Vietnam Adventure

  Vietnam

• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the Year

Description: From the very start of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City you'll be faced with the wonderful sights and sounds of one of South East Asia's most vibrant and fascinating countries. From the beauty of the Mekong delta to the picture perfect town of Hoi An; Vietnam is a hugely varied country with more to do and see than you could ever wish for. It's also a great fun place to explore with friendly and sociable people happy to share their country with travellers. After an incredible introduction to what the country has to offer, you will spend two weeks living with a rural community helping them to build much needed wells. So, not only do you get a real insight into what Vietnam is really like, you'll also make a lasting and positive impression on a local community.

*Day 1: Arrival into Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Vietnam! You will be met at the airport by the your guides and taken to your hotel. There is an optional welcome dinner or you can spend your own time exploring the old city! Overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

*Day 2: Full day tour of Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast you will spend the day touring Ho Chi Minh City learning more about the city's history and seeing the great variety of sights that it has to offer. You will visit all the major sights including Reunification Palace, the War museum, Notre Dame cathedral, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Ben Than market before heading back to the hotel for a well deserved rest! Breakfast and overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

*Day 3: Ho Chi Minh city to Vinh Long, Mekong Delta
After an early morning start you will take the 2 hour journey to the Mekong Delta and then board your boat for a relaxing cruise on one of the many tributaries. You will stop at the Cai Be floating market - a stunning local fruit and vegetable market. After lunch you will then transfer to smaller boats and enjoy the journey to Vinh Long where you will stay with a local host family. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, overnight homestay.

*Day 4: Vinh Long to Ho Chi Minh City
Rising early you will get back on your boat and cruise to Vinh Long to explore the town before transferring back to land and travelling on to My Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. You will then head back to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll have some free time to explore. Breakfast and lunch, overnight hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

*Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
After some free time in the morning we head to the airport to fly to Danang. On arrival at Danang you will be met by a member of the team and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An - one of Vietnam's real gems.. Your flight will be unaccompanied but there will be accompaniment to the airport and you will be met on arrival in Danang. Breakfast, overnight hotel in Hoi An.

*Day 6: Hoi An
Today you will have a free day to explore the beautiful sleepy old town of Hoi Ann, shop till you drop and don`t forget the amazing suits that you can buy! Many people come to Hoi An for a day and end up spending weeks, captivated by it's wonderful atmosphere, friendly people and great places to explore - you've only got a day so make the most of it! Breakfast and overnight in Hoi An.

*Day 7: Hoi An to Hue
After breakfast you will travel to Hue stopping at the famous China Beach in Danang, the Cham museum and taking in Hai Van Pass on the way. On arrival at Hue you will visit the local market. Breakfast and overnight hotel in Hue.

*Day 8: Hue and overnight train to Hanoi
Today is a history day - visiting the Imperial Citadel, the tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and learning about the history of this important and ancient city. You will have the use of a 'dayroom' to freshen up before your overnight train journey to Hanoi! Breakfast, overnight train to Hanoi.

*Day 9: Hanoi
Be prepared for an early arrival! You will be met at the train station and taken to your hotel for your early check in and breakfast. In the afternoon you will explore Hanoi including the Museum of Ethnology, the Nghoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous Old Quarter. Hanoi is yet another place that you really won't want to leave - great people, a 'buzzing' atmosphere, wonderful architecture and just a brilliant vibe. Don't miss out on a 'bia hoi' stand in the early evening - a Hanoi tradition where friends get together for a cold beer on the street after a hard days work, or in your case exploring. Breakfast and overnight hotel in Hanoi.

*Day 10: Hanoi to Mai Chau and Hang Kia Village
After breakfast you will leave Hanoi for the stunning small town of Mai Chau where you will have lunch at a traditional Thai stilt house before carrying on to Sa Linh village. Here you will start your trek small paths towards Hang Kia village. You will have your evening meal and stay overnight in a traditional long house where you can rest your weary limbs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, overnight in Kang Kia village.

*Day 11: Hang Kia village to Van village
Today, you will get well and truly off the beaten track as you trek through tropical rain forest, using local tracks and passing through cornfields on the way as you descend back into the Mai Chau Valley. The trek usually takes around 5 hours and can be quite steep in places, but don't worry - the views are well worth it! Lunch will be provided for you en route. You will arrive at Van village in the late afternoon and have time to wander round taking in the traditional way of life of the people who live here. You may be able to sample some of their homemade rice wine over your evening meal - but be careful, it's strong! Breakfast, lunch and dinner, overnight stay in Van village.

*Day 12: Van village, Khoe to Hanoi
This morning, you will trek for a couple of hours passing through several more hamlets. You will walk along the valley floor and be able to take in the views of the surrounding paddy fields and beautiful scenery. After arriving at the small village of Khoe you will meet up with the transport for your drive back to Mai Chau. Lunch will be provided in Mai Chau and there is also the chance to do a little souvenir shopping before you return to Hanoi. Your evening can be spent at your own leisure in Hanoi - 'bia hoi' anyone? Breakfast and lunch, overnight in Hanoi.

*Day 13: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
After breakfast you will leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay - taking around 3 hours or so. En-route you can enjoy a short stop at the famous Sao Do Arts and Crafts Centre run by handicapped children and pick up some more souvenirs! Arriving at the bay around midday you will board your private sleeping boat for a delicious seafood lunch. During lunch you will be able to take in the beautiful scenery of the hundreds of tiny islands that make Ha Long Bay such a stunning place. After lunch explore some of the limestone caves and then your captain will find a secluded spot for you to swim and relax before dinner. Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner and for the night owls there is the option of night fishing before falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waters of the bay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, overnight on board the boat.

*Day 14: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
Wake up to the sound of gentle waves lapping against the boat (perfect) and then you will have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. As you continue your cruise around the bay you will be able to find some more secluded areas to swim and kayak (additional payment required). After returning to the harbour you will then travel back to Hanoi and begin your journey to the project site in Thai Binh province, around 100kms from Hanoi. Once you have arrived at the village you will be introduced to the community and the family that you will be working with.

During the project you will be divided into several groups / work parties to ensure that you can get involved in a range of activities including digging / building the wells and helping out the local farming community. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, homestay accommodation.

*Day 15 to 26: Volunteering at the project
During your time in Thai Binh you will be working with the local community helping to dig a water well and helping the local farmers in the rice fields. Meals aren't included during your time with the community but your guide will help ensure you get to sample a range of local delicacies. Homestay accommodation is provided.

*Day 27: Return to Hanoi
Now it is time to say a fond farewell to all the great friends you have made within the community and head back to Hanoi where either to fly home or to continue your adventures - phew!

- What the project does and why does it need you?
Although there has been huge economic development in Vietnam in recent years, Thai Binh province remains very poor and people here face many hardships. One of the biggest difficulties the people have had to cope with is the debilitating affects of Agent Orange - toxic herbicides used during the American-Vietnam war which has left its effects on 3 generations of families. More than 100 families have been affected and the effects can be seen in parents, children and grandchildren, and with physical and mental disabilities the families struggle to survive financially.

The project helps the local community improve their basic standard of living through the building of wells to supply the village with water. Travelers will also help with the farming, working in the fields cutting rice, watering etc depending on the season - a real experience and far more challenging than you may think. You'll certainly leave with a healthy respect for how tough and strong this community is.

- What you'll be doing
You will be getting involved in one of two projects in the village. The group will be split into and you will take turns building a water well with the guidance of local engineers and helping with the farming being responsible for your own field, under the guidance of the local farmer! This will include cutting rice, watering, weeding - dictated by the season and what is required.

- Where you'll be staying
During your time on the tour you will be staying in range of accommodation including 2 star hotels in the cities, homestay accommodation during your time in Vinh Long and Mau Chai, an overnight train to Hanoi and on board a boat in Ha Long Bay. During the project you will be staying in a local homestay in the countryside experiencing the real way of life in the rural area of Vietnam!

- What you'll be eating
You will be eating a range of Vietnamese food, with meals included as in the itinerary.

- Advice and what to bring
Prepare to get dirty during your time at the project so wear clothes that are durable - and not too precious! Long trousers are more suitable that short shorts and don`t forget to bring a hat as the sun is strong in this part of the world! We also recommend that you bring decent walking shoes or 'trainers' for the trekking.

- When you arrive
Fly into Ho Chi Minh city (airport code SGN) and meet an i-to-i representative at the airport. You will spend your first night in a hotel and start the tour the following day. Please note that the trip will end in Hanoi and you will be free to arrange your onward travel from there (airport code HAN)

Highlights:
* Exploring vibrant Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon)
* Cruising down the Mekong Delta
* Living and working with a rural agricultural community
* Spending time in Hoi An - one of Vietnam's gems
* Trekking in the stunning mountains around Mai Chau
* Visiting Ha Long Bay - you'll have seen the photos but nothing compares to the real thing

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This is for anyone with a real desire to explore Vietnam, the beautiful scenery it has to offer and for those who really want to help a community that has suffered years of hardship. By living with the local community in homestay accommodation during the two weeks at the project you will experience the true rural life of the Vietnamese and the way in which they cope with every day life. This isn't a 'luxury' tour - far from it - but is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get under the skin of one of the most fascinating countries on earth - surely something that appeals to everyone.

Cost in US$: USD 2,295.00

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994