh Thuận to buy breeding sheep. Nowadays, the sheep flock is growing, reaching up to a hundred individuals.

The sheep here are mainly raised for meat, so their wool is not as white and uniform. However, due to the relatively large number of sheep interspersed amid the picturesque mountainous scenery in Nghệ An, coupled with the lush green grass, anyone who comes here is guaranteed to have stunning photos to share with friends. You'll only spend around 5,000 - 10,000 VND for motorbike parking and 20,000 - 25,000 VND for car parking, with no additional fees for visiting the farm.

Address: Sơn Thành Commune, Yên Thành, Nghệ An.

Located in the three wards of Cửa Nam, Đội Cung, and Quang Trung, Vinh Ancient Citadel is a historical relic that bears witness to the many upheavals of Nghệ An. The citadel was originally built with earth in 1804 under the reign of King Gia Long and was reconstructed with stone in the 12th year of Minh Mạng's reign.

Nghệ An Ancient Citadel is a testament to history from the time of the Nguyễn dynasty to the resistance against foreign invaders by our people, serving as a tourist destination in Nghệ An. You can book a hotel near Vinh Ancient Citadel for convenience. Despite undergoing numerous renovations, the citadel has been largely destroyed. Tiền Môn Gate is the most intact of the three gates. Visitors here will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the country and the significance of the Nghệ An region throughout its historical timeline.

Address: Đào Tấn, Cửa Nam, Vinh City, Nghệ An

Located on Mount Mo Da, in Diễn An commune, Diễn Châu district, about 30km north of Vinh City, Cuong Temple is a temple dedicated to Thuc An Dương Vuong, the king of Âu Lạc. This is a sacred temple associated with many mystical stories and legends. Cuong Temple has a three-part architectural style, including three gates: Main gate, Left gate, and Right gate.

The main gate, with three levels in the middle and two-level gates on both sides, all have arched architecture. The Upper Palace is where the altar of An Dương Vương is located, the Lower Palace has a stacked matchstick architectural style, and the Middle Palace is where Cao Lỗ, the general who helped King Thuc create the divine crossbow, is worshipped. The temple also preserves many precious artifacts and Han script documents. The Cuong Temple Festival held annually (from the 14th to the 16th of the 2nd lunar month) attracts many pilgrims from all over.

Address: Diễn An Commune, Diễn Châu, Nghệ An.

Sen Village, also known as Kim Lien Village, is the birthplace and upbringing site of the great leader of our nation. Behind the green bamboo groves and rows of areca nut trees stands the simple, rustic bamboo house of the late Mr. Nguyen Sinh Sac, the father of President Ho Chi Minh. Today, even though a long time has passed, the artifacts inside Mr. Sac's house are still preserved almost intact, from the trunk, the cabinet, the wooden tray to the writing desk, inkwell, and more.

Visiting Sen Village, Uncle Ho's homeland, you not only have the opportunity to learn more about the residence and childhood of Uncle Ho but also feel the rustic and peaceful atmosphere with thatched roofs, swaying bamboo, and areca nut trees in the wind. Anyone coming to Nghệ An, remember to visit Sen Village, a place with simple thatched houses under the green bamboo groves, where you can hear the sound of mothers weaving in the hot and sunny afternoon, and smell the fragrance of lotus flowers spreading throughout the sky. These are the images associated with the childhood of President Ho Chi Minh. Worthy of the title 'Land of Heroes,' Nghệ An is the birthplace of many talents who have made significant contributions to the country. Among them is the great leader beloved by the Vietnamese people, President Ho Chi Minh.

Address: Kim Lien Commune, Nam Dan, Nghệ An.