Hiking in Indochina, a short introduction
Hiking in Indochina, a soft adventure tourism - Photo Mr Linh's Adventures
Those countries contain abundant geographical features such as mountains and highlands, forests and rainforests, beaches,... All of those features combined have created a home to adventurous activities like trekking, hiking, kayaking, and many others.
Some of the most significant natural landscapes of Indochina can be listed are Sapa (Vietnam), Ha Giang (Vietnam), Bolaven Plateau (Laos), Cardamom Mountains (Cambodia), and Phang Nga Bay (Thailand). Surprisingly, those places just took us a few hours to travel from the capital area. Each of those places has its own natural beauty and the picturesque of its own.
Embarking on a hiking journey in Indochina can be a thrilling but worthwhile experience. Indochina is famous for its natural beauty, and the hiking roads are one of many forms that own this beauty. Panoramic vistas, hidden waterfalls, and serene valleys still can be things that can give travelers a new sense of nature. Besides those wonders, the cultural heritage is another factor that facilitates the best experience when hiking in Indochina. All nations in Indochina areas have diverse ethnic, therefore, a hiking trip is also an opportunity to communicate with the locals. Some sites are simply unmissable, like Angkor Wat: A Majestic Symbol of the Khmer Empire, the Vietnamese Temples: A Fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
The cuisine and costumes of the inhabitants also show the uniqueness of their lesser-known ethnicity. Some ethnic groups such as Khmer and Hmong, usually live in mountains and villages. Therefore, the natural beauty of these places is quite wild, and crossing these diverse landscapes is to meet a diverse flora and fauna, it is also to testify to the resilience of local communities. Don’t delay! Discover the hidden treasures that make Indochina a true paradise for adventurers and nature lovers.
Hiking in Indochina, a journey in Wonderland - Photo Mr Linh's Adventures
Why is Indochina but not others?
The diverse natural landscapes
The natural landscapes of Indochina
hiking trails are varied in many ways.
From some easy strolls such as the
Mai Chau-Pu Luong Loop trail in Vietnam to some most challenging trails including the
Fansipan Loop in Vietnam.
Despite the differences in locations of hiking trails, the mutual experience that travelers can experience can be:
The Immersion in Nature
The rice paddies, the rough terrain, the tranquil waterfalls, and many other picturesque scenes... No matter the relaxing sense in the flat hiking trail or hiking through many challenging mountains, hiking definitely allows travelers to live within the natural beauty of Indochina. All those things combined to create an exhilarating experience to sense, smell, and grasp the untouched Indochina.
The sense of community
This kind of adventure tourism can bring a deeper personal and solitary pursuit, it's not just walking on your own foot but also the shared moments, the exchanged feelings, and the unspoken understanding between fellow hikers that make a community take root. Sometimes, when we doubt or suffer a breakdown, a helping hand, some affirmation words, and the spirit of camaraderie can transform this challenging environment into a shared endeavor.
Cultural immersion
Another factor that can contribute to creating the fullest experience for hikers is culture.
The local cuisine in the local market can bring travelers many amazement, the mix of many ingredients, the exotic spices, and some unfamiliar dishes can help travelers own a local experience. More than that is the connection between the locals, more and more services offer hikers to stay at a local house to talk, eat, and feel the life beat of minority ethnics. Through the lens of cultural integration, this adventurous tourism turns into a journey of experiencing and understanding. It cultivates a deep respect for the diversity of minority communities and fosters mutual understanding between ethnicity across the world.
Affordable Adventure
Indochina is ranked among the top 10 most affordable regions for hiking in the world. The accommodation, food, and transportation are relatively cheap and affordable. Guesthouses, hostels, or luxury hotels offer hikers to immerse themselves in the local culture. Therefore, for those seeking a diverse experience and a budget-friendly adventure, Indochina will be at the top list. Moreover, hiking trails are generally well-maintained and accessible, and accommodation and food are relatively inexpensive.
What can hikers experience in Indochina?
Hiking in Vietnam, the best way to meet locals - Photo Mr Linh's Adventures
Hiking in Vietnam
In Vietnam, one of the most iconic and frequently seen can be the rice terraces. Vietnam is utilizing its natural resources such as landscapes, culture, and local tourism so there are more opportunities for travelers who want to hike in Vietnam to experience this adventure tourism and see the beautiful landscapes of Vietnam.
Some famous hiking destinations in Vietnam are Sapa Loop, Mu Cang Chai Loop, and Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range.
Local dishes in Vietnam are also diverse, lots of local dishes of Vietnam has been ranked on some best dishes in the world rank. Travelers can taste Bun cha, Pho Hanoi in Hanoi, after that when you move to hiking area such as Sapa, Ha Giang, you can try Com Lam. This is a traditional food of minority of Vietnam, this was made with rice cooked in bamboo tubes. Specifically, the rice is cooked over an open fire surrounded by the breezing wind of wild nature, which create a unique smoky flavor for the dishes. The bamboo tubes also impart a subtle fragrance to the rice. The minority often serve travelers Com Lam with grilled pork or chicken and a dipping sauce made from fish sauce, chili peppers, and lime juice.
Hiking in Cambodia, a vibrant adventure experience - Photo Unsplash
Hiking in Cambodia
Differentiating from the peace and quiet of rice terraces in Vietnam, hiking in Cambodia allows hikers to observe and experience the local traditions and culture within the rain forest, and the cascading waterfalls.
These locations are full of mysteries and they can bring travelers lots of curiosity. Some famous hiking destinations in Cambodia are the Cardamom Mountains and Annamite Range Trek. All parts of Indochina have the rich diverse cuisine culture, therefore, travelling here hikers will not have to worry about an empty stomach during the trip. The Khmer Curry is one of the highlight in the rich cuisine tradition of Cambodian. This famous dishe is with coconut milk, meat, and vegetables. The locals often served with rice or noodles. The special of the cambodian dishes is the rich ingredients such as coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and a variety of spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili peppers. Moreover, in each different region of Cambodia, they made with different type of meats, but common ingredients include beef, chicken, shrimp, potatoes, carrots, and onions. Khmer Curry is typically milder in flavor than other Southeast Asian curries, but can be made spicier to taste.
Hiking in Laos, an adventure Off the Beaten Paths- Photo Unsplash
Hiking in Laos
Laos, a landlocked country with diverse ecosystems is one of the most impressive factors for the hikers.
The rainforests play a vital role in the country's ecology, providing habitat for biodiversity and regulating the climate. Therefore, hiking in Laos will definitely bring hikers a different experience because of its rich natural heritage. Some famous hiking destinations in Laos are the Bolaven Plateau and Tad Lo Waterfall. Like some Indochina brothers, Laos also own the rich food traditiona with lots of ingredients can create the fullest flavour for travelers. In Laos, there is a dish recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khanom Jeun. This dish is a typical Laotian dish made with fermented rice noodles served with a curry sauce and various toppings, such as vegetables, meat, and eggs. Specifically, the fermented rice noodles have a slightly sour taste and a chewy texture. The mixture of of the curry sauce is also quite complicated, it is made with coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and a variety of spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili peppers. The toppings can be customized to the individual's liking, and can include grilled pork, chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Written by Chu Hung, for Mr Linh's Adventures