Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival in Hanoi you will be met by your World Expeditions Schools local Guide and transferred to your hotel. You will have a full trip and safety briefing and an introduction to Vietnamese language and important phrases that you can learn and practice through your journey. A little language goes a long way with the local people! Explore the city on a traditional cyclo ride before enjoying a delicious welcome dinner as a group.

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Delve into Vietnam's rich history and culture today with visits to the Women’s Museum, Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh complex. At these sights, learn about the evolution of women's roles in society through time, the roots of Confucianism and the period of Vietnam's war and unification. For lunch, the group will go to KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that acts as a hospitality training centre providing disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to learn and thrive in their lives. This is a small but valuable way of contributing to ending the cycle of poverty in Vietnam. Finish the day off with an electric cart ride around Westlake and dinner in Hanoi's iconic Old Quarter.

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This morning we depart Hanoi and head north into a remote corner of Northern Vietnam, nestled between the Tay Con Linh and Song Chay mountain ranges. It’s a long drive to access a region where few travellers venture, with a strong sense of culture and nature that remains wonderfully intact. The journey takes us through ever-changing scenery, and we’ll stop along the way for comfort breaks and a local lunch. By afternoon, we arrive at our trekking base, a peaceful eco-lodge tucked in the heart of the Song Chay mountains. We'll check in and have time to stretch legs and explore the surrounding gardens before dinner. Tonight, the group will prepare for the days ahead. As students trek between remote villages, they’ll not only learn resilience and teamwork, but also contribute directly to community infrastructure goals aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Begin your day with a delicious home-made breakfast, and prepare to embark on your trek into the nearby mountains, passing through lush tropical forests and scenic rice terraces. A three-hour hike leads you to a Red Dao village, where you'll pause for a well-deserved lunch. The villagers have, by necessity, sculpted the mountainside and harnessed its watercourses to cultivate rice, allowing them to live in these higher parts of the mountains. This adaptation of the land provides unique and breathtaking views. In the afternoon, continue your trek to another Red Dao village. The cooler climate and abundant fresh water in these areas are ideal for the growth of tea trees, which you will observe along the way. Upon arrival, you will meet your homestay hosts and have time to relax before enjoying a delicious dinner together. Overnight in Red Dao homestay in Giàng Ha Village Walking time: Approximately 5-6 hours

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After breakfast, your trek continues along the Suoi Nam Valley, passing by farms on stilts built on the mountainside, always close to water. You'll be surrounded by terraced rice fields, where the Ti Ki Liu mountain rises high above the others. The area is shared by Hmong Hoa, Man Ta Pan, Tay, Dao, and Nung Inh communities. After a well-deserved break for lunch, you'll resume your trek toward the secluded hamlet of Nam Ai, located in the heights of the mountain range and inhabited by Dao and Tay communities. Overnight in Red Dao or Tay homestay in Nam Ai Village Walking time: Approximately 6-7 hours

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For the next two days, you’ll work closely with local villagers in Nam Ai to support a hands-on community project. Students will spend the days working on a long-term community-led initiative such as assisting with repairs, painting, building toilets or installing hand washing facilities for the community cultural house, this is a chance to make a meaningful contribution while learning about rural Vietnamese life for hill tribe communities. The bonds formed during this shared experience often become the most memorable part of the journey. *Specific tasks will be confirmed closer to your departure date

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This morning, you continue exploring the beautiful Nam Son Valley on foot, passing over a mountain to visit a Dao village. After a relaxed lunch, the group will trek to the summit of Ho Pien Mountain, passing through tea plantations and bamboo forests alonbg the way. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your overnight stop, where you will be warmly welcomed by a Red Dao family. Overnight in Red Dao homestay in Ho Pien Walking time: Approximately 5-6 hours

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Today you begin your return journey to the trekking base, following scenic trails through the Lang Giang Valley. As you contour along the mountainside, you’ll take in sweeping views of rice terraces and may cross paths with Red Dao locals tending their fields. After lunch, the trail leads you through a peaceful stretch of forest, completing a rewarding loop that brings you back to where your adventure began. Tonight, you can enjoy a few home comforts at the eco-lodge. It’s the perfect chance to relax and celebrate the end of your trek as a group. Walking time: Approximately 5-6 hours

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Enjoy a leisurely morning at the eco-lodge before departing, with a stop en route for lunch. You’ll arrive in Hanoi by late afternoon with time for dinner, and perhaps a chance to do some shopping at the night markets before settling in for the night.

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Today has been set aside as a self-exploration day in and around Hanoi. Students have the opportunity to decide as a group how they would like to spend their day, accompanied by their teachers and guide. They may choose to take a day trip out to Thach Xá village, also known as Dragonfly village, to learn about the traditional craft of making beautiful bamboo dragonflies that balance just so, and perhaps give it a go themselves! They may instead choose to remain in Hanoi and visit the Sky Lotte Observation Deck for panoramic views across the city or take in a water puppet show.

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Ninh Binh boasts one of the most spectacular settings in all of South East Asia, with hundreds of limestone karsts rising straight out of rice paddies and rivers. We begin our day at the boat pier where we board traditional sampans for a scenic boat trip to Trang An. We make our way to the valley of Tam Coc for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon visit to Bich Dong Pagoda. From here, we continue by bike, leisurely riding along the flat backroads toward Hoa Lu, weaving between limestone karsts and rice fields. Finish off this fun-filled day with a visit to Dinh and Le temples before transferring back to your hotel. Biking distance: Approximately 12km / 7.5mi

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Today, the group will will have the unique opportunity to explore the world of hand embroidery, a centuries-old art form that has been passed down through generations. Guided by skilled local artisans, they will learn about the history, cultural significance, and intricate techniques that define Vietnamese embroidery. Students will learn basic stitching techniques, pattern tracing, and color selection in a fun, hands-on activity. In the afternoon, the group will make their way to a local bear sanctuary to take part in an educational service-learning program run by an NGO. Learn about how the sanctuary ensures animal welfare, and the history of bear bile farming in Vietnam. Listen to some of the rescue stories and then help prepare some enrichment foods for the bears, learning about conservation in a hands-on way.

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We check out of our hotel this morning and drive to Ha Long Bay for our private overnight cruise. On arrival you will be transferred to your deluxe junk boat, which awaits us in open water. Once you have settled into your cabins we can begin our cruise around the majestic Ha Long Bay and out into the Golf of Tonkin. After lunch your captain will moor off a secluded beach where you can relax on the sandy beaches or enjoy some kayaking. There will be a cooking class demonstration on board in the late afternoon. Later, as evening descends you may take in the views of the top deck before you enjoy a delicious meal using beautifully prepared fresh ingredients. After dinner you can take the opportunity to try your hand at squid fishing with the crew members or relax in the dining room.

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This morning the early risers can enjoy a Tai Chi class on the sundeck. We will continue to enjoy cruising through the bay, passing magnificent geographical formations, we will explore the Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave) which is one of the highlights of Ha Long Bay. Buffet brunch is served on board before the vessel cruises back to the dock where a coach is waiting to transfer the group back to Hanoi for a flight to Hue.

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Hue was Vietnam’s last feudal capital, and today you will get an insider’s experience. Your first stop is a visit to Tu Duc Tomb, a sprawling compound centred on the lake with several waterways and memorials connected by walkways. Next, you’ll visit a local garden house where your host will welcome you with hand-made ginger jam and tea. Veer away from the tourist trail with an easy bicycle ride around the village to explore the daily local life in the peaceful countryside, before enjoying some traditional dishes of Hue. After the delicious home hosted lunch, take a leisurely boat ride across the Perfume River and transfer to Imperial Citadel, the best-preserved remnant of the vast citadel and royal quarters that once existed on the site. Here you can see the ravages of time and war on what was the carefully designed capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. Built in the early 19th century by armies of conscripted labourers under Emperor Gia Long, the citadel was surrounded by a 10-kilometre moat while earthen walls formed the outer perimeter.

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After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), a historically significant area during the Vietnam War. Visit key sights such as Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River, once the dividing line between North and South Vietnam, as well as the remarkable Vinh Moc Tunnels, an underground village built by local residents to survive intense bombing. Walk through the tunnels and learn how families lived, worked, and protected each other deep underground, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination. In the afternoon, visit the RENEW Project, a humanitarian organisation dedicated to clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), educating communities about mine risks, and supporting survivors of war remnants. This visit provides a deeper understanding of how the legacy of war still affects daily life and how ongoing efforts are making communities safer today. The day concludes with a visit to a local family, where you will see a private collection of war memorabilia found and preserved by residents over many years. Listening to personal stories and firsthand experiences offers a unique, human perspective that goes beyond museums and textbooks.

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Enjoy breakfast and prepare for your transfer to Hoi An, passing by Lang Co Bay and Hai Van Pass along the way. After arriving in Hoi An, the afternoon can be enjoyed walking through the ancient streets of Hoi An, lined with Chinese traders’ homes and wooden houses reincarnated as restaurants, cafés, and outlets for local artists, craftsmen and tailors. Hoi An's unique architecture is well displayed in what is arguably Vietnam's most tourist-friendly town. Explore the beautiful 16th century Japanese Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An and a testament to its fascinating history as a port town.

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Start the day experiencing the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of Hoi An's busy food market. Interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in your upcoming cooking class! Then roll up your sleeves and jump into small groups to prepare and cook four delicious dishes, guided by local chefs. Once finished, it's time to sit down and enjoy the meal you've created - what better way to dive into Vietnamese cuisine! After lunch, you will take part in the lantern making class. Learn about the history and significance of lanterns in Vietnamese culture, and the different styles, materials, and techniques used in lantern making. Have fun creating your very own keepsake.

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Today has been set aside as a self-exploration day in and around Hoi An. Students have the opportunity to decide as a group how they would like to spend their day, accompanied by their teachers and guide. They may choose to visit the Cu Lao Cham archipelago, a group of eight islands recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve lying just off the coast of Hoi An that boasts white sandy beaches, ancient ruins and great snorkelling opportunities. They may instead choose to spend the day exploring the old town and visit one of the many tailors in town and get something special made to size!

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It's your final day in Vietnam! Wake to one last delicious meal and spend the day at your leisure until the time comes to transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your flight home.

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