Vietnam : Feel the RUSH - Rustic Pathways GAP

Come join us on this 30-day, non-stop adventure through the amazing country of Vietnam. Cities, beaches, deserts, mountains, and islands all await you on this unforgettable journey, and you will leave no stone unturned as you travel up through the heart of one of Asia’s most intriguing countries. This is the perfect program for anyone looking to experience the high-adrenaline rush of rafting, sea kayaking, kite surfing, mountain biking, and hiking through the mountains!

The journey starts in the city of Saigon, the southern metropolis of Vietnam. Spend the first day exploring the streets and markets by cyclo, a soon-to-be-lost form of transportation in Vietnam and one of the best ways to get to know the city. Take in the sights at the Vietnam War Museum before heading north and stopping by the famous Cu Chi Tunnels to explore the intricate system that helped the Vietnamese during the war. You will even have the chance to try your hand at the local firing range!

After arriving into Dalat, the mountain city of the south, you will explore the region’s magnificent jungles while whitewater rafting down majestic rivers. The bucolic beauty of the place will leave you breathless. Next you will hop on a bike and peddle out of the mountains and down to the coastal city of Mui Ne. The journey is one of the most secret and awe-inspiring rides in all of Asia, and as you ride through the jungles and watch the mountains shrink behind you on your way to the coast, you will truly understand the beauty of this adventure.

Once in Mui Ne, you will spend a few days learning the basics of kite surfing in one of the most renowned coastal locations in all of Asia. The beautiful climate, the warm surf, and the sprawling beaches offer the perfect backdrop to try your hand at this amazing sport. Take a break, lie in the sun, go body surfing, grab fresh grilled seafood on the beach, and enjoy! Hop on a bike to explore some of the small local fishing villages, play a game of beach soccer with the locals, surf the red sand dunes of the region, and get into the true Vietnamese beach lifestyle. Heading up the coast to the city of Nha Trang, you will hit the water and try your hand at surfing the breaks of Vietnam. Another beautiful coastal city, Nha Trang is a great place to soak up some more sun, enjoy the water sports, and jump into great adventures on the sea.

Leaving the coast behind, you’ll take a quick flight to the capital city of Hanoi. Enjoy cruising the streets of the Old Quarter on another cyclo ride, try your hand at bargaining in the night markets, visit the tomb of Ho Chi Minh, and soak up the buzz of this amazing city. A great place to pick up souvenirs, sample delicious northern Vietnamese dishes, and practice the language, Hanoi is truly one of the jewels of northern Vietnam.

Your next journey will take you up into the northern highlands. Soon you will soon find yourself in the beautiful mountain town of Sa Pa, where sprawling valleys, soaring peaks, terraced rice fields, and the smiling Hill Tribe peoples of the north await. Sa Pa is a great base of operations — there are hundreds of breathtaking hikes up into the surrounding peaks, along the banks of cool rivers, and past rushing waterfalls. You may also have the chance to meet the welcoming Black and White H’mong and Red Dzao people. After a few days exploring the region, you will hop on a bus and head further into the mountains, to the city of Dien Bien. Even further in the reaches of the wilderness, the hikes up into the mountains here will be among some of the most awe-inspiring sights you have ever seen.

Wrapping up your time in the highlands, you’ll grab a quick lunch in Sa Pa before heading back down to Hanoi by night train. Take a quick breather during the afternoon, and then head off to Ha Long Bay for the final leg of this amazing journey. Arriving on the coast, you will board a private teak sailboat, which will be your home for the next few days. Ha Long Bay is comprised of thousands of limestone islands scattered in cool turquoise waters, and you will have ample opportunities to explore the beauties of this coastal wonder. Hitting the water in a sea kayak, you will paddle through caves and lagoons and along the secluded beaches of Ha Long —truly an unforgettable experience.

After stepping back on land, you’ll hop on another bus and head to Hanoi for a final night of festivities, shopping, laughing, and enjoying one more evening with all the friends you have made along the journey.

For more information on this Gap Year module or any of our other extensive Gap Year offerings, please e-mail us at gap@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1: Arrive into Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to the hotel, head out into the city for dinner, return to the hotel for the night.

Day 2: Head out for a morning cyclo ride around the city, visit the Vietnam War museum, then head out of the city and visit the Cu Chi tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City, grab dinner, and head to the hotel for the night.

Day 3: Hop on bus in the morning, and head to the mountain city of Dalat. Arrive in the evening, grab some dinner, and head off to sleep.

Day 4: Wake up and head out for a day of rafting.

Day 5: Enjoy a second day of rafting in Dalat.

Day 6: Explore some of the countryside surrounding Dalat by mountain bike. In the evening enjoy a final night in the city.

Day 7: Wake up early, and head out to Mui Ne by mountain bike. The ride takes you through the mountains and down to the coast. Arrive into Mui Ne in the evening, check in, take a swim in the ocean, grab some dinner, and head off to bed.

Day 8: Enjoy your first day of kite surfing lessons on the beach.

Day 9: All day kite surfing, body boarding, swimming, and hanging out on the beach.

Day 10: All day kite surfing, body boarding, swimming, and hanging out on the beach.

Day 11: All day kite surfing, body boarding, swimming, and hanging out on the beach.

Day 12: Take a break and hop on a motorbike to explore some of the villages scattered along the coast, and explore the magnificent sand dunes of the region, where you will have a chance to surf the dunes.

Day 13:Enjoy one last day in Mui Ne, explore some of the fishing villages, play a game of soccer on the beach with the locals, and enjoy the beautiful setting.

Day 14:Hop on a bus after breakfast and head to NhaTrang, arrive in the afternoon, check into the hotel, and enjoy the evening on the beach.

Day 15:Try your hand at surfing the breaks of Vietnam on the beaches of NhaTrang.

Day 16:Head to the airport and catch a flight to Hanoi, the capitol city of Vietnam. Explore some of the famous sights of the city in the afternoon, and enjoy the evening exploring the street markets.

Day 17: Take the day to get shop, enjoy a walk around HuanKiem Lake, and hop on another cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi. In the evening head to the train station to take a night train up into the northern highlands.

Day 18: Arrive in the morning into Lao Cai, and hop on a bus up to the mountain city of Sa Pa. Check into the hotel, and enjoy the afternoon meeting the local Black H’mong hill tribes.

Day 19: Hiking through the mountains to surrounding villages, visiting the Black & White H’mong, and the Red Dzao people of the region.

Day 20: Hiking through the mountains to surrounding villages, visiting the Black & White H’mong, and the Red Dzao people of the region.

Day 21:Hiking through the mountains to surrounding villages, visiting the Black & White H’mong, and the Red Dzao people of the region.

Day 22: Hiking through the mountains to surrounding villages, visiting the Black & White H’mong, and the Red Dzao people of the region.

Day 23:Hop on a bus in the morning and head up to Dein Bien city, where you will be based for the next few days. Enjoy some amazing hikes in the region.

Day 24: Hike and explore the surrounding mountains, swim in some beautiful waterfalls, and soak up the scenery.

Day 25: Hiking through the mountains to surrounding villages, visiting the Black & White H’mong, and the Red Dzao people of the region.

Day 26: Head back to Sa Pa for lunch, and then in the afternoon back down to Lao Cai to catch the night train back to Hanoi.

Day 27: Head out of Hanoi in the morning and travel by bus to Ha Long Bay, hop on a boat, and head out to sea.

Day 28: Full day of kayaking and boating around the islands of Ha Long Bay.

Day 29: Full day of kayaking and boating around the islands of Ha Long Bay.

Day 30: Wake up for your last morning in Ha Long Bay, then head back to the coast and return to Hanoi by bus. Check into the hotel, relax for the afternoon, and then head out into the city for a final night.

Day 31: Head to the Hanoi International Airport, and then depart Vietnam, either to connect to another Gap Year program, or return to the USA.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.