School Expedition to Vietnam

Wake up in Hanoi and dive into expedition life, allocate some group roles and meet the ground team to discuss your plans. Next, get to grips with the local currency (Vietnamese Dong) and head out to buy a SIM card for the team phone. Jobs done, it’s time to explore Vietnam’s capital. Expect an overload of sounds and smells when you navigate the narrow streets of Hanoi’s old quarter. Cover your ears to the sound of scooter horns and watch fruit sellers balancing bamboo poles on their shoulders. Street food and shopping are a way of life here, so save some time for the markets. Try the legendary pho soup, bun cha noodles and fresh spring rolls.

Time to experience the reality of local life. Pile into the transfer vehicle and head west to Hoa Binh province. Here, the riverside villages depend on fishing for their livelihoods. Take a walk around the village and find out about the initiative you’ll be working on. Watch carefully as the locals teach you new skills, then roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, you could be helping expert builders to improve the village roads, bridges and other aspects of infrastructure by carrying out useful tasks.

The daily routines will be different to back home, so listen to your hosts and take their lead. Get immersed in local life and engage with the community; try traditional basket weaving, organise a football match or challenge the villagers to a game of volleyball. After an incredible few days, say farewell to the community and head back to Hanoi for a night at the hostel.

Travel northeast to Quynh Son village in the remote Lang Son region, not far from the border with China. The scenery is breathtaking, and you’ll soon be trekking past big mountains, glistening paddies and wide valleys. When you arrive in Quynh Son, repack your gear and take only what you need, you’ll enjoy the trek far more if you travel light. Set off with your guides through rice fields, forests and villages. Stop on the way to greet the locals and top-up your supplies in the markets. Take it in turns to lead the group, setting the pace as you climb to the top of Ngoc Mon peak, the views from the summit are awesome. As you progress from village to village, take in the scenery, engage with your hosts and learn about their culture.

On your third day, get ready to take on the challenge of Na Lay mountain. The climb starts gently, winding through rice terraces and small farms where locals tend their crops, before steepening as you make your way higher. The views get better with every step, revealing layers of limestone peaks and emerald valleys stretching into the distance. It’s a tough ascent, but the sense of achievement when you reach the top is worth every drop of sweat. Take a break at the summit to soak in the scenery and snap some photos before beginning the steady trek back down to Quynh Son. The path leads you through quiet trails and charming villages, where children wave and buffalo graze lazily by the roadside. As evening falls, gather with your group to celebrate your feat over a spread of tasty Vietnamese food, and relive the highlights of an unforgettable day in the mountains.

Wake up in Quynh Son village, grab some breakfast and travel southeast to Ha Long City and the 1,600 islands of Ha Long Bay. Steeped in mythology, legend says that these islands are jewels that were dropped from the mouths of dragons. After a night in the city, head to the pier and cruise through the bay’s emerald waters on a traditional junk boat. Crane your neck at the insane karst rocks, then step ashore to experience the cliffs and caves up close. As you explore, learn how this crazy landscape was formed millions of years ago. Back in Ha Long City, you’ll have time to grab some food and visit the night markets before heading back to Hanoi the next day.

You’ve got a full day to get your final fill of Vietnamese food and culture, and to soak up more of Hanoi’s city sights. Gather the team, grab a Vietnamese coffee (the locals drink it with condensed milk or beaten egg) and make a plan. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum might be top of your sightseeing list, along with the Museum of Ethnology, which showcases all of Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Hoa Lo Prison is another top choice, it was home to US prisoners of war and Vietnamese revolutionaries. As you explore, notice how much you’ve changed since the start of the trip. Your confidence has soared and you’ll be navigating the streets with newfound ease.

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Vietnam has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen, so prepare to return home forever changed.