Day 1: Arrival & Historical Foundations (Dinner)
Introduction to Vietnam’s Historical and Political Roots
Morning:
• Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport
• Airport pickup and hotel check-in (preferably in Hoan Kiem District)
Afternoon:
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
– Includes Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda
– Learn about Vietnam’s founding leader and post-colonial independence
• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070
Evening:
• Welcome dinner featuring northern Vietnamese cuisine
• Optional: Cyclo tour of the Old Quarter – Learn about street commerce and ancient guilds
💡Learning Objectives:
• Understand Vietnam’s revolutionary history and Confucian roots
• Explore Hanoi’s early education system and philosophical influences
Day 2: Government, Civic Education & Diplomacy (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Modern Governance and Global Relations
Morning:
• Visit to the National Assembly House or a Ministry (e.g., Foreign Affairs)
(Depending on prior arrangement – includes briefing on political structure and international relations)
• Lecture or campus tour at a university (e.g., Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Hanoi University)
– Topics: ASEAN relations, development policy, environmental diplomacy
Afternoon:
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
– Explore Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through interactive exhibits and live demonstrations
Evening:
• Reflection and discussion session
• Optional: Attend a traditional music or Ca Trù performance at a cultural house
💡Learning Objectives:
• Gain insight into civic structure and government functioning
• Understand Vietnam’s ethnic diversity and diplomacy challenges
Day 3: War History, Arts, and Community (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Remembrance and Social Responsibility
Morning:
• Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”)
– Explore the site where Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POWs were held
– Discuss perspectives on conflict, reconciliation, and human rights
• Visit to Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
– Study visual storytelling through Vietnam’s colonial and revolutionary periods
Afternoon:
• Community engagement activity – Volunteer at a local school, library project, or visit a social enterprise (e.g., Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation)
Evening:
• Group cooking class with a local chef, focusing on regional dishes like "bún chả" and "nem rán"
💡Learning Objectives:
• Reflect on conflict, cultural healing, and heritage preservation
• Foster empathy and contribute to community well-being
Day 4: Cultural Immersion & Departure (Breakfast/ Lunch)
Commerce, Culture, and Closing Reflections
Morning:
• Visit to Bat Trang Ceramic Village or Van Phuc Silk Village
– Participate in hands-on workshops and learn about sustainable craftsmanship
• Alternatively: Thang Long Imperial Citadel – Explore UNESCO heritage and Hanoi’s dynastic past
Afternoon:
• Closing circle and student/group presentations: “What I Learned in Hanoi”
• Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure
💡Learning Objectives:
• Deepen understanding of Vietnamese artisan economy and cultural heritage
• Summarize and synthesize educational experiences
**The program order may change depending on the actual situation.**