Description

Welcome to Vietnam
Come join us on a service adventure that will carry you from rural villages hidden deep in the mountains to the bustling city of Hanoi during an immersive week exploring both sides of this fascinating country. Vietnam is a country of contrasts, where traditional culture runs up against the frenzy of modern life. You will leave this program with a great understanding of both the lives of rural people and a great feel of this fast-paced yet traditional northern capital.

Rural Tribal Immersion
Outside of the glittering cities of Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam's landscape melts into a sea of green rice fields punctuated by small hamlets that are home to friendly villagers, laughing children, and a peaceful way of life far from the bustle of modern society.

Your trip will begin as you journey deep into the rural countryside of Vietnam. Just a few hours outside of the city, you will feel as though you have entered another world entirely. For our traditional home-stays we will travel high into the mountains of PuLuong Nature Preserve, where ethnic minority villages are scattered throughout the jungle. This is a rural place with towering cliffs, dirt roads; homes built on stilts, and terraced rice fields galore. Here you will become fully immersed in rural life as you move in with a family, share meals with local people, and give back through rewarding and meaningful service.
Your home stay accommodations will be basic (expect to sleep on a mat under a mosquito net) but comfortable and clean. Each family will host about five students, and they can't wait to meet you! They will introduce you to the kids (who will be your new best friends after a few short hours!), show you around the village, and teach you a few words of Vietnamese. You'll be living like a local before you know it!

Your service projects here will most likely focus around the village children. You may hold impromptu English lessons, help out with maintenance at the small village school, or sing songs and play educational games with them. You also might have the chance to head out into the fields and try your hand at nurturing Vietnam's most important crop rice! In the evenings you can join in village-wide games of soccer, practice your Vietnamese with your host brothers and sisters, learn to cook the local cuisine, and let yourself groove into this relaxed pace of life. After just a couple of days, you will have become a part of the village!

Mountain Trekking
Get ready for an adventure, as we'll be hiking through the jungle to three different Hill-tribe villages. We will take plenty of detours to appreciate the beauty of the rich nature surrounding us. Our journey ranges from easy to moderate trekking connecting us to the Tai and Muong villages. Be sure to check out our packing list so that you don't end up bringing too much. All students must be able to carry what they bring. You don't need any major backpacker gear; a simple backpack is plenty for all you'll need for the week.
After we return from the jungle, you will have time to explore the fascinating city of Hanoi. Check out the Old Quarter, where whizzing motorbikes, vendors selling everything from chicken feet to handmade leather shoes, and the intoxicating scent of the local cuisine will overwhelm your senses. You will also explore the Temple of Literature, learn about the Vietnamese perspective on the Vietnam War at the Army Museum, and visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Who Should Come?
This program is perfect for adventurous students who really want to immerse themselves in local life and experience both sides of this fascinating country. You can combine this program with our Amazing Vietnam program for the chance to see even more this fascinating country, including HaLong Bay! This program also connects with all of our other great trips in Southeast Asia.

Highlights

IMMERSE yourself in the peaceful way of life of Vietnam's rural minority villages.

TREK over mountains and along rivers through PuLuong Nature Preserve, a limestone forest ecosystem which supports vast plant diversity and many unique animal species.

HOME STAY with three different Vietnamese communities for a true taste of local life in the small hamlets and faraway villages hidden deep in the mountains.

EXPLORE Hanoi's Old Quarter, the historic heart of the city, and get swept away by its colorful and exotic sights.

Travel Types

• Student Tours
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,695+ International airfar

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983