Sam Mountain (Núi Sam)

280m (918.6 ft)

This hike is a 4km (2.5 mi) loop that takes about one hour and 25 minutes.

This hike is considered quite mild, though the road up is steep. The trail goes up a road on the eastern side of the mountain.

There is a restaurant halfway up the mountain and also an opportunity to see the way of life of those who live on the mountain.

There is a military outpost, and several pagodas as well as hundreds of relics at the summit. The views at the top of the mountain are beautiful- you can see many rice fields and even as far as Cambodia.

The trail descends down a road on the north side.

There is a tropical monsoon climate in the area of Sam Mountain. The average yearly temperature is 28.4°C (83.16°F). Throughout the year the highs vary from 30˚C to 35.5˚C (86°F to 95.9°F). The hotter months are from February to June. The lows vary from 22˚C (71.6°F) to 27˚C (80.6°F). The cooler months are from July to January.

The average annual rainfall is 1123.9mm (44.25 in). The rainiest months are from April to November with between 13 and 20 rainy days per month. The drier months are from December to March with between 3 days and 7 days of rain per month. This is the best time of year to climb the mountain as the drier weather makes it a more pleasant hike.

There is no specific climbing equipment needed only good shoes.

This is a short hike, so there shouldn’t be the need for facilities, however, there is a restaurant halfway up.

The trail follows a road up the mountain. Hikers should not need assistance finding their way. There is no need for porters since it’s a very short hike.

Sam Mountain is located in An Giang Province, a one-and-a-half hour (63km/39 mi) drive from Long Xuyen, the capital of the province. The closest town is located 6km (3.7 mi) away and is called Chau Doc Town.

To get to Chau Doc Town you have to go by road. There are no other means of transport available. First, you’ll have to fly to one of the international airports in Vietnam and from there hire a taxi or car either to Long Xuyen and then on to Chau Doc, or straight there.

There are no specific reported safety concerns for travellers up Sam Mountain. Though it is in quite a remote location, so it is important to be cautious.