- Continents
- Countries
VISAS: If you arrive directly via our riverboat cruise, your visa will need to be arranged in advance through your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate and you do not qualify for an e-visa or visa on arrival. If you arrive by airport or another major airport, you can get your visa on arrival. All visas are the traveller’s responsibility.
CULTURE SHOCK: When visiting Vietnam, you’ll see both good and bad. Poverty is widespread, but the friendly locals make up for it. Since English speakers can be hard to find, arm yourself with a phrase book and a sense of humour!
LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Vietnam isn’t a gay hotspot, but’s there’s an impressive amount of nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. From hole-in-the-wall drag bars, to cafes, to some of the best lady-boy cabarets we’ve seen, you certainly won’t be at a loss for things to do after a day of temple hopping.
WEATHER: December and January are the best months to travel this region. Rain is rare and the humidity less oppressive. Travel with a light sweater and jacket, but keep summer essentials handy: midday temperatures can eclipse 30°C/85°F.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. OUT Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type A/C/G sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/vietnam/ for more information.
CONNECTIVITY: Our hotel has Wi-Fi access, however our boat on Ha Long Bay will not. If you require connectivity, we recommend purchasing an international data plan or local SIM card (with an unlocked device). Even with a SIM card or roaming plan, coverage may be weak.
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
The Au Co is a leader in luxury cruises. Aboard the vessel is a sundeck and terrace, a renown restaurant, wellness spa, jacuzzi and library. Out Adventures’ customers are automatically booked in Delux Cabins featuring private French balconies.
All meals on this trip are included, both in Hanoi and on the cruise, except dinner on Day Two.
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.
This tour will be led by a Local Guide and an Out Adventures Group Leader. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.
Out adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
Liberty Central Saigon Riverside
17 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
Gallery O
122 Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Gratuities are included; however we do recommend tipping for any drinks that are not included, or any services that you purchase above and beyond your packaged tour. We do not recommend tipping guides and staff individually, so please provide any additional tips to your Out Adventures Group Leader, which will be added to the group’s gratuities.
The local currency is the Vietnam Dong, however USD is widely accepted in major centres. We recommend carrying some local currency or USD bills for small purchases, although credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels. You can also settle your tab on the ship in cash or by credit card.
Please note: We recommend carrying about $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This is in addition to your spending money.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Shoes:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Jackets:
Other:
Health-related Items:
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
