Vietnam has a geographical condition that offers opportunities for many recreational activities. Countryside around Da Lat, for instance, is a perfect place for hiking, hose riding and cycling. Whereas some of Vietnam's national parks are good for trekking, much of the country's landscape, which is flat, is also favored for a long-distant cycling. Additionally, as it is located in the northeast of South China Sea, Vietnam obtains year-round northeast monsoon and surfing here becomes so popular that many surfers including Australians came here for surfs. With its coastline of 3,450km, it also congregates many splendid sites good for diving and snorkeling. Golfing on the windy and challenging golf courses near coastal cliffs is an unforgettable experience that golfers should not miss.

Trekking

Vietnam offers some excellent trekking opportunities, notably in its growing array of national parks and nature reserves. You are not likely to do much long-distant walking in the steamy, tropical lowlands which are dominated by dense vegetation. However, there are plenty of chances to hike to minority villages in the northwest, northeast and central highlands regions. Some of places required special permits, especially, if you want to spend the night in the remote mountain villages where there are no hotels. Additionally, if you are traveling in the South which is in the equatorial regions where there is a little twilight and night comes quickly without warning. You will not know how long the daylight is going to remain, therefore, do pay attention to how much time you will need to get back to the civilization or be prepared for the impromptu camping trip.

Surfing and Windsurfing

Surfing and windsurfing were introduced in Vietnam recently and getting more and more caught on. In fact, Vietnam offers some of the Southeast Asia best surfing conditions with its full force of the northeast monsoon and myriad beaches along its long coastline. The northeast monsoon usually starts in November, running through to March/April, and is at its most reliable from December to February. Phan Thiet, located on Vietnam's south east coast and 190km east of HCMC, in particular gets the strongest and most consistent wind with its common of 20-30 knots. Sails in the range of 4.5-6.5 meters are all that you need, however, a larger sail such as 6 meter sail would be useful in many days according to local sailors. Sailing conditions vary from flat to wavy depending on which side of Mui Ne peninsular you are sailing. Mui Ne, about 10km north of Phan Thiet, is a fishing village located on a small peninsular. The beach to the south of peninsular offers flat water sailing whereas the beaches to the north, which are long sand beaches and is an area of sand dunes created by consistent winds, are more exposed to wave action.

Diving and Snorkeling

Nha Trang, around 300km north of Phan Thiet, is not very popular for surfing because it does not have as much strong and consistent wind as in Phan Thiet, however, the coastal scenery there is very spectacular. Also, the nearby stunning islands offer the excellent diving sites in the Southeast China Sea. Marine life here may not be as prolific as the Red Sea or the Barrier Reef but the variety of species and vivid colors will fascinate and thrill all divers. There are vast rare fish such as frogfish, paperfish, devil scorpion fish, dragonnettes, flying gunard, cowfish, etc., nudibranches & giant moray eels, as well as one white-tip sharks. Over 400 species of hard coral make its one of the richest hard coral dive sites in the world. Normal visibility is 10-30 meters and water temperature is between 22 and 30 Celsius. Some of the most favorite diving spots are: Rainbow Reef - outstanding colors from the unique biodiversity of hard & soft corals; Madonna Rock - a 25 meter dive with exciting swim through caves; Mora Beach - 18 meters deep diving with beautiful corals and home to Giant Morays; Goat Rock - spectacular deep wall dive down to 40 meters diving depth; The Electric Nose - dramatic deep dive down to 45 meters. The Outer Islands - unexplored group of Islands offering diving from 10-50 meters.

Golf

Vietnam has its good reputations for its beautiful uncontaminated nature. It is also well-known for wonderful beaches but people rarely know that Vietnam is actually a tropical paradise for golfing. When you are looking for a great place to relax and stimulate you body and mind, Vietnam's golf courses offer you with beauty, tranquility and challenges. Two best golf courses in Vietnam are situated in the mountain highlands of Dalat and the white sandy windswept beaches in Phan Thiet, which both are less than 300km from HCMC. Located in the mist of misty mountains which is resulting in all year round cool mountain climate, Dalat Palace Golf Club boasts the only golf course in South East Asia with bent grass tees, fairways and greens - considered to be the ultimate playing surface in golf. The large, undulating bent grass greens are maintained to impeccable standards. Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet, on the other hand, situated in an outstandingly beautiful setting combining stunning ocean views, rolling dunes, tropical beach vegetation and bracing sea breezes. The course is certainly spectacular in an aesthetic sense.