Bike, Hike & Kayak Northern Vietnam: Vietnam Adventure tour

Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.

We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.

This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way. The biking portions of BikeHike Adventure’s trips are the most cardiovascular portions of the trips, but there are always support vehicles available on our BikeHike trips. During the biking section, our travellers don’t have to carry anything on their backs as any packs can be carried in the support vehicle.  During the hiking portions of the trip, the most you would have to carry on your back is a daypack.

Listen to a more detailed answer about Vietnam HERE.

BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.

The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.

Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 35-55, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.

There is a lot of cultural interaction possible in Vietnam, as it is a very culturally rich destination. There are over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam, each with their own languages, their own customs and dress. You’ll encounter them on their water buffalos as they’re working their rice fields.  Sometimes we’re even able to visit schools on our BikeHike trips. In the Sapa Valley, hikers actually pass through villages and have the chance to interact with locals in their homes. Even Hanoi, with its colour and chaos, is an incredible cultural experience.

Listen to a more detailed answer HERE.

We cannot give official medical advice. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for updated information on health requirements, because this information can and does change frequently. You should plan ahead for your inoculations, as some of them require 30 days to take affect. Some shots cause mild reactions (fatigue to mild fever and nausea) and may require more than one dose over a period of weeks.

A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control.

The best months for travel to Vietnam are October through May, after that it turns into the wet, typhoon season. Any month between October and May is a great time to travel, as it is the dry season. Below is the weather in Hanoi and the Northern Region during these months:

September to December: Temperatures during day range from 30°C (85°F) in October to 21°C (70°F) in December.

January to Mid-March: Evenings can be chilly, especially in the mountains. Average temperatures during the day are 17°C (62°F).

Mid-March to April: These are the hottest months in Vietnam. Average daily temperatures range from 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F)

Hanoi. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip (morning to early afternoon is preferable) and depart anytime on day 11.  Many major carriers fly into Vietnam, including Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Korean Airlines.

This depends on your country of citizenship. However, Canadians and Americans do require a visa to enter Vietnam. It is possible to do a visa in advance, which we highly recommend to allow you to pass through customs much more quickly and easily. However, it is possible to get a visa last minute, though this requires a few added steps including a letter of recommendation from your tour operator stating your tourism activities in the country, and upon arrival in Vietnam you will enter a special customs line. At times, this line can be quite long. So, whenever possible, it is always better to try to arrange your visa in advance to save time at customs.

Listen to a more detailed answer HERE.

Yes, Wi-Fi and cell reception is available in most areas of Vietnam, mainly in the cities. However, while hiking and biking in Vietnam, there are perhaps a few areas where cell reception is unavailable. Most hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi in Vietnam. Whenever you are at a homestay in Vietnam, you’ll likely be without Wi-Fi as these families are unlikely to have a Wi-Fi connection.

Listen to a more detailed answer HERE.

Vietnam is regarded as a safe country to visit. The local people are very hospitable and gracious. In larger cities however you must be cautious of street crime. Do not walk with your daypack behind you and always be aware of your surroundings. Use your common sense and protect your important documents, i.e. money, airline ticket and passport.

Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike. 

We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.

While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is generally not a family focused trip However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.

E-bikes are available, but they need to be arranged in advance before the trip starts. The E-bikes would be an extra cost.

We include 24-27 speed mountain bikes with front suspension. All bikes have a ‘gel seat’ for added comfort. 

On the two day biking segment of the itinerary, we’ll snake along paved and gravel roads, with moderate elevation changes.  We ride through villages, and on winding switchbacks with views of the misty mountains farmed with rice paddies. There are loads of cultural encounters along the way, which has us stopping a lot to interact with the local people.

Yes, it is available during most of the bike rides for those that want a break from biking.

The hikes are considered ‘light treks’. The terrain is a combination of local dirt roads and trails with some rice terraces being traverses. Hiking boots are not required, but a good pair of hiking shoes or runners is recommended. You are only required to carry a daypack with enough for an overnight at the homestay.

We’ll be paddling in single and tandem kayaks. Most of the paddling is in the shelter of the limestone karsts where the water is very calm. There are plenty of secluded beaches that make a perfect rest stop and great swimming! There are a couple of open water crossings, which usually have small swells and can be a bit choppy on windy days.

We sleep on the train for one night from Hanoi to Sapa. The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds. All the bedding is provided.  On the return journey from Sapa to Hanoi, we take the bus, which is a 5-6 hour journey.

Here, the emphasis is less on the common comforts of western living and more on the experience of living as a local. The accommodation will be comfortable but can be very basic by western standards. The washrooms are located outside, separate from the room. There are showers with hot water available.

You'll have two overnights on-board a luxurious Junk Boat in Halong Bay in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Each room overlooks the sea. This is an incredible experience as you'll be boating in paradise!

The bay is very sheltered and the water is generally flat and calm.  However, there are still some days of the year that the sea becomes rough due to strong winds or tropical depressions. If this were the case, we would come up with a plan B instead of sailing.