Vietnam

Day 1 - Fly to Hanoi

Take a direct 12-hour flight from London to Hanoi, or a connecting flight with a stop in cities like Doha, Dubai, or Bangkok.

Day 2 - Arrive in Hanoi, Hanoi Old Quarter

Meet your tour leader at the airport and transfer by coach to your hotel. You’ll have lunch there, get refreshed, and have a trip briefing for your cultural immersion in Hanoi.

It’s time to get started! First, you’ll head to Hoan Kiem Lake to observe the local Tai Chi exercises. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art practised today primarily for its health benefits. Its low-impact sequences are widely recognised for promoting physical and mental well-being.

From here, you’ll pick up the pace and visit the Hanoi Old Quarter. The Old Quarter is the oldest part of Hanoi, with its history dating back more than a thousand years. It reflects the various influences that have shaped Hanoi over the centuries, from Chinese and French to Southeast Asian and indigenous Vietnamese cultures. The Old Quarter’s narrow streets are famous for being named after the goods or trades historically sold there, such as Hàng Bạc (Silver Street) and Hàng Gai (Silk Street). You’ll also see the tube houses—narrow, tall buildings constructed to avoid high taxes on the width of homes. These houses blend traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and French colonial architectural styles, opening a discussion for students on colonial influence. Explore bustling markets such as Dong Xuan Market and try the famous Vietnamese egg coffee (cà phê trứng).

Finish with dinner at your hotel.

Day 3 - Hoa Lo Prison, Military Museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

After breakfast, begin the day at Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) to develop your knowledge of Vietnam’s turbulent past. During French colonial rule, Hoa Lo Prison was used to detain Vietnamese political prisoners and revolutionaries. Many prominent figures in Vietnam’s independence movement, including leaders of the Viet Minh, were imprisoned here. During the Vietnam War, after the French left, the prison was used by the North Vietnamese government to house American prisoners of war (POWs), most notably U.S. pilots shot down during bombing raids. These prisoners nicknamed the prison the “Hanoi Hilton.”

Continue to the Military Museum Hanoi to further your understanding of the First and Second Indochina Wars, two hugely significant periods in Vietnam’s history. The museum covers more than 2,000 years of Vietnam’s military history, from ancient times through the struggles against Chinese, French, and American forces. Detailed exhibits explore the First Indochina War, particularly the Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954), which led to the end of French colonial rule in Vietnam, and the Vietnam (American) War. You’ll learn about the military strategies that led to North Vietnam’s victory, including guerrilla tactics, the significance of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the use of tunnels and booby traps.

After lunch, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a symbol of Vietnam’s independence and national pride. Ho Chi Minh’s leadership and vision for an independent Vietnam are fundamental to the country’s identity, and his preserved body lying in state reflects the lasting impact of his leadership.

Make one last educational stop at the Temple of Literature, home to Vietnam’s first university, the Imperial Academy (Quoc Tu Giam), which was dedicated to the study of Confucianism. Its tranquil gardens offer the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or quiet contemplation.

This evening, students will visit Hanoi Night Market, a vibrant experience in the Old Quarter with a wide variety of authentic Vietnamese street food.

Return to the hotel for dinner, rest, and relaxation.

Day 4 - Travel to Hue, DMZ, Vinh Moc Tunnel Complex

After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport and board your short flight to the imperial capital of Hue. From here, it’s a quick journey to the DMZ. Established after the Geneva Accords in 1954, this temporary divide at the 17th Parallel split communist North Vietnam from the democratic South. Proceed to Truong Son National Cemetery, the resting place of over 10,000 North Vietnamese soldiers who died during the Vietnam War, particularly those who fought along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

After lunch, you’ll explore the Vinh Moc Tunnels located on the same site. The Vinh Moc Tunnels are an extensive underground tunnel complex built by North Vietnamese forces and local villagers to survive the heavy bombing campaigns during the war. The tunnel system is nearly 2 kilometres long and is dug at various depths, ranging from 10 to 30 metres underground. The tunnels consist of multiple levels and were designed to accommodate around 60 families. You can also visit the Khe Sanh Combat Base, where students can see the remains of runways, bunkers, trenches, and helicopter landing zones.

Return to the hotel for dinner before an evening at leisure.

Day 5 - Imperial City and Hue Citadel, Travel to Ho Chi Minh

This morning, students will visit Hue Imperial City. Established as the capital of a unified Vietnam in 1802, Hue was a political, cultural, and religious centre for the Nguyen Dynasty—the last royal dynasty in Vietnamese history. Defensive walls surround the Imperial City to defend the Citadel and repel invaders. Within the Imperial City complex, monuments are aligned cosmologically with the Five Cardinal Points (centre, west, east, north, south), the Five Elements (earth, metal, wood, water, fire), and the Five Colours (yellow, white, blue, black, red).

Enjoy lunch at leisure before travelling to the airport and flying onwards to Ho Chi Minh. From here, you’ll head straight out to Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the cultural hub of Ho Chi Minh City. This vibrant pedestrian area stretches from the Saigon River to City Hall and is a popular spot for both locals and visitors with its entertainment and nightlife.

Check into your Ho Chi Minh City hotel and enjoy dinner here.

Day 6 - Cu Chi Tunnels, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral

Start the day at the Cu Chi Tunnels. These were an essential part of the Viet Cong’s war strategy during the Vietnam War. Stretching over 250 kilometres, they were used for hiding, communication, storage, and shelter during conflicts with U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. Visiting the tunnels gives a firsthand look at how the guerrillas lived and fought under difficult conditions. Students can crawl through a portion of the narrow, claustrophobic tunnels and see living quarters, kitchens, weapons factories, and even makeshift hospitals, providing a glimpse of how they survived underground for long periods.

From here, move on to the Independence Palace, or Reunification Palace. It is built on the site where the Vietnam War officially ended. On 30 April 1975, a North Vietnamese tank famously crashed through its gates, marking the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam. Students can see the preserved tank and relive a crucial moment in global history. Many of the rooms and interiors have been preserved exactly as they were in the 1960s and 1970s, giving visitors a snapshot of that period’s political and cultural life. Heading down into the basement, students can see war rooms, telecommunication centres, and bomb shelters, all of which are still intact. These rooms provide a fascinating glimpse into the wartime decision-making processes of the Cold War era.

The last visit for the day is to Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Built in the late 19th century by French colonists, Notre-Dame Cathedral is a beautiful example of French Gothic and Romanesque architecture in the heart of Vietnam. The cathedral is a symbol of the French presence in Vietnam and reflects the complex history of the region. It is also an active place of worship for the Vietnamese Catholic community. It stands as the largest Catholic church in Vietnam and continues to hold regular Mass services, making it a spiritual and cultural centre for local Catholics.

Have dinner at the hotel before an evening at leisure.

Day 7 - Tay Ninh Province, Ba Den Battlefield, Vietnamese Puppet Show

Wake bright and early on this last full day in Vietnam. Transfer to the Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam, near the Cambodian border. It’s about 2-3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Tay Ninh played a significant role during the Vietnam War, particularly due to its strategic location.

Students can see Ba Den (Black Virgin) Mountain, the highest mountain in southern Vietnam at 996 metres. At the bottom of the mountain is the Ba Den Battlefield Site. The region’s rugged terrain and network of hidden paths made it an ideal location for covert operations, ambushes, and supply lines. It was a base for guerrilla fighters who used the mountain’s caves and tunnels as hiding spots and supply depots. As a result, it became a prime target for the U.S. military, resulting in intense bombing campaigns and battles.

There are numerous Buddhist temples and shrines located on the mountain, making it a place of pilgrimage. The combination of religious significance and wartime history offers visitors a chance to experience both spiritual and historical layers of Vietnamese culture in one location.

After dinner, students will be treated to a Vietnamese puppet show. A Vietnamese puppet show, particularly the traditional water puppet show, offers a captivating blend of artistry, culture, and history. The performances often tell traditional stories, often drawn from folklore, legends, and rural life, and are accompanied by live music and singing. They provide a window into Vietnamese culture.

Day 8 - Return home

After breakfast, it’s time to check out and depart from your hotel. Transfer by coach to the airport, ready for your return journey home after an unforgettable history school trip to Vietnam.