Vagabond Experiences presents,

Back-Pack-Go! Vietnam.

Leave your worries behind, for we're headed to one of the happiest countries in the world! Vietnam is a nation of contrasts, where tradition meets modernity, beer dances with coffee, and beaches embrace mountains. The Vietnamese also take their food seriously. In fact, some street foods have earned a spot in the Oxford Dictionary. And the landscapes? Don’t even get us started. Limestone karsts, emerald waters, rice fields, lush green hillsides, pristine beaches—it’s a RIOT, and we’re here for it. Who’s joining?

Locations: Da Nang | Hội An | Hanoi | Ninh Bình | Hạ Long Bay

Upcoming Batches

• 29th Sept-5th Oct '24 (3 holidays: 29th Sunday, 2nd Gandhi Jayanti, 5th Saturday)
• 6th-12th Oct '24 (2 holidays: 6th Sunday, 12th Saturday)
• 23rd-29th Nov '24 (2 holidays: 23rd Saturday, 24th Sunday)

(Bookings shut 35 days before each batch)

For further queries, feel free to Whatsapp/call: 74000 54929

Itinerary

Day 1: The City of Lanterns

We assemble and say our hellos at Da Nang. Reset those watches, and let the crispy Vietnamese dong notes flow. Settle into your rooms, put on your walking shoes, and board our private vehicles to Hội An. But first, we visit the Marble Mountains, where Buddhist shrines, majestic carvings, and Buddha statues are intricately carved onto the rock. Explore towering pagodas and enjoy scenic views of the sea, mountains, and villages.

Once in the historic town of Hội An, visit the iconic Japanese bridge, indulge in some window shopping, admire the postcard-like houses, and don't miss trying the local banh mi sandwiches—a must as per Anthony Bourdain. As night falls, witness the city come alive with thousands of lanterns. At this moment, all you’ll want is to get that "I-went-to-Hội-An" Instagram shot. JK. Or maybe not

Overnight stay at Da Nang.

Day 2: Beach, Please!

After a late start to the day, gear up for a day at the beach! We make our way to the wonderfully pristine coast of An Bang. We'll chill by the shacks, sunbathe, play some games and just relaxxxx.

Return to Da Nang, grab a meal, and get some rest.

Day 3: Hanoi, here we come!

The morning calls for a pho-nomenal breakfast. Post-lunch, we take to the skies for an afternoon flight to Hanoi. We'll familiarize ourselves with the capital, and grab some dinner in the bustling market.

Overnight in Hanoi, where new adventures await.

Day 4: Land and Water

Get ready for a day straight out of a Studio Ghibli film—green, magical, and mystical! We're off to Ninh Bình, often dubbed as the "Hạ Long Bay on Land." We first head to Mua Cave, tucked away down a sleepy road amidst rice paddies. From the cave's summit, the views are beyond compare. Keep those wide-angled lenses and cameras handy. Next, hop on a sampan boat for a tranquil tour of the Tràng An/Tam Cốc landscape complex. Countless IS-THIS-EVEN-REAL moments await.

Dinner, conversations, and chill scenes will follow in Ninh Bình.

Day 5: The Karst Is Yet To Come

Today’s going to be rather special. We’re going on a cruise! And sleeping on it. (WHAAAT!) Yep. The cruise on Hạ Long Bay will treat us to views of hundreds of karst islands in different shapes and sizes! It’s otherworldly. Explore fishing villages, kayak through caves, and relax on the bay's pristine beach.

We'll dine, drink, sing, and call it a night on the cruise—just like those fancy people in the movies.

Day 6: Eggsplore Hanoi

We bid farewell to our inner Christopher Columbus and return to solid ground—Hanoi. After dropping off our luggage, we’ll explore the capital city’s Old Quarter. Get lost in its streets, snag souvenirs for your folks, and indulge in some serious caffeine hits (hello, egg coffee!).

In the evening, though, brace yourself to experience the thriving weekend nightlife here! From lively bars to casual Bia Hoi (Fresh Beer) spots, the atmosphere is electric, giving you a chance to mix with both locals and tourists immersing themselves in Hanoi's dynamic weekend scene.

Seal the day with one last local dinner, and good vibes in Hanoi.

Day 7: Tạm biệt, goodbye, until next time!

We’ll have breakfast together, one last time. Transfer to the airport, say goodbye to your new friends, exchange Instagram handles, promise to share photographs, and make pacts to meet again soon.

Until next time, Vagabonds!

Inclusions

• All internal transport in private AC vehicles (minibus/cars)
• Activities and entry tickets to:
• Visit to Hội An old town
• Marble Mountain
• Mua Caves
• A boating experience in Tràng An/Tam Cốc
• Kayaking and cave explorations on Hạ Long Bay
• Hanoi city tour
• Mineral water on bus (2 bottles per person per day)
• Breakfast buffets on all (6) mornings
• All (4) meals on the Hạ Long Bay cruise
• Domestic flight from Da Nang to Hanoi
• Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels in twin-sharing rooms (link to reference photos)
• Accommodation in a 3-star cruise on Hạ Long Bay in twin-sharing rooms
• English-speaking Vietnamese guide at all locations
• Assistance by a Vagabond EM (Experience Manager)

Exclusions

• International flights
• Airport transfers on the first and last day
• Visa
• Tips for guides and drivers ($3 per day to be paid in person)
• Lunches and dinners not mentioned in inclusions

Accommodation:

• Rooming at Da Nang, Hanoi and Ninh Bình will be on a double-sharing basis in 3-4 star hotels
• Rooming at Hạ Long Bay will be in a 3 star cruise on a double-sharing basis
• Click here for reference photos to our stay. Rooms will be the same or of a similar category

Meals:

• 6 breakfast buffets (Cuisines will be Vietnamese and Continental/American)
• All 4 meals on the overnight cruise (Day 5: Lunch, Dinner & Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch)

Transport:

• All internal transfers as per Itinerary in private vehicles (Minibus/cars)
• Domestic flight from Da Nang to Hanoi

Essential Things to Carry/Wear

Footwear

• Sneaker/sport shoes (Mandatory for our trails/hikes)
• Flip flops/sandals

Personal Medical Kit

• Electrolytes powder (Glucon D, Electral, Enerzal)
• Medicines for headaches, diarrhoea, motion sickness
• Antiseptic liquid (Dettol, Savlon)
• Crepe bandage
• Cotton
• Any other personal medication

Personal Accessories

• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 40), lip balm
• Cap
• UV protected sunglasses
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Mosquito repellent
• A 10/20 ltr day bag
• Reusable water bottle
• Power bank

Official Requirements

• Passport
• Visa
• Driving license (if you plan to rent vehicles)
• Foreign currency (USD) or international debit/credit card

Everything Flights

• Book an arrival flight to Da Nang Airport that lands latest by 12 pm (hotel check-in time is 2 pm), and book your flight departing from Hanoi Airport at any time (hotel checkout time is 12 noon)
• Airport pickups & drops are not included, but taxi apps like Grab/Gojek make it easy to book your transfer from and to the airport (approx 800-1000 INR one way). You can also hail a taxi from the airport, but that could be a little more expensive.

Everything Visa

• One can easily apply for an E-Visa on the official portal and get it in 3-5 working days. Alternatively, there are portals like https://useteleport.com/ through which you can also apply for your visa.
• The only document needed for the visa application is your passport with minimum 6 months validity
• The E-visa charges are approx. Rs. 2500/- or less (depending on the platform you get it from).

Everything Foreign Currency

• Vietnam only accepts USD or the Vietnamese Dong (VND) as legal tender. Your INR will be of no good here. Get it exchanged before coming.
• We recommend either of the following:
• Carry your debit/credit/forex card and activate the international usage on it. You can use this to swipe at shops and also withdraw VND at ATMs
• You can also pay in USD for big purchases but you will need to exchange some of it to VND especially when you are buying street food or making any small purchases
• We are including a lot of activities in this experience. The only things you will be spending on are airport transfers, meals, tips, and shopping. Estimates for these have been mentioned in the FAQs below.
• You are expected to personally tip your driver and tour guide every day. It’s $2 for the guide and $1 for the driver. For this trip, you will need to carry an extra $3 per day for these expenses.

Additionally, for more info on things you need to know about carrying ForEx currencies, ATMs and best value for dollars, check out this link https://www.holidify.com/pages/currency-of-vietnam-1344.html

Important Notes

• Check-in and check-out time is 02:00 PM and 12:00 noon respectively in Vietnam. Early check-in with breakfast can be available at an extra cost of 25 USD/ per person (depending on availability and advance notice)
• Despite this being a backpacking trip, we will be running on a fixed schedule. Punctuality will be appreciated
• This is a backpacking trip. Please be prepared for a good amount of exploration on foot. The hack is comfortable footwear.
• If you have any medical or physical conditions that may affect you during the trip, you are required to inform us before the trip begins.
• Please carry swimwear as most hotels have strict rules about entering the pool in swimwear only.
• While we're moving in groups to various places, try and stick to the group and not wander off.
• The trip schedule is subject to change. Days of visits to the mentioned places could be shifted back and forth due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
• While booking your international flight tickets, please try and book refundable tickets wherever possible.
• While it isn’t a compulsion, having travel insurance will safeguard you against trip delays or unexpected health related issues.
• Some handy apps to download on your phone for a smooth travel experience in Vietnam:
• Google Maps Offline: Download the offline maps to the cities we’ll be visiting just in case you run out of data or network
• Google Translate: Make sure you also download the Vietnamese language option in your Google Translate App. Most of the street vendors only communicate in Vietnamese. They are very used to tourists using google translate to converse and even bargain through the app.
• Grab: Its the Uber of this region. Choose the ‘pay in cash’ option when you book these rides. Extremely affordable and dependant
• 3 weeks prior, you will be added to a WhatsApp group with all the other participants and your assigned Experience Manager. Further instructions will be shared on this group and you can coordinate your travel with your co-travellers. If you have any doubts before this, feel free to WhatsApp us on 74000 54929

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Can you guide me on flight bookings for my trip to Vietnam?

We recommend landing in Da Nang before 12pm on day 1. For return, fly out at any time of the day from Hanoi on day 7. Please note that checkout will be at 12pm, though. However, you may leave your bags at the hotel and go about exploring Hanoi in case you have a later flight. If you need further assistance on what flights to book, just reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help.

2.How much budget should I plan in addition to the tour cost?

Beyond the tour cost, you will need around INR 6,000 for mouthwatering meals and INR 800-1,000 per airport transfer.

Your international flight budget would be Rs. 26,000 to 30,000. A tourist visa would cost approx Rs. 2,500/-

Additionally, account for spending on shopping, tips, beverages, and spontaneous shenanigans!

3.Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

Vietnam is increasingly proving to be THE spot for tourists. And by that, we mean that they have created a safe space for tourist through their impeccable hospitality and honest service. But beyond that, we have also ensured your safety by picking top-notch stays (3/4 star properties), secure rides, and helpful local guides. Plus, with a Vagabond EM accompanying you on the trip, explore Vietnam like a boss – confidently and securely.

4.Is Indian or vegetarian food easily available?

Vietnamese food is a culinary carnival and a true delight for non-vegetarians! But that being said, due to Vietnam’s increasing popularity among Indian tourists, Indian restaurants and vegetarian options are easily available.

5.What would the weather be like when we’re there?

We will be expecting lovely sunny weather with an average temperature of about 30°C. Make sure you carry ample sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap along with comfy loose clothes.

6.Can I smoke/drink on this trip?

We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (monasteries, hikes, sacred spaces etc). Indulge in these activities very responsibly.

7.What will the group size be?

We will have a maximum of 15 travellers excluding 1-2 Vagabond EMs

8.Is there any age limit to join this trip?

No, there is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travellers is usually between 25-35.

9.Can I join this expedition solo?

Yes, of course, you can! We have a good number of solo travellers on almost every Vagabond experience.

10.How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?

This trip does not include a trek if that’s what you are asking. We will be climbing up 500 steps at Mua Caves to get a breathtaking view of the Trang An landscape and go kayaking in the ocean at Ha Long Bay. However both these activities can be done at your own relaxed pace. On other days, we will be leisurely exploring most places on foot. So to answer your question, you need to have a moderate level of fitness and a keen mind to explore!

Cancellation Policy

No refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,

• If cancellations are made within 30 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
• If cancellations are made 45-30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
• If cancellations are made within 60-45 days before the start date of the trip, 25% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
• In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases, the operator will try their best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.
• 3.8% of all booking amounts are payment gateway charges. This amount is not refundable.

Get In Touch

For further inquiries, feel free to Whatsapp/call: 74000 54929

PS: We respect and love our personal lives. Please get in touch with us only between 11 am and 7 pm on weekdays.

or

DM us on Instagram anytime @vagabondexperiences or check out https://vagabondexperiences.com/book/vietnam-7-days/