THE GATEWAY FOR MEANINGFUL SOCIAL SUPPORT AND DIVERSE VIETNAM CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

YESD Vietnam’s Educational Projects is a gateway to Vietnam’s diverse cultural landscape, offering a rare chance to live and learn with the ethnic community in Ha Giang. Participants engage in authentic village life — learning traditional skills, exploring herbal healing methods, and reflecting on the evolving roles of ethnic minorities in a modernizing world. With an emphasis on experiential learning and cultural sensitivity, the Educational Projects help students grow personally and professionally, equipping them with the awareness and adaptability needed in today’s globalized society.

Students will gain flexibility, a deeper understanding of diversity, and cross-cultural communication skills as a result of these experiences. They will learn directly about resilience, sustainable living, and the value of maintaining indigenous customs. Educational project’s articipants must be adaptable and have an open mind because they will be immersed in a rural setting during the trip. It is a life-changing educational event that promotes cultural sensitivity, global citizenship, and a stronger bond with Vietnam’s rich history.

JOIN US ON A MEANINGFUL JOURNEY

Opportunities to engage with the Dao ethnic community in Nam Dam, Ha Giang.

  • Learn directly from local artisans and farmers about traditional occupations such as herbal medicine, weaving, embroidery, and agriculture.
  • Ideal for students and researchers interested in anthropology, cultural studies, sustainable agriculture, or traditional medicine.
  • Participate in hands-on educational activities, including preparing herbal remedies, weaving textiles, and working on terraced farms.
  • Explore Ha Giang’s traditional Sunday market.

    • Education program breakdowns:

    Airport Transfer

    Volunteers for the educational trip are picked up from the Noi Bai International Airport by the local coordinator (YESD Vietnam). Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Hanoi will be picked up from the hotel or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

    Accommodation

    Volunteers are provided with accommodation in the volunteer house or in a family-operated and centrally located guesthouse in Ha Giang.

    The volunteer house is located in Ha Giang near the local market. The house provides volunteers with a comfortable, simple, and relaxing place to live.

    Presently, the volunteer house can accommodate more than twenty volunteers in five rooms. Rooms in the house are on a shared basis. Rooms have fans and AC. If the volunteers need any help or assistance, they can always come to the local team office, which is in the same building and literally right next door. Wifi Internet is available at the volunteer house.

    Participants also have the option to choose to upgrade to a single private room at an additional charge at the guesthouse accommodation. In case of nonavailability at the volunteer house during busy periods, participants are provided accommodation in a guesthouse.

    Participants also have the option to choose to upgrade to a single private room at an additional charge at the guesthouse accommodation. In case of nonavailability at the volunteer house during busy periods, participants are provided accommodation in a guesthouse.

    Orientation

    An intensive orientation will be provided by the YESD educational project leader. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety, and volunteer placements are explained during the orientation. Volunteers are given a local tour of Ha Giang as well as a welcome dinner.

    Meals

    Vietnamese cuisine is famous among other countries in the world. Local food will be a great choice for people who love Vietnamese cuisine. During your stay at the volunteer house, the local family will provide food. A cooking team follows the educational project group to take care of food hygiene.

    The menu will offer for selection of the foods you prefer:

    • Breakfast: starts from 6:00 AM -7:30 AM, foods such as banh mi or crepe, tea, coffee, and fresh fruit are included.
    • Lunch: starts from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, foods such as soup or stir-fried with a main dish consisting of rice, noodles, fresh vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork.
    • Dinner: starts from 5:40 PM – 7:00 PM, food is similar to lunch, so you typically come together to eat with others.
    • If you are a vegetarian or have special requests (food allergies). Please notify us in advance for support.

    Weekends

    Ha Giang is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam known for its stunning landscapes, including rugged peaks, deep valleys, and terraced rice fields. It’s home to diverse ethnic minority communities, each with unique cultures and traditions. Popular for motorbike tours (Ha Giang loop) and trekking, Ha
    Giang offers an authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travelers.

    WHY TRAVEL WITH YESD?

    Authentic

    We give local people employment, income and learning opportunities so they are directly involved in your tourism experience. Our guides and hosts will give you a special insight into culture and life in Vietnam.

    Responsible

    We aim to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and the local community while contributing positively to local economies. We don’t just talk responsible tourism, we act!

    Tours that translate

    10% of all profits from our tours go towards a community fund. This money allows us to make infrastructure improvements and provide other important resources to those in need.

    TRIP ITINERARY

    Day 1

    Arrive in Hanoi – Custom clearance and luggage pickup.

    Transport to Tha village and have lunch on the way

    Check into the homestay/settling down, and have dinner with the host family

    Day 2

    Morning:

    • YESD presentation, Responsible tourism guidelines, Introduction/Brief overview of Ha Giang
    • Meeting with Local homestay owners, leaders, artisans, and villagers to understand tourism in Ha Giang and how tourism has an impact on the lives of people who are directly involved in tourism and those who are not directly involved.

    Afternoon: Trekking through the forest and villages to observe and learn more about the lives of the Tay people and transport to Nam Dam.

    Day 3

    Morning: Visit and have educational activities in Quan Ba/Tam Son Sunday market, where they will meet different ethnic minorities from the region: Dao, H’Mong, etc.

    Morning: Visit and have educational activities in Quan Ba/Tam Son Sunday market, where they will meet different ethnic minorities from the region: Dao, H’Mong, etc.

    Day 4

    Morning: Visit the Linen woman cooperative to learn more about their women empowerment stories and experience the step-by-step process of how to make products from hemp.

    Afternoon: Local herbal medication learning: Herbal bath experiencing. Understand how healthcare is implemented in the local communities.

    Day 5

    Depart back to Hanoi. It will take roughly 8 hours to get back.

    READY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT?

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