Traveling abroad recently has become a trend for many schools that want their students to gain wonderful and real experiences from cultural immersion to social growth. And Vietnam is emerging as an ideal place for school trips and students due to its rich history, culture and natural beauty that offer many great educational opportunities and outdoor activities. There are numerous places that would make best places for school trips and students tours in Vietnam, from the bustling and hustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh city or Hanoi to serene country landscapes including Hoang Su Phi or Mai Chau all of them will be shown in this article.

8 Best Destinations for Vietnam Education Trips

Hanoi – Charming Capital of a Thousand Years of Civilization

Being the current capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is considered one of the oldest cities and the cultural capitals in Asia which is famous for many historical sites and museums such as, Literature temple, Tran Quoc pagoda, Vietnam Ethnology museum or Hoan Kiem Lake and handicraft villages nearby…all of them are great places for students to discover.

The best ways to explore this beautiful capital are by foot through narrow streets lined with shops, cafes and well-preserved French colonial architectures or taking a cyclo ride to immerse in the busy Old Quarter which is famous for its streets name “Hang” – the name of products that are sold on the streets.

Do not forget participate in the water puppet show (a traditional art of Vietnam remaining over thousand years) which is the best way to give students wonderful tastes of culture and history of the land. Also, join a Hanoi street food tour to explore the best food of North Vietnam at the street vendors to fine dining restaurants because Hanoi is the food hub that students can find many kind of food.

Hoang Su Phi – Land of National Terraced Rice Field Heritage

Located in the Northeast Vietnam, Hoang Su Phi is renowned for its picturesque mountain town bordering with China and stunning enormous terraced rice fields carving into the hillsides and stretching from the bottom to the mountain top.

It is also the home of many ethnic minorities such as Dao, Hmong and Tay people…who have preserved their unique cultures and traditions over generations. Hoang Su Phi is an ideal destination for students to learn about the traditional customs and cultures of these groups, as well as the influence of tourism on their way of life.

In order to gain the best experiences, it is highly suggested to do 3-day trek tour in Hoang Su Phi through hill tribes and participate into farming activities to learn about unique agricultural practices in the region and trying local traditional food.

Mai Chau – The Picturesque Valley with Serene Tribal Villages

Located about 130km from Hanoi, Mai Chau is one of the best places near Hanoi to get away from the noise and busy streets. This valley is surrounded by lush green rice paddies, towering limestone cliffs, and traditional stilt houses of the White Thai ethnic minority.

The most famous ethnic villages in Mai Chau are Lac, Pom Coong, and Buoc…, where students can see the daily life and customs of the White Thai people. The best way to discover the area and interact with the locals are by walking or cycling tour of the villages.

Mai Chau is endowed with beautiful natural scenery so trekking is an excellent way to explore the mountains, valleys, and forests. Students can choose 2 days to 3 days trek with a range of trekking options, from easy walks to challenging hikes, depending on the fitness level.

During stay, homestays are a great way to experience the local culture and way of life. Students can learn much about custom and culture by staying in a traditional stilt house, share meals with the family, and participate in their daily activities, such as rice planting, weaving, and cooking. In particular, you can watch traditional music and dance performances in Mai Chau. The performances are held in the evenings and are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Halong Bay – A “Must-Visit” World Wonder of Nature

Being one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong is definitely a “must-visit” site for school trips and student tours in Vietnam. The area comprises thousands of limestone and islet jutting out of the emerald water in the Tokin Gulf.

2-day cruise in Halong Bay is a wonderful experience that cannot be skipped in this trip. During the trip, you will not only visit spectacular caves with fabulous formations of stalactites and stalagmites that have been formed million years but also listen to legends associated with. This is a perfect way to learn about the unique ecology of the area. Besides, you can do kayaking, visiting floating fishing villages and enjoy delicious seafood.

Hue – World UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site

Located on the bank of Perfume River, Hue is the historic city that saw the final royal dynasty – Nguyen of Vietnam. Hue is the home of many historic sites with Imperial city, temples, pagoda and mausoleums of Emperors making this city a perfect destination for studying history and architecture.

Hue also owns many handicraft villages including: Conical Hat Village, Thuy Xuan Incense Making Village, Bronze casting village, Sinh Folk Painting Village, Phuoc Tich Ceramics Village, Bao La Knit Village which are the best places for students to get involve more into cultures and learn how to make some local products.

Hoi An – Peaceful UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Town

Located on the central coast of Vietnam and bout 30km from Danang international airport, Hoi An is an excellent destination for educational trips because of its rich history and amazing architectures. During the 16^th and 17^th century, Hoi An town was once an important trading port and center of commerce in Southeast Asia. The town is filled with well-preserved historical buildings, temples, and pagodas that offer a glimpse into the city's rich cultural history. A walking tour to the ancient town will a perfect way for students to explore its history with a unique blend of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and European impacts.

In Hoi An, you can do different kind of tours from historical and heritage tours (with a visit to My Son sanctuary to learn its civilization and religion), eco-tour to countryside or local villages (helping the locals with farming activities, especially in Tra Que herb village), to culture tours (participating in making traditional lanterns, trying on traditional costumes, or learning how to make Vietnamese cuisine).

Ho Chi Minh City – The Economic Center of Vietnam

The busiest Ho Chi Minh city (formerly called Saigon) offers wonderful education trips for students which cover many subjects from history, religion, economics to geography. There are many educational and cultural experiences available for school trips and student tours in Ho Chi Minh City for example:

Cu Chi Tunnels - a network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

Saigon Opera House - a beautiful French colonial building built I 1898 that hosts cultural events, including opera, ballet, and musical performances.

War Remnants Museum - a museum that displays exhibits related to the Vietnam War, including photographs, artifacts, and documents.

All of above sites to visit will give you a Vietnamese perspective and help gain better understanding of the country.

Mekong Delta—A Massive Rice Granary of Vietnam

Mekong Delta is the most fertile area and the heaven of tropical fruits in Vietnam. This destination can be an impressive educational experience for Vietnam school trips and student tours which provide a deep insights of the area’s culture, history and way of life.

Taking a boat tour of Cai Rang floating market or Cai Be floating market always is the best option that students should do to learn about region’s agriculture practices in the watery land. Also, do not forget to visit abundant fruit orchards and bee farms to enjoy tasty tropical fruits and honeybee

What Are the Best Tours of Vietnam Education Trips for Students

Vietnam is endowed with many stunning destinations that would be impossible to cover all of them due to the time limit. However, there are places that should be in the travel bucket list of the educational tours.

The whole Vietnam 21 Days from the North to South covers Sapa, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay/Lan Ha Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and Mekong Delta

Or if you want school trips that students get involved in local activities, cultures or helping locals, then take 2 weeks in Northeast and Northwest Vietnam covering Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay/Lan Ha Bay. The 2-week school trip in Vietnam would be:

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival

Day 02: Hanoi city tour – cyclo tour – water puppet show

Day 03: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Ba Be nation park

Day 04: Ba Be – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc waterfall

Day 05: Cao Bang – Bao Lac

Day 06: Bao Lac – Ha Giang – Meo Vac

Day 07: Meo Vac – Dong Van – Yen Minh – Quan Ba - Ha Giang

Day 08: Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi

Day 09: Hoang Su Phi Trekking

Day 10: Hoang Su Phi – Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi – Ninh Binh

Day 12: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay

Day 13: Lan Ha Bay – Halong Bay – Hanoi

Day 14: Hanoi – Departure

Vietnam Useful Travel Tips for School Trips and Student Tours

Traveling to Vietnam for students is not quite difficult providing that you obtain Vietnam visa. Except for some nationalities are eligible for Vietnam visa exemption, all other nationalities must get visa before departure. Make sure your passport must be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip.

Vietnam has a diverse climate and varies from region to region so always check weather forecast before traveling to have suitable clothes

Vietnam has a unique culture that would be different from what you're used to. As a student, you'll need to be open-minded and respectful of the local customs and traditions. Just do as the locals do.

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, but English is spoken quite widely so do not much worry about language barriers because you can ask the help from people in hotels or restaurants.

In general, traveling to Vietnam as a student always enrich experience that are very helpful for study because you will have the opportunity to make friends and learn about the local culture. However, you must research and plan ahead to make sure a smooth trip. In case, you need any helps, please contact with our local travel experts who can give you all information from best places for school trips and student tours in Vietnam to Vietnam visa assistance. You will most amazing school trips in Vietnam that surely broaden your horizons.

Read more:

=> How to organize a tour to Vietnam ?

=> How to book a tour to Vietnam with a local travel agency ?