i h C o H M A N T E I V i o n a H o t Minh ) S T H G I (10 N VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
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HANOI
THAILAND
HOI AN
CAMBODIA
VIETNAM HO CHI MINH CITY
VINH LONG
SEE THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY!
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.
10 NIGHT JOURNEY VIETNAM Join us on an incredible journey, travelling north through Vietnam. Led by local experts, we’ll discover Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Hanoi. We’ll live with locals in rural Vietnam, and we’ll get hands-on with traditional crafts. It’s a journey that sparks learning, growth and greater possibility. A journey that resonates forever.
VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
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START HERE
DAYS 1-2 DISCOVER HO CHI MINH CITY Sleep: La Felix Hotel
Touch down in Ho Chi Minh City and meet your local World Challenge guide. You’ve arrived in Vietnam’s biggest city. Ho Chi Minh is a mix of old and new, with traditional temples, modern malls and millions of motorbikes. We’ll kick off our first full day with a responsible travel workshop. In the afternoon, we’ll dive headfirst into
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
DAYS 3-6 COMMUNITY-LED PROJECTS IN VINH LONG Sleep: Cuu Long Hotel Travel: Transfer 3hrs to Vinh Long
Delve deeper into Vietnamese culture. We’ll spend the next few days experiencing rural life and contributing to community-led projects near Vinh Long city. The best way to learn is to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Head to a village farm and get knee-deep in the paddy fields. We’ll help the farmers with their rice work and listen to their stories of life in the countryside. Other projects involve helping to
local history at the Cu Chi tunnels. A former stronghold of the Viet Cong, these tunnels were used as living quarters, supply routes and hospitals for thousands of guerilla fighters during the Vietnam War (1955-75). People were born and married here, and many died from malaria. They’re a powerful reminder of how resilient the Vietnamese really are. YOUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL WORKSHOP WILL HELP 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.
improve the facilities in the village. Feeling creative? Have a go at making traditional conical hats with the help of skilled craftspeople. And learn how to make authentic Mekong Delta cake with the villagers. Cultural exchange works both ways, so bring games and photos to help you engage with the community. On our final evening, we’ll thank our hosts by performing a talent show. Costumes at the ready!
MAKING MORE OF IT STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE, LEARN FROM THE LOCALS, AND YOU’LL LEAVE WITH A RARE INSIGHT INTO VIETNAMESE LIFE – PLUS A HEAP OF AMAZING MEMORIES.
VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
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VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAYS 6-7 EXPERIENCE SAIGON Sleep: La Felix Hotel Cabins on the train Travel: transfer 3hrs to Ho Chi Minh Overnight train 17hrs to Danang
Say a fond farewell to the Vinh Long community and travel back to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. We’ve got a full day to discover the corners we missed out on last time. Get ready for an eye-opening urban tour. Follow your guide to famous landmarks like the colonial-era Post Office and the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, with its intricate wooden carvings and huge Buddha statue. When we enter the War Remnants Museum, pause to see history through the eyes of the Vietnamese.
THE CITY WITH TWO NAMES
DAYS 8-9 HANDS-ON IN HOI AN Sleep: Thuy Dong 3 Hotel Cabins on the train Travel: Transfer 45mins to Hoi An Overnight train 17hrs to Hanoi
VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
Rub the sleep from your eyes and step off the train in Danang city. You’ve arrived in central Vietnam! From here, it’s a short transfer to Hoi An. Hoi An is famous for its lanterns, which decorate the city at night. We’ll learn more at a lantern making workshop. Sip hot tea as an expert reveals the secrets of this ancient art. Discover the tricks of the trade and see how the lanterns are made, using silk and bamboo. Now it’s your turn to have a
Continue with a stroll along Dong Khoi Street and gaze up at grand colonial buildings, which stand next to modern office blocks and stylish boutiques. The Saigon Opera House is another highlight – shelled during World War II, it sheltered French citizens that were fleeing North Vietnam in 1954. This evening, we’ll travel north to Danang by overnight train. Grab some snacks for the journey, nudge your way through the crowds, then fall asleep in your bunk to the gentle creaking of the carriage. HO CHI MINH CITY WAS GIVEN ITS CURRENT NAME IN 1975, TO HONOUR ‘HO CHI MINH’ – THE FIRST LEADER OF NORTH VIETNAM. BUT MANY LOCALS STILL CALL IT BY ITS TRADITIONAL NAME, SAIGON.
go. Early the next day, we’ll stretch out with a morning yoga class in Hoi An. Next, we’ll cruise along the Thu Bon River to a cookery school. Get stuck in and learn to cook Hoi An specialties, like Cao Lau (yellow noodles, pork and pickled peppers), and Mi Quang (noodles with quail eggs and rice cakes). We’ll continue our journey north, with an overnight train to Hanoi.
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DAY 10 THE REAL HANOI Sleep: Maison D’Hanoi Boutique Hotel
Wake up in Hanoi – Vietnam’s crazy capital. Follow your guide to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the remains of the revered former president. Get immersed in local history at the Temple of Literature – an 11th-century temple that was built as an homage to Confucius. Moving on, we’ll weave through the old town and explore the back alleys, well off the tourist trail. Peer into the
DAY 11 TRAVEL HOME FROM HANOI
temples and traditional houses, hear stories of the ancient city and meet the locals. This is Hanoi at its best. We’ll wrap up our guided walk with a Vietnamese coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake before visiting Ngoc Son Temple on the lake’s tiny island. For our final night, brace yourself for a cultural extravaganza – a traditional water puppet performance. With live music and folklore, this is no ordinary puppet show.
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 travelled the length of Vietnam, lived with locals and discovered the secrets of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Hanoi. Return home with a whole new perspective of the people we share our planet with, and the fascinating landscapes and cities they call home. It doesn’t stop here. Share your story with challengers from around the globe. Find us @weareworldchallenge
VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
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COMMITTED TO
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL. We base our responsible travel initiatives upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We’re driven to create positive contributions in the world, but also humble enough to know the types of community initiatives our young travellers should and shouldn’t be involved with. We carefully select all community engagements to be appropriate for young people and after more than 30 years of overseas student travel we’ve established strong and long standing relationships
with our overseas community partners that are evaluated each year to ensure we’re truly serving both people and planet. This holistic approach means our young travellers work towards a community initiative while also coming home with greater humility and sense of place in their world. Below are a list of the UN Sustainable Development Goals we’re positively contributing towards.
THE RESULTS FROM CHALLENGERS KNOWLEDGE on issues around responsible travel
Before travel After travel
VIETNAM 10 NIGHT ITINERARY
CONFIDENCE talking about issues around responsible travel Before travel After travel
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SPARKING GREATER POSSIBILITY
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