Vietnam's Voyage of Volunteering & Exploration - 12 Days

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your driver, who will be waiting in the lobby, holding the signboard with your name on it. If you cannot locate your driver, please go to the Airport information counter in the middle of the Domestic and International arrival lobby (inside the terminal) and call the emergency numbers provided in the confirmation voucher for assistance. Your driver will come to meet you up and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet with the local coordinator, who will give you a briefing on the tour program and introduce the volunteering activities, in which you will participate.

Then meet your guide, who will take you through the charming sites of Hanoi. This city is famous for its ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic lakes. Stop at the old coffee shop in the Old Quarter to sip delicious Vietnamese coffee and listen to the guide's stories about the daily life of Hanoians. Head to the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as "Uncle Ho". Explore the square and the mausoleum building from the outside and see the One Pillar Pagoda. It is a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas. Visit Ho Chi Minh's House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Some of his belongings are on display, and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom.

Continue sightseeing by visiting the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, built in the late 11th century. This picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Then we will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the time is free for leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

NOTES

Suggested departure time: 13:30

Tour duration: 3.5 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy an active day with children at the forest park on the Red River bank. Join the local volunteers in support to renovate and taking care of green space in children’s playgrounds: planting trees, watering plants, collecting garbage, decorating, etc. You also can take part in planning to build Green Space for children (planting more trees, making educational signs, seats. etc). Spend time with the community to create a safe and fun space for children.

Overnight in Hanoi

NOTES:

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 07 hours

Today you will join our partner Blue Dragon in farming activities to learn more about organic agriculture in Vietnam and help grow the fruits and vegetables that will be used for the children in need. Blue Dragon is an incredible organization that supports children in crisis, during the years of operation, they contributed a significant impact on saving the victims of human trafficking, supporting hundreds of families from poverty, providing a safe place and educational opportunities for homeless children as well as the hope for a better future.

This morning we will take you to the Blue Dragon's farm in Long Bien district, the scenic and rural part of Hanoi. Here you will see how the locals grow tropical fruits and chemical-free vegetables. Try your hands on the gardening activities: planting, watering, and harvesting fruits and vegetables, and engage with other volunteers who share the same sustainable ideas as you. The food from this farm is delivered to poor families with children, disabled children, and children in the Blue Dragon's shelter. What is left is sold on the market to raise funds for other support for kids.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 07 hours

Today, you will join our activists to spend the day with disabled children, teach English and take part in fun activities with them. With your help, disabled children will have more education opportunities and develop language and social skills, which could help them to integrate into society.

Vietnam is working hard to develop the infrastructure for disabled kids, but the facilities are still poor, and they do not get enough education and care. You will join the volunteers who support these children and find out their abilities in music, arts, or crafts and provide them with training, which help them to get a profession in the future. During the day, you will spend time with the community and help children to improve their and the local staff's English proficiency, as well as take part in cultural exchange with the locals. Then we will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Hanoi

NOTES

Suggested departure time: 08:30

Tour duration: 07 hours

After breakfast, check out the hotel and get ready for the transfer to Da Bac in Hoa Binh province. Located around 100 km from Hanoi Da Bac is a true off-the-beaten-path for tourists, which will let you immerse into the local authentic lifestyle and soak up the magnificent natural views. Da Bac is home to various ethnic villages, and you will explore the diversity of Vietnam's cultures with traditional houses, clothes, and customs.

Upon arrival, check-in at the homestay and have delicious lunch. Later we will take you around to see the area with mountain views, rice paddies, and corn fields. We will head to the Da River, where you will enjoy kayaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the Vietnamese countryside.

Overnight in Da Bac

After traditional breakfast at your homestay, you will join the community to experience the local life and support them with community-based work. Depending on the season you could join various farming activities, help locals with environmental protection, and support the local school by joining the team to renovate the playground and green area for kids. You will have a great chance to communicate with locals, learn local traditions and see the real life of Vietnamese people.

Overnight in Da Bac

After traditional breakfast at your homestay, you will join the community to experience the local life and support them with community-based work. Depending on the season you could join various farming activities, help locals with environmental protection, and support the local school by joining the team to renovate the playground and green area for kids. You will have a great chance to communicate with locals, learn local traditions and see the real life of Vietnamese people.

Overnight in Da Bac.

Today we will explore the off-the-beaten paths toward Da Bia village (Rock Landmark) by trekking and boating. This area has a history behind its name: in 1960, after a three-day territorial debate between Tien Phong and Phong Phu communes, a rock fell off the mountain and stuck right at the borderline suggested by Tien Phong officers. You still can see this rock if you pass by this area by boat. You will explore the traditional daily life and local culture of the Muong Au Ta ethnic people.

Enjoy lunch at a local homestay before trekking about 8 km to Mo Hem village to see beautiful landscapes along the road. Then board a local boat to head to Mo Hem village, where you will stay overnight.

Overnight in a local homestay

NOTES:

Suggested departure time: 08:30

Tour duration: 10 hours

Have a relaxing morning exploring the village on your own. Then enjoy the scenic 3-hour drive to Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, have lunch, and continue to Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on Land”, where a skilled rower will take you on a 2-hour slow journey on the winding river and canals. Enjoy the views of the beautiful karst formations as you enter into natural caves formed under the hills.

After the boat trip, climb to Mua Mountain, which has a shape of a bell with a base sized around 800 square meters. On the left and right sides of the staircase, there are beautiful carvings of the dragon or phoenix. The way leading to the cave formed by a long stone staircase zigzags through the karst, there are nearly 500 steps to a simple altar to Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy). Later you will be transferred to your hotel in Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

NOTES

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Duration: 9 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive you to Halong Bay, which is known as the natural wonder of the world. The scenery of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands rise out from the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes is truly an iconic image for Vietnam.

You will arrive at the port around midday and board the cruise. Enjoy your welcome drink while the cruise program introduces you to the program and safety instructions. Then the lunch will be served, while the boat is cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, you will get closer to the limestone islets and explore them kayaking or relaxing at the beach. Then get back to the boat to enjoy the sunset views from the top deck.

Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Enjoy dinner on board and participate in the activities arranged by the cruise team or socialize with others.

Overnight on cruise

The sun rises on Halong Bay, and breakfast is served. Spend the relaxing morning enjoying the beautiful views of nature and take part in the cruise activities. Then complete the check-out formalities and have an early lunch, while the boat cruises slowly back to the port. From here, we will transfer you to the Hanoi airport for your flight home.

Have a safe flight!

Trip ends.