From December 29th, 2023 to January 7th, 2024, the group of Master’s students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA undertook a trek across Vietnam’s three regions – Northern, Central, and Southern – during the initial days of the new year 2024.

In this 10-day Vietnam trek journey exploring 9 destinations across Vietnam supported by Eviva Tour, the group has experienced Vietnam meaningfully from various perspectives. From prominent cities to immersive encountrers with local communities and enjoyable moments spent bonding with friends. It has been a journey filled with both excitement and connection.

Main cities

The selected destinations on the itinerary for the group are:

• Hanoi hustle capital with cultural relics and heritage dating back 4000 years.
• Set sail on a Halong Bay cruise, marveling at its natural wonders and observing the bay’s vibrant life, all while ringing in the new year.
• Take a trip to a coconut village in Hoi An to discover the authentic lifestyle of Central Vietnamese fishermen.
• Delve into the charming old town of Hoi An – a testament to the vibrant cultural intersection between Japanese, Chinese, European, and Vietnamese traders since the 17th century.
• Hue – the last imperial capital of Vietnam, preserves significant cultural relics from the feudal court era.
• Ho Chi Minh City the vibrant and dynamic southern metropolis, pulsates with energy and entertainment.
• The Mekong Delta region which is famous for its intricate network of water passages and rich tropical agricultural produce.

Among the top picks for the New Year getaway, the group’s itinerary highlights top choices recommended by world biggest travel site Tripadvisor such as Halong Bay (ranked second in the 2024 Tripadvisor’s Best Natural Destinations and as the Best Trending Destination), Hoi An (ranked second in the 2024 Tripadvisor’s Best Honeymoon Destinations), and Hanoi (named the Best Food Destination in 2024).

Hanoi and Hoi An are also featured in the top 4 and 10 of the Top Destinations in the World 2024 list.

Local experience

Each adventure remains unforgettable, starting from the thorough preparations and meticulous planning to every mile of the journey. Join Eviva Tour Vietnam in reminiscing about the group’s experiences with the country and people of Vietnam.

Jessica (CEO of Eviva Tour Vietnam), Linda (Sales Manager), and Moon (Tour Operator) went to the hotel to welcome the group arriving in Vietnam.

We always take pride in introducing our visiting friends to Vietnam’s strong suit – coffee. But this time, there is a slight twist as everyone will participate in a workshop to delve into Vietnamese coffee and the art of brewing indigenous, mouthwatering coffee recipes (ones you won’t find at Starbucks).

Cyclo is a classic means of transportation in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. In addition to strolling through the vibrant streets of this iconic area, taking a cyclo ride is also a great way to experience the daily life of Hanoians and explore the surroundings at a relaxed pace.

Nothing encapsulates the essence of Vietnam quite like a space adorned with vibrant incense bundles, lotus flowers, and traditional conical hats. Incense-making is a time-honored profession in Hanoi. Alongside delving into the traditional craft of incense-making, the incense village also captivates tourists with its strikingly vivid and authentically Vietnamese setting.

As the year-end approaches, the group traveled to Halong Bay for a cruise itinerary and got ready to ring in the New Year on the bay.

The attire in the picture is worn during the Ba Trao singing ceremony – a native chant for peace at sea. The term “Ba Trao” translates to “firm grip on the paddle”.

Ba Trao Singing is a traditional folk performing art steeped in the ceremonial essence of the residents in the coastal region in central Vietnam. In essence, Ba Trao Singing carries a message of hope and goodwill as the community prays for favorable circumstances and prosperity. It also serves as a tribute to the Whale, symbolizing gratitude for its protective role in helping fishermen navigate the challenges of the sea. This activity is performed intimately connected with the tools of fishermen: the bamboo paddle and the singing hook.

After the peace prayer ceremony, the fishermen are ready to cast their nets. The seasoned fishermen will lead by example.

Let’s wait and see if the novice fishermen manage to catch any fish.

The basket boats in Hoi An can be as peaceful and relaxing as this.

Yet, they can also dance fiercely.

Don’t worry if you fall into the water. Remember to always wear a life vest.

The mysterious ancient capital of Hue also has tranquil countryside scenes, such as crafting handmade kites.

He is genuinely Vietnamese. The design on his kite features the beautiful hand drawing of Vietnamese flag, and his banana outfit was also purchased from Hanoi Old Quarter.

An intriguing aspect of Hue’s royal cuisine, alongside its complexity in cooking, is the intricacy in food presentation.

He was very enthusiastic in introducing Ming Mang King wine to everyone in the group.

Surely you can guess why it is called a Monkey Bridge. A little challenge for those crossing the canals. But it is actually very simple to make and convenient for the people in the Mekong Delta to move between small adjacent islets.

The square hiding spot may seem small. However, it is actually the size of the Vietnamese people in the past.

Team time

The last and most important thing we want to emphasize is the bond fostered after the trip. The joy of Eviva Tour Vietnam is not only about creating experiences for visitors from afar during their time in Vietnam, but also witnessing how everyone enjoys the journey together, shares, and interacts to create lasting memories.

Levi, a member of the group, wrote for Eviva Tour Vietnam on Tripadvisor.:

“As an anxious traveler who has never been to Asia, Eviva gave us an absolutely wonderful experience. I have never been to Asia, and I am always a bit nervous about everything. (Transit, food, language barriers, etc.) But everything was taken care of for us here. We had guided excursions and free time to explore.

My wife and I went with a group of friends from school. In just 10 days, we visited multiple cities (from Hanoi in the north to Saigon in the south), learned a lot of history and culture, had so many fun excursions, experienced nightlife and SO MUCH delicious food!

River boats, Ha Long Bay, art and clothes shopping, delicious street food, city walking tours, history. We did so much! We had so many excursions, and also had enough time to explore different parts of the city on our own.

Linda helped us with logistics, Visa paperwork, and travel. And arranged transfers to and from each airport. When we first landed in Hanoi, the customs line looked like at least an hour, but someone was waiting for us and got us to the front of the line. After 20ish hours of flights, that was greatly appreciated.

Our tour guide (Chi) was with us from start to finish and was absolutely amazing and so much fun. He made the experience even more fun!”

Eviva Tour Vietnam also greatly appreciates the group for trusting the team as local supporters and for creating memorable experiences for both. Wishing us all to always be Happy Travelers with “Smile Every Mile” journeys.