2 weeks making a difference in Southern Vietnam. Then 10 days backpacking through the North. One unforgettable way to experience Vietnam.
Go beyond the typical backpacking trip with 14 days living and volunteering alongside a local community in the Mekong Delta, before heading north for 10 days of motorbikes, mountains, boat parties and some of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations.
This isn’t your standard group tour. And it isn’t your standard volunteer trip either.
It’s the best of both worlds, back to back.
Spend the first half of your trip slowing things down, getting involved with the local community and experiencing a side of Vietnam most travellers never see.
Then pack your bags and head north, where the adventure switches gears completely.
From local communities and rice fields to the Ha Giang mountains, Hanoi nightlife and cruising Ha Long Bay, you’ll experience Vietnam from two completely different perspectives.
And the best part? We’ve sorted the logistics, so you can focus on making the most of it.
Your journey starts in the Thot Not region near Can Tho, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.
You’ll live alongside the local community and get involved in community based projects depending on local needs and your interests. This may include supporting English education, spending time at a local hospital or aged care centre, or helping with farming and small community projects.
Weekdays are structured around your placement, while the weekend gives you the chance to experience more of the Mekong Delta, from floating markets and rice fields to islands, local food and everyday life in Southern Vietnam.
It’s a chance to slow down, connect with people and experience a side of Vietnam you simply wouldn’t see by passing through as a tourist.
After an incredible two weeks in Southern Vietnam, it’s time to switch things up.
Today you’ll make your way back to Ho Chi Minh City and fly north to Hanoi, ready to begin the second half of your adventure.
Spend the night in Hanoi, meet the Mad Monkey crew and get ready for what’s coming next.
Now the adventure changes gears.
Over the next 10 days, you’ll experience a completely different side of Vietnam with Mad Monkey.
Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter and famous Beer Street, take on an unforgettable 4 day, 3 night Ha Giang Loop, then head towards the coast for an overnight cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, complete with kayaking, swimming and a sundeck party.
Finish it all back in Hanoi with the crew after 24 days of community, culture, adventure and a whole lot of stories to take home.
This 24 day Vietnam experience starts on the 4th Monday of every month, giving you plenty of opportunities to find a date that works for you.
To keep the experience personal and the community placement manageable, each departure is limited to just 12 travellers.
12 spots. One departure each month. Once they’re filled, they’re filled.
This is Vietnam, done differently. This is DO MORE.
Message us. Register. Pay your deposit. You’re in.
WhatsApp us, DM us on Instagram OR Fill out the form.
Living with the host family and getting involved in the local community was easily one of the highlights. We felt like we were actually making a difference, while getting to experience the real Vietnam in a way we never would have just travelling through.
The only thing you need to do is book your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. We’ll guide you through everything from there.
Before departure, you’ll receive clear instructions on how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to the project, including information about any buses or transfers you may need. Our local team will be ready to welcome you and help you settle in.
Just make sure you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. From there, we’ll let you know exactly where to go.
Make a real difference while experiencing the real Vietnam, not just the tourist side. This small-scale community project supports local residents in the Thot Not region, north of Can Tho and close to the Cambodian border. It’s a unique opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture from the inside and become part of the local community.
No day is exactly the same. Depending on your interests and what’s needed at the time, you could be:
In your free time, you can explore the surroundings on foot or by bicycle, visit Cai Rang Floating Market, Gian Gua Temple or Con Son Island.
Usual working hours: Monday to Friday (Saturday optional), from 8am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 5pm.
Sunday is your travel day and the transition between the two parts of the trip.
After finishing your volunteering experience in South Vietnam, you’ll make your way back to Ho Chi Minh City before flying to Hanoi, where the backpacking adventure begins.
Your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi is included in the trip price, so there’s no need to book this separately. We’ll provide you with all the travel details and instructions you need, so you know exactly where to go and when.
Once you arrive in Hanoi, you’ll check in at Mad Monkey Hanoi and get ready for Part 2 of the adventure.
Ten days taking you from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the incredible mountain passes of the Ha Giang Loop, before taking to the water among the limestone islands of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
Expect motorbikes, street food, mountain views, boat parties and probably a whole new group of friends by the end of the trip.
Accommodation is included throughout the entire 24-day trip, including accommodation during your volunteering placement, shared dorms at Mad Monkey Hanoi, homestays during the Ha Giang Loop and a shared double cabin during the cruise.
We get it. Sending your child overseas for 24 days, split between volunteering and independent adventure travel, can feel like a big step. So let's put your mind at ease.
Since 2004, we've supported volunteers and guided young people through meaningful international experiences. We take safety seriously. That means carefully vetting our partner organisations, volunteer placements and host families, and running the backpacking leg through Mad Monkey, an established operator with English speaking guides, licensed easy riders for the Ha Giang Loop, and a set daily structure for the whole group.
Our local contact supports volunteers throughout the community placement, and the backpacking adventure runs as part of a small group with a consistent home base at Mad Monkey Hanoi at both ends of the loop and cruise.
We're big on open communication, so reach out anytime with questions, before or during the trip. Your child's wellbeing, safety and overall experience are what matter most to us.
Warm regards, The team at DO MORE TRAVEL.
Volunteering (weeks 1 and 2):
Domestic flight: (Sunday after volunteering is a travel day)
Backpacking adventure (days 15 to 24):
February 2027:
Monday 22nd February - Wednesday 18th March
Sunday 7th March (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi
March 2027:
Monday 22nd March - Thursday 15th April
Sunday 4th April (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
April 2027:
Monday 26th April - Thursday 20th May
Sunday 9th May (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
May 2027:
Monday 24th May - Thursday 17th June
Sunday 6th June (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
June 2027:
Monday 28th June - Thursday 22nd July
Sunday 11th July (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
July 2027:
Monday 26th July - Thursday 19th August
Sunday 8th August (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
August 2027:
Monday 23rd August - Thursday 16th September
Sunday 5th September (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
September 2027:
Monday 27th September - Thursday 21st October
Sunday 10th October (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
October 2027:
Monday 25th October - Thursday 18th November
Sunday 7th November (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
November 2027:
Monday 22nd November - Thursday 16th December
Sunday 5th December (travel day Ho Chi Minh > Hanoi)
This trip suits travellers keen for both halves of the experience: real community contribution and full on adventure travel.
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