Vietnam with Phu Quoc Island
9 Days, 8 Nights
Vietnam's history runs deep within its fabric. During your trip, you'll have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this remarkable country and make a meaningful contribution. This adventure will take in Vietnam's wonderful people and history, where you will spend time in Ho Chi Min City, also known by its old name, Saigon. Here, you'll delve into Vietnam's past, including its challenging moments marked by war, the journey to peace and the subsequent rebuilding phase.
During your stay, three days are dedicated to volunteering, including teaching English to university students, participating in a community development food shop project, and caring for children with special needs.
But that's not all; your exploration will also embrace Vietnam's sun-kissed beaches, bustling markets, and iconic landmarks. There are ample opportunities to enjoy yourself, whether basking under the sun on pristine beaches, indulging in activities like kayaking and fishing, or sampling Vietnam’s famous cuisine.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon your arrival at the airport, your tour manager will greet you and escort you to your accommodation for the upcoming days. Your tour guide will introduce you to the surroundings, help you settle in and ensure you're comfortable for the exciting journey ahead.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
On your first full day in Vietnam, an exciting exploration of the nation's most populous city awaits. Your journey includes visits to iconic historical landmarks that vividly depict the city's rich past. Among them are the revered Emperor Jade Pagoda and the awe-inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral.
The tour includes significant landmarks tied to the Vietnam War, providing a glimpse into the nation's recent history, including the Reunification Palace, where the war infamously ended, and the Vietnam War Remnants Museum.
Continuing with the history of the war, you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, part of a 136-mile network of tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the war. Finally, it’s on to the Ben Thanh Market, the perfect place to pick up a souvenir. '
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Project
On the first day of volunteering, you will be grouped and assigned to participate in one of three projects:
Teaching University Students
This project fosters learning opportunities via cultural exchange in a college hospitality and leisure industry class. As a teaching assistant, you'll engage with students aged 19-25, simulating real hospitality scenarios through interactive role plays.
On your program's first day, you will be introduced to the tourism college and explore the campus. In the afternoon, you will get a sense of the classroom, and your level of involvement will be determined – you may be assigned to a classroom assistant or lead teacher.
For the rest of your project days you will be fully involved with the activities at the college. You will attend regular classes, interact with the students throughout the day, and enjoy your free time in the evenings and weekends with the new friends you will make during your stay.
Food Shop Project
This project addresses poverty in Ho Chi Minh City by aiding those unable to support themselves. The food shop, a collaboration between an NGO and local people, has provided affordable lunches for over three years. Self-funded through donations and local efforts, it serves meals to over 500 people, including students, children, older people, workers, and disabled people. Your involvement enables you to contribute to this cause, ensuring high-quality and hygienic meals are accessible to everyone in need.
The daily schedule on the project starts with breakfast and continues at the food shop, where you will assist in the preparation of the food, including cooking, cleaning and serving.
Tonight, you'll enjoy a favorite Vietnamese pastime: a lively karaoke night followed by a delicious dinner.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Special Needs Daycare Volunteer
In this project, volunteers will aid local staff in providing care, feeding, comforting, playing games and promoting social interactions with children that have special needs. You will be looking after 20-25 Vietnamese children with a mixture of disabilities. Your main role will be playing, feeding and caring for the children. This will involve comforting them, playing games and socialising with them. Previous experience in this field is helpful but not essential.
The key area for improving the quality of the children’s lives is enhancing their speech and muscular capacity. Daily regimes are carried out for the children, in which you, too, can play a part.
Other activities encouraged and greatly enjoyed by the children include playing games, dancing and singing. Painting, art and other means of creativity are encouraged by the hospital for the children. Therefore, your main duties will be:
Support the children so they can have a better/happier life
Get insights into the local way of working and assisting the hospital staff
Gain some teaching practice and learn a few basics on how to take care of children with special needs
On the first day, you will be introduced to the project and the staff, discuss your upcoming role at the project, get introduced to the children and have the chance to discuss with the manager about any specific requirements/interests you may have.
For the rest of the week, you will begin your placement. Your exact role will depend upon the individual child's needs, but it will involve playing games, helping with their speech and posture, amongst many other activities.
Day 4: Project Work
Today you will be involved in one of the projects, either teaching or helping with meal preparation in the Food Shop. You then will have an evening of socialising with the locals and dinner.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 5: Vinh Long
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City, today you head to the Mekong Delta, known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. At Vinh Long, a boat cruise will take you to the island of An Binh on the Mekong River, where you will spend the night. In the evening, you can extend your culinary repertoire with a cooking lesson so you can show off your skills back home and always be able to rustle up a dish that will remind you of Vietnam.
Overnight: An Binh
Day 6: Can Tho
Departing one island for another, a small wooden sampan takes you to the island of Tan Phong, where you will take a bike ride to meet the local people. Lunch is served on a boat cruise along the Mekong River.
In the afternoon, you will check into your hotel and then take an electric buggy tour around the city of Can Tho, visiting the night market and having dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Can Tho
Day 7: Phu Quoc
An early start with a visit to the floating market of Cai Rang, one of many in Vietnam, with hundreds of boat vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, or some hot food if you are feeling peckish. After breakfast back at the hotel, you depart for the coastal town of Rach Gia, where after some lunch, a ferry will take you to the tropical island paradise of Phu Quoc. Once checked into the hotel, you have the rest of the day to spend at the beach or swim at the hotel’s pool.
Overnight: Phu Quoc
Day 8: Sea Cruise
Today you will experience Phu Quoc from the sea: a half-day cruise will take you around the island where you can try your hand at fishing or snorkeling in the pristine waters. In the afternoon you will be taken back to the hotel for some relaxation, then enjoy an evening meal at a local restaurant and a visit to Phu Quoc’s night market.
Overnight: Phu Quoc
Day 9: departure
A flight will take you from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh city where lunch will be arranged. Then it is time to say tạm biệt to Vietnam.
Total Cost: From $2900
What is included:
Activities:
Boat Cruise on the Mekong River
Sea Cruise around Phu Quoc Island
Snorkeling
Bike ride around Tan Phong Island
Fishing
Cai Rang floating market
Phu Quoc night market.
Cooking Lesson
Accommodation and services:
A 24/7 tour manager accompanying you throughout the trip
Private transportation throughout the trip
Internal flights
Project accommodation is in project center
Post-project accommodation in 3 and 4* hotels
All meals (please note we can cater to all dietary requirements)
Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance
Tickets and tours:
Tour of Ho Chi Minh City
Tour of War Museum
Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour of Can Tho
Projects:
One of 3 projects in Ho Chi Min City:
Teaching English to University Students
Special Needs Daycare Volunteer
Food Shop Project
Not included in this Trip
International flights (we can set these up for you)
Visa costs
Cancellation insurance (Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance are included)