Spend 12 days exploring Vietnam's thrilling highlights on this active guided adventure
Experience the exotic charm of Vietnam on this active trip that takes you from the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta and beyond. Get back to nature on hikes and have a go at canyoning, cycle the backroads of the Mekong and swim in beautiful Lan Ha Bay.
Connect with friendly local people and learn about their lives which remain immune to modernization. Explore rural villages, rainforests and tea plantations as well as some of Vietnam’s most iconic cities like Hoi An and Hanoi. You’ll stay in hotels and also get the chance to spend the night in a traditional homestay with a local family. There won't be a dull moment on this tour, which is jam-packed with activities and experiences.
Highlights of Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour
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Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will arrive in the thriving South Vietnam metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and visit the famous War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. You’ll return to your hotel around 5:30 PM.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: None
Day 2 River cruising in Mekong Delta
Prepare for a fascinating day in the Mekong where you will meet local people and see the many different ways, they make a living. The day starts with a river cruise. Most people living in the Mekong are farmers or specialize in different crafts. You will visit a brick kiln and coconut shell husking workshop and try the hard work of coconut husking for yourself! You’ll also visit a traditional coconut-candy factory. Next, disembark to explore a local market and visit a workshop where sedge (a fibrous plant) mats are woven. Then, explore some of the backroads on a bicycle or traditional tricycle. Ride through bitter melon and cucumber farms to a farmer’s house for lunch. After lunch, there is time to explore the village on foot before the boat collects you. If there is time on the way back to HCMC you’ll stop by the rice paddy fields and see how the rice is planted and harvested.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Lunch
Day 3 Hike and Cruise in Cat Tien National Park
Today you will travel to Cat Tien Park, an area of tropical forest with rich biodiversity and many rare and endangered species. Lunch (not included) is at the Cat Tien Jungle Lodge on the way. You’ll arrive at the homestay around 1:00 PM and have time to explore the area on foot and visit a local temple. At dusk, you will cruise along the Dong Nai River where you can observe the rich birdlife and watch the sunset. Dinner will be prepared by your hosts at your homestay.
Overnight Location: Homestay in Cat Tien
Meals: Dinner
Day 4 Hike Cat Tien Park
After an early breakfast, your guide will take you on a rainforest hike where you will be introduced to the unique flora and fauna of Cat Tien Park. The park is home to some spectacular giant trees which are hundreds of years old. If you’re lucky you might see rare wildlife such as gibbons, as well as lizards, langurs, birds and butterflies. The walk will finish around 11:30 AM. Then, you’ll transfer to Da Lat. Lunch (not included) is at the Cat Tien Jungle Lodge on the way.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Da Lat
Distance: 4 hours, 4-9 km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Canyoning in Da Lat
Today is a fun day where you’ll see the rainforest from a completely different perspective as you have a go at abseiling and canyoning! In the morning, your professionally trained guide will give you an introduction followed by a safety briefing. Then, you’ll start a series of abseils down into a canyon alongside scenic waterfalls. In between abseiling, you’ll follow a trail through and along a river. The whole experience is exhilarating and also very beautiful as you get to immerse yourself in nature and visit an unspoiled place. You’ll arrive back at the hotel around 5:30 PM.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Da Lat
Meals: None
Day 6 Flight to Hoi An
After breakfast, there is some free time before you transfer to the airport for your flight to the ancient imperial city of Hoi An.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Float, Cycle and Cooking Class
Today you’ll have a look around some of the villages on the outskirts of Hoi An. A boat will take you to a fishing village where you will see the life of the local fisherman and help them prepare for the day’s fishing. Afterwards, have some fun floating down the river in a Vietnamese ‘basket boat’! Then, cycle along country roads to a vegetable-growing village which supplies Hoi An with fresh produce. Participate in a cooking class with a local family there and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore some of the many beautiful temples, pagodas, and old houses in Hoi An.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 Hanoi
Enjoy some free time in Hoi An this morning. Explore the old town with its interesting houses or rent a bicycle and ride to the beach. Then pack your bags, as it is time to fly to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore Vietnam’s vibrant capital city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Explore Hanoi
In the morning you’ll travel south-east of Hanoi to Ninh Binh. This area is often called 'Ha Long Bay on land' because the landscape is sprinkled with tall limestone pillars like the ones in Ha Long Bay. Walk up Hang Mua peak (around 500 steps). At the top, there are sensational views of the limestone monoliths disappearing into the distance. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Trang An caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site which can only be explored by boat. You’ll enjoy a tranquil sampan (bamboo boat) ride through the caves and past old temples and pagodas. You’ll return to Hanoi in the early evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Explore Tea Plantations
This morning you will travel to the highlands of Thai Nguyen, one of Vietnam’s top tea-growing regions. Tea has been harvested in Thai Nugen for hundreds of years. In the morning you will enjoy a walk through tea plantations and villages to watch tea leaf harvesting and daily rural life. Lunch is served at a local house. Afterwards, you’ll see a demonstration of how the tea is processed and packed. The final stop of the day is in a village of the Tay people, one of the largest of Vietnam’s many tribal minorities. The Tay people are known for their folk music, poetry and stories and indigo clothing, and you will have the opportunity to learn about their culture and customs during the visit.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Lunch
Day 11 Kayaking in Halong Bay
This morning you’ll transfer to Ha Long Bay. Often described as one of the seven wonders of nature, Ha Long Bay is a stunning bay that is full of tall limestone islands covered in forest and vegetation. Board your boat and enjoy a welcome drink followed by lunch. First, you’ll visit a cave system by sampan. Then, the boat will sail away from the tourists to Lan Ha Bay, where there are hundreds more islands and pristine beaches. You can kayak, swim in the crystal-clear waters and sunbathe. Massages can also be arranged. Back on board, there will be a cookery demonstration after which it will be time to watch the sunset and enjoy drinks with your fellow travellers. You’ll disembark in the early evening and transfer back to Hanoi.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hanoi
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 Farewell
After breakfast at the hotel, there may be time for some last-minute shopping before you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour Prices and Dates
This guided tour in Vietnam is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the price depends on the number of people in your group.
Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 4: from $1,595 USD per person*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and the size of your group. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Book NowAccommodation on the Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour
This tour includes a good balance between comfortable 2-3* hotels and one homestay in Cat Tien. Hotels are well located, with comfortable amenities. Homestays are basic accommodation. They allow you to learn about local culture by staying with an ethnic minority family and living and dining in the traditional way.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $215 USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Sunland Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
This hotel has all the conveniences that you might need while staying in Ho Chi Minh. From nice rooms, to complimentary wi-fi and a nice pool area.
Traditional homestay in Cat Tien
Staying in authentic local homestays is the best way to learn about local culture and is one of the highlights of the trip!
Hotel in Da Lat
Stay in comfortable hotel in Da Lat in a convenient location.
Betel Garden Homestay, Hoi An
Say in a beautiful complex of Betel Garden. Surround yourself with beautiful lush gardens, beautiful villas and stunning views!
Hanoi Boutique Hotel in Hanoi
Centrally located hotel in the heart of the old town with Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, laundry facilities, restaurant, spa, and health club.
What is included in Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 11 nights along the tour are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included for you and your luggage.
Also Included
- English speaking tour guides during activities
- Porters for your luggage during the trek
- All gear required for canyoning
- Entrance fees
- All activities mentioned in program
Not included
- Getting to and from the start and end points of the tour
- Insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
- Anything not stated as ‘included’
Optional Extras
- Additional night in Ho Chi Minh City before the tour
- Additional night in Hanoi after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Vietnam Tropical Adventure Tour
Footprint Vietnam is a boutique tour operator running adventure-based tours in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Footprint have been showing the best of adventure, culture and food since 2001, and have been featured in Frommers, Lonely Planet and Footprint Guides.
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