The highest of Ba Vi's three summits at 1,296 m, reached by a stone stairway of roughly 1,300 steps that climbs from the end of the park road to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple on the summit. The forest is cloud forest for most of the year, and on clear autumn mornings the Red River Delta is visible from the terrace below the temple.
The King Peak (Dinh Vua) Stairway climbs the highest of the three summits of Ba Vi National Park, at 1,296 m, in Tan Linh Commune, Ba Vi District, about 60 km west of central Hanoi, Vietnam. A stone stairway of roughly 1,300 steps runs from the upper car park, at around 1,000 m, to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple on the summit. The round trip is about 2.5 km and takes 1.5-2.5 hours, though a visit from Hanoi occupies a full day.
Trailhead access is by road only. The park entry fee is 60,000 VND per adult, with motorbike parking around 5,000 VND. Bus 74 runs from My Dinh bus station to Xuan Khanh, from where a Grab car or taxi covers the last 15 km. Many independent visitors hire a car with driver for about 1,200,000-1,600,000 VND for the day or rent a motorbike; driving takes 1.5-2 hours each way. No separate permit is needed beyond the park ticket.
The gain from the upper car park is roughly 300 m, and the difficulty is moderate because the climb is steep and sustained rather than technical. The surface is stone steps that become mossy and slick in damp weather. The forest is cloud forest for most of the year, giving good shade on the lower flights, and the summit is frequently in cloud. Exposure is limited, though the terrace below the temple is open to wind and sun.
The main landmark is the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple at the top, and on clear autumn mornings the terrace gives a view over the Red River Delta. A sensible turn-around point for anyone struggling is any of the landings along the stairway, since the route is a single out-and-back line and cannot be missed. Descent uses the same steps.
Water is not reliably available on the stairway itself, so visitors carry about 2 litres each. Small shops and food stalls operate near the lower parking areas, and the temple complex offers shelter from rain, but there are no refuge huts on the trail. Insect repellent is useful in the forest.
| Distance | About 2.5 km round trip from the upper car park (roughly 1,300 steps each way) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1.5-2.5 hours round trip from the upper car park; a full day including travel from Hanoi |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Best season | September to December for clear air; avoid heavy rain days when the steps are slick |
| Address | Ba Vi National Park, Tan Linh Commune, Ba Vi District, Hanoi, Vietnam |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Ba Vi District, about 60 km west of central Hanoi
What to bring
- Trainers or light hiking shoes with grip (steps are mossy in damp weather)
- 2 litres of water per person
- Rain shell — the summit sits in cloud for much of the year
- Insect repellent
- Cash in VND for the park entrance gate
Location
Ba Vi National Park, Tan Linh Commune, Ba Vi District, Hanoi, Vietnam
21.0703, 105.3600 View on map
Highlights
- Climb about 1,300 stone steps to the 1,296 m summit of Ba Vi's highest peak
- Reach the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple at the top of the stairway
- Walk through cloud forest that stays cool and misty for much of the year
- View the Red River Delta from the summit terrace on clear autumn mornings
Tips for visiting
- Wear trainers or light hiking shoes with grip, as steps are mossy in damp weather.
- Carry 2 litres of water per person; none is reliably sold on the stairway.
- Bring a rain shell because the summit sits in cloud for much of the year.
- Carry cash in VND for the 60,000 VND park entrance gate.
- Start early to allow for the 1.5-2 hour drive from Hanoi and a daylight descent.
When to visit
September to December for clear air; weekday mornings are quieter. Avoid heavy rain days when the steps are slick.
Accessibility
The route is a steep stone stairway with about 1,300 steps and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Visitors with limited mobility can enjoy the forested park lower down but cannot reach the summit on foot.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are there to King Peak?
The stairway has roughly 1,300 steps from the upper car park at about 1,000 m to the summit temple at 1,296 m.
How much does entry cost?
Park entry is 60,000 VND per adult, plus around 5,000 VND for motorbike parking.
How do visitors get there from Hanoi?
Bus 74 from My Dinh bus station reaches Xuan Khanh, then a Grab or taxi covers the last 15 km. A car with driver or rented motorbike takes 1.5-2 hours each way.
When are views clearest?
September to December usually gives the clearest air. Heavy rain days make the steps slick and the summit is often in cloud.