Vietnam Hike, Bike & Kayak: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

10 days

Perfect for the active adventurer, this trip will have you hiking, biking, and paddling through the best of Vietnam. Kayak through Halong Bay’s towering limestone karsts, trek the Mai Chau area, and cycle through small towns for an authentic taste of Vietnam. When you’re not pedalling or paddling, you'll visit the country's cultural highlights like the Cu Chi Tunnels and Emperor's Tomb, or overnight at a local family’s homestay. Whether by bike or on foot, this tour will keep you grounded in Vietnam's intriguing culture.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City / Hoi An

Start off with cycling on the back roads. Ride through rubber plantations and sleepy villages where residents tend rice fields. See where rice paper is made. Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.

In the afternoon, fly to Hoi An via Danang.

Day 3 - Hoi An

Enjoy a peaceful exploration of the villages around Hoi An led by your CEO. Cycle through rice paddies and along narrow country lanes, taking in scenes of daily life.

Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.

Opt to relax on the beach, or visit the tailors in town.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES - request current pricing

1. Hoi An Walking Tour -  Stroll through the narrow winding streets of Hoi An’s old town to see the Chinese assembly halls, ancestral homes, the Japanese covered bridge, and well-preserved pagodas. Opt to stop for lunch and sample delicious local delicacies and fusion food at one of the restaurants for which Hoi An is becoming famous.

2. Hoi An Cooking Class - Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!

Day 4 - Hoi An / Huế

Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like. Then drive the Hai Van Pass to the ancient capital of Hue.

Day 5 - Huế / Hanoi

Set out on bicycles to discover Hue, visiting the former Citadel and Tu Duc's tomb. After spending the day cycling, head back to town before taking an overnight train to Hanoi.

 The sleeper trains in Vietnam are quite comfortable. Each cabin sleeps four people in two bunk beds. You will be able to lock the door from the inside. All bedding is provided. The train is air conditioned and has squat and Western-style toilets with a wash basin at the end of each compartment. Bags can be stored in the cabin and accessed at anytime. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. This is not to everyone’s taste, so bringing your own is recommended.

Day 6 - Hanoi / Mai Châu

Upon arrival in Hanoi, drive out into the nearby hills. Reach Mai Chau in the late morning and then take a hike around the area to visit some of the Thai minority people who call this valley home. With its green rice fields, punctuated by traditional brick kilns and surrounded by mountains, Mai Chau is yet another picture-perfect moment in the adventure of Vietnam.

Enjoy a home-cooked meal during the evening, and sleep in a dormitory-style long house in traditional style. (The group will be provided with mattresses, mosquito nets, and blankets – the homestay is comfortable, but basic.)

Day 7 - Mai Châu / Hanoi

In the morning, transfer back to Hanoi. In the afternoon, cross the river and take a ride around the quieter suburbs surrounding Hanoi.

Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.

Opt to attend a famous water puppets' performance and sample some of Hanoi's amazing eating venues.

Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES - request current pricing

1. Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance - Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage. The price listed is for a VIP seat.

2. Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour - Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.

Day 8 - Hanoi / Ha Long

Relax on a traditional junk boat cruise around Halong Bay and indulge in an included seafood lunch. This afternoon, explore Halong Bay by kayak for a different perspective. Travel the narrower channels of Halong Bay and see rock gardens, dark sea caves, lagoons and limestone karsts.

Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay and, to further their beauty, intricate cave systems naturally exist throughout these limestone karst formations. Our sailing junk will visit some of the islands and caves. Enjoy an evening drink on the deck beneath the stars.

The evening's accommodation is a special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts.

Day 9 - Ha Long / Hanoi

In the morning, enjoy one last view of the magnificent limestone islands.

Head back to dry land to embark on a private bus to Hanoi. In the afternoon, delve deeper into the site of Hanoi and opt to explore the exterior of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton).

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - request current pricing

Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) Guided Tour - Tour the museum of Hoa Lo Prison, referred to as Hanoi Hilton by American prisoners, to learn more about the Vietnam War.

Day 10 - Hanoi

Depart at any time. Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.