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This trip is subject to special payment terms and cancellation penalties. A 25% deposit is required to secure your space, a second 25% deposit 6 months prior to departure, and final payment due 90 days prior to departure. The following cancellation penalties apply:
If full payment is not received 90 days prior to departure, Out Adventures reserves the right to cancel your booking based on the above cancellation terms.
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 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.
WEATHER: You can expect excellent weather throughout Cambodia and Vietnam in March. Days are typically dry and sunny with little or no rainfall, and temperatures average around 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 in Ha Long Bay will only have Wi-Fi in the restaurant area. 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.
On this tour domestic airfare is not included. We will provide the recommended flight details in the official Trip Confirmation email. If you are booking your trip less than 90 days to departure, there is a chance you will have to purchase a different flight than the rest of the group.
We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded guys. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
All meals are included on this trip. From authentic food served on the ship to the best restaurants in Hanoi, you won’t head home hungry!
Cat Bi International Airport
RPCF+XVG, Cát Bi, Hải An, Hải Phòng, Vietnam
Phone: +84 225 3976 408
The flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Bi International Airport is not included in the trip price. We will provide the recommended flight details in the official Trip Confirmation email.
Hotel de l’Opera
29 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 010000, Vietnam
Phone: +84 24 6282 5555
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.
ON THE SHIP: Any additional costs (espresso, spa, laundry, premium liquor) may be paid in cash (USD) or on credit card while on the ship.
NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Out Adventures specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents:
General Personal Items:
Shoes:
Bottoms:
Tops:
Health-related Items:
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must include medical coverage of US$50,000 and emergency repatriation coverage of no less than US$200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage.
All Out Adventures are led by an LGBTQ+ (or LGBTQ+-welcoming) Out Adventures guide. 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.
The Au Co is a leader in luxury cruises. Aboard the vessel is a sundeck, terrace, a renowned restaurant, wellness spa, jacuzzi and library. Out Adventures’ guests are automatically booked in Deluxe Cabins featuring private French balconies.
Out Adventures will be our own group within a larger non-LGBTQ+/mixed crowd on the ship which can accommodate up to 64 guests.
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.
We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
This tour is rated 1/5. All guests must have a good level of health, and all tours 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
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.
