Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in the rich culture and fascinating history of Vietnam on this immersive journey through Ho Chih Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi. Your group will learn more about Vietnam’s colonial history during visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum, and the Reunification Palace. Your students will also explore the merchant city of Hoi An, marvel at the ornate mausoleums of Emperors Khai Dinh and Minh Mang, take in a water puppet show, and visit the Imperial Citadel.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
Day 2
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive late on day 2 or early on day 3
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 3
Vietnam War Cu Chi Tunnels visit
Explore Vietnam’s historic tunnels, a 75-mile underground network of hospitals, kitchens, and meeting rooms. Dug in the 1930s and expanded during the war, they sheltered fighters for weeks. See bomb craters from U.S. raids and even crawl through the narrow passageways, now a fascinating site for visitors.
Ho Chi Minh City guided sightseeing tour
Discover Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling economic hub shaped by French, American, and Soviet influences. Admire French architecture at the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and City Hall, then reflect at the War Remnants Museum with its candid exhibits on decades of conflict. Step into history at the Reunification Palace, preserved exactly as it was on April 30, 1975, when South Vietnam surrendered.
Day 4
Ho Chi Minh City city walk
Visit Vinh Nghiêm Pagoda, the city’s largest temple, with a bell donated by Japanese Buddhists. Explore lively Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, and browse the bustling Bình Tây Market. Step into the incense-filled Thien Hau Pagoda for a moment of calm, then see artisans at work in a lacquerware workshop, where Vietnam’s world-renowned craft is created.
Day 5
Fly to Da Nang
Museum of Cham Sculpture visit
From the 7th to 17th centuries, Champa culture thrived in southern Vietnam, blending Indian influences with Hinduism and Buddhism while leaving behind a remarkable artistic legacy. At this museum, see highlights of Cham sculpture, from intricate animal figures to elaborate altars dedicated to Shiva.
Travel to Hoi An via Marble Mountains & China Beach
Surf’s up at China Beach, once an R&R spot for American soldiers and later site of Vietnam’s first international surfing competition in 1992. Nearby rise the Marble Mountains, five peaks said to embody the elements. Explore their caves and caverns, many transformed into sacred shrines and temples.
Hoi An city walk
Hoi An, a merchant city that escaped the destruction of modern wars, offers a glimpse of old Vietnam. Once a thriving port, its streets still reflect Japanese, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and Chinese influence. Tour 18th-century merchant houses, a Japanese covered bridge, and ornate Chinese assembly halls.
Day 6
Travel to Hue
Mausoleums of Emperors Khai Dinh & Minh Mang visit
The tombs of Emperors Minh Mang (1820–41) and Khai Dinh (1916–25) reflect very different legacies. Minh Mang’s vast Chinese-style complex, built by 10,000 workers in just three years, contrasts with Khai Dinh’s ornate mausoleum, a Baroque palace of dragons and imported French materials that took 11 years to finish.
Day 7
Imperial Citadel visit
From 1802 to 1945, Hué was Vietnam’s capital, its grandeur centered on the massive citadel built by Emperor Gia Long. Though much was destroyed in the Tet Offensive, highlights remain, including the red-and-gold Thai Hoa Palace, site of imperial ceremonies, and the soaring Ngo Mon gate, once reserved for the emperor’s elephants.
Huong He (Yellow River) cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda
Built in 1601, the Thiên Mụ Pagoda is the oldest in Hué and long a center of Buddhist thought and politics. During the war, monk Quang Duc drove from here to Saigon, where he set himself on fire in protest. His blue Austin car remains on display, a poignant reminder of sacrifice and resistance.
Dong Ba market visit
The colorful, bustling Dong Ba Market is the perfect spot to shop for souvenirs. Look for “non Hue,” translucent conical hats with hidden patterns or writing inside that glow beautifully on the wearer’s face when sunlight shines through—a unique specialty of the region.
Fly to Hanoi
Day 8
Hanoi guided sightseeing tour
Discover Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital for nearly 4,000 years, where ancient temples and French colonial palaces meet modern life. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th-century Temple of Literature, explore the Old Merchant Quarter’s traditional shops, and pay respects at Ho Chí Minh’s Mausoleum. The Army Museum offers a compelling look at Vietnam’s turbulent history.
Water puppet show
Wade into Vietnam’s unique water puppet tradition, first performed in northern rice paddies where farmers staged satirical tales with bamboo figures. Today, puppeteers stand waist-deep in water, hidden behind a screen as they skillfully guide the colorful puppets through lively, story-filled performances.
Day 9
Ha Long Bay cruise
Legend says Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers were born when dragons defended Vietnam, their spines forming cliffs, their tails shaping beaches, and their fiery stones becoming the islands that rise dramatically from the water. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.
Seafood lunch onboard
Day 10
Hanoi city walk
In the heart of Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm Lake offers a calm retreat from the city’s bustle. Its name, “Lake of the Returned Sword,” recalls the legend of King Lê Lợi, who gave his magical sword back to the gods through a giant tortoise here. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, restored in the 1860s, where pen-and-ink motifs and clever word puzzles still adorn the path.
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 11
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Hong Kong
Take a Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour for sweeping views of the skyline and islands. Explore Kowloon’s lively mix of shops and restaurants, then ascend Victoria Peak for a panoramic look at the city. Visit the Tai Po Man Mo Temple, a Taoist sanctuary filled with incense coils, and unwind at Repulse Bay. Conclude your visit with a stop at Stanley Market, known for clothing, souvenirs, and local finds before heading home.
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Vietnam
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.