On arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be met by your World Expeditions experienced guide who will accompany you throughout the program. We head to your hotel for check in and a full trip and safety briefing. Your guide will run through an overview of the local Vietnamese language and important phrases that you can learn and practice through your journey. A little language goes a long way with the local peoples! Following your briefing we will have an orientation of Hanoi traveling the way the locals do, by cyclo! We return to the hotel to freshen up before heading out to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Overnight Hanoi hotel

Meals:  D

This day will offer the group to see and explore different facets of Vietnam’s culture and periods of History. After breakfast, the tour leader will give a comprehensive tour briefing. Afterwards, the group will first take a walk across the old colonial district to the Vietnam Women Museum. A very interesting place to learn more about the place of women in Vietnam’s History and the evolution of their roles in the society. The group visits to the Temple of Literature to get insights about the roots and place of Confucianism in Vietnam society. Lunch is served at the KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that trains disadvantaged youths. In the afternoon, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex to learn about the period of Vietnam’s war and unification. Next, you will hop on a leisure electric cart ride around the Westlake before transfer back to hotel for refreshment, the group transfer/walk to the Old Quarter to the restaurant for our dinner. Overnight Hanoi hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

Nà Bai – Phu Mau is located at the northern mountainous province of Son La. It is about 4-hour drive from Hanoi through stunning terrain filled with rice paddies and limestone outcrops. We pass through small villages on our way to Na Bai. This area is inhabited by Muong, White Thai and Dao people. The main crop cultivated in the region is rice and the main income of the local people here is from agriculture. We will visit the site where we will complete our service program and start splitting ourselves into groups and assessing the work that needs to be carried out by the group. Whilst we are here we will sleep in a traditional stilt house converted to a open dormitory configuration. Each night we will enjoy traditional meals prepared carefully by your hosts. **Whilst our accommodation in a traditional stilt house converted into a dormitory is rustic it is a highlight of many people's journey. Each student will have an individual mattress and mosquito net as well as clean bed sheets. There are western style flushing toilets and bathrooms are equipped with hot running water.

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the next two days we will work on our designated project for the local community as part of our regenerative program. The project site is located only a short walk from your accommodation. The hours that you work each day are flexible, however it is anticipated that you will be involved in labour work for up to 6 - 7 hours a day. You will need to bring a pair of study work gloves with you from home and wear clothing which you do not mind getting dirty. The people from the village will be anticipating your visit and the assistance and capacity building you are providing will bring long term benefits to the village. The exact details of the project will be decided by the village heads in the months prior to your travel and be discussed with your team prior to your departure. The project is set up alongside our Travel, Give, Grow regenerative travel concept offering unique experiences to help foster respect for the natural world as well as the diverse peoples and cultures that live in it. This style of travel helps develop confidence, resilience, tolerance, problem solving abilities, team work, fitness and key life skills. At the completion of the project this afternoon, a celebration will be held with the group and community as we hand the project back to the local community. Overnight Village Homestay

Meals:  B,L,D

We say our final farewells to our hosts and transfer to the start of our trek in Hang Kia. Hang Kia is in the heights of the province in a dry, rocky and mountainous area inhabited predominantly by Hmong people. Our trek leads us through a stunning valley past fruit orchards, rice paddies and striking mountains. The trek is around (3-4 hours) through beautiful scenery and village life. This afternoon we can explore the local village and observe village life before dinner. Tonight we stay in a converted guesthouse on stilts in the village. Overnight guesthouse Trekking distance: approximately 10 km (6 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

We enjoy breakfast at our guesthouse before we transfer to a small settlement for a Batik dyeing workshop with the Hmong women of the village. This hands on session gives us a wonderful insight into an ancient tradition and culture. Everyone will try our hand at making a Batik design which we will be able to keep and take home. We enjoy lunch with our hosts at the guesthouse. In the afternoon we continue our trek trek (approx 3 hours) to Cun Pheo Valley, an area inhabited by White Thai people. We meet our vehicle here and then take a short transfer to Ban Buoc village for our overnight stay. Overnight traditional dorm style accommodation Trekking Distance: approximately 11 km (7 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy breakfast and spend some time watching the local peoples go about their daily activities in this small village as they have done for many years. We will board our vehicle and travel through little hamlets, rice fields and vegetable gardens to Mai Hich hamlet where you will enjoy a cooking session and lunch with a local family, learning to cook rice in bamboo with a local barbeque. In the afternoon, transfer to the small town of Ninh Binh located in the Red River Delta (approx 3 hours). Overnight hotel, Ninh Binh Trekking Distance: approximately 12 km (8 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a great day packed with fun activities in the stunning setting of Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh boasts one of the most spectacular settings in all of South East Asia, with hundreds of limestone cliffs rising straight out of rice paddies and rivers.The setting has been the backdrop for many movies and photoshoots. We will explore the area by bike and by boat. We first transfer to the boat pier for a scenic boat trip to Trang An. After the boat trip, we head to the valley of Tam Coc for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Bich Dong Pagoda then continue by bike along the backroads of the region for a leisurely 12 km (8 mi) journey on a flat road winding between limestone rocks and rice fields to Hoa Lu. We then visit Dinh and Le temples before transfering back to hotel to freshen up before dinner. Overnight hotel in Ninh Binh and dinner at local restaurant. Biking distance: 12 km (8 mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

We check out of our hotel this morning and drive to Halong Bay for our overnight cruise. On arrival you will be transferred by motorized boat to our deluxe junk, which awaits us in open water. Our group will be the only people on the junk. 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. 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. Accommodation: Syrena or Bhaya Cruise

Meals:  B,L,D

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 our coach is waiting to transfer the group back to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue. On arrival into Hue you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. Overnight Hue Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

Hue was Vietnam’s last feudal capital, and today you will get an insider’s point of view to the highlights of this nostalgic city. Your first stop is a visit to Tu Duc Tomb, which is located near the quiet Thuy Bieu Village, 6.5 km (4 mi) from the city centre. It’s a sprawling compound centred on the lake and several waterways, and includes numerous memorials. Next, you’ll visit a local garden house where your host will welcome you with hand-made ginger jam and tea. We then visit a local village to explore the daily local life in the peaceful countryside, before enjoying some traditional dishes of Hue. After the delicious home hosted lunch, we take a leisurely boat ride across the Perfume River then 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 km (6 mi) moat while earthen walls formed the outer perimeter. Transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at local restaurant

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning, we rise for breakfast before joining our vehicle for the drive to Hoi An. We pass Lang Co Bay and stop at the top of Hai Van Pass for amazing views over the surrounds. On arrival in the beautiful city of Hoi An we check into our hotel and refresh before heading out for a walking orientation tour in the Old Town of Hoi An, visiting the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall as well as a typical hundred-year-old ancient house and the authentic local market. Hoi An is a wonderful village town to explore with small streets, stunning old colonial architecture and tree lined streets. There is no travel allowed in the main streets during certain times making it a delight to explore on foot. The afternoon has been set aside as a free afternoon. Overnight Hoi An

Meals:  B,L,D

Today the group will travel on small roads and across narrow bridges to an island of the Thu Bon River located about 15 km (9 mi) from the hotel. We will meet up with a local youths collective that acts for a more sustainable future. They will introduce the current coastal erosion situation to the group, explaining the challenges, the risks and the possible answers to this very real problem. Then the group will help restoring the ecosystem by planting trees in the area and supporting the natural protection against floods. We have lunch at a local farm on the way back from the tree planting to the town. Afternoon at leisure to rest or shopping in the old town. Sunset and dinner on the beach. This afternoon we can relax before we head into town to witness the nightly lantern procession over the river and to go shopping at the night markets. This is a great time to practise some of the local language skills you have be honing on your journey and to practise your bargaining skills with the local stall owners. Overnight hotel Hoi An

Meals:  B,L,D

In the mid-morning, the group is transferred to Danang airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, the group is greeted at the airport and transferred to a local restaurant for a local speciality: the broken rice. After lunch, we embark on a walking orientation around the colonial landmarks of the district 1. Then visit of the Ao Dai Exhibition (the traditional and iconic Vietnamese dress through History). This afternoon we head to our hotel for check in and refresh before dinner. Overnight Ho Chi Minh

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning the group transfers to the Mekong Delta region, in Ben Tre district. Upon arrival they first visit a Cao Dai temple, then hop on a private sampan. The morning is dedicated to cruising the river and stopping at various workshops to learn about the local industries. The group reaches Cu Lao Tam Hiep island for lunch in the gardens of a local guesthouse. In the afternoon, cycling tour across the island and visit of a farm producing the plants used to make the sam jelly. The group can try doing some jelly and taste the result. Mid-afternoon return to Saigon.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning after breakfast you will be farewelled at the airport by your guide for your outbound flight

Meals:  B