Vietnam Active Adventure

Cycle, hike, and swim through some of Vietnam’s most spectacular landscapes on this adventurous itinerary 

There’s a special connection to a place that’s forged when you walk through a landscape or feel the wind in your hair on a cycling tour. Time slows down, your senses are heightened, and you feel immersed in the country’s natural beauty. On our two-week Vietnam Active Adventure itinerary, you’ll embark on a spectacular caving expedition, pedal through green rice paddies to remote villages, and snorkel along a pristine stretch of coast many travelers skip over—but shouldn’t. This trip is far from Type II fun, though. 

While you’re breaking a sweat, you’ll also be discovering Vietnam’s fascinating history and cultural heritage, visiting archeological sites, ancient temples, and small villages. These insights, along with heartfelt interactions with local people in smaller communities are what take this itinerary beyond the typical hiking or biking trip and make it extraordinary.  

At the end of days full of inspiring adventures, retreat to dreamy properties for nourishing, fresh local cuisine and spa treatments. The refined nature retreats you’ll call home on this trip blend luxury with wild settings, from a garden house on the edge of Hue’s Perfume River to a stunning ocean-view villa with a private plunge pool. 

Vietnam Active Adventure: 14 days / 13 nights

Vietnam Active Adventure Trip Highlights

Begin your journey through Vietnam in the vibrant city of Hanoi, where your personal escort will assist you through customs and visa procedures. Your guide and driver will welcome you and bring you to your hotel, Capella Hanoi. Set on a quiet boulevard on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake—a lake and greenspace in the heart of the city—this hotel is an elegant ode to Hanoi’s opera culture, situated just moments from the Hanoi Opera House and boasting exquisite suites and a Michelin-starred restaurant.   
Set out to the historic Ky Son Village, located just outside Hanoi. Part of the historic Duong Lam Village, Ky Son is renowned for its traditional homes, some of which are over 200 years old. You’ll explore on foot and by bicycle, witnessing daily life in the village and connecting with the community. Help prepare a traditional Vietnamese lunch while visiting with local people and learning about local ingredients and farming practices. Enjoy this dynamic, active way of discovering Hanoi’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.  
When the largest cave in the world, Son Doong, was discovered in Phong Nha in the 1990s, it thrust the sleepy riverside town into the spotlight. This adventure hub is full of caving expeditions that will fuel your wonder and adrenaline. Spend a day exploring Paradise Cave and Dark Cave, marveling at their shimmering stalagmites and stalactites, and then swim and mud bathe in the caves’ shadowy passages.   
On a second day in Phong Nha, you’ll pedal your way through the peaceful Bong Lai Valley past rice fields and small villages to reach a local restaurant for lunch. Then, board a traditional dragon boat and cruise along the Son River to Phong Nha Cave, where you’ll weave through the dark underworld before exploring the last 300 meters on foot. If you’re feeling intrepid, we can also arrange for a spectacular multi-day camping trek into the cave system, but it should be noted that permits for a Son Doong Cave expedition must be secured at least a year in advance.  
Many travelers skip Hue, but we think that’s a mistake. History lovers will swoon for the city’s imperial past that dates to the Nguyễn dynasty, the last to rule before Vietnam became a French protectorate. You’ll immerse yourself in the city’s grandeur with a dose of rural charm on a cycling tour through the ancient village of Thuy Bieu. Stop by historical landmarks such as the Roman Amphitheatre, the Elephant Temple-Cemetery, dedicated to the kings’ loyal elephants, and a bronze casting village, where artisans have honed their craft for generations. Then, kick back as you cruise down the Perfume River, stopping at the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda and the 19th-century Purple Forbidden City.  
While in Hue, you’ll also explore Bach Ma National Park, a lush, mountainous park on the coast that’s off many travelers’ radars. Learn about the park’s unique ecology while trekking to Do Quyen Waterfall, a 980-foot-high cascade flanked by bright rhododendrons. Take a dip in a lake and refuel with a picnic lunch before exploring the historic hill station at the park’s summit. 
Arrive in Hoi An, a charming, lantern-lit UNESCO destination, and check into the riverside Anantara Hoi An Resort. The city is no hidden gem, which is why we get you to Old Town early. Watch the morning shoppers sift through fresh produce in the Hoi An Central Market, weave through handsome streets lined by colorful facades, nip into local workshops, and cross the beautiful Japanese Covered Bridge. Next, you're invited into the home of a local family who will teach you how to craft your own handmade lantern, a meaningful souvenir of your time in Hoi An. You’ll lunch in a romantic restaurant where we recommend cao lau, a signature noodle dish.   
Embark on a cycling tour through Vietnamese cultural heritage, discovering artisan traditions and cottage industries as you pedal through the countryside outside of Hoi An’s Old Town. Begin with a visit to a family home, then travel along scenic rice terraces, stopping at small villages to learn about community traditions, including rice milling, incense making, fishing, textile weaving, and local wine production. To cap off the day, board a coracle, a small, round fishing boat, and test your traditional fishing skills.  
Travel south from Hoi An to the easternmost province of Phu Yen in style aboard the The Vietage by Anantara. This luxury train journey takes you along the scenic central coast, weaving through lush forest and along blue waters over the course of six hours. Savor a gourmet lunch as you watch the scenery go by, arriving at Quy Nhon train station and meeting your driver who will bring you to your hotel. Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô is a hilltop hideaway with sweeping views of the ocean—the perfect spot for slowing down on your last few nights in Vietnam.  
The beautiful Phu Yen Province is home to a diverse range of natural wonders on land and water. From your hotel you can snorkel, swim, cycle, and trek to your heart’s content amid spellbinding coastal landscapes. But this is also a place to savor quieter moments and rest your tired muscles after plenty of hiking and cycling. Dive into the area’s culture and heritage on visits to ruins, temples, and fishing villages, or taste regional flavors with a chef-led visit to the local market or a private feast on the beach.  
After a hearty breakfast on your last morning, a hotel transfer will bring you to the airport for your return flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will connect to your international flight back home, enjoying fast-track service to ensure a smooth transition. 

Price

Starting at $7,900 per person sharing in 2025

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