g3 – 20 November 2018 (18-days)
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This 18-day educational tour of Vietnam is specifically designed for students of St. Leonard’s College, Melbourne.
Beginning in Ho Chi Minh City, we will enjoy a thorough exploration of the country’s largest city before venturing deep into the county’s Mekong Delta region for a 3-day service-learning construction project. From here we will travel north to explore Vietnam’s central provinces, spending time in Hoi An and the Imperial city of Hue to learn of its ancient and turbulent past. Finally, we will travel to Hanoi on the historic Reunification Express train to experience the delights of this famous city and its surrounds.
Highlights of the Vietnam Big Experience will include a plethora of outdoor activities, an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an urban exploration ‘Great Race’ style activity as well as abseiling, a hands-on cooking class and a host of other outdoor and cultural pursuits.
As the trip is designed to be of educational value, the itinerary is further intended to provide students with a sound social and cultural understanding of Vietnam, facilitated by a challenging community-service project to assist a disadvantaged family.
Most importantly, this trip is designed to be highly enjoyable as is intended to foster students’ Asia literacy and awareness as well as provide a very memorable introduction to the one of the most intriguing countries in Asia.
ITINERARY
This itinerary is correct at the time of printing. From time to time there may be slight changes due to unforeseeable circumstances. Your group leader will advise you of any changes at the initial group meeting.
GROUP LEADERS & GUIDES
Your group leader is probably the person who most influences the success of your trip. Thus, Student Educational Adventures chooses to employ professionals who have lead student groups throughout all areas of their country and the region for a minimum of five years. Our staff are all highly trained local experts – not foreign tour guides flown in at your students’ expense with no real language skills or insight.
All have been chosen because pf their ability to deal with the needs and demands of young student groups. They all speak excellent English and are happy to share their intimate knowledge of the country with you.
Day 1 Melbourne – Ho Chi Minh City (Saturday 3rd November 2018) Drive to Melbourne airport and check in for the day flight to Vietnam.
On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City we will greeted at the airport by our tour leader who will escort us to our hotel. Following this we will run through the itinerary and answer any questions followed by a short evening walking tour of this historic city. This evening we will enjoy our first taste of Vietnamese cuisine at a popular local eatery before a well-earned night’s rest. (D– 15:55
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City (Sunday 4th November) This morning we will set out for a thorough exploration of Ho Chi Minh City – one of Asia’s most dynamic metropolises and the powerhouse of Vietnam. We will visit the city’s dynamic China Town as well as a bustling local ‘wet’ market. This afternoon we will visit The War Remnants Museum to learn of the Vietnamese experience during the Vietnam War, referred to in Vietnam as the American War to distinguish it from four other wars that were fought in Vietnam in the 20th century.
This afternoon we will enjoy a ‘Great Race’ around Ho Chi Minh City. This activity is designed to facilitate urban exploration and to enhance students’ knowledge of this historic city as well as our appreciation of Southeast Asian culture. We will complete tasks, navigate and collect information and complete activities that will be challenging, fun and educational. Today we will also take time to visit some of the city’s other most important sites including its historic post office, a beautiful French built cathedral and it’s colonial inspired streets. NB: As the great race requires a significant amount of time complete, race activities will take place in the morning and the afternoon. Students not racing will visit the attractions described above in the morning and compete in the Great Race in the afternoon and visa-versa. (B, D)
3 Ho Chi Minh City / Cu Chi Tunnels (Monday 5th November) We will depart our hotel early and travel to Cu Chi Tunnels - once home to the country’s communist guerrillas in their struggle against the French and Americans. We have the opportunity to climb down into the tunnels to learn of the conditions the local communist guerrillas had to endure. It is this area of South Vietnam that witnessed the fiercest fighting during the American conflict and was also subject to extensive air defoliation program, the results of which can still be observed in the area today. We will return to our hotel later this afternoon where there will be time for some independent exploration before dinner. (B, L, D
Day 4 Mekong Delta / Ben Tre (Tuesday 6th November) Today another adventure begins as we journey into the country’s deep southern waterways of the Mekong Delta. After travelling about three-four hours south of Ho Chi Minh City, we will board our private boat to cruise through remote tributaries. In the afternoon we will arrive at a village where we will spend the coming days undertaking our community project which will entail building a dwelling for an impoverished delta family.
We will also enjoy a bike ride through the surrounding villages to get a feeling for the lives of the local people and learn of the delta environment which is home to nearly a third of the country’s population. We visit a local school to gain an understanding of the education system in Vietnam.
Waste management is a major issue in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region, although in spite of this, many residences of the delta provinces practice sustainable methods of living including recycling of manufacturing materials and the use of sustainable fuel which we will learn of today. NB: The home stays is a private home overlooking the Mekong River. Accommodation is very basic featuring basic bedding, pillows, blankets, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, electric lights, mosquito coils and western toilets. Main luggage may be left in our city hotel storage room while on the community project. (All meals included during building component) (B, L, D)
Day 5 & 6 Mekong Delta (Wed 7th & Thu 8th November) Life in the Mekong Delta begins early, as we will this morning to have breakfast and then begin our building project. This will take the form of practical building and some labouring tasks as we construct a house for a disadvantaged family in this remote region.
Breaking into groups, there will be a variety of tasks to undertake each day of the project from cutting bamboo scaffolding, assembling frames, brick laying, hammering, sawing and transporting of materials. Local tradesmen and tour leaders will be supervising and assisting throughout the project, often identifying students with particular skills to perform the more difficult or skill orientated tasks. Groups will be rotated throughout the project. During our time in this region we will be expected to assist with the preparation and cooking of meals for our group and local family. The days will be long and the results rewarding as we see our project come to fruition and as curious villages from all around come to watch and assist us. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Mekong Delta (Friday 9th November) This morning we will put the finishing touches on the dwelling we have spent many hours building and have a short hand-over ceremony with the family whose house we have built. There will be a few tasks that will be required before the house is completed however it is expected we will finish the great majority of the building. We will begin our journey north, stopping for the night in Vinh Long Province. On arrival we will board our private boat to cruise through tributaries stopping to visit various cottage industries including confectionary manufacturing, incense production and pottery making. In the afternoon we will enjoy a bike ride through some local villages to get a feeling of the lifestyles of the local people and later make our way to a small island nestled in the heart of the Delta, the site of our local family home stay. NB: this activity may differ slight between the two groups travelling depending on the final location of the community project. One group will be working in a farther province than the other and will have different accommodation on the evening of day 7. The other group will spend their entire time at the one homestay. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City (Saturday 10th November) Today we will farewell the Mekong Delta and make our return trip to Ho Chi Minh City, but not before visiting a fish sauce factory where we will learn the process of making Vietnam’s most famous condiment. Arriving back in Ho Chi Minh City around midday, there will be ample time to relax and explore the city’s vibrant retail districts as well as its unique markets which are among the best in Asia. After dinner tonight, we will have time at a local night market followed by an energetic session of one of Vietnam’s favourite past times – karaoke. (B, L)
Day 9, 10 & 11 Hoi An (Sunday 11th, Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th November) We will depart South Vietnam this morning for our short flight to the country’s central provinces. Arriving in the city of Danang, we will visit Marble Mountain where we will climb to the top to take in views of My Khe Beach, and from where we will enjoy some abseiling training and later practicing our skills around the mountain’s surrounding caves and cliffs.
We will then transfer to Hoi An – a picturesque silk route trading town overlooking the South China Sea. After checking into our hotel we will set out to explore this picturesque town with its plethora of tailor shops, 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.
During our time in Hoi An we will bike to a delightful local beach. We will also enjoy cycling through the hinterland around the outskirts of town stopping en route at rural villages and traversing buffalo fields.
On our second (or third) day in Hoi An we will enjoy a hands-on cooking class hosted by one of the town’s talented chefs to learn the secrets to cooking some of Vietnam’s essential dishes. We will also learn more about Hoi An’s rich history and architecture and of its heyday as an important trading port during the 15th & 16th centuries during the advent of maritime trading. (3B, 1L, 1D)
Day 12 & 13 Hue (Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th November) Today we will depart Hoi An and travel further north to the beautiful imperial city of Hue. Arriving in Hue this afternoon we will set out at a leisurely pace by bicycle (or cyclo), taking in Dong Ba market, the moated ruins of the Imperial Citadel and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. During our time in Hue we will venture into the countryside, exploring markets and isolated villages far removed from the mainstream attractions. Whilst in Hue we will visit one of the intriguing tombs of the Nguyen Emperors to learn of Vietnam's royal traditions. Time permitting we will visit more of Hue’s attractions including the Coliseum and Tu Hieu Pagoda. (2B,1L, 1D)
Day 14 Hue / Reunification Express Train (Friday 16th November) Today we will head into the countryside on bicycles venturing through rural villages, crossing ancient bridges and climbing up an old royal coliseum once used for tiger and elephant fighting. We also have the opportunity to see remnants left over from the Vietnam/American War - not used since the
1968 Tet Offensive. After dinner we will board the overnight Reunification Express train heading south. We will   pass through   the   former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on our way to the cultural capital city of Vietnam, Hue. Train compartments are 4-berth soft sleepers. Each compartment has fold out beds, pillows, sheets, blankets, air conditioning and lockable doors. The train departs Hue in the early evening and arrives in Hanoi the following morning. Dinner and breakfast on the train are not included, but can be purchased cheaply before the train trip in Hanoi. (B, L)
Day 15 Hanoi (Saturday 17th November) We will awake early this morning as our train arrives in the delightful capital city of Hanoi. Later we will take to the streets of Hanoi on bikes for a trip around the city’s picturesque lakes district. Cycling through narrow streets in some of Hanoi’s most beautiful neighborhoods, our local guide will tell us of the history of this ancient city and how it has developed over the last thousand years. Tonight we will enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s famed Water Puppet Troupe to learn something about Vietnam’s folklore and legends. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Hanoi (Sunday 18th November) This morning we will take to the streets to explore some of the city’s fascinating sights. No visit to Hanoi would be complete without a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda, now a pilgrimage site for the locals. Later today we will visit the Hanoi’s intriguing Old Quarter and wander through narrow lanes packed with a myriad of goods including exotic fruits and foodstuffs, copied designer clothes and electronic items. (B, D)
Day 17 Depart Hanoi (Monday 19th November) We will visit the Australian Embassy and talk to staff about Australia’s relationship with Vietnam and the role that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs plays in fostering relationships between different countries.
There will be time to visit the famous Hoa Lo prison – nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ but the American airman who survived and were incarcerated here after being shot down over Hanoi during the American war.
We will enjoy lunch at   KOTO   restaurant.  KOTO   is   a   non-profit   organisation established to train disadvantaged teenagers in the hospitality industry. A staff member will talk to us about the charity and the staff’s future prospects after completing the training course.
Our tour leader will take care of all our onward arrangements, escort us to the airport and wave us farewell. (B)
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SUMMARY
Grading: Challenging. Students will be required to be in good health to get the most of this trip whilst any one of reasonable fitness will be able to take part. Students will be expected to walk every day, particularly during the community project component of the trip. You will also be expected to work diligently during the days of the community service project. You will also be expected to be able to ride a bike. It will be necessary for you 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. Transport: Modern air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, cyclo/ bicycle, train. Group size: Minimum group size 24 students + 3 staff (No Maximum group size)- Key: Included meals on tour (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Tour Inclusions:
· International economy airfares with Vietnam Airlines
· All accommodation and transport including 1 internal flight en route (Ho Chi Minh City - Danang)
· All sightseeing, entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in itinerary
· Student Educational Advenutres Group Leader throughout the tour & additional specialist guides as required
· All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 13 dinners and water with all included meals
· Vietnam Visa
Tour Exclusions:
· 7 lunches & 4 dinners