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Volunteers in Vietnam Friendship Village
Route: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) – Mekong Delta – Cu Chi Tunels– Cao Dai Temple – Ho Chi Minh
Duration: 16 days
Code: IVSC02
Price: From $1990
Tour highlights| Brief of itinerary| Details of itinerary| Tour package price in usd per person| Accommodations on tour
Vietnam Friendship Village is a residential treatment center for children and veterans affected by Agent Orange located on 27,000 square meters of former rice paddy in Van Canh commune, Hoai Duc hamlet, Ha Tay Province, about 16 km. from downtown Hanoi. There are approximately 120 children, 30 war veterans and 43 staff members living and working there at any one time.
The children, who suffer from a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, come from 34 provinces (from Quang Nam - Da Nang province to the top of nothern Vietnam). At the village, they are provided with health care and basic education. They are taught new vocational skills such as sewing, embroidery and horticulture.
Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with the Organic Gardening project or to join in activities with the children, such as embroidery classes, assisting with meal preparations and English classes.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 5-8: Volunteer work at Vietnam Friendship Village
Day 9: Hue
Day 10: Hue – Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An (a cycling tour)
Day 12: Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city
Day 14: Mekong Delta
Day 15: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 5-8: Volunteer work at Vietnam Friendship Village
Day 9: Hue
Day 10: Hue – Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An (a cycling tour)
Day 12: Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city
Day 14: Mekong Delta
Day 15: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (-/-/D)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport – Hanoi, our guide who will meet and accompany you to your hotel and assist with your check-in procedures. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour (B/L/D)
At 8a.m there will be a pick up from your hotel. We spend whole day on the city tour of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, boasts tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. The tour start in the morning by visiting the imposing gray marble Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, Ba Dinh historical square, President Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on tilts and fish pond, One Pillar PagodaAn afternoon sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum, the old quarters and a downtown Pedi cab ride (1 hour). The sightseeing day ends with a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
We depart from the capital for Halong Bay approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Dao center run for and by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay (approx. midday) we will be met by the Customer Services Manager and transferred to our luxury junk, the ‘Jewel of the Bay’. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Ha Long Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or try our hand at some kayaking.. For those that are interested there is the opportunity to do a spot of night fishing from the boat.
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/D)
This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use and in keeping with our safety policies all participants will be issued with water buoyancy vests. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in the capital at around 3pm.
After all the check-in formalities at the guest house are done, we meet with the Management at Vietnam Friendship Village and go through your volunteer work at the village.
Day 5-8: Volunteer work at Vietnam Friendship Village (B/L/D)
During these four days, we will help Vietnam Friendship Village’s inhabitants, who suffer Agent Orange, by teaching them English, teaching children sing in the afternoon. In the morning we will be growing organic, and taking care of hundreds of fruit trees. Vietnam Friendship Village is a project founded and funded by 5 governments, namely Vietnam, USA, UK, France and Germany. The Village is home for 160 orphan children and elderly or disabled adults, who are victims of Agent Orange, defoliant sprayed extensively by US forces in Vietnam during the war.
On day 8, after farewell dinner at Vietnam Friendship Village, we board the Reunification Express for an overnight train journey. Our destination is the ancient capital of Hue, approximately 13 hours away.
Day 9: Hue . (B/L/D)
Arrival in Hue this morning is scheduled for around 0930 for a transfer directly to our hotel. Before we begin our tour of Hue, there will be time to discuss our itinerary over brunch. A visit to Hue would not be complete without taking in attractions such as the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Khai Dinh Tomb.
Day 10: Hue – Hoi An (B/L/D)
Cruising the Perfume River is the order of the day. Our first stop is the Thien Mu Pagoda which is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The ornate Minh Mangs tomb is our second stop for this morning. The next destination for today is the old trading town of Hoi An. Continuing on our way we drive down the other side and into Danang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach. Arriving in Hoi An we check into our hotel before spending the rest of the afternoon exploring and shopping.
Day 11: Hoi An (a cycling tour) (B/L/D)
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An has to offer. We spend the morning exploring Hoi An’s temples and ancestral homes. After lunch we cycle out to the Marble Mountains. Here we can climb up and into the old pagodas built into the limestone cliffs. We return to Hoi An via a charming beach roads, where we have time to stop along the way and admire the views.
Day 12: Hoi An (B/L/D)
This morning is free then we go for lunch at Blue Dragon restaurant - owned and run by a local family and former street kid, the Blue Dragon Restaurant uses its profits to support Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
After lunch, we visit a small and well run refuge for children on the outskirts of Hoi An in Quang Nam province. Some of the teenagers living at the refuge have started learning the craft of carving, and their products are on sale at the refuge. Even if you don't want to buy anything, gifts of fruit or small clothing are much appreciated. Mid afternoon is the best time.
Day 13: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city (B/L/D)
This morning we make the one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where we will be transferred directly to our centrally located hotel. We have an early lunch before we embark on a tour of the city. The tour will include a visit to Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown and home to Vietnam’s biggest market, the Reunification Palace and the War Crimes museum. This evening we will head out for a night on the town.
Day 14: Mekong Delta (B/L/D)
The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. It is often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam as it produces three harvests per year. The fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers. We drive to Vinh Long, boat through the lush green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch complete with tropical fruits. We also visit a snake farm that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden.
Day 15: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (B/L/D)
This morning will start with a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This amazing network of tunnels which stretched for over 250 kilometers, and was three levels deep, gives the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war was like. From here we have another hour drive to Tay Ninh, the headquarters for the Cao Dai Sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill. The religion is an odd mix of a number of today’s leading religions.
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)
Today is departure day and time to bid your guide farewell. There will a transfer waiting to take you from the hotel to the airport for your flight out of Vietnam.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport – Hanoi, our guide who will meet and accompany you to your hotel and assist with your check-in procedures. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – city tour (B/L/D)
At 8a.m there will be a pick up from your hotel. We spend whole day on the city tour of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, boasts tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. The tour start in the morning by visiting the imposing gray marble Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, Ba Dinh historical square, President Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on tilts and fish pond, One Pillar PagodaAn afternoon sightseeing tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum, the old quarters and a downtown Pedi cab ride (1 hour). The sightseeing day ends with a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
We depart from the capital for Halong Bay approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Dao center run for and by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay (approx. midday) we will be met by the Customer Services Manager and transferred to our luxury junk, the ‘Jewel of the Bay’. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Ha Long Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or try our hand at some kayaking.. For those that are interested there is the opportunity to do a spot of night fishing from the boat.
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/D)
This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use and in keeping with our safety policies all participants will be issued with water buoyancy vests. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in the capital at around 3pm.
After all the check-in formalities at the guest house are done, we meet with the Management at Vietnam Friendship Village and go through your volunteer work at the village.
Day 5-8: Volunteer work at Vietnam Friendship Village (B/L/D)
During these four days, we will help Vietnam Friendship Village’s inhabitants, who suffer Agent Orange, by teaching them English, teaching children sing in the afternoon. In the morning we will be growing organic, and taking care of hundreds of fruit trees. Vietnam Friendship Village is a project founded and funded by 5 governments, namely Vietnam, USA, UK, France and Germany. The Village is home for 160 orphan children and elderly or disabled adults, who are victims of Agent Orange, defoliant sprayed extensively by US forces in Vietnam during the war.
On day 8, after farewell dinner at Vietnam Friendship Village, we board the Reunification Express for an overnight train journey. Our destination is the ancient capital of Hue, approximately 13 hours away.
Day 9: Hue . (B/L/D)
Arrival in Hue this morning is scheduled for around 0930 for a transfer directly to our hotel. Before we begin our tour of Hue, there will be time to discuss our itinerary over brunch. A visit to Hue would not be complete without taking in attractions such as the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Khai Dinh Tomb.
Day 10: Hue – Hoi An (B/L/D)
Cruising the Perfume River is the order of the day. Our first stop is the Thien Mu Pagoda which is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The ornate Minh Mangs tomb is our second stop for this morning. The next destination for today is the old trading town of Hoi An. Continuing on our way we drive down the other side and into Danang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach. Arriving in Hoi An we check into our hotel before spending the rest of the afternoon exploring and shopping.
Day 11: Hoi An (a cycling tour) (B/L/D)
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An has to offer. We spend the morning exploring Hoi An’s temples and ancestral homes. After lunch we cycle out to the Marble Mountains. Here we can climb up and into the old pagodas built into the limestone cliffs. We return to Hoi An via a charming beach roads, where we have time to stop along the way and admire the views.
Day 12: Hoi An (B/L/D)
This morning is free then we go for lunch at Blue Dragon restaurant - owned and run by a local family and former street kid, the Blue Dragon Restaurant uses its profits to support Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
After lunch, we visit a small and well run refuge for children on the outskirts of Hoi An in Quang Nam province. Some of the teenagers living at the refuge have started learning the craft of carving, and their products are on sale at the refuge. Even if you don't want to buy anything, gifts of fruit or small clothing are much appreciated. Mid afternoon is the best time.
Day 13: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh city (B/L/D)
This morning we make the one-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where we will be transferred directly to our centrally located hotel. We have an early lunch before we embark on a tour of the city. The tour will include a visit to Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown and home to Vietnam’s biggest market, the Reunification Palace and the War Crimes museum. This evening we will head out for a night on the town.
Day 14: Mekong Delta (B/L/D)
The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. It is often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam as it produces three harvests per year. The fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers. We drive to Vinh Long, boat through the lush green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch complete with tropical fruits. We also visit a snake farm that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden.
Day 15: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (B/L/D)
This morning will start with a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This amazing network of tunnels which stretched for over 250 kilometers, and was three levels deep, gives the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war was like. From here we have another hour drive to Tay Ninh, the headquarters for the Cao Dai Sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill. The religion is an odd mix of a number of today’s leading religions.
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)
Today is departure day and time to bid your guide farewell. There will a transfer waiting to take you from the hotel to the airport for your flight out of Vietnam.
Tour includes:
• Air-conditioned transportation and transfers
• Domestic flight and airport tax
• Excursion cruise and trip boat
• Bycycle
• Meals as mentioned in itinerary, breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D) with one Welcome dinner and one Farewell dinner included
• English speaking guide (other languages available on request)
• All accommodation based on twin share basis with daily breakfast;
• Relevant permits and entrance fees.
Tour excludes:
• International flight and airport tax
• Visa arrangement ( available on request)
• Personal nature expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
• Travel insurance
• Pre & Post trip accommodation in Hanoi
• Tips and Gratuities
• Air-conditioned transportation and transfers
• Domestic flight and airport tax
• Excursion cruise and trip boat
• Bycycle
• Meals as mentioned in itinerary, breakfast(B), Lunch(L), Dinner(D) with one Welcome dinner and one Farewell dinner included
• English speaking guide (other languages available on request)
• All accommodation based on twin share basis with daily breakfast;
• Relevant permits and entrance fees.
Tour excludes:
• International flight and airport tax
• Visa arrangement ( available on request)
• Personal nature expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
• Travel insurance
• Pre & Post trip accommodation in Hanoi
• Tips and Gratuities
Day 1: in Hanoi
Day 2: in Hanoi
Day 3: in Halong Bay on boat
Day 4 - 7: at Vietnam Friendship Village
Day 8: on train
Day 9: in Hue
Day 10: in Hoi An
Day 11: in Hoi An
Day 12: in Hoi An
Day 13: in Ho Chi Minh city
Day 14: local home stay in Mekong Delta
Day 15: in Ho Chi Minh city
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: in Hanoi
Day 3: in Halong Bay on boat
Day 4 - 7: at Vietnam Friendship Village
Day 8: on train
Day 9: in Hue
Day 10: in Hoi An
Day 11: in Hoi An
Day 12: in Hoi An
Day 13: in Ho Chi Minh city
Day 14: local home stay in Mekong Delta
Day 15: in Ho Chi Minh city
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
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