School trips to Vietnam
Vietnam packs history, geography and adventure into one narrow country, 1,600 km from north to south. Students can explore Hanoi's old quarter, sail among the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels and stay with hill-tribe families in the mountains of the far north. Every trip is tailor-made around your group, your subject and your budget.
At a glance
- Suits: [STC to fill: year groups and courses]
- Subjects: history, geography, biology and conservation, culture
- Typical length: [STC to fill: e.g. shorter North Vietnam trips from X days; full expeditions up to around four weeks]
- Best time to go: [STC to fill]
- Price guide: [STC to fill: "From £X per pupil for [year] departures"]
- Teacher places: [STC to fill: e.g. "At least 2 free teacher places"]
History
Vietnam brings 20th-century history to life. At the Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, students see how people lived and fought underground during the Vietnam War. In Hanoi, the old quarter shows centuries of trade and tradition, while the contrast between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) tells the story of a country reunified. Further back in time, Hue and the My Son Sanctuary reveal Vietnam's imperial and ancient past. [STC to confirm: which history sites your current itineraries include]
Geography
Few countries show such a range of landscapes in one trip. In the far north, rice terraces climb steep mountain slopes near the Chinese border. Halong Bay's limestone karsts rise straight out of the sea. In the south, the Mekong Delta's canals and floating markets show how communities live with a great river. Students also see rapid urban growth first-hand in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where motorbikes fill every street.
Biology and conservation
Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam's first national park, is home to endangered primates, rare turtle species and some of the country's last remaining primary rainforest. Conservation-focused trips include hands-on wildlife project work there.
Expeditions: trekking and community projects
For groups wanting a bigger challenge, a Vietnam expedition can cover the length of the country. Past STC expeditions have included a multi-day trek through the rice terraces of the north, staying in local homes with Hmong and other ethnic minority communities. Groups have explored the vast Hang En cave in central Vietnam, and spent several days helping to renovate a primary school in the Mekong Delta. Temperatures and humidity can be high, so students prepare for the conditions. [STC to confirm: which of these elements are still offered]
Three ways to see Vietnam
- North Vietnam: a shorter trip on a smaller budget, focusing on Hanoi, Halong Bay and the hill-tribe regions of the far north, with trekking and community project work. [STC to fill: itinerary name and link]
- North to South: the classic journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with rice paddies seen from the train and cycle rickshaw rides through Saigon. [STC to fill: itinerary name and link]
- Conservation: hands-on wildlife project work in Cuc Phuong National Park. [STC to fill: itinerary name and link]
What a real trip looked like
On one four-week summer expedition, 36 pupils and staff travelled the length of Vietnam in two teams, from a nine-day trek near the Chinese border to a school renovation project in the Mekong Delta. Read about it here. (Link: to /blog/community-service-and-adventure/)
Safety and support
Every STC trip is accompanied by a full-time professional in-country leader, trained in first aid and critical incident management. We follow FCDO travel advice, which we monitor daily. You can read more about how we manage safety. (Link: to /safety/)
Next step
Every Vietnam trip is designed around your group. Call us on 01392 660056 or email us to talk through your subject, dates and budget, and we'll put together a tailor-made quote.
Last reviewed: [STC to fill: date]