Brief Itinerary

Day 1 – Sunday 13th April 2025 – Arrive Hanoi

Today is arrival day in Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel in the vibrant Old Quarter and enjoy a rest as you prepare for the adventure ahead!

Day 2 – Monday 14th April – Hanoi city tour, overnight train to Lao Cai

Wake up early to watch local activity around Hoan Kiem lake. Enjoy a city tour with a difference as you hop on the back of a motor scooter and see some of the less well known sights of Hanoi, sample some local staples such as bun cha and egg coffee before dining at KOTO  – a training restaurant for disadvantaged youth in the area. Tonight we board the overnight train to Lao Cai on the Chinese border. (B,L)

Day 3 – Tuesday 15th April – Transfer to Sapa, hike to house building project

Arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning and transfer to Sapa by bus. Now we prepare for our 3 hour hike to our homestay and house building project.  This afternoon we meet the family we will be building for and learn about how our help is important to them and their community. Overnight homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 4 & 5 – Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th April – House building project

For the next 2 days we will build a timber and brick house for the family.  Tasks will include moving bricks, fixing timber framing, mixing mortar and bricklaying.  No special skills are required – local trades people will be working alongside us to make sure our work meets their requirements. Our homestay family will ensure we are well fed with delicious local food and the evenings will bring the opportunity to explore the area, meet the locals and learn about their way of life. We will also be running the first of our ‘eye camp’ projects whilst in the village         (B, L,D)

Day 6 – Friday 18th April – Return to Sapa, free afternoon

This morning we wake early to formally hand over the house to its new owners before a return trip back to Sapa. Enjoy the views and chat to the local Red Dao and Black Hmong women as you walk.  Check into our Sapa hotel and enjoy a shower and change before hitting the streets of this hillside town.  Enjoy local markets, shopping for outdoor lifestyle clothing and a vibrant cafe and restaurant scene.  There is much to see and do and this afternoon offers a great opportunity to explore the town. (B)

Day 7 – Saturday 19th April – Free day in Sapa, bus to Bac Ha

The Sapa region is beautiful and offers so much opportunity for walks, cycling, motorcycling, market exploration, shopping for adventure clothing or simply relaxing and enjoying a coffee in one of the many cafes or restaurants.  Enjoy the day before boarding our bus to the market town of Bac Ha in the mid-afternoon. (B)

Day 8 – Sunday 20th April – Bac Ha market, bus to Ha Giang, motorbike to Nam Dam

The Bac Ha market is famous as the largest (and best) ethnic market in South East Asia.  Rise with the roosters and enjoy the sights, sounds (and smells) of this bustling community event. Only on Sundays do people from nearby villages head to town by foot, scooter, horse or water buffalo to trade their wares and chew the fat with friends. It’s a visual feast! Leaving the market while still early it’s time to board the bus once again – this time to Ha Giang city.  The city is the starting point for an epic motorcycle adventure..!  After sorting our luggage it’s time to jump on the bikes with our easy rider drivers and hit the road before stopping for our first night in the small Black Dao village of Nam Dam. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Monday 21st April – Motorbike Nam Dam to Dong Van

Up bright and early today and it’s time to hit the motorbikes once again.  We stop regularly to take in the stunning views. In the morning we make a stop at the tiny white Hmong village of Hop Tien where we find the inspirational Vang Thi Mai. Ms Mai was listed in Forbes 2017 Most Influential Women in Vietnam. Her work in developing and running a hemp (linen) co-operative has been recognised both nationally and internationally.  Here we can see the co-operative in action with weaving, thread spinning, dyeing etc and, of course, there is the opportunity to puchase some beautiful handicrafts.  Back on the bikes again, numerous photo stops and lunch later, we take the chance to visit the Hmong Kings Palace before our visit to a small primary school just outside of Dong Van town.  Here we will speak with the teachers and deliver our previously purchased supplies to the school.  Tonight we stay in a Hmong homestay just outside Dong Van town. (B,L,D)

Day 10 – Tuesday 22nd April – Motorbike Dong Van to Du Gia

Feeling relaxed after a comfortable night at our homestay it’s back on the bikes for the most memorable of days!  Hitting the unforgettable Ma Pi Leng Pass is an experience not to be missed and the ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) afterwards at a spectacular viewpoint (with a loo with the best view) will taste amazing! We take the opportunity to drop off supplies to another school before hitting one of our major project villages. Here we will co-ordinate the delivery of fresh water storage tanks to some of the poorest families in the village.  Tonight we stay in the Tay village of Du Gia, enjoying the comforts of a local stilt house homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 11 – Wednesday 23rd April – Motorbike Du Gia to Ha Giang

After the excitement of the last couple of days, the run back to Ha Giang is fairly easy as the roads improve and we return back to more populated lands.  We will stop along the way at the small village of Duong Thuong where Aussie charity Community Against Poverty have established a learning centre “The Library House”.  Each weekend the Library House is full of local Hmong children enjoying the chance to take part in creative play activities, reading picture story books and playing sports with the support of two local teachers  – Hoa and Chiem. Back on the bikes, enjoying lunch on the way we find ourselves a few hours later in Ha Giang city. Here we say goodbye to our talented easy riders and hello to the very comfortable Royal Hotel where hot showers and comfy beds await.. Bliss..!  Tonight you are free to explore Ha Giang and enjoy dinner wherever you wish. (B,L)

Day 12 – Thursday 24th April – Ha Giang to Tam Coc

Today we travel to Tam Coc by private bus.  It’s a long journey but the chance to catch up on some sleep will appeal to most!  We will arrive in Tam Coc in the late afternoon to the friendliest of welcomes from the lovely Nam. Oh, and the pool might be just the place to relax and unwind for the evening. From here you are free to do as you wish for dinner. (B)

Day 13 – Friday 25th April – Tam Coc

Welcome to Tam Coc also known as ‘Halong Bay on Land’.  The magnificent limestone karsts rise dramatically out of the ground and boat trips on rivers which run around the karsts are a great way to explore the region.  From the time you arrive at our comfortable homestay you are free to explore at your leisure. (B)

Day 14 – Saturday 26th April – Tam Coc

The Trang An karst complex is another fantastic place to visit. You can even visit the karst formations which featured in King Kong: The Skull Island movie.  Further afield a visit to Mua Caves is a hit (even with the 500 steps) for the fantastic views and Hoa Lu offers an insight into the ancient capital of Vietnam.  Tam Coc town itself has a relaxed vibe and plentiful eateries – both Western and Vietnamese. Oh and the odd cocktail lounge too! Our final night in Vietnam is cause for celebration and tonight we will enjoy a final group meal in the town, or perhaps a BBQ with our hosts Nam and Nam. It’s a fitting way to finish our adventure..! (B)

Day 15 – Sunday 27th April – Depart Tam Coc for Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi)

Today is departure day from Hanoi. Leaving Tam Coc we will transfer by bus directly for Noi Bai Airport Hanoi for our flight out of Vietnam. (B)

Your Volunteer Projects

Without doubt your volunteer experience will be the highlight of your journey with us.  As one of our traveller’s recently commented “it gave me the chance to re-calibrate my moral compass….to understand what is really important in my life …. and what isn’t”.  The volunteer work you will undertake will impact on lives – there is no doubt about that. You will build a house for a family, deliver water tanks to families who desperately need fresh water, deliver invaluable eyeglasses to villagers who rely on their sight to earn money for their families and you will help to improve the education (and life opportunities) of children. You will also use your experiences to keep changing the world for good as you become an advocate for the projects you have connected with, upon your return.

House Building Project – Sapa

Oh what a feeling!  You will spend 3 days in a remote village outside Sapa, living with and working alongside the local people to build a house for a family in need.  The picture postcard scenery will provide a stunning backdrop to the project as we work to construct a solid brick structure – the first proper shelter the family has ever had. The family we support will be chosen by the local community who take into consideration the age and health of the family members, their level of education and ability to work and also their commitment to the local community – so you can be sure that the family is most worthy of your help.  Your tasks will be helping to build the wooden frame, moving and laying bricks, mixing mortar and whatever else it takes to build the house!  No previous experience is required and there are no expectations about your work aside from your willingness to help. All the while we will work alongside local tradespeople and labourers – even though we don’t share a common language it is amazing what can be achieved when people work together towards a shared goal.  A unique and humbling experience….

Village water tank delivery – “Let’s Get Tanked”

Our target village is situated in Ha Giang province – the second poorest area of Vietnam with close to 20% of the population living in absolute poverty.  Here life is very tough  – especially for the poorly educated ethnic minority groups who have lived in the area for generations. The area has two distinct seasons  – dry and wet. During the wet season the villagers collect rainwater off the roof of their house. In the dry season they are forced to walk many kilometres to collect water from rock pools.  The pools become increasingly contaminated with mud and algae as the season progresses.  Enter ‘Let’s Get Tanked’..!  Extra fundraising through our partner charity Community Against Poverty Assoc Inc (CAP) will result in 1500 litre water tanks being distributed to the poorest families in the village. These tanks will store precious fresh drinking water for the families to use during the dry season. The impacts on health (due to clean drinking water) and education (as children no longer have to miss school to collect water each day) are immeasurable.  As part of this project you will oversee the delivery and distribution of the tanks during your visit.

School & village supplies

As we travel through the magnificent mountain terrain during the motorbike trip we will stop along the way at different villages and schools to deliver supplies. One of these stops will be at the Duong Thuong village community learning centre or ‘The Library House’ as it is known to locals.  Our partner charity CAP has been active in the region establishing a learning centre aimed at engaging children and their parents in education.  Here we will see how the centre has been established and learn about the purpose and work of the centre.  A support van will be on hand to carry any extra items we wish to distribute to our project recipients.  Blankets, food, educational supplies such as books, puzzles and games will all be delivered to the Library House along with the most needy villages.  If you have a knitter in your family feel free to bring along any knitted beanies for distribution as well..!

Eye camps

For the first time we will be offering ‘eye camps’ to local villagers at different times during our trip. With the  support of local commune health centres we will have the capacity to provide reading and prescription glasses to people who need them. For many people they need to ‘see to earn’ and for younger children they need to ‘see to learn’. Eyesight is critical and the opportunity to access eyeglasses for some of the more remote communities is minimal.

Accommodation & Meals

Unique experiences happen when you have the chance to really connect with the local people in the communities you visit.  That’s why, wherever we can, we choose guesthouses, home stays or small hotels for our accommodation.  Your quiet and comfortable small hotel in Hanoi is located right in the heart of the mesmerising Old Quarter, close to all the street food and market action.  Did we say street food?  Oh yes, unbelievable banh mi and fabulous pho just to name a couple of the culinary staples.  We will hit the streets in search of the best of both! Moving on the overnight train to Sapa is an experience in itself offering quad berth cabins and shared facilities on board. The Sapa homestay will be basic. You will live like a local for three days with communal rooms and facilities but this authentic opportunity will really allow you to embrace the whole experience. The food will be a highlight as the locals prepare our meals – lots of delicious stir fries and soups, delicate flavours and chilli heat to your taste!

Moving on to the motorbike phase and you will enjoy a series of traditional homestays with different ethnic groups  – with local food to match.  Again the accommodation will vary from a mattress on the floor to a simple bedroom – all with shared facilities.  In Ha Giang  we enjoy very clean and comfortable hotel accommodation and in Tam Coc we will stay with the gorgeous couple Nam and Nam (husband and wife) at their own very comfortable homestay (with pool we may say)!!

Your Fellow Travellers

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ e3 Global Adventures traveller!  Our groups are capped at 16 and our travellers cover a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and skills but usually have one feature in common – they wish to spend some time supporting – and really making a difference to – the communities they visit during their travels.  As a result our groups tend to be cohesive, accepting and….importantly….adventurous!

Please note that this is an active adventure requiring walking for distances of 5+ km’s to and from the Sapa homestay. In addition, the house building project does require participants to be capable of walking on uneven surfaces along with some light lifting and carrying.  The motorbike trip, although unforgettable, is also quite tiring. You will need to be physically quite fit to really enjoy this trip. If you are unsure about your fitness and ability to participate please just get in touch.

Cost

Trip cost is $2 499 AUD per person with a single supplement of $300 AUD. If you are travelling alone but are happy to share with a person of the same gender please let us know.  Please refer to the detailed trip notes for inclusions and exclusions.

A project payment of $400 is also payable prior to departure with 100% of this payment used to buy materials and resources or hire local labour for the projects we will be supporting.

Need more information?  Download the detailed trip notes to learn more or contact us with your specific questions.

Ready to book? Simply contact us and begin the countdown to April!