Vietnam Multi-Activity and Community Project

Students on trek in Vietnam | Nick Hardcastle

School students in Vietnam

Peeking through the caves of Halong Bay, Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

School students in Vietnam

Students working on a Community Project in Vietnam

Students on trek in Vietnam | Nick Hardcastle

School students in Vietnam

Peeking through the caves of Halong Bay, Vietnam | Richard I'Anson

School students in Vietnam

Students working on a Community Project in Vietnam

Code: WSVM

Overview

Highlights

Discover Vietnam's historic capital, Hanoi
Meet local hilltribe people while on trek in Mai Chau
Community service in Da Bia
Kayaking & Community service in Halong Bay
Authentic cultural exchanges with the local community while working on the project

This educational and active program explores the highlights of Vietnam's north including the capital of Hanoi, the hidden gem of Cat Ba Island within Halong Bay and the lesser visited regions of Ninh Binh and Mai Chau. You'll also assist with 3 different community projects. The journey begins in Hanoi, where you will explore the many must see attractions including President Ho Chi Minh's complex, the One Pillar Pagoda and a cool Urban Hike. There's even time to chill in the Old Quarter or experience it from the back of a cyclo! It’s then off to the remote community of Da Bia in the Hoa Binh province, where you will hike in, explore, and get involved in the community. You will stay a couple of nights in a local homestay, where the conditions will be basic, but the cultural experience will be unrivalled. By way of cycle and kayak you will make your way into the Mai Chau valley where you will stay in the Mai Hich region, home to many ethnic minorities. As you wander through the jungle with your guide you'll experience local mountain life and gain a new appreciation for the simple way of life. It’s then a speedboat to Cat Ba Island where you explore the world-famous limestone pinnacles by boat and kayak before returning to Hanoi, where your trip concludes.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Hanoi

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam! Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, where your local guide and private vehicle will transfer you to the hotel in the city center (check-in from 14.00). Depending on arrival time, the rest of the afternoon/evening is at leisure to relax and recover from your flight. In the late afternoon meet our guide at the hotel lobby for a trip briefing before join a welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: D

Day 2
Discover Hanoi and KOTO Lunch

We dedicate our morning to the visit of the essentials of Hanoi. We begin with the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university (opened in 1070), which is now a temple dedicated to Confucius. Next, we pass in front of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (we are not entering it) and enter the gardens of the Presidential Palace to visit the traditional Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. We also see the One Pillar Pagoda, a tiny temple built atop a single stone column. A special treat for lunch at KOTO restaurant. KOTO (Know One, Teach One) was founded by Vietnamese-Australian Jimmy Pham who's aim was to create a hospitality training centre in Hanoi, giving at-risk and disadvantaged youth the opportunity to learn and thrive in their lives. This is your small but valuable way of helping to end the cycle of poverty in Vietnam. A change of pace for the afternoon with a very cool urban hike. After a short car ride you will get lost in the 2 km (1 mile) trail of lush nature made of banana trees and vegetable gardens. Who would have expected this in the heart of Hanoi! A walk across the beautiful and historic Long Bien Bridge, a symbol of the tenacity and resilience of the people of Hanoi, brings your day to a close. Overnight Hanoi

Meals: B,L

Day 3
Hanoi – Da Bia

We depart from Hanoi at about 9:00am and head west to Hoa Binh. We stop in the city to visit a nice museum dedicated to the Muong ethnic culture, the most represented culture in the province, also the one of our hosts for tonight. After lunch, we drive around the city to the North and enter the mountain range of the Song Da. It is going up and down in the foothills of the lake until we reach the small village of Da Bia. Welcome to some wild and remote Muong ethnic lands, a natural haven that gives an edge of the world feeling. We are welcomed in a Muong traditional house. Meet the host and then enjoy some time for swimming in the lake before dinner. Driving time: approximately 4 hours Overnight at homestay in Dia Bia

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Da Bia - Community Service

A day set aside to become involved in the community. Details to be advised. Overnight at homestay in Da Bia

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Da Bia – Mai Hich

We bid farewell to our hosts and get ready for our paddling adventure across this beautiful reservoir made of blue waters and surrounded by towering mountains covered in jungle. The kayaking takes approximately 3 hours and we will have simple lunch at local family. Once we reach the other side of the lake, we hop on our vehicle and drive to the valley of Mai Chau. The drive takes about one hour, from the Muong to the White Thai territories. We make our way to a little sub-valley and check-in at a traditional guesthouse on stilts. Depending on time, we may go for a gentle walk around the village, the pathway takes us a little farther in the valley along crops and bamboo forest. It shall be the opportunity to witness a slice of local life and probably to exchange a bit with the friendly farmers of the area.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Mai Hich - Community Project

A day to get involved with helping the community. Details to be advised. Overnight at homestay in Mai Hich

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Mai Hich – Ninh Binh

We bid farewell to our hosts and depart to Ninh Binh after breakfast. It is about 4-hour drive to the so-called Inland-Halong region. We reach Hoa Lu, once an imperial capital, and have a lunch there. In the afternoon, we hop on bicycles and venture on the back roads of the region (about 15 km (9 miles) ride in total). This might be a little bumpy but the ride is scenic, taking us on narrow pathways between rice fields and mountains. We will stop on the way at Hang Mua and take on a challenging climb over 500 steps to reach the highest accessible viewpoint of the region. Our cycling ends in Tam Coc, we drop the bikes, have refreshment and transfer to the hotel. Evening is at leisure. Driving time: approximately 4 hours Overnight in Ninh Binh

Meals: B,L

Day 8
Ninh Binh – Cat Ba

This morning we drive across the Red River delta to reach the coast. After a short speedboat transfer, we arrive on Cat Ba Island where our bicycles await. There we start an approximate 12 km (7 mi) ride to our Eco lodge located at the heart of the Island, by the entrance of the national park. Make yourself comfortable, evening at leisure. Overnight Cat Ba Island

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
Cat Ba: Trekking Through the National Park to Viet Hai Village

This morning, we are going to hike across the jungle of the national park to the other side of the island and Viet Hai village. The trek is about 9 km (6 mi), with three hills to climb up and down. Very few people venture on these trails, it remains pretty wild. We start with 30 minutes on a small road to get to the dense forest that we should exit after about 3-4 hours. We reach Viet Hai village for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a leisure walk to visit the village or take bicycle to strolling around before dinner at homestay or bungalow in the village. Overnight at Blue Swimmer Bungalow

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
Kayaking and Clean Up the Bay

After breakfast, we ride a bicycle for about 5 km (3 mi) to get to Viet Hai pier, at the Eastern edge of the island to get on a boat and starts the clean-up day. Lots of awareness raising campaigns is going on to ring the alarm and have both local people and authorities to understand the importance of preserving this gem of nature and the environment on a more general note. Today, we will lead by example, and go for a fun day of kayaking. We will explore the most remote corners of the bay and pick up floating garbage all along. We will stop by some beaches and have a lunch on the support boat. In the afternoon, we return to the boat for cruising to Cat Ba town. Overnight Blue Swimmer Bungalow

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
Cat Ba Island to Hanoi

In the morning, free time to explore Cat Ba town until transfer back to Hanoi. Arrival in the afternoon. Enjoy some time at leisure before we take you out for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
Depart Vietnam

Day at leisure until we drive from the hotel to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life Below Water: Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.

Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Clean Water And Sanitation: Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in.

Sustainable Cities And Communities: There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel 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.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners
4 nights hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
4 nights home-stay accommodation facilities in Da Bia and Mai Hich
3 nights bungalow accommodation
Internal transfers in air conditioned vehicle
Group airport transfers
Professional English speaking guide throughout
Speed boat as mentioned in program
Kayak and bike as mentioned in program
All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary
Snacks & fruits on hiking days
Community Project material costs
Mineral water on vehicle on days with transfer and sightseeing only
Government taxes and service charges

What's not included

International airfare to Vietnam
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Any soft drinks or other beverages
Items of a personal nature ie phone calls laundry and email
Entry visa fees for Vietnam
Tipping

Grading

Introductory

This Adventure is rated introductory level. The hilltribe trek and Community Project will require some effort and some reasonable fitness. We therefore advise that any physical training you complete before undertaking the trip will be to good effect and enhance your travel experience. Remember the fitter you are the more enjoyable your experience will be.

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