In June 2025, working as Expedition Leader for World Challenge, I lead a group of 18 people on an expedition to Northern Vietnam.
For photographs of this expedition see Vietnam – June 2025
This expedition is arranged by World Challenge
Vietnam expedition
DAY 1 – 09 JUN 25 – ARRIVAL
Upon arrival in Hanoi we pass immigration and collect our baggage. We meet our pre-booked transfer in the arrivals hall and travel to our accommodation, the Serenity Villa Hotel, 28a Ngo Huyen Street, Hang Trong, Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
DAY 2 – 10 JUN 25 – EXPLORE HANOI
We explore Hanoi. Visit the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison Museum and the Water Puppet Theatre.
DAY 3 – 11 JUN 25 – QUYNH SON TREK DAY 1
We travel from Hanoi to the trek start point at Dong Y Village. We stop en-route in Na Rieng for lunch, where we leave our excess luggage. We carry daypacks on this trek. Full packs and any excess luggage are transported to our accommodation in Na Rieng where we will spend the final night of our trek. The trek is catered.
Trek Day 1 Description:
Start trekking from Dong Y Village. From here walk for around 3 hours to Na Cuom village, passing through
rice paddy fields and small villages on the way. Today’s route is mostly flat on a dirt track.
Accommodation & Facilities:
Tonight we stay in community-hosted accommodation.
DAY 4 – 12 JUN 25 – QUYNH SON TREK DAY 2
Full day of trekking.
From Na Cuom Village to Na Rieng Village
Trek Day 2 Description:
Continue the trek on the dirt track with an ascent to Ngoc Mon Peak. The ascent is around 4km in length. Continue down to Ra La Hamlet where we break for lunch. This afternoon we follow the paved route through Long Dong’s hamlets, visit the Museum of Bac Son and one of the tile making kilns before carrying onto Na Rieng.
Accommodation & Facilities:
We stay in a homestay tonight.
DAY 5 – 13 JUN 25 – QUYNH SON TREK DAY 3
Full day of trekking.
From Na Rieng Village to Na Rieng Village
Trek Day 3 Description:
This morning we take a short transfer to Chieu Vu to start trekking. Follow the paved tracks through hamlets, before following the edge of a lake where we have lunch. In the afternoon starting from Hung Vu’s rock mine we follow a trail past houses and fields before follow a trail through the hills back to Na Rieng.
DAY 6 – 14 JUN 25 – QUYNH SON TREK DAY 4 & TRAVEL TO HANOI
Final day of trekking and transfer to Hanoi.
From Na Rieng Village to Hanoi
Trek Day 4 Description:
This morning we explore the village of Na Rieng and walk to the peak of Na Lay mountain to enjoy views over the valley. Then we collect our excess luggage from our accommodation before heading back to Hanoi.
DAY 7 – 15 JUN 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – HOA BINH
Travel to the community initiative in the morning and settle in.
From Hanoi to Hoa Binh
UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):
Our initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Rapid urbanisation often leads to unsafe and unsustainable living conditions. SDG 11 promotes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements.
About this Initiative:
In rural Vietnam, SDG 11 focuses on improving infrastructure, access to services, and climate resilience. Many communities face challenges like poor housing, limited transport, and vulnerability to climate change. We work with an organisation that connects visitors with rural communities as a means of creating unique travel experiences with a philanthropic focus. The income generated from the trips is used to fund long-term infrastructure improvements for the communities.
The organisation also provides training and resources to local families who are then able to host visitors, accessing sustainable sources of income, and allowing them to share their culture and traditions.
Our main focus is helping to construct a vital irrigation ditch, to support small-scale agriculture and reduce the risk of water blockages and landslides. Tasks include digging and clearing the ditch path, moving materials, mixing cement, and laying bricks or stones, depending on the stage of construction.
DAY 8 – 16 JUN 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – HOA BINH
Full day at the community initiative.
From Hoa Binh to Hoa Binh
We continue with yesterday’s activities. This evening, we participate in a traditional weaving activity.
DAY 9 – 17 JUN 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – HOA BINH
Full day at the community initiative.
From Hoa Binh to Hoa Binh
We continue with yesterday’s activities. This evening we participate in a cookery workshop.
DAY 10 – 18 JUN 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – HOA BINH
Final day at the community initiative and return to Hanoi.
From Hoa Binh to Hanoi
We finish our tasks and pack away any tools and materials. This afternoon we return to Hanoi.
DAY 11 – 19 JUN 25 – ACTIVITIES IN HALONG BAY
Leave Hanoi this morning and spend the afternoon on a boat trip in Halong Bay.
From Hanoi to Halong City
We transfer to Halong City. We take a boat tour in Halong Bay.
DAY 12 – 20 JUN 25 – TRAVEL TO HANOI
We spend the morning exploring Halong Bay, before making the journey back to Hanoi in afternoon.
We explore Hanoi, and visit train street.
DAY 13 – 21 JUN 25 – EXPLORE HANOI
Free day for sightseeing in Hanoi.
DAY 14 – 22 JUN 25 – DEPARTURE
Today we depart home.
