Vietnam Youth Adventure & Sapa - 15 Days

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon your arrival, you will be picked up and taken to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. After checking in, feel free to either explore the area or relax until it's time to join your group for a welcome dinner, where you can meet your fellow travelers.

Later, you can enjoy a swim in the rooftop pool with views of the city and prepare for an unforgettable journey!

Please note: This tour stays in a mixture of hotels and hostels and is designed for younger travellers looking for a backpacker-style experience and to meet like-minded people. The average age on this tour is around 21 - 35, and we are unfortunately unable to take any travellers over the age of 45. We have lots of group tours across our destinations that are suitable for travellers of all ages, browse our website or get in touch to find the perfect trip!

Ho Chi Minh City - Danang. After breakfast, we’ll embark on a walking tour to explore our city’s famous sights and hidden gems. We’ll then prepare for a unique cultural experience by learning our national sport, Da Cao, or “foot badminton.” This energetic game is a favourite pastime, played in parks across the country.

We’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics from one of our local teams, supported through our community projects. After the lesson, we’ll return to our hotel to freshen up before heading to the train station for our overnight journey to Da Nang.

Danang - Hoi An. Upon arrival, our team takes us to the banks of the Thu Bon River, where we enjoy a quick lunch before setting off on our kayaks. As we paddle through the river, we make our way toward Hoi An’s historic old town, getting a unique view of the city that most visitors miss. Slowly, the town comes into view, its streets and buildings gradually revealing themselves.

Once we dock, we walk to our hotel to freshen up. In the evening, you can relax by the pool, explore the Night Market, or visit one of the local tailors to have something custom-made.

Today, we start our morning by cycling through the peaceful countryside, passing small villages and lush rice fields, until we reach a quiet riverbank. Here, we’ll begin our mission to collect plastic waste that has been carelessly discarded along the river.

Once there, we will sort through the collected trash to create eco-bricks for a local NGO. An eco brick is a plastic bottle filled with used plastic to a specific density, turning it into reusable building blocks. This initiative not only helps clean the riverbank but also contributes to producing a significant number of eco-bricks for construction projects in remote areas of Quang Nam province, such as building playgrounds and schools.

The afternoon is at your leisure to further explore or perhaps some time at the beach!

Hoi An - Hue. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off for Hue, also known as the Imperial City, in style! Our journey will be in open-top jeeps, beginning with the scenic drive up the renowned Hai Van Pass. This iconic route offers us stunning coastal vistas and sharp hairpin bends that will take our breath away.

Along the way, we’ll pass by a stunning waterfall, stop for lunch, and navigate through enchanting rural backroads. We’ll arrive in the historic town of Hue, the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, in the afternoon.

Hue - Ninh Binh. In the morning, we’ll board a dragon boat and make our way to the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda before heading to a local garden along the banks of the Perfume River. There, we’ll have the opportunity to take part in a traditional Vietnamese cooking class. After the class, you can choose to relax or explore the imperial city before we transfer to Hue Train Station for our overnight journey to Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh - Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Today, we prepare for our journey to one of Vietnam's most breathtaking landscapes! We’ll board a bus to Pu Luong National Park, pausing along the way for lunch and a visit to Chua Ngoc Chau Temple.

Our accommodation will be at a local homestay in Ban Hieu, surrounded by rice paddies and mountains. Before dinner with our host family, we can explore a nearby waterfall. We’ll immerse ourselves in the stunning, less-travelled scenery around us and spend the night in a local home.

After enjoying breakfast with a stunning view of the valley, we will embark on a short downhill trek to a picturesque traditional rural bamboo lake house. Here, we have the option to go bamboo rafting or swim in the crystal-clear water. A picnic lunch will be provided by a local family in a breathtaking natural setting. After lunch, we’ll prepare for an exciting waterfall-chasing adventure.

Our guide will lead us along a secret path to discover a spectacular waterfall nestled within the valley, accessible via narrow forest trails. As we traverse past local farms and villages, we’ll immerse ourselves in the tranquil scenery. This is truly a place to disconnect and embrace our surroundings. The trek back will take us through rice fields and farms, returning to the homestay for dinner and drinks.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Hanoi. As we bid farewell to our homestay family and the scenic beauty of Pu Luong, after a leisurely morning and breakfast. Once we have arrived in Hanoi and checked in, we will join our group for a walk through the vibrant streets of Hanoi, followed by a delicious food tour featuring local delicacies. Prepare for an exciting culinary adventure!

Hanoi - Halong Bay. Today, we’re leaving the city's hustle behind for breathtaking bay views as we board a traditional boat to explore the renowned Ha Long Bay. Our cruise takes us north to the less-visited Bai Tu Long area, where pristine landscapes await. Experience the beauty of Cap La Island by kayaking around its stunning surroundings.

For those keen on a swim, there’s the option to visit a secluded beach on Cong Do Island. As the day ends, we’ll enjoy sunset drinks and a dinner on deck.

Halong Bay - Hanoi. Today, you can start your day with a calming Tai Chi session on the sundeck or simply enjoy the morning views of the bay. Next, we’ll visit Thien Canh Son, the most renowned cave system in Ha Long Bay, celebrated for its breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites.

On our return journey, we’ll have the opportunity to try Vietnamese fruit carving and spring roll making, gaining insight into the region's intricate techniques and culinary traditions.

Once back in Hanoi, you can opt for a walking tour to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture and history.

Hanoi - Sa pa. Our adventure continues today with an early morning departure at 7 AM as we board a comfortable limousine for a picturesque 6-hour drive to Sa Pa. Once we arrive, we’ll meet our local guide and head directly to Ta Van Trek Point.

We’ll explore the vibrant rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley, where Ta Van village offers an authentic glimpse into the rural life of local tribes. We’ll immerse ourselves in the unhurried lifestyle, savor delicious meals, and engage with the curious and friendly locals.

As evening approaches, we’ll enjoy dinner with our local host and spend the night in a genuine homestay, fully absorbing the atmosphere of Sa Pa.

We’ll wake up to a delicious breakfast at our homestay. At around 9:00 AM, we’ll embark on a trek to Giang Ta Chai Village. We’ll hike uphill to encounter a stunning waterfall and take in breathtaking views. The village is home to the Red Dao people, recognizable by their unique black attire adorned with embroidered details.

We’ll enjoy lunch in the village before making a steep descent. Upon returning to Sa Pa Town, we’ll check into our accommodation for the night. The afternoon is free for you to explore Sa Pa Town and visit the local market, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Please note: That we recommend wearing hiking shoes rather than trainers for this walk.

Sa Pa - Lao Cai - Hanoi. Today marks our last day in Sa Pa. After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set off with our guide and driver to reach an altitude of 1,700 meters to explore the captivating Silver Waterfall, the source of the Muong Hoa stream. We’ll capture some beautiful photos before proceeding along a wild forest road for about 3 kilometers. This route leads us to a red dirt path that meanders through vibrant green bamboo forests.

At the edge of the bamboo forest, we’ll follow the stream to arrive at the stunning Love Waterfall. From a distance, the waterfall resembles a hat, creating a scenic view amidst the expansive mountain and forest backdrop. After taking in the beauty of Love Waterfall, we’ll return to our car and head back to Sa Pa town for a final lunch there.

A late check-out from our accommodation has been arranged, allowing us to return to our room after lunch, freshen up, and gather our belongings before our overnight train journey. In the evening, we’ll transfer to Lao Cai Train Station for our overnight ride to Hanoi. We’ll be sure to pick up some snacks for the train and enjoy sharing a cabin with our travel companions.

Our Vietnamese adventure concludes as we reach Hanoi between 5 and 5:30 AM. As we bid farewell to our guide and fellow travellers at Hanoi Train Station, we wish you a safe onward journey.