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
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Tour Date: 5 January 2026 (Monday) – 11 January 2026 (Sunday) (During Semester Break)
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Compulsory Sessions:
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Pre-trip Briefing Session： 30 December 2025 (Tuesday) | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
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Pre-trip Wellness Workshop： 30 December 2025 (Tuesday) | 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
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Post-trip Group Sharing Session：16 January 2026 (Friday) | 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
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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
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 compulsory 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. The fee paid is non‐refundable. Participants are not allowed to withdraw during the programme.
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
Quota: 30
22/23 October 2025
- Interview with Shortlisted Applicants
24 October 2025
- Announcement of Successful Applicants
27 October 2025
- Deadline for Offer Acceptance (Payment & Form Submission)
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 Session: Attendance is mandatory to be eligible for $1,000 deposit refund.
5 January 2026 (Day 1)
- Visit to Foreign Trade University
- Visit to Embassy of the People's Republic of China
- Street food tour with Hanoikids
Departure Flight: 0740-0850 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 2026 (Day 2)
- Volunteer work with Volunteer in Vietnam for Community Development (VVCD)
Tour to a local community centre supporting youth aged 8–20 with Special Education Needs (SEN) such as developmental disorders, autism or disabilities and conduct teaching activities.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi
7 January 2026 (Day 3)
- Boat trip on Halong Bay, visit Paradise & Wood head caves
- Kayaking/ Bamboo Boat at Luon Cave
Discover UNESCO World Heritage Ha Long Bay – “Guilin on the Sea” – featuring emerald waters and iconic limestone formations. Cruise to Paradise/Wooden Caves, then paddle traditional rafts through Luon Cave’s turquoise corridor, studying karst ecosystems while honing collaborative navigation skills.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Hanoi
8 January 2026 (Day 4)
- Transfer to Sapa
- Short Trek to Cat Cat Village
Head to Sapa City situated at an altitude of 1,640 meters through a 6-7 hour scenic drive.
Explore Cat Cat Village’s Black Hmong community at valley base, observing traditional lifestyles during a waterfall hike through French colonial hydroelectric ruins.
Accommodation: Three-star to four-star hotels in Sapa
9 January 2026 (Day 5)
- Long trek to Lao Chai & Ta Van Village
- Homestay at Ta Van Village
Explore the terraced rice fields across Sapa’s Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to Yao and Hani communities. Join local rural families in handicraft workshops and sharing home-cooked ethnic minority meals.
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 2026 (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 2026 (Day 7)
- Farm tour & home cooking class with local family
- Hanoi city tour: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace and Temple of Literature
Explore a local market and farm and participate in a family-hosted cooking class to master traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Visit the Mausoleum housing Vietnam’s founding leader, adjacent to the French-colonial Presidential Palace symbolizing cultural fusion. The Temple of Literature is a Confucian temple and the site of Vietnam’s first university (1076-1779), embodying 900+ years of scholarly tradition.
Return Flight: 1925-2220 Cathay Pacific CX742 HAN Hanoi Noi Bai Intl.T2 > HKG Hong Kong Intl.T1
16 January 2026
(Post-trip)
- Post-trip Group Sharing Session (4:00 pm - 5:30pm)
- Deadline for submission of Post-trip Learning Journal (~600 words)
Compulsory Session: 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
The online application system has been closed at 5:00 PM, 17 October 2025 (Friday). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview on 22 October 2025 (Wednesday) or 23 October 2025 (Thursday).
Student pairs who enroll together and have both successfully completed the programme will receive exclusive CEDARS gift sets (choose from crossbody bag, towel, mobile phone strap, tableware, or water bottle).
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.
• After the interview result announcement, successful applicants must settle the fee by the specified date to confirm the acceptance of their offer. The fee paid is non‐refundable. Participants are not allowed to withdraw during the programme. Participants are eligible for deposit refund upon attending ALL compulspory sessions, satisfactory performance throughout the programme, and submitting the post‐trip learning journal.
• The tour fee covers round‐trip airfare, accommodation, local meals, transportation, travel insurance, travel data sim card, entrance fee for all attractions and Tourist visa for Hong Kong passport holders. The tour fee does not include personal expenses, such as extra meals, souvenirs, laundry services, and any optional activities not listed in the itinerary. Personal expenses should be borne by the participants.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Activities involve physical exercise.
• All participants must ensure that their physical and mental conditions are ready for this activity. CEDARS and GLO Travel Limited is not liable for any injuries/ sickness/ loss of personal belongings during the tour.
• Photos and videos will be taken at all the events related to the tour for future promotion and CEDARS reserves all copyright and ownership of the photos and videos taken.
• All Participants must follow all instructions given by the staff with respect to all matters regarding the tour. CEDARS reserves the right to prohibit the participants from joining activities without any refund of application fee if the participants violate any of the above conditions and terms during the tour.
• CEDARS reserves the final decision-making authority on disputes and any issues related to the tour.
Enquiries
LEAF Student Leadership Development Programme
leaf@cedars.hku.hk
3917 2305
3/F, Meng Wah Complex, The University of Hong Kong
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