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Vietnam - beyond the brochures

Vietnam is both surprisingly familiar and enticingly different for intrepid agents of Australia. It has been important in our recent past through our involvement in what the Vietnamese call ‘The American War.’ The waves of migration that followed have richly added to Melbourne’s culture, most obviously in our love of Vietnam’s famous cuisine. When our Prime Minister made his first visit to Vietnam in 2006, he said ’I wish I’d come earlier.’ Our agents would all agree it is a wonderful place to see!
It is a journey of contrasts. Agents stay in a small, rural community and will visit the vibrant cities of Hanoi and Saigon. Starting in Hanoi, they see the historic Old City with its French colonial architecture and they see a booming modern Asian city. From the beginning of the mission, there will be a new currency to negotiate, language to try out and a different way to shop!
The greatest challenge of the Vietnam experience for many agents is the community project in a tiny village located in the beautiful hill country near Mai Chao, several hours south west of Hanoi. There, they will spend three nights in the village and two days building a simple stilt house for a needy family. They make a substantial and practical contribution, working alongside local tradesmen and village women. Working as a team for the lasting benefit of others less fortunate brings a strong sense of satisfaction for all involved. On the final night, a feast is prepared, and we are treated to traditional hill tribe dances and songs, accompanied by drums and brass, speeches, photos, tears and smiles.

After the community project, agents will visit stunning Ha Long Bay and cruise for a day in the South China Sea, swimming in clear green water, visiting rock caves and later a night market. They travel south by train, spending a night on the Reunification Express and waking to the sights of rice paddies and mountains flashing past. They then cycle in historic Hue. In the World Heritage old town of Hoi An, agents visit skilled tailors where they can order clothes to be made in a day or two.
By the time agents arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon, at the end of their journey, they will have experienced the warm-hearted and welcoming nature of the Vietnamese people, and gained some understanding of the many changes and challenges the Vietnamese have faced.
They will return home more independent, with stories to tell and memories for a lifetime.

How will agents travel?
The group will travel by plane to Hanoi, via Singapore. In Vietnam, there will be various modes of transport – buses, overnight train, boat, and plane. Bicycles and cyclos round out the transport experience – we will do them all!

Planned itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi, meet our tour leader and take a cyclo tour of the city

Day 2 The sights of Hanoi, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and time for exploring the Old Quarter

Day 3-6 Journey to the village where the community project will take place

Day 7 Return to Hanoi, visit Australian embassy and the famous Hanoi Hilton prison

Day 8 Trip to Ha Long Bay on the South China Sea

Day 9 Return to Hanoi and take the Reunification Express, overnight train to Hue

Day 10 Bicycle riding around Hue, visiting the Imperial Citadel and Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors

Day 11-13 Hoi An stay – China Beach, tailoring, cooking or art class, a visit to an orphanage

Day 14 Plane flight to Ho Chi Minh City, visit historic and cultural sights, including China Town and the War Remnants Museum

Day 15 Day trip to Cu Chi tunnels and return to wander the shopping district and markets of Ho Chi Minh City

Day 16 Visit the Saigon Water Park and catch the plane home after lunch

Day 17 Arrive Melbourne

Please note that final details of this Big Experience may be subject to minor changes depending on numbers.
If two groups are needed then the order of activities may be altered.