Vietnam sample student itinerary

Please note: the itinerary below is a sample itinerary and can be modified as required by your group to suit your travel style and budget. Please Contact us for a complete range of itineraries.

11 days SG$/AUD$1390 (excluding international airfares, visas and travel insurance) For convenience we have listed this trip price in Australian dollars but can naturally accept payment in any currency

Airfares: Tailor Made Vietnam can readily arrange a very competitive airfare for your group to anywhere from Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. We are also happy to provide you with contact details of our flight agents if your school is coming from the Middle East in Europe

This educational tour of Vietnam is specifically designed for high school students interested in experience the diverse cultural landscape of Vietnam. It includes visits to the country's main cities and attractions, with a large component concerned with the cultural, historical and geographical understanding of this fascinating country. This tour will appeal to those wishing to gain an understanding of Vietnam and the rapid changes this country and the Southeast Asia region is undergoing. While essentially an educational trip the itinerary is also designed to be highly enjoyable offering students a great range of recreational and outdoor activities, an excursion to a remote hill tribe as well as side trips to remote rural villages, historical sites and magnificent Ha Long Bay.

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi Your group leader will greet you at Hanoi International Airport and escort you to your hotel. Following this, we will run through the itinerary and answer any questions you may have. We set off to explore the city in cyclos (a rickshaw propelled by a cyclist) visiting the Old Quarter and surrounding districts. This evening we enjoy our first taste of authentic Vietnamese food at a nearby local restaurant. (L, D)

Day 2 Hanoi This morning we will take to the streets to explore some of the city’s fascinating sights. No tour of Hanoi would be complete with out a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda, now a pilgrimage site for the locals. We delve into the Old Quarter and wander through narrow lanes packed with a myriad of goods including exotic fruits and foodstuffs, copied designer clothes, DVD’s and electronic items. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Mai Chau After breakfast we depart for our 4-hour bus journey through stunning scenery that takes us to Mai Chau, home of the White Thai ethnic minority group near the Laotian border. The White Thai maintain a traditional lifestyle, live in long houses on stilts and carry out unusual religious and ceremonial practices (such as singing and dancing to welcome in the rice harvests). Upon arrival in Mai Chau district we begin our 2.5-hour trek through valley floors and rolling hillsides, encountering friendly faces, terraced paddy fields and intriguing irrigation systems. We make our way to our Thai village and accommodation, a traditional long house on stilts.  Our host family will prepare a delicious evening meal as we listen and learn about the local customs and folklore of the regions inhabitants. Please note: While Mai Chau is truly one of the trip highlights, the facilities are quite basic. A thin mattress, pillow and mosquito net will be provided in each long house. Toilets are basic and showers are cold. Good quality walking shoes are necessary in Mai Chau. Main packs may be left back in the Hanoi hotel so you will only need to carry a small pack while trekking. A local cook will prepare all meals. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Hanoi This morning make the return journey to Hanoi arriving at our hotel early afternoon. After freshening up we will visit the infamous Hanoi Hilton Prison Museum that once held U.S. pilots shot down during the American War in Vietnam. There will be a short time this afternoon for some independent exploration before we enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s famed Water Puppet Troupe to learn something about Vietnam’s folklore and legends. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Ha Long Bay This morning we will depart Hanoi for the 160km journey to the coast and magnificent Ha Long Bay. This section of our trip will be a true highlight and allow us to relax and enjoy a very well earned rest after our days in the northern hill tribe region. Arriving before lunchtime we will jump straight on our private boat to go cruising in this secluded bay with its 2000 limestone peaks. We will enjoy the views as our local guide explains the legends, myths and changes Ha Long Bay has undergone since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. This afternoon we will have the opportunity to visit spectacular caves and dine on a delicious seafood lunch. Late afternoon we return to the mainland to check into our hotel before dinner at a local seaside restaurant. (B, L) Drinks not included with lunch

Day 6 Hanoi / Reunification Express Train We will return to Hanoi early this morning, stopping on route to visit a ceramics making village to observe the labour intensive process of ceramic production in Hai Duong province, famous for it’s alluvial clay deposits. After dinner we will board the overnight Reunification Express train heading south. In the comfort of 4-berth sleepers we will pass through the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on our way to the cultural capital city of Vietnam, Hue. Note:  Train compartments are 4-berth soft sleepers. Each compartment has fold out beds, pillows, sheets, blankets, air conditioning and lockable doors. Food and drink can be purchased on the train. The train departs Hanoi around 7:30pm and arrives in Hue around 7:30am the following morning. Dinner not included, can be purchased cheaply before the train trip. (B, L)

Day 7 Hue Arriving in Hue mid-morning, we will check into our hotel before setting out to explore this sleepy city at a leisurely pace by bicycle taking in Dong Ba market, the moated ruins of the Imperial Citadel and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. After lunch we venture into the countryside exploring markets and villages far removed from the mainstream attractions. We will visit the intriguing tombs of the Nguyen Emperors to learn of Vietnam's royal heritage in this country that has since adopted a socialist doctrine. We also have the opportunity to see remnants left over from the Vietnam/American War - not used since the 1968 Tet Offensive. Time permitting we will take an excursion out to Bao Vinh historic trading settlement established 200 years ago at the junction of four intersecting rivers. (L, D)

Day 8 & 9 Hoi An This morning we visit more of Hue’s attractions including the Coliseum and Tu Hieu Pagoda. Following this we will begin or bus ride to the former silk route trading town of Hoi An. Hoi An is a true highlight of our journey with some of the country’s most historical architecture, delicious food and friendly people. This town was declared a World Heritage Site in 1998 and serves as a model town for students interested in the development of sustainable tourism. Hoi An is an ideal place for independent exploration and features a beautiful beach overlooking the South China Sea only a short bike ride from town. One evening we will enjoy a cooking demonstration and tasting by one of central Vietnam’s young chiefs. (2B, 2D)

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City A short morning flight today will take us to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, the powerhouse of the south and a place of fascinating contrasts - something we will appreciate this afternoon as we tour the city in the comfort of cyclos. We will journey into Ho Chi Minh City’s own China Town with its bustling street life, ancient pagodas and huge local markets. China Town is an excellent location for urban studies with a high population density, ethnic mix and river canal system. Later in the day we take time to visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War or the ‘American War’ as it is referred to in Vietnam. (B, D) Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City / Cu Chi This morning we take a half-day trip out to Cu Chi District to visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, once home to the communist guerillas in their struggle against the French and Americans. Nestled amongst huge bomb craters we will have the opportunity to climb down into the tunnels to gain an understanding of the harsh conditions the inhabitants of the tunnels had to endure.  Mid afternoon we venture back into Ho Chi Minh City and drive to the airport where our tour leader will escort wave us farewell. (B)

Key (All breakfast included), L –lunch, D-dinner)

Summary

Grading: Easy. Anyone with reasonable fitness should be able to take part. There are no real physical difficulties. You will be expected to carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for short distances.

Accommodation:Student accommodation is on a twin/triple share basis. Teacher accommodation is on a single room basis. Hotels 8 nights, traditional long houses 1 night, Reunification Express train 1 night.

Transport: Modern air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, cyclo/ bicycle, train.

Group size: Minimum group size 20 students (please contact us regarding complimentary travel for 2 teachers with student groups of 20 +)

Land Tour Inclusions:

• All accommodation and transport including 1 internal flight on route (Danang to Ho Chi Minh City)
• Domestic departure taxes and transfers
• Tailor Made Vietnam Group Leader throughout the tour
• Local English speaking guides where required
• All sightseeing and entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in the itinerary
• All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners

Land Tour Exclusions:

• International flights to/from Vietnam
• Travel insurance
• Vietnam Visa
• 4 lunches & 2 dinners

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