From doubts to unforgettable moments: a first-time gay group travel experience

In January, our gay group trip through Vietnam brought together eleven travelers from all over the world - from the USA, Australia, the UK, Germany, Norway, and Spain. Among them were two couples, including Jon and Benny from Barcelona.

In their feedback after the trip, Jon and Benny shared that they had never joined a group tour before and initially had some doubts about traveling this way. Their honest reflections caught our attention and inspired us to reach out to them with a few questions, to better understand how first-time group travelers experienced the journey.

With their kind permission, we are now sharing Jon and Benny’s answers along with a few personal photos from the trip - offering an authentic and personal glimpse into what it’s really like to join a gay group journey through Vietnam for the very first time:

Dear Jon, dear Benny: You mentioned that you had never taken a group trip before. What had held you back until now? What were your concerns?

The main concern about a group tour was that there wouldn't be enough time to really discover a place. With a group, the fear was that it would be too much on the bus/off the bus, see this site for 20 minutes, see the next place for 20 minutes, back on the bus without having the time to really get to know a place. On the other hand, with a group and a guide, you get to visit, experience and learn about places that on your own, you might miss. By having a guide, there is so much more to learn about each site than on your own. We still probably wouldn’t have chosen just any group tour, but a smaller group of gay men felt more comfortable, and more like going on a vacation with friends. That was our attraction to Guys.travel and it was a great experience.

Now that you’ve returned from Vietnam: how was your experience traveling with Guys.travel in a group of international gay travelers - your first group trip?

Everyone in our group became friendly right from the start. Except for one of us who had previously visited Vietnam a decade ago, we were all new to Vietnam and shared all the sights, sounds, tastes and experiences of each location together for the first time. We had a great mix of international travelers but we all gelled together like we had known each other before. We also liked the mix of ages - it wasn’t all senior citizens or thirty-somethings, it was a good variety of ages, cultures and interests coming together in a group ready to see new things and have a good time together.

How did you like Vietnam as a travel destination? What was your experience traveling from north to south?

Vietnam is a beautiful country, and Guys.travel did a great job at combining big cities, historical sites, and excursions to get a real feel of the country from the north to the south. The itineraries were also planned very well, even with frequent travel and internal flights, it didn’t feel exhausting but invigorating. There were also good mixes of down time and group excursions, like bike tours, food tasting walking tours, rickshaw, kayak and boat rides.

Looking back, what was the absolute highlight of the trip for you?

There were many highlights of the trip, since there was so much to see and experience. The boat ride on the Indochine Grand on Halong Bay ranks at the top of the list with the natural beauty, small boat and cave excursions. Hanoi is a fascinating city, and much different than Ho Chi Minh City, but both really encompass the culture and spirit of Vietnam. Hoi An has to be one of the more beautiful spots in the country, and the added three days on Phu Quoc was the perfect ending to the trip; the Green Bay Resort was top notch in all senses, and we got the chance to relax, spend time on the beach, pool, tennis courts, and group dinners with the rest of the travelers. Venturing out at night with some of the group in Hoi An, Saigon and Hanoi independent of the planned events was also a lot of fun and full of memories and laughs which we will always remember! 

A heartfelt thank you to Jon and Benny for taking the time to share their honest impressions and personal experiences with us. We truly appreciate their openness and trust — their insights give this journey a very real and human perspective and will surely help others who are considering their first gay group trip.

👉 Experience the magic of Vietnam yourself

The next chance to join this unforgettable journey is at the end of December 2026 - a special New Year’s trip! 🎉 Imagine celebrating the New Year surrounded by vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes, and a group of like-minded travelers from around the world.

Guys.travel combines professional organization with a personal touch and decades of experience in the gay travel community. Small groups, handpicked destinations, and an open, friendly atmosphere make every trip a unique experience.

Explore all adventure trips from Guys.travel.