Put that Pho-king Dong Away!

Trip Region: Southeast Asia
Country(ies): Vietnam
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $1185
Airfare Estimate: $1500
Structure:   •   Lodging:   •   Nightlife: 7   •   Activity: 6

In case you were wondering what you’re in for in Vietnam, here are our goals for the week:

-Spend at least 100,000,000 Dong.  Yup, that’s 33,333 local vietnamese beers baby. We’re cultured like that.

-See cool sh*t.  Eat weird things.

-Become besties.  Let’s be real – this group is going to be your first group of friends at Ross, and anyone who’s adventurous enough to come on this MTrek is going to be pretty awesome ‘pho-sho’.

Day 1 — Saturday, Aug 18

You’re on your own for booking a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, but we’ve got a few tips for you: Nurse any in-flight hangover you may have worked up on the 24 hour flight over by the time dinner rolls around on Day 1. Forget Impact Challenge; we don’t really care who won anyway.

Day 2 — Sunday, Aug 19

Still on the plane!

Day 3 — Monday, Aug 20

Welcome to Socialist Republic of Vietnam! Welcome Meeting at hotel starts at 6pm local time. We will meet up in the south in Ho Chi Minh City, where our travel coordinator insists that we provide them with health insurance and next of kin information… this is where things get real. A group dinner will allow you to get to know your newest best friends. That’s right, we’re going to get really close considering we’re traveling in a rainforest during the sweaty season and this food here has potential to make your bowels shaky.

Day 4 — Tuesday, Aug 21

Did your grammar school education fail you by not teaching you all about the Vietnam War? If you’re American, probably. Today is the day we get cultured on what really went down in during the war through visits to historical sites and exploration in the Cu Chi tunnels. Since we expect to be respectful during this time of touring, afterwards is going to be a real sh*tshow where we can let loose, bring your best USA-based clothing!

Day 5 — Wednesday, Aug 22

Yesterday you had the option to see some torn-apart war planes, and today’s agenda kicks off with an inter-country flight to the middle of the country. This is why we asked for your next of kin. Once we land in Danang, we’ll have a view of the Marble Mountains and the beach. We literally cannot think of a better place to drink a shot of wine with a beating cobra heart than sandwiched between marble and sand.

Day 6 — Thursday, Aug 23

Today we’ll be in Hoi An for the day to see the sights and taste the local delicacies. A food tour will provide you with “unforgettable tastes at every turn” (according to our travel coordinator). We’re not really sure what that means, but we’re hoping for some peanut worms or at least a few crickets. After indulging ourselves, we will contribute to the local economy and ‘network’ in local bars.

Day 7 — Friday, Aug 24

We’ll be flying to Hanoi today, the capital of Vietnam. Once we arrive we will be taking in the sights and sounds of the historic capital. If you’re feeling guilty about the excess of B-School life (don’t worry, you become desensitized pretty quick) we will be having lunch at the KOTO cafe which helps provide vocational training for young Vietnamese locals. We have a long drive tomorrow so we will be going large tonight as we can nurse those hangovers on the bus.

Day 8 — Saturday, Aug 25

Bring yo’ flippy-floppys guys and gals, as we’re staying overnight on a boat… That’s right, “I’m on a boat and, we goin’ fast and, I got a nautical themed pashmina afghan.” But seriously, we will be on a junk boat in Ha Long Bay before heading back to Hanoi to cure our seasickness with some bia hoi.

Day 9 — Sunday, Aug 26

Bring yo’ flippy-floppys guys and gals, as we’re staying overnight on a boat… That’s right, “I’m on a boat and, we goin’ fast and, I got a nautical themed pashmina afghan.” But seriously, we will be on a junk boat in Ha Long Bay before heading back to Hanoi to cure our seasickness with some bia hoi.

Day 10 — Monday, Aug 27

It’s our last day in beautiful Vietnam! Reality is swiftly coming to kick us in the rear so it’s time to tie up any loose ends and get those scorpion wine gifts for your parents then it’s time to say goodbye for now to your new best friends, we’ll see you at Garage Bar in Ann Arbor!