Vietnam Discovery

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Hue,  Hoi An

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Want to experience the 'real' Vietnam?
Be prepared to get away from it all and savour all that Vietnam has to offer. From the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city to the stunning islands of Ha Long Bay and the ancient town of Hoi An, this trip really does take you to all the great sights (and a fair few off the beaten track!) of what is a wonderful and rewarding country. During your time living with a hill tribe community you'll have the opportunity not only to get an understanding of local life but also to pass on your language skills to the local children. Travelling by train, boat and car you'll get to experience Vietnam from the inside led throughout by our expert local guide.

*What the project does and why does it need you?
You will be spending 4 days with a hill tribe community who have been largely by-passed by the modern world giving you a truly unique experience. You'll spend a couple of these days working with the children at the local village school helping to pass on your language skills - and hopefully having a lot of fun at the same time.

*Day 1: Arrival into Hanoi
You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel accommodation in Hanoi. Spend the afternoon on a walking tour of this great city focusing on the old town - be prepared to be blown away, Hanoi is one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. In the evening there will be a group meeting to run through what you are going to do for the next two weeks and get to know each other. Overnight in Hanoi, no meals included.

*Day 2: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay - overnight on boat
Today you will drive to Ha Long Bay (you may not have heard of it but as soon as you're there you'll recognise the stunning islands and limestone pinnacles) and embark on a traditional junk boat for a cruise through the bay visiting a limestone cave along the way. Enjoy the relaxing experience of falling asleep to the gentle lapping of the South China sea - and make your friends jealous with the amazing photos you'll get. Overnight on boat, lunch and dinner included.

*Day 3: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
After a leisurely breakfast on board your boat you will head to dry land before transferring back to Hanoi (around 3.5 hours). The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure - explore the old town further, visit the tomb of Ho Chi Minh or take a look at the war museum, the choice is yours. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi, breakfast included.

*Days 4 to 7: Mai Chau and volunteer project
You will be spending the next four days in the picturesque Mai Chau valley where you will spend your time in a traditional hill tribe village living with a local family. This is an amazing opportunity to experience traditional life largely untouched by modern ways and also help children at the local school with your language skills. The valley provides a beautiful insight into a largely forgotten (by travellers!) part of Vietnam and will give you a great insight into traditional and fast disappearing way of life. Please note however that the accommodation is basic. Depending on the family there will either be a 'western' style or 'squat' toilet and a simple shower or bucket and scoop from a well depending on the family. Accommodation with local family, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

*Day 8: Mai Chau to Hanoi and overnight train
Today you will leave the village and journey back to Hanoi where you will board the sleeper train to Hue, the capital of Vietnam until1945. Remember to take your book as it is a 12 hour train ride - but what a journey it is through the heart of North Vietnam! Overnight on train in soft sleeper, breakfast included.

*Day 9: Arrive Hue
Arrive into Hue in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Today you are free to explore the delights of Hue - a UNESCO World Hertiage Site. The city has a range of great things to see and do but our favourite is to chill out whilst taking a boat down the 'Perfume River'.Our guide will be able to help make suggestions and arrange whatever you'd like to do. Overnight in Hue, no meals included.

*Day 10: Hue to Hoi An
After breakfast you will enjoy a guided tour of the famous Citadel (where the emperors used to live) before starting your drive to Hoi An which will take around 4 hours. On the way you'll pass the stunning Lang Co Beach and over the Hai Van Pass - don't forget your camera! A walking tour of Hoi An's old town - full of winding lanes and old style Chinese shophouses - awaits you after your arrival. Overnight in Hoi An, breakfast included.

*Day 11: Hoi An
A free day in Hoi An. Hit the nearby beaches, explore the old town further or even get a made to measure suit - the choice is yours how to get the most out of this atmospheric and fascinating town. Overnight in Hoi An, breakfast included.

*Day 12: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh by overnight train
A final morning to explore Hoi An before heading off to Danang to catch the overnight train to Ho Chi Minh city. The train journey is a great chance to just put your feet up and watch South Vietnam roll by. It's also a great way to meet people - you'll always find someone keen to chat with you and teach you more and more about life in this great country. Overnight train in soft sleeper, breakfast included.

*Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City
Wow - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Perhaps one of the world's most famous (and misunderstood) cities is all yours to explore. After checking into the hotel you will have a walking tour of the city ticking off many of the key spots including the old Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Re-Unification Palace, the War Museum and the bustling Ben Thanh market! Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, no meals included.

*Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
A free day to explore the city. There is enough here to keep you busy for years (just watching the motorbikes whizzing by keeps us fascinated for hours!) but some highlights are exploring Chinatown, the local markets or heading further afield to the Cu Chi tunnels. Your guide can advise you on all the best things to do! Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, breakfast included.

*Day 15: Day tour to Mekong Delta
Today you will head to the Mekong Delta and take a relaxing boat journey for round 2.5 hours through the maze of canals whilst learning about typical daily life in this rural part of Vietnam. Return to Ho Chi Minh city in the early evening. Overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, breakfast and lunch included.

*Day 16: Tour ends
Today is the end of your voyage of discovery and time either to head back to the airport for your flight home or, if you're lucky, time to head on to further travels.

Highlights:
* Experience the traditional ways of life of a hill-tribe community
* Work with the children at the local school
* Enjoy the stunning sights of Ha Long Bay
* Explore Hue, the ancient capitol of Vietnam
* Hoi An - you won't want to leave!
* Travelling the length of Vietnam by train - aptly named the 'Reunification Express'

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This is an ideal trip for anyone with a love of travel and a real desire to get to know one of South East Asia's most beautiful and interesting destinations. There really is something for everyone during this tour, from spending time with a hill tribe village to cruising amongst the pinnacles and islands of Ha Long Bay. Vietnam is a beautiful country and as you travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, by boat, car and train you will get to experience so much of what this wonderful country has to offer!

Cost in US$: USD 2195.00 for 2 weeks

* Accommodation: Shared room in hotels, overnight boat in Ha Long Bay, overnight train from Hanoi to Hue and Danang to Ho Chi Minh City based on soft sleeper 4 berth cabin, homestay in Mai Chau.
* Food: Food included as per the itinerary, please note that beverages are not included
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support, English speaking guide during the land tour
* Transport: All transport as shown in the itinerary.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Vietnam Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

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