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Northern Vietnam
Study Tour

About The Programme

Make your semester break relaxing and fruitful with the Northern Vietnam Study Tour (Cultural Inclusion and Wellness), a 7-day, 6-night immersive and therapeutic journey designed for a unique blend of cultural discovery, community service, and natural exploration, funded by HYAB Funding Scheme for International Youth Exchange 2025-26.

Key experiences include:

  • Cultural & Culinary Discovery in Hanoi: Visit historic sites, participate in local cooking classes, and join food tours to experience the city’s rich heritage and flavours.
  • Meaningful Community Service: Engage directly with the local community by volunteering to teach and support children with SEN in Hanoi.
  • Natural Wonders of Ha Long Bay: Journey through a UNESCO World Heritage site as you navigate the bay’s emerald waters on a traditional junk cruise and by kayak.
  • Highland Immersion in Sapa: Ascend to one of Asia’s best high-altitude places for snow. You will trek through stunning terraced fields, stay in local homestays, and connect with the unique traditions of the Hmong, Yao, and Hani ethnic groups.
 

This programme provides a profound opportunity for academic learning, personal development, and fostering global citizenship. We invite you to embark on this unforgettable adventure together at the beginning of the new year!

Objectives

Strengthen students’ empathy and cultural inclusiveness

Enhance students’ awareness of the Belt and Road Initiative

Promote students’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and resilience

Deepen knowledge and understanding of Vietnamese culture and history

Tour Details

Date
  • Tour Date: 5 January 2026 (Monday) – 11 January 2026 (Sunday)                            (During Semester Break)
  • Compulsory Sessions:
    • Pre-trip Briefing Session 30 December 2025 (Tuesday) | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
    • Pre-trip Wellness Workshop 30 December 2025 (Tuesday) | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
    • Post-trip Group Sharing Session 16 January 2026 (Friday) | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Eligibility
  • Open to all HKU full-time students who:
    • Are aged between 18 and 35 years old (calculated as of the date of departure);
    • Hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or Hong Kong Identity Card;
    • Have a good command of English;
    • Have not participated in any international exchange programs sponsored by HYAB Funding Scheme for International Youth Exchange 2025-26;
  • Students with knowledge and experience in photography and video production are welcome to indicate their interest in additional roles with honorarium and provide relevant skills portfolios for our consideration.
  • Quota: 30
Fee
  • HK$3,000 (Fee) + HK$1,000 (Deposit)
    • The fee covers round‐trip airfare, accommodation, local meals, and transportation. Personal expenses (e.g., visa fees for non HKSAR-passport holders, shopping, etc.) should be borne by the participants.
    • Participants are eligible for deposit refund upon attending ALL compulspory sessions, satisfactory performance throughout the programme, and submitting the post‐trip learning journal.
    • After the interview result announcement, successful applicants must settle the fee by the specified date to confirm the acceptance of their offer. All fee paid are non‐refundable. Participants are not allowed to withdraw during the programme.
Requirements
  • Before departure, students are required to:
    • Attend the Pre-trip Briefing Session to learn about the itinerary arrangements, travel information, and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as to participate in ice-breaking games to promote mutual understanding and support among participants;
    • Attend the Pre-trip Wellness Workshop to learn how to foster holistic well-being, cope with stress and emotion and reflect on the meaning of life.
    • Download the HKYouth+ app launched by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and register as members.
    • Sign Health Declaration Form and Waiver
  • After return, students are required to:
    • Conduct a group presentation to share their learning experiences in the Post-trip Group Sharing Session. 
    • Submit a Post-trip Learning Journal (no more than 600 words), which will be uploaded to the CEDARS webpage and social media pages.


Timeline

Date

Activity

Remarks

17 October 2025

  • Application Deadline

22/23 October 2025

  • Interview with Shortlisted Applicants

28 October 2025

  • Announcement of Successful Applicants

30 October 2025

  • Deadline for Acceptance of the Offer

30 December 2025
(Pre-trip)

  • Pre-trip Briefing Session (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)
  • Pre-trip Wellness Workshop (2:30 pm - 4:00 pm)
Compulsory Sessions: Attendance is mandatory to be eligible for $1,000 deposit refund. 

5 January 2025 (Day 1)

  • Visit to Confucius Institute in Hanoi
  • Visit to Embassy of the People's Republic of China
  • Streetfood Tour
Departure Flight: 0725-0845 HK Express UO540 (HKG Hong Kong Intl.T1 > HAN Hanoi Noi Bai Intl.T2
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi

6 January 2025 (Day 2)

  • Volunteer work with Volunteer in Vietnam for Community Development (VVCD)
Tour to a local community centre supporting youth aged 8–20 with syndromes, developmental disorders, or autises and teaching activities. 
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi

7 January 2025 (Day 3)

  • Boat trip on Halong Bay, visit Paradise & Wood head caves
  • Kayaking/ Bamboo Boat at Luon Cave
Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and “New7Wonders of Nature”—is famed for its emerald waters and thousands of limestone karsts, earning it the nickname “Guilin on the Sea.”
You will cruise through the bay to iconic sites like Paradise Cave and Wooden Cave, experience kayaking or traditional bamboo raft expedition through Luon Cave, where towering cliffs frame serene turquoise waters. Paddling in tandem, students will observe the unique limestone formations and aquatic ecosystems up close while practicing teamwork and cross-cultural communication.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi

8 January 2025 (Day 4)

  • Transfer to Sapa
  • Short Trek to Cat Cat Village
Head to Sapa City in Lao Cai Province, situated at an altitude of 1,640 meters, approximately 6-7 hours by car.
Cat Cat Village is home to the local Black Hmong ethnic minority, located at the foot of a deep valley. Residents here preserve their traditional way of life, and students will observe their daily activities during the hike. The route passes through spectacular mountain valleys and leads to a waterfall, the site of a former French-built hydroelectric power station.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Sapa

9 January 2025 (Day 5)

  • Long trek to Lao Chai & Ta Van Village
  • Homestay at Ta Van Village
Lao Chai and Ta Van villages are home to the Yao, Hani, and other ethnic minorities, located in the stunning valleys of Sapa. Students will trek through terraced fields and primitive villages, personally experiencing the daily life and traditional craftsmanship of the local residents.
Engage closely with local families to gain a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, including working in the fields, making traditional handicrafts, or tasting local cuisine.
Accommodation: AU MEO HOME STAY#

#Due to limited capacity in rural homestays, some students will be accommodated in triple-occupancy rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

10 January 2025 (Day 6)

  • Cable car to Mount Fansipan
  • Transfer back to Hanoi
Take the cable car to the peak of Mount Fansipan. The cable car departs from the Fansipan Station, utilizing the world’s most advanced three-rope system, and ascends to the summit at 3,143 meters above sea level, offering magnificent natural views.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi

11 January 2025 (Day 7)

  • Farm tour & home cooking class with local family
  • Hanoi city tour:Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace and Temple of Literature
You will visit a local market to learn about fresh ingredients, tour a vegetable farm to see how they are cultivated, and join a private cooking class with a local family to master the art of preparing traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. 
 The Presidential Palace of Vietnam is a distinct French colonial architecture that stands as a powerful symbol of Vietnam’s historical transformations and cultural fusion.
Founded in 1070, the Temple of Literature is dedicated to Confucius. From 1076 to 1779, it housed the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university, and remains a cherished symbol of the nation’s deep-rooted respect for education and culture.
Return Flight: 1925 2220 Cathay Pacific CX742 HAN Hanoi Noi Bai Intl.T2 > HKG Hong Kong Intl.T1

16 January 2025
(Post-trip)

  • Post-trip Group Sharing Session (4:00 pm - 5:30pm)
  • Deadline for submission of Post-trip Learning Journal (~600 words)
Compulsory Sessions: Attendance is mandatory to be eligible for $1,000 deposit refund. 

The tour itinerary, hotel and flight arrangements listed above may be subject to change based on actual conditions.


Application

Deadline: 17th October 2025

  • Please submit the application no later than 17 October 2025 (Thursday). 

  • Special gifts (CEDARS tote bags,  Crossbody Bags water bottle & towels) will be offered to two students applying together.

  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview on 23 October 2025 (Thursday) or 24 October 2025 (Friday). 

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Terms and Conditions

  • This tour is operated by GLO Travel Limited (Licence No: 354384).

  • All flights, accommodations, and itinerary items are not yet confirmed. Final bookings and confirmations will be made after the acceptance of the offer .

  • All participants are required to submit a copy of their passport and other necessary documents (if applicable) after the tour is confirmed. Passports must have at least six months of validity upon the date of arrival back in Hong Kong. Participants will be responsible for any extra charges incurred due to insufficient or incorrect personal information, delays in submission, or an expired passport. These charges include, but are not limited to, passport renewal fees, fluctuations in airfare prices, and administrative fees for name changes on tickets.

  • A single room supplement will be charged if a student requests a single room. This supplement is not included in the tour fee. Accommodations will be arranged in twin-sharing rooms for participants of the same gender.

  • Students must hold a travel document valid for at least six months from the date of return. HKSAR passport holders are required to obtain a visa for Vietnam. Holders of other passports may also need to apply for a visa. The tour fee includes the tourist visa fee for Hong Kong passport holders. For other passport holders, they will be assisted with the visa application process, but any additional costs must be borne by the participant, and there is no guarantee of a successful application. If a participant is unable to travel due to visa issues, all fees paid are non-refundable, and CEDARS will not bear any responsibility.

  • Participants are responsible for any extra costs arising from flight or train cancellations or delays, including but not limited to additional meals or accommodation expenses.

    • Enquiries

    CEDARS - Campus Life

    LEAF Student Leadership Development Programme

    Email

    leaf@cedars.hku.hk

    Phone

    3917 2305

    Address:

    3/F, Meng Wah Complex, The University of Hong Kong

    Opening Hours

    Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 5:45 pm
    Friday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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