North Vietnam Trek and Four Paws Bear Sanctuary Project 2027

Nestled in the lush landscapes of northern Vietnam, Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh is a peaceful haven for bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and bile farming. Run by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, the sanctuary provides lifelong care for Asiatic black bears in a safe, natural environment where they can recover and thrive. With expansive forest enclosures, swimming pools, climbing structures and dedicated veterinary care, each bear’s physical and emotional well-being is prioritised.

Visitors to the sanctuary gain an incredible insight into the rehabilitation process and the vital work being done to end the exploitation of bears in Vietnam. Through guided tours, educational workshops and hands-on volunteering activities, you’ll learn about the individual stories of the bears and the challenges they’ve overcome. This is more than a visit, it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. Your support helps fund continued rescue operations and the long-term protection of these remarkable animals.

Whether you’re preparing enrichment items, assisting with food prep, or simply observing the bears rediscover their natural behaviours, your time at the sanctuary will leave a lasting impact. Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh is a powerful example of compassion in action, and a must-visit for anyone passionate about animal welfare.

You will be accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides and support staff who have an excellent knowledge of hiking and culture in the region and are first-aid trained. You will also be accompanied by an excellent support team at the Bear sanctuary, and a Different Travel Company tour manager who, together, will support you and make your challenge memorable.

The terrain will vary throughout the 5 days, but in general it is mostly flat with undulating sections on established routes through villages and jungle, and occasionally along short sections of road. There are some steep sections to contend with, but your guides will support you all the way. The route offers an interesting variety of scenery as you pass through rice terraces, cross shallow rivers, ascend into cloudy forests and enter remote villages. Underfoot, the terrain will vary each day but may be quite stony, on roads, grass, over large natural limestone slabs, and, depending on the weather, potentially very muddy trails. The itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather and, particularly, rainfall.

You will stay in a 3* hotel in twin share ensuite rooms for the first 2 nights and will have 5 nights in homestays during the trek. In Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, we’ll stay in guesthouses on a twin share basis.  The homestay accommodation is in traditional stilted houses. In the homestays, accommodation will be in large shared rooms, and you’ll have a mat on the floor with a mosquito net over it. The living space is located at the top of an external staircase, and the toilet and shower will be across the courtyard.  Sheets and blankets or a duvet are provided, but you may wish to bring a sleeping bag liner.

Single rooms may be available on request for a supplement, but these will only be available in the hotels and some of the guesthouses. Single rooms are not available during the homestay part of this adventure and may not be available in Cuc Phuong.

Temperatures are closely linked with the weather conditions but you can expect temperatures to be around 30°C during the day, dropping down to 19°C at night. Weather conditions will vary but in general you will experience hot but cloudy days with high humidity and occasional short rain downpours. It’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions and temperatures so you should ensure you have the correct kit, such as a waterproof dry bag for inside your daypack and a lightweight poncho to keep you dry but cool when walking. When the sun comes out it can feel very hot and be very bright so wearing sunglasses and a hat, and keeping well hydrated is crucial.

The food served throughout the trip will be traditional Vietnamese with some Western dishes too. The food is freshly prepared and plentiful. Vietnamese food isn’t spicy but if you like your food with a kick, chilli or chilli sauce is often available if you ask. You will have breakfast and dinner at the stilt house you are staying in. Lunch will be eaten at local homes along the way. Typical dishes include; Breakfast: Pancakes, fruit, coffee, bread, eggs, omelette, fruit fritters. Lunch: Fried noodles with vegetables and/or egg, bread rolls. Dinner: Rice, fried chicken, meat stir fry, chips, spring rolls, omelette, eggs, fish, vegetable dishes, noodles, fresh fruit.

There are shower facilities located across the courtyard next to the main stilt house. There may not be hot water and the quality of the facilities will vary so please do not expect hotel standards. We recommend that you take quick showers, turning off the water when lathering up, so warm water can be shared. You should also bring a small pack of baby wipes to freshen up during the trek day.
Toilet facilities at each village will vary but you can expect Asian-style squat toilets, and possibly an additional Western sit-down toilet. Some toilets have a flush but some may only be supplied with bucket of water to flush. Toilet paper is not usually provided so you should bring your own which must only be put into the bins provided. Sewer pipes are not large enough to cope with toilet paper so if you attempt to flush it, you are likely to block the pipes and make the facilities unusable for everyone.
During the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you use to dispose of properly at the village. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter on the trail.

You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian–please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.

For this trip, you’ll need a moderate level of fitness. The trekking days range from 8km to 12km per day, often across uneven terrain including rice terraces, jungle trails, hills and rural paths. While the pace is steady and there’s time to rest, some days involve hiking for 5–6 hours, occasionally with ascents and descents, so a good base level of stamina is important.

You don’t need to be an experienced trekker, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours a day over multiple days. Some trails may be muddy or slippery, especially in damp weather, so a sense of balance and good walking boots are essential.

What’s more important than speed or athletic ability is a positive attitude, team spirit, and willingness to adapt to rustic homestays and remote environments. If you’re active, enjoy walking, and are up for a challenge with purpose, you’ll be well suited to this trip. Some pre-trip training with hill walks or longer countryside hikes will go a long way in helping you prepare.

The trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking for 5 consecutive days, over varying and sometimes challenging terrain. You will cover approximately 15-20km per day which will take around 6-7 hours.

Any luggage that is not needed during the trek can be safely stored at the hotel for the duration of the trip. This allows you to carry only the essentials while trekking, with the peace of mind that your remaining belongings are secure and will be waiting for you upon your return.

Any day-to-day items that you do not need to carry yourself, such as spare clothing, toiletries, or sleeping gear, will be transported in a separate bag to your next accommodation or campsite by vehicle, so they are ready and waiting for you at the end of each day’s trek.

During the trek, you will only need to carry a small daypack containing essential items for that day, such as water, snacks, a basic first aid kit, sun protection, and any personal items you may need.

The kit list for this trip can be downloaded here.