Vietnam
Drift through the streets of Hanoi and breathe in the uniquely charming chaos of the city, sail on a junk – a traditional Asian sailing ship – through the world-famous Halong Bay, explore the charming coastal town of Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue, and the vibrant metropolis of Saigon. Extend your holiday in Angkor – the largest temple complex in the world!
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​Hanoi and Saigon
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Sailing ship tour on Halong Bay
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Angkor Wat discovery extension (on request)
Visual inspiration
Details
Day 1, Thu, 05.12.2024: Hello Vietnam
Upon your individual arrival in Hanoi (flights not included), you’ll be greeted and transferred to the hotel where you can rest up for the first day of your unforgettable gay holiday.
Day 2, Fri, 06.12.2024: Sail the waters Halong Bay
In the morning, you’ll set off for a breathtaking tour of Halong Bay. Bizarre rock formations and over 3,000 limestone islands emerge from the crystal-clear waters, creating one of the most striking landscapes in Asia. On a junk, a traditional Asian sailing ship, you’ll cruise between the islands. After a delicious lunch and dinner on board, you’ll spend the night in one of the ship’s simple but cosy cabins.
Why Vietnam ?
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With its 3,400 kilometres of coastline, Vietnam has an extremely varied landscape, is steeped in tradition, and yet remains exceptionally dynamic – it is far from being a classic holiday destination.
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On this round trip, you’ll explore communist-influenced Northern Vietnam with the world-famous Halong Bay, then Central Vietnam with the imperial city of Hue and the coastal town of Hoi An, and finally the vibrant city of Saigon in Southern Vietnam. The long distances within the country are bridged by domestic flights (included in price).
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Expect great value for your money. In a global comparison, a large beer (500 ml), for example, only costs USD 0.59 in Vietnam. This makes it possible for you to enjoy the tasty cuisine of Vietnam to the fullest extent.
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Vietnam plays a pioneering role in Southeast Asia when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues. It was the first country in the region to lift its constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and to legalise same-sex unions in the form of unregistered partnerships. However, sexuality in Vietnam is lived in private and is not discussed much in public.
Day 3, Sat, 07.12.2024: The perfect backdrop for adventure
After waking up on the water, you’ll make your way back to land and head off to the buzzing metropolis of Hanoi for some excitement. Take the rest of the afternoon to explore on your own and to take some awesome photos to impress your friends back home.
Day 4, Sun, 08.12.2024: Xin chào, Uncle Ho!
A new day means new gay adventures! Today, you’ll explore the Temple of Literature with its ornate pavilions and statutes. You’ll also visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of the revolutionary leader and president. Later, at the Temple of Jade Mountain, you’ll be transported to another world by the smell of incense. To round off the exciting events of the day, you’ll have time to explore the historic Old Quarter of Hanoi with its many alleyways. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Da Nang (included). On arrival, you’ll continue to Hoi An.
Day 5, Mon, 09.12.2024: Coastal adventures in Hoi An
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to take a cycling tour with your Marco Polo guide and explore the area (additional fee). The first stop is the lush vegetable village of Tra Que, where you’ll learn how rice is cultivated. After a tasty lunch, you’ll return to bustling Hoi An. In the afternoon, your guide will show you the most beautiful places in the idyllic old town of Hoi An such as the striking Japanese Bridge and the ornate Quan Cong Temple. You’ll end another day of your gay adventure with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River.
Hotels
Cruise along Halong Bay in a traditional junk and spend a magical night aboard the ship. An amazing way to start off your holiday!
Traditional junk | Halong Bay
Hoa Binh Hotel | Hanoi
Mulberry Collection Silk Eco | Hoi An
and many more (see itinerary)
Day 6, Tue, 10.12.2024: Off to Hue
Get ready for some breathaking views today. By bus, you’ll make your way up the switchbacks to the famous Ocean Cloud Pass – Vietnam’s weather divide between the subtropical north and the tropical south. On your way to Da Nang, you’ll stop at the Marble Mountains. If you’re looking for culinary excitement, you can take part in a street food tour through Hue in the evening (additional fee). By cyclo (cycle rickshaw), you’ll leave the tourist zone and venture into the real Hue, where you’ll find countless food stands serving crispy Hue-style pancakes and delicious meat skewers.
Day 7, Wed, 11.12.2024: City of emperors
Your discovery tour of the imperial city of Hue begins in the morning with a visit to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. At the gates of Hue, you’ll marvel at the impressive grounds of the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Later, you’ll visit the citadel and the imperial palace of the Nguyen emperors, parts of which have been restored. In the evening, you’ll be transferred to the airport for a flight to Saigon (included) - the Pearl of the Far East. The city has retained its openness and is home to the country’s gay community, making it the perfect place to check out one of many bars or clubs. Our tip: Thi Bar Saigon.
Day 8, Thu, 12.12.2024: Colonial Saigon
The 300-year-old multicultural metropolis of Saigon, today called Ho Chi Minh City, is considered Vietnam’s boomtown. On a tour of the “secret capital”, you’ll see the impressive cathedral dating back to the French colonial period as well as the vibrant Chinese quarter of Cholon. You’ll end the city tour at Ben Thanh Market, where you can pick up a few souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Over dinner, you’ll say goodbye to Vietnam and the other guys.
Day 9, Fri, 13.12.2024: Farewell
Today, you’ll be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Airport to board your flight home (flights not included) – unless you’ve decided to extend your gay holiday in Southeast Asia, that is.
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Cambodia extension (optional)
Add-ons
ON DAYS 4 & 5
Optional excursions are available for you to book during your stays in Hoi An (Day 4) and in Hue (Day 5).
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Cycling tour from/to Hoi An on day 4: + €50 (US$ 54*)
In the morning, you’ll cycle through the Hoi An countryside to a vegetable village where farmers demonstrate the art of rice cultivation. A group lunch rounds off the excursion. -
Street food tour in Hue on day 5: + €75 (US$ 81*)
In the evening, you’ll explore the real Hue by cyclo (cycle rickshaw) and sample the local cuisine offered at various food stalls. It doesn’t get more authentic than this!
CAMBODIA EXTENSION
3 days in Angkor/Kamboscha: + €1005 (US$ 1077*) in a shared double room | + €1095 (US$ 1174*) in a single room
Explore Angkor, the largest temple complex in the world, and the surrounding region.
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Included in the price of the Cambodia extension package:
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Flight (economy) from Saigon to Siem Reap
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Transfer to the airport – hotel – airport
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3 overnight stays at Hari Residence & Spa **** in a single room with bath or shower/WC
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3 x breakfast
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Various excursions including entrance fees according to itinerary (PDF)
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Hari Residence & Spa | Siem Reap
* The USD prices quoted are approximate conversions of the binding EUR price. The actual USD amount will vary depending on the conversion rate of the payment service provider on the date of payment.
Day 9, Fri, 13.12.2024: Cambodia here we come
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap (included in Cambodia extension package).
Day 10, Sat, 14.12.2024: Magical Angkor
You’ll stroll through the once mighty city of Angkor Thom – smiling stone faces emerge among giant jungle trees as you approach Bayon Temple. Since 1908, the ruins have been repeatedly cleared of jungle; only the temple of Ta Prohm, best known from the film Tomb Raider, has been left in the state in which it was discovered. Finally, you’ll reach Angkor Wat, where you’ll be mesmerised by the sprawling monument before you.
Day 11, Sun, 15.12.2024: Tonlé Sap Lake
In the village of Kampong Khleang, a boat will be waiting to take you on a short cruise around Tonlé Sap Lake. You’ll pass floating villages with churches and schools (and even pigsties!) bobbing on the water. On the way back, celestial goddesses will dance before you at the temple of Banteay Srei and will transport you to the world of Hindu sagas.
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Day 12, Mon, 16.12.2024: Everyday life
Get ready to take an in-depth (and culinary) look into the everyday life of the rural population: in one village, you’ll make our own rice noodles for breakfast, and in the next, you’ll try some bamboo sticky rice with coconut. And last but not least, you’ll learn how to make artistic handicrafts out of palm leaves for to take back home with you. In the afternoon, you’ll are transferred to the airport for your flight home (flights not included).
Tour operator
This Guys.travel gay tour is organised and carried out by Marco Polo Reisen, a renowned specialist for worldwide discovery trips for over 60 years.
Prices and services
Have a room all to yourself
€ 1799,-
≈ US$ 1928*
Share a room with a partner/friend
€ 1549,-
≈ US$ 1660*
Price per person includes:
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Individual airport transfers
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Domestic flights (economy) with Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi to Da Nang and from Hue to Saigon
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Flight/Security fees
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Transfers, excursions, and round trip in standard local air-conditioned coaches
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6 nights in a single room with bath or shower/WC, 1 night in a single cabin on a junk
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8 x breakfast, 1 x lunch and 2 x dinner as indicated in itinerary
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Itinerary as described (PDF)
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Entrance fees according to itinerary
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English speaking guides
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CO2 compensation – climate neutral gay tour
* The USD prices quoted are approximate conversions of the binding EUR price. The actual USD amount will vary depending on the conversion rate of the payment service provider on the date of payment.
FEEDBACK
Olivier | Belgium
I have never seen, experienced and laughed so much on a holiday. The atmosphere among the participants was really unique. We had a great time - also thanks to our guides, who told us a lot about their country and culture. Thumbs up for this wonderful trip!
Daniel | Austria
It was my first trip to Asia and I think it was a good start. Vietnam really has many faces, from the still very communist north to the modern south. The country is huge, so the two domestic flights during the trip were very useful to be able to see everything. My favourite place was Hoi An!
Marco | Italy
Vietnam is a country that will remain in my memories. The tour was pretty good, the tour guide Kien was accommodating, welcoming and open minded.
Book your trip now
Travel cancellation insurance:
You can purchase travel cancellation insurance from us immediately after booking by clicking on the link provided in the confirmation e-mail.
Next steps
STEP 1:
After submitting the booking form, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt from Guys.travel with a comprehensive overview of the next steps.
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STEP 2:
You will receive a booking confirmation by e-mail from the tour operator Marco Polo with an invoice and secured payment certificate. You will be asked to make a 10% deposit up front (full payment also possible).
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STEP 3:
Once the minimum number of participants for the tour has been reached, you will be notified by Marco Polo and it is safe to book your flights.
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STEP 4:
Marco Polo will send you your travel documents by e-mail 10 to 14 days before the start of the tour.
