Tan Vien Mountain (Ba Vi mountain range)

1,281m (4,203ft)

Tan Vien Peak can be summited in less than a day. The peak is located in the Ba Vi National Park, and a tour of the park can be done in 9.5 hours

Tan Vien is located in Ba Vie National Park. The park is covered in dense forest with hidden waterfalls and streams along the trail. Tan Vien has two peaks. The trail up the first has 1200 steps and the trail up the second has 600 steps leading to their summits, respectively.

The best time to visit Ba Vi National Park is from November to March. At this time of year, the temperatures range between 20˚C (68°F) and 26˚C (79°F), and it is very dry. On average there are less than 8 days of rain per month and less than 50mm of rain per month.

From April to October, the temperatures get hot. In this period of the year, the temperatures range between 30˚C (86˚F) and 34˚C (93˚F). It is also the rainiest time of the year, with between 12 and 20 days of rain per month and between 120mm and 320mm of rain per month. It is not ideal to hike Tan Vien at this time of year.

Good walking shoes are a necessity for this hike. It would also be prudent to bring something warm with long sleeves to protect you from insect bites and also because it can get cold in the forest at higher altitudes, even in the hotter months.

Bring your own snacks, water, and glucose to keep you going for the duration of the hike.

It can get quite tricky to find your way as the mountain is often covered with fog and clouds. For this reason, it is recommended to go with a guide if you are not experienced with the area.

Ba Vi National Park is located 60km (37.3 mi) from Hanoi, which takes about 2 hours by car. From Noi Bai International Airport (in Hanoi), there are three main ways that hikers can use to get to the park. The first is by arranging a tour operator who will pick you up and take you there, the second is by hiring a scooter or a private car, and the third is by taking a bus. The bus is the least favourable option as it can get confusing with transfers. If you decide to take the bus, ask your accommodation in Hanoi to arrange it for you.

There have been no reports of safety concerns for Tan Vien or Ba Vi National Park. Solo travelling should be fine, though hiking in a pair or with a guide would be more prudent if you are not familiar with the area.