History & Culture in Vietnam

Wake up to the buzzing markets and French colonial architecture of Hanoi. Get the lowdown on our cultural journey ahead, then become a millionaire when you convert your spending money into Vietnamese Dong. It’s a scenic drive into the countryside where you’ll meet your host community. For the next few days, you’ll work alongside them to support their rural development initiatives, and your work will depend on what’s needed most at the time. Each afternoon, you’ll get immersed in local culture. Grab this opportunity to learn everything you can about local life. What do the villagers eat? How do they socialise? Where do they go to school? Get involved in traditional dance classes, join farmers in the fields, learn the art of embroidery and join a Vietnamese cookery class. Embrace every opportunity, leap outside your comfort zone, and you’ll leave with a rare insight into another way of life.

Back in Hanoi, you’ve got options for the next two days... You could head to a lakeside theatre for a traditional water puppet show with live music and folklore legends. Or why not explore Hanoi’s old quarter? Dodge the fruit sellers carrying bamboo shoulder poles and tuck into some tasty street food. The overnight train ride to Hue is an adventure. Grab a bahn mi (Vietnamese baguette) for the journey, find your bunk, fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the carriage, and wake up as dawn breaks in Hue. Hue feels different to other cities, with its artistic culture, ancient citadel and the tomb of Vietnam’s last emperor. Relax into the pace of local life and head out to explore. You could stroll to the Perfume River with its boats cruising towards the beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu.

On the way to Hoi An, you’ll stop at the Marble Mountains; these marble and limestone hills are named after the five elements. Learn more about Vietnam’s history when you climb a nearby hill and peer down on Danang beach. Imagine 2,000 American troops arriving here in 1965. The atmospheric city of Hoi An is famous for its lanterns, which illuminate the city at night. It’s said to bring good luck if you light a lantern and release it onto the river. To discover more, you could join a lantern-making workshop, or watch the experts weaving silk and bamboo before having a go. Another option is to learn rice paper rolling in a cookery class. You’ll walk away with a fascinating insight into traditional crafts. On your second day, you have the option of stretching out with a yoga session. Then it’s time to head to the market and stock up on snacks for the overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, this is the cultural capital of southern Vietnam. Get ready for an eye-opening urban tour where you’ll visit famous landmarks like the Opera House, and meander through Chinatown in cyclos (traditional rickshaws). When you enter the War Remnants Museum, pause to see history through the eyes of the Vietnamese. To discover more Vietnamese history, you could head off to the Cu Chi tunnels. A former stronghold of the Viet Cong, these tunnels were 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 people are. Prefer something more active or creative? You could book optional activities, such as a yoga session, ceramics workshop or drawing class. When the sun sets on the final day, chow down on your favourite Vietnamese food, share every memory and set your friendships in stone.

All too soon, it’s time to pack your bags and fly home. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. You’ve been immersed in Vietnamese culture, you’ve engaged with communities and you’ve seen this beautiful country through local eyes. Return home with a whole new perspective of the people we share our planet with, and the stunning landscapes they call home.