Y T I L I B A N I A SU ST M A N T E I V IN ) S T H G I N (8 VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
weareworldchallenge.com
CHINA MYANMAR
VIETNAM
HANOI
HA LONG BAY MAI CHAU
LAOS
SEE THE WORLD Y! DIFFERENTL
We believe in the power of extraordinary experiences. They allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our confidence, independence and resilience.
CAMBODIA
8 NIGHT JOURNEY VIETNAM Join us on an incredible journey through Vietnam. Led by local experts, we discover the culture of Hanoi, the community of Na Chao and the magic of Ha Long Bay. It’s a journey that sparks learning, growth and greater possibility. A journey that resonates forever.
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
weareworldchallenge.com
DAYS 1-2 THE REAL HANOI Sleep: Maison D’Hanoi Boutique Hotel
Arrive in Hanoi – Vietnam’s crazy capital. Meet your local World Challenge guide and gaze out of the window at bustling street life as we travel to our hotel. In Vietnam, around 45 million people own motorbikes whilst only 2 million own a car! To help you engage with locals and get more from your trip, we’ll join a responsible travel workshop. Next, we’ll delve into local culture and history, starting at the Temple of Literature – an 11th-century temple that was built as an homage to Confucius. At the excellent Women’s
Museum we’ll discover tribal baskets and wartime propaganda posters as we learn about the role of women in Vietnamese society. To round off our cultural tour, you’re in for a real treat: we’re off to watch a traditional water puppet performance. With live music and folklore legends, this is no ordinary puppet show. Feeling hungry? We’ll be feasting on Northern Vietnamese classics, like ‘pho’ soup, ‘bun cha’ noodles and ‘banh cuon’ steamed rice rolls.
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
START HERE
IN THESE EARLY DAYS, YOU’LL TAKE PART IN A RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL WORKSHOP THAT HELPS YOU TO TRAVEL AND INTERACT IN AN ETHICAL WAY. APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN AND YOU’LL DEVELOP A RESPONSIBLE MINDSET THAT YOU CAN CARRY THROUGH LIFE.
DAYS 3-6 THE NA CHAO COMMUNITY Sleep: Homestay Travel: Transfer 4hrs to Mai Chau Valley, transfer 4hrs to Hanoi
Take a private transfer to the Mai Chau Valley. Green and peaceful, it’s a world away from the hustle of Hanoi. Stop for lunch, then follow your guide on foot past rice paddies and stilthut houses to Na Chao village. For the next few days, we’ll be immersed in local life as we work alongside the villagers to support their development needs. Take a guided village tour, then gather round as the head of Na Chao village share stories of local life. Learn new skills during a traditional embroidery
class, and join farmers in the fields to grow rice, corn and peanuts. Discover a different style of cooking when we head to the kitchen – many local dishes are cooked in banana leaves or hollowed-out bamboo. Dive deeper into local life when we join a traditional dance class. Think you’ve got the moves? Volunteer to perform at the farewell party on our final night. After an incredible few days, we’ll say a fond farewell and head back to our Hanoi hotel.
MAKING A CONNECTION CULTURAL EXCHANGE WORKS BOTH WAYS, SO BRING GAMES AND PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH THE NA CHAO COMMUNITY. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND YOU’LL GAIN A RARE INSIGHT INTO THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
weareworldchallenge.com
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
weareworldchallenge.com
DAYS 7-8 HA LONG CRUISE Sleep: Maison D’Hanoi Boutique Hotel Mithrin, Hotel Ha Long Travel: Transfer 3hrs to Ha Long Bay, transfer 3hrs back to Hanoi
Discover a different side to Vietnam at the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay – this dramatic landscape is made up of 1,600 islands and islets. Legend says that the islands are jewels that were dropped by dragons. Head to the pier and step aboard a traditional-style junk boat. Cruise in style through emerald waters, craning your neck at the insane rocky outcrops. As we tour this karst wonderland, we’ll discover ancient limestone caves and floating villages.
Back on land, we’ll head to our hotel in Bai Chay – a popular beach town with artificial sand. Wake up on the coast and head out to discover the town. Bai Chay is known for its fresh seafood, so you’ll smell sizzling squid, grilled oysters and fried snails. After lunch, we’ll take our private bus back to Hanoi for a team meal in the old quarter – a historic part of the city with French-colonial buildings. THE FLOATING VILLAGES OF HA LONG BAY ARE
FLOATING BAMBOO VILLAGES
TUCKED BETWEEN THE ISLANDS. THESE FISHING COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME WAY FOR GENERATIONS – ANCHORED TOGETHER AS THEY DRIFT ON THE SEA. THEY OWN NO LAND, ONLY THE BOATS THAT THEY RELY ON FOR THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
DAY 9 DEPART FROM HANOI
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
All too soon, it’s time to say farewell to your guides and fly home. It’s been a truly eye-opening trip. You’ve toured through Hanoi, been immersed in village life, and experienced the magical scenery and floating villages of Ha Long Bay. These experiences will give you a whole new perspective of the people we share our planet with, and the stunning natural landscapes they call home. Prepare to return home forever changed.
It doesn’t stop here. Share your story with challengers from around the globe. Find us @weareworldchallenge
weareworldchallenge.com
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
weareworldchallenge.com
COMMITTED TO
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL. We base our responsible travel initiatives upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. From the bustling streets of Hanoi, to the serentity of the rice paddy fields in Na Chao village, you will learn of the vast differences in culture and develpoment throughout your journey in Vietnam. There are large disparities in wealth and economic growth across the country. That is why we have aligned ourselves with Na Chao village, here you’ll see and work towards community initiatives that are taking great strides towards bridging the gap.
For more information on the Sustainable Development Goals head to : https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org
THE RESULTS FROM CHALLENGERS KNOWLEDGE on issues around responsible travel
Before travel After travel
VIETNAM 8 NIGHT ITINERARY
CONFIDENCE talking about issues around responsible travel Before travel After travel
* rating out of 10
* rating out of 10
weareworldchallenge.com
SPARKING GREATER POSSIBILITY
CONTACT U S weareworldchallenge.com