Travellers on the Buffalo Run, Vietnam Backpackers
The Beach Seen From The Hai Van Pass
Phong Nha Caves, Vietnam.
The Buffalo Run, Vietnam.
Local Vietnamese food in Hoi An.
Delicious Vietnamese cuisine!
Playing volleyball on the Buffalo Run, Vietnam.
Basket Boat Crab Fishing in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Two travellers push bicycles through the streets of Hoi An.
Local Vietnamese rower in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
Basket boaat trip
Motorbiking around Hoi An
Travellers on the Buffalo Run, Vietnam Backpackers
The Beach Seen From The Hai Van Pass
Phong Nha Caves, Vietnam.
The Buffalo Run, Vietnam.
Local Vietnamese food in Hoi An.
Delicious Vietnamese cuisine!
Playing volleyball on the Buffalo Run, Vietnam.
Basket Boat Crab Fishing in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Two travellers push bicycles through the streets of Hoi An.
Local Vietnamese rower in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
Basket boaat trip
Motorbiking around Hoi An

The Buffalo Run Group Tour | 7-Days | from HANOI, VIETNAM

Country & Activity: Where: | | | |
  • 7 legendary days (and 6 nights) from Hanoi to Hoi An.
  • Immerse yourself in the local culture, food, history, nature and epic landscapes of Northern Vietnam.
  • Make travel buddies along the way and take part in lots of activities; trekking, caving, cycling, swimming, boat rides, motorbike journeys and more!
  • This adventure showcases some of the most spectacular ‘off the beaten track’ destinations in ‘Nam.
  • Does this tour run every day? This tour can run every day as long as we have a group of 4 buffaloes. If you are a solo traveller, please choose your preferred date below. We’ll either team you with an existing group or suggest an alternative date (usually within a day or two).

$665.00


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  • Deposit 100% refundable.
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Spend 7 action-packed days exploring Vietnam’s rich history, local culture, food, and breathtaking natural beauty from Hanoi to Hoi An on the awesome Buffalo Run!

The Buffalo Run has been designed by travellers, for travellers. It showcases some of the most spectacular “off the beaten track” destinations, through the lens of knowledgeable local guides while keeping a fun and relaxed atmosphere, all being enjoyed with a bunch of like-minded souls.

The Buffalo Run: 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Trang-An – “Halong Bay On Land”

  • Depart from our Downtown hostel at 9am and begin your journey South on a private mini-bus.
  • First stop: the amazing Ninh Binh and Tam Coc Village, also known as ‘Halong Bay on Land’ due to the amazing limestone formations that rise from the waters.
  • Dig into a delicious local lunch in Tam Coc with scenic views.
  • Explore natural spring-fed rivers, limestone karst caves, and a 10th-century pagoda and temple; by bicycle and boat!
  • Enjoy a shower and dinner in central Ninh Binh Town.
  • Boarding a comfortable overnight sleeper bus to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 2: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the Dark Cave

  • Today’s agenda is jam-packed with adventure, spent discovering the stunning scenery of Phong Nha-Ke Bang, one of Vietnam’s largest National Parks!
  • Zip-line into the Dark Cave, get down and dirty in the mud baths, and grab a kayak and a dip in the lake, before feasting on a hard-earned lunch!
  • Visit the atmospheric Eight Lady Cave, a poignant relic of the war-torn era.
  • Cap off the day with a drink in hand watching the sunset over the rice paddies at the legendary Phong Nha Farmstay.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 3: Phong Nha National Park

  • Make the most of your free morning to do some self-guided exploring of the area or just relax by the swimming pool at the farmstay.
  • With the rest of the Buffalo Run crew, head out on an “off-road” bike ride through the villages to a local treasure, the Pub with Cold Beer!
  • Enjoy a farm-to-table dinner and an ice cold bottle of Nam’s finest.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 4: Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and Vinh Moc Tunnels

  • Spend the day discovering the rich war history of the area.
  • Go deep underground into the fascinating Vinh Moc Tunnel System, built as a shelter from the bombings during the American war.
  • Visit the Mine Action Visitors Centre in Dong Ha and learn about the lasting effect of the war that still lingers today.
  • Finally, make your way to our Hostel in Hue for some cold beers and a warm welcome.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 5: Hue – Thien Mu Pagoda & Beach Day

  • In Hue, you will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest temple in Vietnam, and immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture.
  • Head to a secluded beach for some much-needed relaxation, lunch and cocktails.
  • Go for a swim in the sea and soak in the sun before watching it set from one of Hue’s real hidden gems!

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 6: Hai Van Pass, Hue to Hoi An

  • Ride in style in an old-fashioned, open-air Russian Army Jeep to travel the most iconic stretch of Vietnam, the Hai Van Pass.
  • Take a dip in the ocean and set up on the sand for a seaside lunch with locals.
  • Pile back in and make your wind-blown way to the peak of the pass, visiting French and American bunkers, bullet holes and all.
  • Finish your epic journey arriving into our Hostel in Hoi An for a poolside beverage with new friends.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 7- Hoi An: UNESCO Old Town & An Bang Beach by Bicycle (B)

  • Discover Hoi An’s highlights by bicycle in the UNESCO Old Town, including its renowned tailor shops, bustling markets, and hidden street food spots.
  • Get creative in the City of Lanterns with a workshop to make your own.
  • In the afternoon, sunbathe in the beauty of An Bang beach or, relax by the pool and plan your local activities for the following days in Hoi An!

Refund Policy

  • In order to book this experience, you will need to pay a deposit online via South East Asia Backpacker.
  • This deposit is fully refundable if you wish to cancel up until 48 hours before the start of the activity. PLEASE NOTE: This policy refers to the payment made to South East Asia Backpacker at the time of booking. All subsequent payments to the operator of your chosen activity fall under their own refund policy
  • For cancellations made fewer than 48 hours before the start of the activity there is no refund available.
  • You can request a change of date at any time.
  • Date changes are entirely down to the availability of the operator and nothing to do with South East Asia Backpacker. 
  • If your date change is not agreed upon, as long as it is more than 48 hours before the start date you originally made your booking for, your deposit can be refunded in full if you wish to cancel.
  • The remaining payment for the experience is payable directly to the operator.
  • The operator can request the remaining payment via an online payment link or upon arrival at the destination.
  • The refund of the second payment, which goes directly to the operator, is based on the terms and conditions of the operator, over which South East Asia Backpacker have no control.
  • Please see our customer terms and conditions for more information.

TripAdvisor

What's Included

What’s included?

  • All of your accommodation during the trip (6 nights in total).
  • All transport (buses, boats, bicycles).
  • An English-speaking local guide.
  • All entrance fees to historical sites/temples/national parks etc.
  • Most meals. (Please check the itinerary for included meals – the few that aren’t are meant to maintain flexibility for travellers.)

What’s not included?

  • Alcoholic and soft drinks.
  • Snacks.
  • Personal expenses, souvenirs.
  • Any meals not stated in the itinerary.
  • Travel insurance.

Why Book With Us?

Hi, I’m Nikki and I started South East Asia Backpacker in 2008 after my own first solo backpacking trip! My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone, a place for travellers to share their experiences from the road. After backpacking and writing about Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region! 

Today, there is so much choice, but there are a lot of poor-quality tours and companies that offer mediocre experiences with little care for the environment. I wanted to create a selection of the best tours and activities to help backpackers avoid scams and dodgy tour companies.

Today, I run this website with my partner, Dave, from Spain, where we live with our energetic two-year-old daughter, Evie. All of the bookable activities that you will find on this website have been vetted by a member of our team and we have a friendly relationship with the operator. There are real humans behind South East Asia Backpacker and we are passionate about sustainable travel and development in Southeast Asia.

We are committed to helping travellers at every stage of the journey and understand that plans can change which is why we offer a full discount on the deposit up to 48 hours before the start of your trip, no questions asked. We offer advice on flights, visas, itineraries, hostels, backpacks, packing and more!

If you have any questions about our business or any of the tours that we provide, feel free to contact me on Whatsapp.

FAQs

What should I bring on the trip?

  • Your passport.
  • Comfortable walking shoes/trainers.
  • Comfortable light-weight clothes.
  • Swim-stuff.
  • Towel.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Toiletries.
  • Raincoat.
  • Warm clothes for the cooler months (Nov – March).
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Camera.
  • Flashlight/head torch.
  • Extra spending money.
  • Also, bring your appetite and a sense of humour!

How much luggage can I bring?

Your vehicle has limited space so please try to keep your luggage to a maximum of 15kg in a backpack. As well as your larger luggage, bring a small day pack for daily activities (cycling, trekking etc.) for easy access to camera, sunscreen, water etc.

Where do I meet the trip?

The trip departs from Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Downtown at 9 Ma May Street, Hanoi at 9am on the day of departure. If you’re not there when we leave, we’ll regard it as non-attendance. You won’t be able to join the trip, and will not be refunded.

How do I book and pay for the trip?

To reserve your place on this trip, you will need to pay a deposit of 15% on this web page. Once your date is confirmed, you will need to visit one of Vietnam Backpackers’ Hostels in Hanoi, check-in with the crew and reconfirm your details at the Travel Desk at least 24 hours before departure.

What do we eat on the Buffalo Run?

Our emphasis is on fresh, healthy food wherever possible. If you are vegetarian or do not eat seafood we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, please discuss this at time of booking.

How fit do I have to be to join this trip?

This is an active trip so a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability is needed. If you enjoy climbing through caves, swimming in beautiful jungle rivers or just being in pristine national parks and directly experiencing the environment then this trip is perfect for you. If you have any doubts about your suitability for this trip, please check with us before making a booking.

Do I have to participate in all of the activities?

Part of the enjoyment of this tours is bonding with a group of like-minded adventurers so we make them active and hands on. Full involvement is normally one of the highlights of the trip but no one will force you to do something you don’t want to do. All of the activities are optional.

Is travel insurance included?

Travel insurance is not included; we strongly recommend that passengers have their own travel insurance against illness, injury, loss/damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed departure date.

Operator Information

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