Overview
Your class will explore the moving collection of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy a jungle cruise along the Mekong. Your students can also look forward to visiting the floating villages of Tonlé Sap Lake, wandering the halls of Angkor Wat, and browsing the stalls of the Siam Reap Old Market. Your group will also explore Bangkok’s Grand Palace, marvel at the Emerald Buddha, and visit some of the city’s most famous markets.
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 LEAP-trained Tour Director
LEAP encompasses the best practices of student-centered learning. Your Tour Director will get to know you and your group, will push you to think deeply, and will prepare thoughtful, hands-on opportunities to display your learning. LEAP is exclusive to WorldStrides and is what makes our Tour Directors unique and our programs transformative.
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
Thoi Son Island visit
Visit Thoi Son Island for a tranquil escape into the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta, where coconut palms line narrow canals perfect for peaceful boat rides. Along the way, sample tropical fruits, enjoy traditional music, and see how locals craft coconut candy and rice paper by hand for an authentic glimpse of rural Vietnamese life.
Mekong River jungle cruise
Day 5
Fly to Siem Reap
Tonlé Sap Lake cruise
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, cruise over the shimmering surface of Tonlé Sap Lake to see floating villages and observe the surroundings for rare wildlife; and watch agricultural traditions of harvesting, rice planting and cricket catching.
Floating villages visit
Phnom Bakheng Hill
Phnom Bakheng is a Hindu and Buddhist temple in the form of a temple mountain. Dedicated to Shiva, it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman.
View sunset at Angkor site
Day 6
Angkor Archaeological Park guided sightseeing tour
Angkor Wat visit, Preah Kahn Visit, Angkor Thom visit, Ta Prohm Temple visit, Bayon Temple visit
Old Market visit
Old Market visit
Day 7
Travel to Bangkok via Poipet & Aranyaprathet
Day 8
Bangkok guided sightseeing tour
Discover Bangkok on a guided sightseeing tour of its most iconic landmarks. Explore the Grand Palace, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, dressed in seasonal royal attire. Visit Wat Pho, where the famous Reclining Buddha stretches 150 feet, and admire the stunning spires and colorful mosaics of the riverside Temple of Dawn.
Chao Phraya River dinner cruise
Thailand’s kings once glided down the Chao Phraya River in golden royal barges. Today, enjoy your own scenic river cruise with a traditional Thai buffet dinner. Savor fresh vegetables, spicy chilies, coconut milk, and citrus flavors as you take in Bangkok’s illuminated skyline from the water.
Day 9
Travel to Bangkok
Floating markets and Railway Market excursion
Damnoen Saduak floating market visit, Mae Klong Railway Market visit, Don Wai Market visit
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 2 Days in Hua Hin
Stop in Phetchaburi to see sunlight streaming over Buddha images in Khao Luang Cave and explore the hilltop Khao Wang Palace with its elegant royal halls. Continue to Hua Hin to relax along golden beaches, stroll the waterfront, and enjoy fresh seafood before returning to Bangkok.
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, Cambodia & Thailand
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.