Hike, Bike, and Kayak in Vietnam

The Trip

The striking natural beauty of northern Vietnam will astonish you. Captivating and inspiring, the landscapes are diverse and offer a spectacular destination for outdoor activities -- especially hiking, biking, and paddling. The natural beauty alone is a sufficient reason to visit Vietnam, but when the beauty is combined with the country’s compelling history, enchanting culture, and gracious people, it transforms from a destination into a lifetime experience.

Brilliant green rice paddies, isolated ethnic communities, towering mountains, colorful local markets, graceful pagodas, ancient temples, vivid and intricate folk art, mouthwatering cuisine, and the mighty Red River –- these are just some of the enchanting images that come to mind when one thinks of northern Vietnam. From the elegant capital city, Ha Noi, to the limestone karst islands of Ha Long Bay, this dynamic and pragmatic country is one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia.

With an abundance of natural beauty to see, a culture to experience, a history to uncover, and people to meet, it’s difficult to know where to start. We’ve conducted the research, hired extraordinary local guides, traveled throughout the country, and created an itinerary that will allow us to enjoy the best that northern Vietnam has to offer:

Ha Noi: The nation’s capital city and the second-largest city of Vietnam. We’ll stay in the vibrant Old Quarter; visit the country’s finest museums, gardens, and galleries; and discover unique retail shops and markets. 

Mai Chau: This tranquil valley is embraced by emerald mountains and serves as an interesting diversion from the bustle of Hanoi.

Cat Ba and Nam Cat Islands: Cat Ba Island is the site of a national park that we will tour on foot and bike, and where will learn about the endangered Cat Ba Langur. A short boat ride away is the tiny island of Nam Cat, which sits at the confluence of Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. Our Nam Cat resort is a cluster of thatched wooden cabanas nestled between a soaring limestone cliff and the tranquil waters of the bay. Some cabanas are built over the water while others are set next to the brilliant white-sand beach.

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is among the most unforgettable places on the planet. Our kayaks give us active access to the bay and its islands while our yacht offers the comfort of warm showers and delicious meals and lulls us to sleep with the sound of the bay gently lapping against the hull.

This is an active trip for active people. We’ll travel these varied landscapes by boat and bus. Our activities include biking, kayaking, and hiking through unique landscapes and seascapes. We will explore the many facets of this mystical country with a rich and varied history. The warm and friendly welcome of the Vietnamese people truly makes this an unforgettable experience.

Most days will offer hiking, cycling, kayaking, or a combination of these activities. Although we'll be using the bus to travel on certain days, this trip has been designed to minimize bus travel and allow trip members to spend more time involved in outdoor activities and interacting with local Vietnamese and ethnic peoples. It is our goal to honor the spirit of sustainable tourism by hiring local vendors; patronizing smaller, locally owned hotels; eating locally sourced food; and following good environmental practices.

Most of our meals will feature delicious Vietnamese cuisine; we'll also have some non-Vietnamese meals. One of the meals will be on your own (money provided by leader), in case you want to taste some of the other international cuisine available. We'll also have the opportunity to savor a meal prepared and served in a local person’s home.

This exceptional trip will provide us with extraordinary “present moments” and allow us to touch the life of Vietnam. We will be immersed in the country in a highly personal and intimate way that few others will ever experience: from the seat of a bike, along the trail with your own two feet, and from the cockpit of a kayak. Join us.

Please note that we will make every effort to follow this itinerary. We may have to alter, change, or delete some activities due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather or other things beyond our control.

Please remember that our schedule of outdoor activities may need to be altered due to weather conditions or other factors beyond our control, or if the trip leader has any concerns about the safety of the group.

Day 1: Arrival Day. Arrive in Ha Noi, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in the Old Quarter of Ha Noi. When planning your flights, be aware that if you are flying west from the U.S., you'll lose a day as you cross the International Date Linel. You should plan to arrive no later than mid-afternoon on Day 1. We'll gather for a late-afternoon orientation meeting at our hotel and then enjoy our delicious Vietnamese welcome dinner. We stay overnight in our Ha Noi hotel.

Please do not pay for any non-refundable travel arrangements, such as airfare, until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Day 2: Culture and History Day. Today we will visit some of the finest museums in the country. Among them are: Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Lonely Planet says, “This excellent museum showcases women’s role in Vietnamese society and culture. Labeled in English and French, it’s the memories of the wartime contribution by individual heroic women that are most poignant. There is a stunning collection of propaganda posters, as well as costumes, tribal basket ware and fabric motifs from Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups.”

“Occupying a modern structure, the terrific collection here features well-presented tribal art, artifacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation. Displays are well labeled in Vietnamese, French, and English. For anyone with an interest in Vietnam’s minorities, it’s an essential visit. On the grounds are examples of traditional village houses -- a Tay stilt house, an impressive Bahnar communal structure, a Yao home, and a soaring, thatch-roofed Giarai tomb.” – Lonely Planet. 

Water Puppet Theatre. The Theater is famous for its musical stories that portray historical legends and folk tales. These ever-popular performances are given in a large pool of water by a troupe of talented actors and accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese pit orchestra.

Wandering through the joyful chaos of Old Ha Noi is fascinating. Our lodging is just a block away from shops and markets where you can find silk in every shape and form, native handicrafts, fine art, and unusual foods. There will be time today for you to explore at your own pace.

Day 3: Change of Scenery Day. Today we conclude our stay in Ha Noi and prepare to journey to the beautiful Mai Chau valley west of Hanoi. Early risers may want to take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and even join in the Tai Chi, meditation, or yoga going on around the lake.After breakfast we will visit the intriguing Ho Chi Minh Museum and the unusual One Pillar Pagoda. In the afternoon we will travel 3½ hours to the tranquil Mai Chau valley. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 4: Bike Day. With miles of lightly used roads to explore, we will cycle 18 miles today in the countryside. Picturesque farms and rice paddies dot the landscape and it’s a common site to see local women weaving at looms positioned to best display their handiwork. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 5: Hike Day. Today we will have the opportunity to explore a cave used by local families for celebrations and offerings. We will then transfer 30 miles to Pu Luong in the mountains around Mai Chau. Here we will hike and have the opportunity to meet villagers of different ethnic tribes as we explore. Overnight in Pu Luong.

Day 6: Hike Day. The ethnic white and black Thai people have made this area their home, and today we will have the chance to hike in this area. Overnight in Pu Luong.

Day 7: Back to Hanoi Day. We will travel by bus back to Hanoi with the special treat of seeing a water puppet show this afternoon. The Water Puppet Theater is famous for its musical stories that portray historical legends and folk tales. These ever-popular performances are given in a large pool of water by a troupe of talented puppeteers and musicians. Dinner tonight will be a special treat at the home of one of our guides, prepared by our guide’s wife and friends.

Day 8: Travel Day. We’ll say farewell to Ha Noi and begin our longest day of travel out to the coast. Today’s journey will include many types of transportation: the train, a comfortable air-conditioned bus, shuttle boats, and finally a short bike ride. Our final destination is a small village on Cat Ba Island. The landscape of the island, which is dominated by limestone, includes numerous waterfalls, caves, and grottoes. The rugged topography is marked by steep outcrops and bare rock areas with many seasonal streams.

Upon arrival at Cat Ba Island, we’ll cycle to the serene village of Viet Hai, where we will stay in small cottages in a Vietnamese “eco-village." Afternoon activities include a hike to Navy Peak to get an astounding view of Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam's greatest natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bay, part of the Gulf of Tonkin, is filled with limestone karsts that are often riddled with caverns.

Today’s bike ride is less than five miles. The elevation profile is flat to rolling, with a couple of short, steep climbs.

Today’s hike is only about three miles round trip, but the outbound trail is a steep uphill climb. We retrace the trail on our return so it includes a steep downhill scramble. This hike is rated “strenuous” due to the steepness of the trail, occasionally challenging foot and hand holds, and uneven limestone trail surface. The effort is worth it because you’ll experience a world-class view.

Our accommodations tonight are in small wooden cottages located along a small brook that wanders through the garden. 

Day 9: Hike and Kayak Day. This morning we take pleasure in a relaxed breakfast in the brook-side dining room. Then we can explore the lush tropical vegetation around the village on a jungle hike. After emerging from the jungle, we’ll cycle back to the wharf to meet our shuttle boat to our next destination, Nam Cat Island, and the start of our kayaking activities.

After lunch we’ll get settled in to our waterfront thatch-roofed cabanas and spend a relaxing afternoon. You may decide to lie on the beach and read a good book, take a nap in your cabana, or borrow a kayak for a short paddle. Late in the afternoon, we’ll embark on a sunset cruise in our kayaks.

Today’s jungle hike is about five miles round trip. The trail ranges from flat dirt to steep and rocky and it is rated “moderate." The short bike ride retraces the ride from the wharf to the village.

The kayak tour is about one hour of paddling on protected bay waters that range from glassy to small swells and is rated “easy."

Day 10: Kayak Day. Breakfast is taken on the beachside deck, where we can soak up the warm sunshine and enjoy views of the bay. Nam Cat Island is located on Lan Ha Bay, which is on the edge of Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha is much smaller than Ha Long, but offers the same spectacular karst islands and is much less visited than the famous Ha Long Bay. After breakfast, we’ll slide into our kayaks for a tour of Lan Ha’s karsts -- the limestone islands this area is famous for. We may paddle through caves or circle some of the karsts or pull up on a beach to look for shells. We’ll observe a variety of birdlife and then paddle back to the resort for lunch. The rest of the afternoon will provide additional time for relaxing at the beach. 

The morning paddle is about three hours long on protected bay waters that range from glassy to small swells. This paddle is rated “moderately easy."

Day 11: National Park Day. Today we transfer by boat to Cat Ba National Park where we’ll explore this visually stunning and ecologically diverse national park by foot and bicycle. Cat Ba is home to the highly endangered Cat Ba Langur. This golden-headed langur is rarely seen because fewer than 100 specimens are thought to survive in the wild, although it is the subject of a well-organized conservation program. If time permits, we’ll visit the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project. After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll cruise back to our beach resort, where you’ll have a free afternoon. We return to Nam Cat Island for the evening.

Today’s bike ride is about nine miles long on rolling terrain with some steeper sections. It’s rated “moderate." The hike is a short one-mile walk to the Hospital Cave. This hike is rated “easy."

Day 12: Kayak and Yacht Day. After breakfast we’ll have a farewell paddle around Nam Cat Island and find a secluded beach for a picnic lunch. Following lunch, we’ll meet our shuttle boat for a leisurely cruise to Ha Long Bay. It will be thrilling to enter world-famous Ha Long Bay and drift by its towering limestone islands. This is a “bucket list” event.

The shuttle boat will deliver us to our floating accommodations aboard a classic Ha Long Bay yacht. We’ll have plenty of time to settle into our cabins and explore the yacht before meeting on the top deck for happy hour. After a delightful dinner in the yacht’s dining room we can enjoy lounging on the deck, watching the stars and other yachts, junks, and sampans sailing by.

The paddle is about four hours long on protected bay waters that range from glassy to small swells. This paddle is rated “moderately easy."

Day 13: Kayak Day. We awake onboard our yacht on beautiful Ha Long Bay. After breakfast, we'll continue our tour of this World Heritage site with opportunities for more kayaking, picnicking on a hidden beach, or hiking and exploring caves on the islands.

The paddle is about four hours long on protected bay waters that range from glassy to small swells. This paddle is rated “moderately easy."

Day 14: Kayak and Travel Day. Today we leave beautiful Ha Long Bay, but before we do we’ll have one more paddle to take in its grandeur. When we return to the yacht, we’ll begin our cruise back to port. On the way, we’ll have lunch in the yacht’s dining room, pack our bags, and return to the hustle and bustle of the mainland. At the port, we'll board our bus and ride back to our hotel in Old Ha Noi for our farewell dinner (and, on the December trip, a celebration of the New Year!).

Day 15: Departure Day. With some sadness and many wonderful memories, our Sierra Club Hike, Bike, and Kayak Vietnam adventure officially ends after breakfast this morning. We will offer shuttles to the Ha Noi airport at several different times during the day. Many flights won’t depart until late tonight so you may have a day at leisure to finish shopping, re-visit museums, pick up any custom-made clothing you ordered, or have one final massage. Late check-out may be available at our hotel for an additional fee that is not included in your trip price. 

Getting There

Our trip officially begins with your arrival in Ha Noi on Day 1, where you will be greeted at the airport by our local guides and transferred to our hotel. In order to be met at the airport, it is necessary that you send your flight itineraries to the trip leader as soon as you have them.

You will need to get a Vietnam visa in advance. Allow yourself plenty of time to get the visa and be sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of our trip. You may apply for the visa no more than six months in advance of your departure date. Normally the embassy is quick and efficient with processing applications. If you plan to visit another country after entering Vietnam and you plan on returning via Vietnam, you’ll need a multiple-entry visa.

You will receive at least three pre-trip newsletters prior to departure. These newsletters will contain detailed information about obtaining your visa, packing lists, health and medical information, and more.

If you would like to arrive earlier than the beginning of our trip, or extend your stay after our trip, our local guides can assist in making arrangements for you. If you need this additional travel planning assistance, the trip leader will put you in contact with the local guide company.

Please do not pay for any non-refundable travel arrangements, such as airfare, until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We'll be staying in a variety of accommodations. During most of our trip we'll be in cities, towns, or villages with comfortable hotels. Most hotels do not have air conditioning, but they do have ceiling fans that provide adequate cooling and mosquito nets so that you can leave your windows open. All rooms have en suite bathrooms with shower, sink, and a Western-style toilet. In Ha Long Bay we'll have very comfortable, but small, rooms on our yacht. All accommodations will be double occupancy. On the train the sleeper rooms accommodate four people per room and there is a public bathroom down the corridor from the sleeping berth.

Couples will room together and singles will be paired up according to gender. A single supplement may be offered, subject to availability. When you make your reservation, please let the trip leader know if you are interested in a single supplement. 

Trip Difficulty

Those who are physically prepared for the trip will be rewarded with a great outdoor experience. This trip is for physically active people who are experienced in hiking rough terrain, cycling hilly routes, and paddling a kayak for up to half a day. Multi-speed mountain bikes will be used as we’ll travel over dirt and gravel tracks as well as paved roads.

For the bicycling activities, helmets are required.

For the kayaking activities, it is required that you know how to swim and that you are comfortable floating or treading water for up to 15 minutes while wearing a personal flotation device. 

Because Vietnam is a developing country, medical care is not as available or convenient as it is in the United States, making medical emergencies considerably more hazardous than they might be at home. Please take care of any potential medical problems before leaving home and bring adequate amounts of all medications you might need. If you have any questions about the medical form included in your trip application packet, or about whether or not our trip will be appropriate for you, please contact the leader. Your safety and that of our group depends on your candid responses on the medical form and an honest evaluation of your level of fitness.

Equipment and Clothing

We'll be traveling through forests, mountains, and coastal areas. The weather should be mild and pleasant in the fall, but you should be prepared for a wide range of weather by bringing lightweight and quick-drying clothing that can be worn in layers. It will be cool in the mountains in the mornings, but warm later in the day. Rain gear is essential to ensure we are prepared for changeable weather conditions.

You'll want to have well broken-in, lightweight hiking shoes. Trekking poles may be useful on uneven trail surfaces. The trip leader will provide you with a packing list prior to departure.

References

Probably the best places to begin are with the popular tour guide publishers: Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, etc. You can check your local library or bookstore, or go online.

Movies:

• Indochine (1992)

Books:

• Soli, Tatjana, The Lotus Eaters.
• Jamieson, Neil, Understanding Vietnam.
• Karnow, Stanley, Vietnam.
• Boa Ninh, The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam.

Websites:

• Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) (an NGO specializing in increasing young people's awareness of environment concerns; mainly active in Ha Noi): http://www.envietnam.org
• Fauna and Flora International (FFI): http://www.fauna-flora.org
• Ecotourism map of Vietnam: http://www.fauna-flora.org/explore/vietnam

Current events in English from a Vietnamese point of view:

• http://english.vietnamnet.vn
• http://www.thanhniennews.com
• http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Conservation

One of the benefits and unique aspects of Sierra Club Outings is our focus on the environment and conservation issues. Pre-trip literature will highlight some of the environmental challenges and accomplishments of Vietnam and both the leader and our Vietnamese tour guide will discuss environmental issues during the trip.

Sierra Club supports two international programs that are relevant to our trip:

1. The Global Population and Environment Program mission is to protect the global environment and preserve natural resources for future generations by advancing global reproductive health and sustainable development initiatives.

2. The International Climate Program mission supports global efforts to halt climate disruption while ensuring access to clean energy, family planning, and other climate solutions for all.

In addition, we'll reflect on the common dilemma in a developing country: the conflict between meeting basic human needs and the related damage to the environment. For example, protected rain forests inside national parks are being destroyed to create farmland.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.