Day 1: Sunday
Arrival & Welcome
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where you'll be welcomed by the local team and transferred to your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. Take time to settle in after your journey before meeting your fellow participants. The evening includes an accommodation orientation, introductions, and an overview of the exciting 28-day EcoCamp experience ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Monday
Community & Cultural Introduction
Meet the local team and take part in community activities while exploring the surrounding neighbourhood. This is an opportunity to experience local life and begin getting to know the community.
Continue with a Vietnamese language class covering useful phrases for everyday communication, followed by a culture class exploring Vietnamese traditions, customs and local ways of life.
End the day with a group karaoke night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tuesday
Ho Chi Minh City Heritage
Explore some of Ho Chi Minh City's most important historical and cultural landmarks.
Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Saigon Central Post Office and Saigon Opera House before exploring Ben Thanh Market. Continue to Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the city's atmospheric traditional temples.
In the evening, experience traditional Vietnamese martial arts.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Wednesday
Vietnamese Cooking, Crafts & Mindfulness
Take part in a Vietnamese Budget Cooking Challenge. Working in teams, participants receive a fixed budget to purchase ingredients from a local market before preparing a traditional Vietnamese meal. The challenge encourages creativity, teamwork and reducing food waste while staying within budget.
Later, join a bracelet making workshop with local artisans and create your own handmade keepsake.
Finish the day with a yoga and mindfulness session.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Thursday
Coffee Culture & History
Discover the art of Vietnamese coffee during a local café workshop. Learn about different brewing methods before preparing and enjoying your own cup.
Continue to the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about this important part of Vietnam's history.
In the evening, experience traditional Vietnamese martial arts.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Friday
Local Life & Photography
Explore Ho Chi Minh City's flower market, Chinatown and a local temple.
Take part in a creative photography challenge inspired by current social media trends and everyday life in Vietnam. Participants will be given a theme or colour to capture while exploring the city, with possible themes including street food, community life, green spaces, reflections, hidden doors and daily life.
Continue with a visit to the War Remnants Museum before meeting the project team and preparing for the community project.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Saturday
Free Exploration
Enjoy a full day at leisure and explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace.
Optional activities may include a Mekong Delta day tour, Vietnamese street food tour, shopping, a spa experience, a visit to the Fine Arts Museum or café hopping. Optional activities are not included in the programme fee.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Sunday
Relax & Recharge
Enjoy a relaxed day to recharge before beginning the community project. Spend time exploring Ho Chi Minh City or simply unwind.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Monday
Community Project Begins
Begin with a community project orientation and introduction to the local project.
Take part in your first day of community project activities, working alongside the local team and fellow participants.
End the day with a community karaoke night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10-13: Tuesday to Friday
Community Engagement
Continue participating in the community project alongside the local team and fellow participants. Activities will vary according to the needs of the project and may include practical, hands-on tasks that support the local community.
Throughout the project, participants will develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills while gaining a better understanding of the local community and the work being carried out.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Saturday
Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy your final full day in Ho Chi Minh City before continuing your journey north. Take time to relax, explore the city independently or complete some last minute shopping.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Sunday
Journey to Hoi An
Enjoy a final morning in Ho Chi Minh City with time for shopping, relaxing or personal exploration.
Have some free time and an early dinner before beginning the overnight journey to Da Nang. The scheduled journey is by sleeper transport. Participants who prefer to fly to Da Nang may arrange a domestic flight at their own expense.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 16: Monday
Welcome to Hoi An
Arrive in Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An.
Enjoy a relaxed day to settle into your accommodation and explore the local area.
In the evening, discover the beach promenade, night market and local nightlife. Evening activities are at your own expense.
Meals: None
Day 17: Tuesday
Hoi An Ancient Town & Lantern Culture
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, historic houses and local markets. Enjoy free time to wander through the charming streets and discover local cafés.
Take part in a traditional lantern-making workshop and learn more about one of Hoi An's most recognisable cultural traditions.
In the evening, experience the atmosphere of Hoi An's lantern culture and enjoy time around the Hoai River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18: Wednesday
Rural Hoi An & Local Traditions
Cycle through the countryside to Tra Que Vegetable Village and learn about traditional local farming practices.
Continue with a Vietnamese cooking experience, using local ingredients and learning more about the food culture of central Vietnam.
Later, visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village and experience a traditional basket boat ride through the waterways.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19: Thursday
Da Nang Discovery
Take a day trip to Da Nang and explore Marble Mountains and the Museum of Cham Sculpture.
Continue to Son Tra Peninsula before spending time relaxing at My Khe Beach.
Return to Hoi An for a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 20: Friday
Da Nang at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed day in Da Nang.
Explore the city at your own pace, spend time at the beach or discover local cafés and neighbourhoods.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 21: Saturday
Hue Cultural Heritage
Travel from Da Nang to Hue and stop at a local pearl village to learn about pearl farming and production.
Continue to Hue, check into your accommodation and enjoy lunch.
Explore Hue Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
An optional Hue Royal Music performance on the Perfume River may be available at an additional personal cost.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 22: Sunday
Hue Heritage & Journey to Hanoi
After breakfast, check out and visit Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb, two important historical sites associated with the Nguyen Dynasty.
Enjoy some free time before beginning the overnight journey to Hanoi by sleeper transport.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 23: Monday
Welcome to Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your accommodation.
Later, explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and the atmospheric Old Quarter. Discover local streets, shops and cafés while getting your first taste of Vietnam's capital city.
Enjoy a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 24: Tuesday
Lan Ha Bay Overnight Cruise
Travel from Hanoi to the coast and board your overnight cruise through Lan Ha Bay.
Enjoy a welcome onboard before cruising among spectacular limestone karsts. Take part in kayaking or swimming, depending on conditions, and enjoy the scenery from the water.
Later, join a Vietnamese spring roll cooking demonstration and enjoy the sunset from the cruise.
Spend the night onboard with dinner and free time to relax, play games or try activities such as squid fishing, subject to conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 25: Wednesday
Bay Exploration & Return to Hanoi
Begin the day with sunrise over the bay before visiting Bright Cave by traditional rowing boat.
Return to the cruise for breakfast and time to relax while sailing back towards the harbour.
After disembarking, transfer back to Hanoi and check into your accommodation.
Enjoy a free evening and dinner at your own expense.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 26: Thursday
Hanoi Culture & Local Life
Explore Hanoi's café culture, visit Train Street, subject to local regulations, and discover Dong Xuan Market.
Continue your cultural exploration with a visit to the Temple of Literature or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, with an outside view if the site is closed.
Enjoy a free evening to explore Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 27: Friday
Reflection & Farewell
Enjoy a free morning for shopping, exploring or relaxing in Hanoi.
Spend your final afternoon reflecting on the experiences, friendships and lessons from your EcoCamp journey.
Enjoy a relaxed final evening before departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 28: Saturday
Departure Day
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward journey, taking home unforgettable memories, new friendships, and valuable life experiences.
Meals: Breakfast
The schedule and can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.
