1 day - SCHOOL TOUR 2 - ART TOURS

DAY 1. HA NOI ARRIVAL -

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!

• Upon landing at Noi Bai International Airport, retrieve your luggage and proceed to the arrival gate. Look out for our guide or driver, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. In case of any difficulty finding him, you're welcome to reach out to us via call or WhatsApp for immediate assistance.

• We will provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel located in the heart of Hanoi. After checking in, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring the vibrant city.

• Known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences, Hanoi is the spirited capital city of Vietnam. It's also famous for its delectable cuisine, silk textiles, and bustling Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade.

What's Included

DAY 2. HANOI CITY TOUR – GALLERY TOUR – ART CLASS B, L, D

Today, you’ll set out to explore Hanoi. First, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you'll see Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his former stilt house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda. After your tour, you’ll head to the Fine Art Museum and make a stop at Hang Bong Street, known for its propaganda art shops.

After lunch, you'll visit an art gallery where you’ll have the chance to meet some artists who will share their techniques and mediums. Next, you’ll head to the Temple of Literature for a private art lesson, guided by a local artist as you create your own piece of Vietnamese art to take home. Later in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a one-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired "old quarter" before heading to dinner.

After dinner, you’ll experience a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets, a tradition that dates back to the 11th century. Originally performed in flooded rice paddies, these puppets are now showcased in a pool of water, yet they are still handcrafted from wood and intricately lacquered.

What's Included

DAY 3. HA NOI - FLY TO HUE B

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Take off on a 1-hour flight to Hue, where upon landing, you'll find a vehicle ready to take you to the hotel in Hue. The driver will transfer you to your hotel in Hue for check-in

What's Included

DAY 4. HUE CITY FULL DAY TOUR B, L

• Breakfast at your hotel.

• At 8:00 AM, a guide will pick you up from your hotel for a full-day exploration of Hue's historical sites.

• First, visit the Ancient Citadel, where you'll walk through the grand gates and palatial structures, learning about Vietnam's royal history.

• Enjoy a serene boat ride that leads you to Thien Mu Pagoda, offering spiritual insights and sweeping views of the Perfume River.

• Lunch in a restaurant in the city center.

• In the afternoon, explore Tu Duc Tomb, a masterpiece of Vietnamese architecture dedicated to the scholarly emperor.

• Conclude your day with a visit to Dong Ba Market, a lively spot where you can immerse yourself in local crafts and cuisine.

• Return to your hotel.

What's Included

DAY 5. HUE - MARBLE MOUNTAIN - HOI AN B, L

• Breakfast at your hotel.

• At 8:00 AM, depart from your hotel with a tour guide and car, head towards the scenic Hai Van Pass, also known as the "Ocean Cloud Pass," for stunning views and photo opportunities.

• After Hai Van Pass, explore the Marble Mountains, visiting its caves, ancient pagodas, and enjoying the views from its peaks.

• Conclude your travel with a drive to Hoi An, where you'll check into your hotel, ending your day filled with scenic landscapes and cultural explorations.

What's Included

DAY 6. RED BRIDGE COOKING CLASS – CAM NAM VILLAGE B, L

Have breakfast at the hotel and check out early

We start the day (8.15am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Tel: 3863210) – our meeting point.

Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.

Bring your swimsuit and after the cooking tour has finished relax and enjoy free use of our 20 metre swimming pool – towels and showers provided.

Recipes:

• Rice paper (making)

• Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp

• Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs, Bean Sprouts & a Peanut Sauce

• Seafood Salad with Tra Que Herbs

• Quang Nam Style Fresh Noodles with Chicken

• Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Hand Fan

• Vegetarians are provided with replacement ingredients.

After enjoying the delicious lunch you prepare at Red Bridge, you’ll embark on a cycling trip to Cam Nam Village, where you can observe local river life.

This evening, after dinner, you’ll have some free time in Hoi An to explore all the charm this lovely town has to offer, including a chance to browse the colorful night markets.

What's Included

DAY 7. VIETNAMESE COUNTRY LIFE ECO EXPERIENCE B, L

•Breakfast at your hotel.

•At 8:00 AM, start your exploration of the serene Cam Thanh region. Your first adventure is a peaceful bamboo boat trip through the Coconut Palm Forest, where you'll navigate the calm waterways, enveloped by lush mangroves and towering palms, offering a tranquil start to your day.

After that, continue to the aromatic Tra Que Vegetable Village, where a delightful lunch awaits. Savor the flavors of local dishes prepared with fresh, organic produce from the surrounding gardens, offering a true taste of the region's culinary heritage.

Post-lunch, take the opportunity to explore Tra Que Village further. Immerse yourself in the daily life and traditional farming practices of this vibrant community, surrounded by lush herb gardens and verdant fields.

What's Included

DAY 8. AFTERNOON STREET FOOD TOUR B, D

Embark on an off-the-beaten-path evening in Hoi An for a truly local experience! You'll savor authentic specialty and street food dishes away from the tourist crowds, eat and drink like a local, and immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture through food and fun. Expect genuine interactions with locals at each stop. The night includes releasing flower garlands, playing folk games with locals, and wandering through the hidden alleyways of Hoi An's charming old town.

Food highlights (may vary on festival days) include: Banh My (Vietnamese sandwich), White Rose Dumplings, Cao Lau Noodles, Coffee, Balut egg (optional), Spring rolls, grilled meat skewers, and Vietnamese pancake.

Activities planned are a Bingo game and a boat trip to release flower lanterns.

What's Included

DAY 9. HOI AN - DANANG – FLY TO NHA TRANG – COOKING CLASS – SERVICE WORK B, L

Today, you’ll start early as you drive to the Da Nang airport for your flight to Nha Trang. After checking in at your hotel, you’ll take part in a cooking class focused on regional specialty dishes unique to Nha Trang.

In the afternoon, you’ll spend time at the orphanage we support through our school (more details will be provided here).

What's Included

DAY 10. VINH TRUONG FISH MARKET – FLY TO SAIGON – WALKING TOUR B, D

Today, you’ll start early by visiting Vinh Truong Fish Market, where you can observe the bustling atmosphere as fishermen sell their overnight catch. After that, you’ll check out the local fruit and vegetable market before returning to the hotel for a later breakfast and some rest before your afternoon flight to Saigon.

In the evening, before dinner, you’ll enjoy a leisurely orientation tour of Vietnam’s largest city. You’ll stop by Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, and your group will be fascinated by the swarm of motorcycles and scooters everywhere. After dinner, you’ll take a stroll along Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Saigon’s first pedestrian-only street, which is a vibrant hub of activity.

What's Included

DAY 11. SAIGON CITY TOUR – CU CHI TUNNELS B, L

This morning, you’ll visit the Reunification Palace, which was once the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, and the War Remnants Museum, where you’ll view numerous artifacts, photographs, and displays documenting the tragic Vietnam War. You’ll also explore Cholon, Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, with historical roots dating back to 1778.

In the afternoon, you’ll delve into the Cu Chi tunnel system, a complex maze that once housed Communist guerrillas during their conflicts with the Japanese, French, Americans, and Australians. Your time at Cu Chi will provide essential insights into the origins and impact of war on Vietnamese society. You’ll also see various mantraps, the remains of an American tank, and numerous bomb craters left by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

What's Included

DAY 12. SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA B, L

This morning, you’ll start early as you head to the Mekong Delta. Known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, this 39,000-square-kilometre network of waterways is one of the country’s most densely populated regions. Your group will visit workshops to observe traditional techniques used by locals to make rice paper, coconut candy, and fish sauce.

After lunch, you’ll continue exploring the Mekong on bicycles. As you ride along village paths, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with local farmers and see them at work. Later in the afternoon, you’ll meet your homestay family, where you’ll be guided in preparing dinner and then enjoy an evening of festivities with your hosts.

What's Included

DAY 13. CAI BE MARKETS – SAIGON – RIVER CRUISE B, L, D

You’ll have a very early start this morning as you get ready to visit the famous Cai Be Floating Market. It promises to be an incredible experience as you watch local farmers sell their produce from their boats at this vibrant market on the Mekong River. Later in the afternoon, you’ll transfer back to Saigon.

Upon your return to Saigon, you’ll have some time to shop for bargains at Ben Thanh Market.

Tonight, you’ll enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigon River. Over the course of two hours, you’ll reflect and take in live entertainment as you sail along the river.

What's Included

DAY 14. HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE B

Have breakfast at the hotel

When time comes, you will transfer to the airport for the flight departure

What's Included