Community Services Project Northern Vietnam 12 Days

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you’ll embark on a full-day discovery of the capital’s cultural treasures, beginning at the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here, Ba Dinh Square marks the historic site where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence on September 2, 1945. A short walk leads you to the elegant French-colonial Presidential Palace and the humble stilt house where “Uncle Ho” lived and worked, before visiting the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Vietnamese spirituality. Continue to the Museum of Ethnology, where exhibits on Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups bring the country’s cultural diversity vividly to life.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and savor authentic Hanoi cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first national university and a symbol of the country’s dedication to learning and respect for scholars. Then step into the Thang Long Imperial Citadel - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once served as the political and cultural heart of Vietnam for over a thousand years, showcasing layers of history from royal dynasties to modern times.

As the day winds down, enjoy a traditional water puppet performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, visit the SOS Children’s Village, a loving home for orphans and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students will have the opportunity to meet the children, join fun learning activities, and lend a helping hand in daily tasks. The experience aims to build compassion and cross-cultural understanding. After that, lunch will be arranged for your group.

In the afternoon, transfer to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, renowned for its centuries-old pottery craft. Students can watch artisans at work, learn traditional techniques, and even try their hand at making their own ceramic pieces. Return to Hanoi center and enjoy dinner

Overnight in Hanoi 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then depart Hanoi and drive west toward Mai Chau Valley. En route, stop in Hoa Binh to visit the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Station, an important energy project built in the 1980s. Continue to Mai Chau, where stunning mountain scenery and stilt houses of the White Thai ethnic minority await.

Enjoy a local lunch, then take a walk through the surrounding villages to learn about daily life in the valley. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dance performance and dinner at a local home. Overnight in a stilt house – a rustic yet authentic experience that offers insight into ethnic culture.

Overnight in Mai Chau 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Begin your community service project today. Activities may include building or renovating classrooms, creating learning spaces, improving water filtration systems, or assisting in basic health care. This hands-on experience allows students to make a tangible contribution to the local community while developing teamwork and leadership skills. 

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Continue your project work with local residents and students. Spend the day collaborating, sharing ideas, and learning about each other’s cultures. In the evening, enjoy group reflection and cultural exchange activities. 

Overnight in Mai Chau 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Complete the final stage of your project. Today focuses on finishing touches and preparing for the handover ceremony. Celebrate the results of your hard work and the friendships formed over the past few days.

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

After breakfast, attend a small celebration and officially hand over your completed project to the local community. Say goodbye to your new friends and depart for Ninh Binh, known as “Halong Bay on land.”

After lunch, visit Van Lam Embroidery Village near Tam Coc. Here, students will have the chance to meet local artisans and watch them create delicate hand-embroidered pieces—a traditional craft that has been passed down for generations. This visit offers valuable insight into how local communities preserve their heritage while adapting traditional skills to modern life. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, take a boat trip along the Hoang Long River to visit Kenh Ga Floating Village, a peaceful riverside community where houses and boats blend harmoniously into the limestone landscape.

Continue to Tam Coc for a sampan ride through serene rice paddies and mysterious caves, where towering karst formations rise dramatically from the water. In the afternoon, climb the stone steps to Mua Cave for sweeping views over the valley and Ngo Dong River – an ideal spot for photos. Return to Hanoi for dinner and overnight stay. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Today you’ll leave the city behind and head to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its breathtaking seascape of limestone karsts, emerald waters and thousands of scattered islands. After a comfortable drive, board your boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you settle in and get ready for your overnight cruise. Lunch is served as the boat begins to glide through the bay’s beautiful limestone islands—an ever-changing view that’s perfect for kicking back and soaking it all in. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a cave and have time for a swim if the weather’s right.

Then, return to the boat for a relaxing break, or join a casual cooking session where you’ll try your hand at making a Vietnamese dish. Happy hour is a great chance to grab a drink and catch the sunset from the deck. Dinner is served onboard, followed by optional evening fun—maybe a drink at the bar, a bit of squid fishing, or simply enjoying the peaceful night on the water.

Overnight on cruise in Ha Long 

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Wake up to the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay and join a dawn activity such as Tai Chi on the sundeck. After breakfast, the cruise continues through the spectacular karst scenery and may include a visit to a fishing village before you check out and enjoy brunch around 10:00 am. Once the boat docks at the harbor, you’ll be transferred back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your own pace.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: breakfast, brunch 

Your community project journey comes to a gentle close, filled with joy and meaningful moments shared with the local community. Though the tour ends here, the experiences you’ve gained will stay with you. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!