Overview

 Highlights


  • Delicious local cuisine in Saigon and Phnom Penh
  • Explore the maze of Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Discover unique war history of Vietnam and Cambodia
  • Visit the Cheung Ek Killing Field
  • Personal growth from travel as a horizon broadening experience

This is a unique opportunity for students to experience the historical and cultural highlights of Saigon and Phnom Penh, deepening their understanding of critical and important moments in history.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Sydney

Activities:

Grading:Adventure touring   


After all the preparation your departure day has arrived! Depart Sydney on Vietnam Airlines VN772 at 1015 and arrive into Ho Chi Minh at 16:10. On arrival you are greeted by your guide and driver at Tan Son Nhat International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of Vietnam. It is the bustling economic capital and cultural trendsetter of the country, yet holds the timeless traditions of an ancient culture. If time permits, we will visit Ben Thanh Market, an icon of the city. Stands in the center of District 1, packed to the rafters with everything from fruits to nuts, from tourist kitsch to true bargains, it is a definite must-see. Overnight in Saigon.

Meals:  D

After breakfast you depart Saigon with our first stop en route to the Cu Chi Tunnels will be to visit a family producing rice paper. You share time with the family and then continue to Cu Chi Tunnels. On arrival around mid-morning, your guide will take you first through an introductory video before visiting the relics. During your visit you will see an American tank and numerous bomb craters. The next hour is dedicated to exploring the maze of tunnels and to understand better how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network. We return to Saigon for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum, which was previously known as the “Museum of American War Crimes” and contains countless artifacts and photographs documenting said crimes - the killing of civilians, spreading of chemicals, torturing of prisoners, and the effects of the war on the north. Planes, tanks, bombs, and helicopters are displayed. The remainder of the day is at leisure before dinner. Overnight hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

From Saigon head South to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, a region famous for its coconut production. We board our motorised boat and travel on the river to see traditional brickwork and how the locals make bricks by hand. We continue to Cai Son canal winding through the coconut jungle where we'll visit a coconut workshop and have a look stages of coconut processing. We'll continue on a small waterway and stop at coconut candy workshop, and witness how local coconut candies are made. We'll get to try some of the sweets, enjoy some fruits and listen to local music as well. We'll alight from our boat and take a short walk to a local farmer's house and see some of the processes of making sleeping mats. We'll hop on a tuktuk through coconut grove, Nhon Thanh – Thuan Dien village, the final stage of our journey will be by rowing boat on shady palm tree canal in Cai Tac pier. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant by river. We'll return to Chet Say pier and return by bus to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals:  B,L,D

Option 1: Long Tan Nui Dat in Vung Tau (L) - for History students Today, we leave Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) at 0800 and head to the battle fields of Long Tan. Our first visit is to the Long Phuoc Tunnel, which was the Viet Cong’s base within the area. The tunnel was secretly developed over 27 years, and served as a stronghold from the Resistance war against French colonialists as well as the anti-American Resistance war. After exploring the tunnel of Long Phuoc, we head to the Nui Dat base – which was the base of the 1st Australian Task Force. Take a walk around the Nui Dat base to visit former military landmarks such as, SAS hill, “Luscombe Field” air strip, Luscombe Bowl, the “Kangaroo South Pad” as well as the area known as Pearly gates. After having visited these historic war sites, we continue to the Long Tan Cross – the mark of Long Tan Battle, where we will pay tribute to the martyrs with fresh flowers and listen to stories of this epic battle. The bus will take us back to Saigon in the late afternoon. Option 2: Saigon city tour (L) for French students Today you will explore an alternative path to discover impact of French culture on Saigonese life. You will have a stop to Tan Dinh church, or Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Which has a bright pink tone and was built in a Romanian architectural style. Nestled near the church, you will have an immersion into a pure local market where you will discover several fruits, fishes and vegetables coming from all over Mekong Delta. You will then reach a hidden place… A secret weapon cellar, used during war against French and Americans. Indeed, several civilians used their home to organize the resistance. Into a tiny house, you will learn about the daily life of Saigonese and enjoy a refreshing drink in the home nearby. The cellar and the café are linked by a tunnel, also dug during war. Several devices and furniture from this period are still into the café. For lunch, you will enjoy some tasty specialties from Saigon and Mekong Delta into a restaurant based in a former opium factory used during French occupation to export drugs to Europe. In the afternoon, you will visit the Dragon House Wharf. The harbour is well-known for its unique architecture which combines Vietnamese and French styles. In 1862, the French built this harbour to meet the demand of transportation between the colonized Vietnam and the world. Finally you head to the Fine Art Museum of Ho Chi Minh City. The construction was built in 1929 and completed in 1934. It was designed by Mr. Rivera, a French architect, featuring a harmonious combination of Asian and European architecture. Initially it was a villa for the Hua (Hui Bon Hoa) family – the wealthiest traders in South Vietnam by that time, and the museum moved there in 1987. Groups join together back at the hotel to freshen up before dinner. Overnight hotel, Saigon.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning you visit the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam. You visit the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. In the late morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh (VN920 departing at 15:45, arrive PNH at 16:40) Sua s’dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia which was once called "Paris of the East". You are greeted by your guide and driver at Phnom Penh International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Afternoon orientation walk with your Guide and join together for dinner. Overnight 3 star hotel, Phnom Penh.

Meals:  B,L,D

Among the city's prime attractions, you will gain insight into Cambodia's recent history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture centre, named 'S-21'. A grim but important visit that will help you to understand Cambodia better. Then, make this stop to learn more about a dark page in Cambodia’s history, at the Killing Fields memorial site, you can listen to the stories of survivors and pay respects to the countless victims of the Khmer Rouge. Overnight hotel, Phnom Penh

Meals:  B,L,D

Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh for exploring and some last minute shopping. Late morning transfer to the airport for your onwards flight, VN921, departing at 13:50, arrive Ho Chi Minh at around 15:00, Depart Ho Chi Minh on VN773 at 20:45.

Meals:  B

You will arrive in Sydney today at around 08:15 where a warm welcome awaits!

Meals:  Nil


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young citizens to help them deal with adverse situations in life.


Inclusions

  • return economy group airfares with Vietnam Airlines from Sydney/Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh (inclusive of taxes)
  • all meals as outlined
  • airport transfers
  • 6 nights in hotels on twin or triple share basis
  • private air conditioned vehicles
  • daily drinking water
  • sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
  • expert bilingual local guide in Vietnam and Cambodia with medical kit
  • teachers from Shellharbour Anglican College accompanying the trip

  • visa fees - required for Vietnam & Cambodia
  • expenditure of a personal nature such as soft drinks, souvenirs and laundry
  • tips and gratuities (guidelines for tipping provided)
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)

Grading

Adventure touring


Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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