Global Challenge

MFG Global Challenge

Vietnam Expedition  

19 November 2019 – 17 December 2019

The 2019 Global Challenge Team set off for a month full of adventures, enjoyment and learning experiences - to the beautiful country of Vietnam. The team first arrived in Hanoi on the 19th of November, after hours of searching for accommodation, we had found a little place to stay within the old quarter.

We had settled in and then went out to dinner experiencing a true Vietnamese Cuisine, followed by exploring the Hoam kiem Lake. Day 2 we woke up nice and early having breakfast provided and trying dragon fruit jam on toast as well as fruit! We visited the Hoa Lo prison museum where we learnt about how political prisoners were treated and the history about some of the prisoners. We finished a great day by watching a water puppet show and having dinner in a cosy restaurant before heading to the Hanoi train station for an overnight train.  Day 3 we woke up at 5am after being on the overnight train, arriving into Lao Cai. From here we caught a bus to Sapa where we would begin our 5-day trek. Along our trek we met many incredible, kind-hearted people, including three men/boys (Zoi, Chong and Phang) who guided and supported us by showing us the way through villages, carrying our water and preparing our food.

The first day of our trek was a challenge with hiking through high and low hills, many of us being unaware of how hard this trek was really going to be, however, we successfully made it to our first homestay in the black H’mong village of Giang Ta Chai after trekking a total of 13 km. The second day of our trek we set off once again nice and early heading towards Seo Trung Ho where we learnt about the Red Dao ethnic minority and the interesting culture that they have, particularly the women’s role once married. Today the scenery was much more enjoyable as there was less fog. Day 3 of the trek we all woke up, preparing ourselves for a hard day, knowing and thinking that it will be the most challenging day of the trek out of all 5. Some dreading it, some worried and some just excited to get it over and done with. However, to the majority of us, it was one of the best days of the trek that we had. It was filled with laughter and bonding. By taking it easy and slow we were able to get to know each other better and start to form friendships with everyone in the group. That afternoon we arrived in Ban Ho where the homestay was on stilts.

Day 4 of the trek we got to experience rays of sunshine throughout the day and got to soak up the view of rice fields and being provided the opportunity to visit small houses in the Tay ethnic village: learning about their bamboo houses, the unlucky month of July for this village and watch local women create indigo blue dye for their clothes that they sell. This was by far one of the most difficult days we all experienced, due to the high temperature, however, the spirit within the group and support from one another, we were able to make it to Thanh Phu after trekking a total of 8 km.

The final day of the trek was quite amusing, we had to hike through mud whilst it was raining, cross puddles, climb hills upwards and downwards using our bamboo sticks and walk along edges of rice fields. It was definitely something totally different to any other day of trek. Our trek had been completed, we farewelled our guides and then headed back to Sapa town to enjoy a celebratory dinner. Overall, the trek was so unique to our group with each day being composed of different experiences and culture from various ethnic minorities. We stopped by breathtaking rivers and waterfalls where we got the opportunity to swim, we joined the local people living in the homestay in helping make spring rolls for our dinner. We were provided with the most spectacular, cultural food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We then made our way back to Hanoi exploring the night markets before heading to Ha Long Bay for 2 days and 3 nights.

Once arriving in Ha Long Bay we met our travel guide Duc who took us to two very beautiful caves, he allowed us to kayak through the area, swim in the ocean, participate in karaoke or fishing.

We participated in tai chi and even wore our fruit suits to the ‘boat party’. The food was amazing; oysters, fish, pork, chicken, beef, escargot, lots and lots of vegetables and fruit, soup and much more!

Before departing Ha Long Bay we were taught by our chef how to sculpt fruit and how to make rice paper rolls.

Ha Long Bay was definitely a place to remember and was something like no other.

We look forward to the next 17 days of our time in Vietnam.

For more photos and to follow our journey check out the MFG Facebook page.

From Claire Byrnes

(on behalf of the Global Challenge Team)