From the History of Wars to Sustainable Futures
Multi-Day
Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Da Nang, Hoi An
history sustainability culture community

Description

Vietnam is a land of extraordinary diversity, boasting a rich tapestry of cultures, ecosystems, and culinary traditions. This 13-day learning program offers participants a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture and history, journeying from Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta to Central Vietnam.

The program delves into Vietnam’s complex history — including the influence of Chinese immigration and the profound impact of the Vietnam War — while exploring how the country is navigating toward sustainable futures. Participants will engage with social enterprises, community cooperatives, and regenerative tourism initiatives, experiencing Vietnam’s transformation from the scars of war to a nation pioneering community-driven solutions.

If you seek a transformative journey — to travel in a way that is different, immersing yourself in meaningful learning and leaving a positive impact — this program is for you.

Educational Approach

  • Mindful travel — Engaging deeply with places, fostering awareness and respect for local cultures, communities, and ecosystems
  • Peer-to-peer learning — Sharing knowledge and experiences in a collaborative environment where every participant contributes
  • Field research — Conducting on-site exploration, interviews, and observation to bridge theory with practical understanding
  • Context-based education — Immersion in local contexts across different regions, exploring culture, nature, and socio-economic aspects
  • Experiential learning — Hands-on engagement through farming, cooking, community activities, and reflective practices

Itinerary

Part 1: Understanding Modern Vietnam and Its Past

  • Day 1: Arrival — Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Rest and free exploration.

  • Day 2: Welcome to Saigon — Travel around Saigon by bus, observing the vibrant energy of modern Ho Chi Minh City. Afternoon walking tour: former Manufacturer of Opium, Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Statue, Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace.

  • Day 3: Vietnam’s Resilience — From War to Economic Growth — Morning workshop on Vietnam’s political, social, and economic transformation. Afternoon visit to the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace, exploring the country’s fight for independence and its lasting societal impact.

  • Day 4: Vietnam’s Recovery — New Beginnings — Visit social enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City: Kashew Cheese, a plant-based artisan cheese maker whose cashews are grown organically by Raglai indigenous communities, and Limart Zero Waste, a green store chain creating positive environmental change while providing jobs for the underprivileged.

Part 2: Abundance and Local Solutions in the Mekong Delta

  • Day 5: Ben Tre — Regeneration in the Coconut Kingdom — Travel to Ben Tre for a regenerative tour through coconut groves and rivers. Experience authentic Mekong lifestyles, canoeing and walking under coconut trees with local farmers.

  • Day 6: Life on the Mekong — Early morning visit to Cai Rang Floating Market. Visit a charity traditional medicine center. Journey to Kien Giang to explore traditional rice farming with Uncle “Tu Lua Mua,” who has dedicated over ten years to preserving traditional rice varieties and natural cultivation.

  • Day 7: Traditional Farming and Modern Struggles — Continue exploring traditional rice culture and biodiversity at Lua Mua Tu Viet farm. Understanding the importance of preserving ancestral farming methods against modern pressures.

Part 3: Futures Rooted in Community

  • Day 8: The Journey North — Train to Da Nang. Free afternoon to explore the city.

  • Day 9: Nature and Nurture — Preserving Biodiversity — Visit GreenViet’s Son Tra Nature Education Center, a community-based project dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Tour Son Tra Peninsula. Walking tour exploring how Da Nang became one of Vietnam’s most livable cities. Travel to Hoi An.

  • Day 10: Mass Tourism vs. Community-Based Solutions — Observe the impacts of mass tourism at Bay Mau Coconut Forest, followed by discussion. Experience community-based tourism in Cam Thanh, learning from local villages and the nipa palm conservation cooperative.

  • Day 11: Community Power in Hoi An — River-versity experience in Cam Kim: boat trip along the Thu Bon River, exploring Kim Bong heritage carpentry village. Workshop on how local people apply community-based tourism, asset-based community development, and community schooling to revitalize their culture and ecology.

  • Day 12: Traditional Craft and New Movements — Visit Nam O fish sauce village, a 400-year-old craft village at the foot of Hai Van Pass. Learn about VCIL Community and social movements in Vietnam. Program conclusion with reflections on the journey and lessons learned.

  • Day 13: Farewell and New Beginnings — Final reflections. Departure from Da Nang.