Where do our travels in Vietnam take us this summer? Consult the handy blog post for a glimpse of the itinerary.
June 13 – June 15th: Sapa or Ha Long Bay
Because there is such a big group, half of the team will be cruising on a boat in Ha Long Bay (photo top), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for thousands of limestone karsts and boating tours, or hiking up and around Sapa (photo bottom), a town inhabited by several ethnic minority groups and growing largely popular for its tourism.
June 16 – July 1st: Hai An, Dong Ha, Quang Tri
The bulk of the trip to Vietnam will be spent in this year’s project location: the village of Hai An, capital of Dong Ha, Quang Tri province. During the two weeks of volunteer service, we will be working with Vietnamese physicans and nurses, as well as community members and children. According to the D.O.V.E. Fund’s recent issue of D.O.V.E. Diligence, Hai An is a small costal community with industries in fishing, agriculture, and seafood processing. The families, however, face many health challenges due to the lack of daily living neccessities such as potable water, poor sanitation, and unstable diet. Family incomes are very low, and medical care access, resources, and facilities are almost non-existent. We know that this is a great opportunity and privilege to work with such an enduring community, and we cannot wait to let others know about it.
July 1 – July 2nd: Hue
Following Dong Ha, we are visiting the hometown of one of our trip-goers this year in the city of Hue. Being the imperial capital during the Nguyen Dynasty, this city has endured through the destructions during the Vietnam War, and now is the landscape to many years of history. (We also heard that it’s famous for its banh beo and banh nam…)
July 3 – July 5th: Nha Trang
Nha Trang is probably one of the most modernized cities in Vietnam, and attracts many tourists from all over the world. Although not quite culturally enriched, it is known for it’s aquatic adventures and nightlife, and it will be a nice way to relax and wrap-up this summer’s trip.
July 5 – July 9th: Ho Chi Minh City
Finally, our trip takes us to our final destination in Ho Chi Minh City, previously and still commonly known as Saigon. Traces of French influence still linger on the streets through the architecture and bakeries found throughout the city. This city is the final stop and temporary home until the trip is over, and we all go home.