Join us for a sensational vegan food & cultural adventure in Vietnam!

Led by seasoned traveler Calen Otto and supported by local guides, this unruly group trip will take 9 participants to experience the rich flavors and cultural traditions of Vietnam.

Starting in Hanoi, travelers will spend a two nights tapping into the pulse of the historic city. Nestled in a comfortable hotel by the lake, travelers will enjoy the best vegan food the city has to offer. From gritty hole-in-the-wall spots to extravagant meals, plant-based food has much to teach us about Vietnam's roots. Before swapping the bustle of the city for the tranquil Sapa mountains, travelers will experience the comical yet visually stunning Thang Long water puppet show.

Arriving to Sapa comfortably by private transport, travelers will learn the true meaning of farm-to-table food. Our host, a Sapa local and lifetime vegan, will not only grow our food but cook for us in his cozy kitchen. Sapa, famous for it's lush greenery and stunning terraced fields, will be our home base as we explore the area by foot, car, and motorbike. Our walking tour of Tan Van village shows us an honest glimpse into local rural life where we'll observe the grit, beauty, and everything in-between. To restore our energy after a long walk, we'll soak in the traditional Red Dao herbal baths of Ta Phin village. We'll close out our stay in the mountains with an intimate Vietnamese cooking class, where each traveler learn the secrets to making the best fried tofu known to humankind!

Next up is another beloved region of Vietnam. Ninh Binh, affectionately called "Halong Bay on land," is known for its stunning natural landscapes. There, limestone karst peaks surround open valleys, creating a striking visual experience. Explore natural wonders as you glide through Van Long nature preserve by boat and hike to the iconic Hang Mua dragon peak. No Unruly Tour would be complete without supporting our local animal rescuers, so we'll close out our journey with a visit to the Ninh Binh Bear sanctuary, a safe haven to bears rescued from bile farming and the illegal wildlife trade. Our trip comes to a close back in Hanoi where travelers can reflect on their journey and friends made along the way.

A BALANCED ITINERARY

We understand that Vietnam is a long haul for many, and you may visit this wonderful country just once in your lifetime. So while this tour is packed with epic adventure and immersive cultural experiences, we've scheduled in ample free time to explore at your own pace. This gives you space to lean into the things that excite you most.

OUR IMPACT

Tourism to Vietnam has skyrocketed in the last decade, creating changes for the people who live there in positive and negative ways. That's why we're touring the country as mindfully as possible, treading lightly and supporting local.

Two of the accommodations on this tour are family-owned homestays. Homstays offer the professional attitude of hotels blended with a warm and welcoming environment for travelers. Since homestays are smaller accommodations, spots on this trip are limited.

Before signing up travelers should understand that traveling with minimal impact means not demanding excess resources for tourists. This tour isn't for people looking for a stay in a 5 star resort; it's an honest experience of Vietnam that goes off-the-beaten path, embracing the local way of living in it's fullness. While there will be much beauty and joy, travelers should expect that creature comforts in Vietnam will be different than in the US and similar countries. Additionally, schedules are more lax, leading to less urgency and a change of pace.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

* Flavorful vegan dining & street food tour in Hanoi

* Thang Long water puppet show

* Traditional vegan farm & homestay in Sapa

* Farm-to-table homemade meals in Sapa

* Motorbike tour of Sapa

* Walking tour of Ta Van village

* Ta Phin village exploration & Red Doa healing herbal bath

* Vietnamese vegan cooking class

* Van Long nature preserve boat journey

* Hang Mua cave & iconic dragon hike

* Ninh Binh Bear sanctuary tour

* Ninh Binh bike or motorbike experience, temples, and epic vistas

TRIP OVERVIEW 

Trip Dates: April 8th - 20th, 2027

Start Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

End Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Regions visited: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh

TRIP DETAILS

👉 Vegan-friendly

👉 Queer-friendly

👉 Volunteer trip

👉 Supports local, vegan, queer and female-owned businesses

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?

This is a queer and vegan-friendly trip, but participants do not need to be queer or vegan to join.

PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY

This trip can be paid for upfront or in 3 installments. At least 25% of full trip price is due at booking. The last payment is due 2 months before the trip start date. Inquire about customized payment plans by hitting "ask a question" or emailing trip leader at calenotto@gmail.com.

SPOT PENDING:

25% Down Payment - REFUNDABLE

Additional Payments - REFUNDABLE

SPOT CONFIRMED:

25% Down Payment - NON-REFUNDABLE

Additional Payments - REFUNDABLE

90 DAYS PRE-TRIP:

25% Down Payment - NON-REFUNDABLE

Additional Payments - NON-REFUNDABLE

PACKING LIST & LIABILITY

After confirmation a packing and trip recommendation list (that includes resources for travel insurance & how to find cheap flights) will be sent to you. You will be required to sign a liability waiver before attending this trip.

Welcome to Hanoi! Take in the hustle and architecture of the city as you admire the old tree-lined streets on your way to our hotel.

Nestled up to Hoàn Kiếm Lake, you're free to relax or explore by foot until it's time for our welcome dinner. Meet your new travel crew as you bond over one of Hanoi's secret hidden gems when it comes to incredible vegan food.

Meals: D

After breakfast we'll explore the city, engaging our senses. Take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the city through a vegan street food tour.

Learn more about day-to-day life in Hanoi as you stoop into unmarked alleyways and enjoy meals where the locals eat. Savor hand-made pho, warm donuts, and fresh-squeezed cane sugar juice as you eat your way through the city.

Return to the hotel to rest up before our evening of theatre and music. Take in the humor, creativity, and artistry at the famous Thang Long water puppet show.

Meals: B, L

After breakfast we'll travel by private transportation to Sapa. We'll trade the buzzing city for tranquil mountains garnished with stunning terraced rice fields.

Upon arrival we'll settle into our garden bungalows before savoring a home-made dinner. Our host, a Sapa local and vegan since birth, grew the food that he'll transform into a flavorful meal for the group.

Soak in the cozy atmosphere and art as you chat, play cards, read, or journal after dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

After enjoying a fresh breakfast on the terrace we'll get ready to hit the road on a motorbike tour.

Take in the natural beauty that draws travelers from far and wide from the back of the bike. (Local drivers & safety gear are provided for each person, unless they have experience driving themselves.) See some of the highlights of Sapa like a local before another delicious dinner back at our homestay.

Meals: B, L, D

After another filling breakfast we'll explore Ta Van village by foot.

Get to know the local Red Dao women, take in the sweeping views of terraced rice fields, and explore local footpaths with a local guide. Learn about farming, plants, and history along the way. Dinner back at the homestay for an evening of rest and relaxation.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast we'll explore the nearby Ta Phin village. Here you'll have the chance to purchase traditional crafts, learn about Red Dao culture, and enter the Ta Phin cave.

The highlight of the visit is a soak in a traditional Red Dao herbal bath. The Red Dao are one of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam, settling in Sapa in the 18th century. They have a rich history of preserving their social structure, languages, and rituals. The healing baths are one that they're widely known for.

After gathering medicinal plants from the forest, Red Dao women brew them into hot water that gets funneled into a tub. Each family has their own herbal bath recipe which is passed down through generations of women. Baths are used to alleviate muscle aches, ward off sickness, include blood circulation, calm the nervous system, soothe skin and generally detox.

Unwind and settle in back at the homestay for a healthy dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

After a delicious breakfast we'll join our host for trip to the Sapa market. There we'll gather the ingredients needed to make tofu, fried spring rolls, and a traditional salad. Return back to the homestay for an intimate cooking class and hand-crafted lunch.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Sapa on your own time before our last meal together at the homestay.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast and a teary goodbye we'll depart from Sapa and travel to Ninh Binh.

Affectionately called "Halong Bay on land," Ninh Binh is known for its stunning natural landscapes. There, limestone karst peaks surround open valleys, creating a stunning visual experience for nature-lovers.

After a day of travel and lunch on the road enjoy a home-cooked meal at our lovely homestay.

Meals: B, L, D

After a restful sleep and breakfast at the hotel we'll set out for our first taste of Ninh Binh. Explore the incredible Van Long nature preserve by boat, spotting various precious birds along the way.

Lunch back at the homestay before we explore Hang Mua cave. The hike to the top is challenging yet visitors are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding vertical cliffs and winding rivers. If you're feeling brave, hike to one of Vietnam's most iconic viewpoints at the top of the Mua Cave Dragon statue.

Explore the Mua Cave complex at a leisurely pace heading to a beloved vegan restaurant for dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast at the homestay we'll head over to the Ninh Binh Bear sanctuary.

There we'll tour the facility, a safe haven to bears rescued from bile farming and the illegal wildlife trade. Learn about the struggle of bears in Vietnam from the people working to protect them. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the bears as we view them from afar in a natural setting.

At the Ninh Binh Bear Sanctuary, their vision is "a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding." Support that vision as you learn, listen, and explore.

Lunch at the sanctuary's veggie cafe, where all proceeds to go bear rescue. Return to the the homestay with the group or take the evening to explore on your own.

Meals: B, L

After breakfast at the homestay, experience your last day in Ninh Binh at your own speed. Rent a scooter or take advantage of the free bikes at our homestay to zip through the limestone peaks or meander through tranquil village roads.

Tour leader will provide ample suggestions on their favorite things to do, including temples, nature preserves, restaurants, and more.

Meals: B

After breakfast at our homestay we'll return to Hanoi by private transport. Arrive just in time for lunch, and spend the day exploring solo or with new friends on your last day.

Tour guide will provide recommendations for the half day in Hanoi, including wellness activities, museums, and local food spots. Meet the group in the evening for a goodbye dinner and one last hoo-rah.

Meals: B, D

All good things must come to an end. (Or in this case, many fantastic adventures.) Breakfast at the hotel before a private driver takes you to the airport.

Meals: B