Spend seven nights together in beautiful Ninh Binh, northern Vietnam, with other homeschooling and worldschooling families. We’ll all stay together in a family-run villa with a pool, around two hours south of Hanoi.

Across the week, families will experience some of the best of Ninh Binh. Take a sampan boat through the incredible caves of Trang An and the wetlands of Van Long, discover the story of Vietnam’s ancient capital at Hoa Lu, spend a morning experiencing life on a rice farm, meet rescued bears, primates and turtles, and climb Hang Mua for its spectacular views across Tam Coc.

Our outings generally start early, before the heat of the day, with most afternoons spent back at the villa. This gives families time to swim, relax, play and simply enjoy being together — something we think is just as important as everything we head out to see.

Parents stay with their children throughout the camp, and we take care of the planning. We organise the villa, activities, local guides, transport and most meals, so parents can enjoy the experience too rather than spending the week coordinating all the logistics.

The camp is run on the ground by our trusted local partner, Hoi An Wanderlust — the same wonderful team behind our Hoi An camps.

Families arrive throughout the day, check into the villa and settle in. The kids can jump in the pool while parents unpack and meet the other families. There are no group activities or meals today, as everyone arrives at different times.

We start the day on the water at Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditional sampan boats take us on a journey of around three hours, winding between towering limestone mountains and through caves that can only be reached by water.

Afterwards, we’ll have lunch together at a local restaurant before heading back to the villa for a swim and some downtime.

Later in the afternoon, local artisans will join us at the villa for a hands-on workshop where families can try natural fabric dyeing and traditional Kim Son sedge weaving — two crafts with strong ties to the local area.

Tonight we’ll come together for our welcome dinner somewhere special, chosen for us by our local team.

Meals included: Lunch and welcome dinner

We head out early, before the heat of the day, to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010 AD (nearly 1000 years ago). With our local guide, the kids will hear the stories of the emperors who ruled from here, discover why this dramatic landscape was chosen as the capital, how the surrounding mountains helped protect it, and why the capital eventually moved north to what is now Hanoi.

From there, we visit Lily’s Herbal Garden to learn about some of the herbs and plants traditionally grown and used in the area. The kids will make their own natural soap to take home, try leaf painting, and everyone can finish the morning with a relaxing herbal foot soak.

After lunch together at a local restaurant, we head back to the villa for a free afternoon — time to swim, relax, play or simply enjoy some downtime together.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

We start the morning at the Tam Coc Museum for a short introduction to the history, culture and everyday life of the area.

From there, we head to a local farm to experience rural life in Ninh Binh and learn how rice is grown. The kids can try basket fishing, search for small shellfish and snails, and meet the farm animals and ducklings. Expect to get your hands — and probably your feet — a little muddy!

After lunch together at a local restaurant, we head back to the villa for a free afternoon to swim, relax and spend time with the other families.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

The morning is free to sleep in, swim and let the kids play.

In the late afternoon we take sampan boats through Van Long Nature Reserve, a quiet wetland surrounded by limestone cliffs. We look for birds and for Delacour's langurs, a critically endangered monkey found only in northern Vietnam. Van Long has the largest remaining population.

Afterwards we sit down together for a group dinner.

Optional: after dinner, families can see The Emperor of the Reeds, an outdoor performance about Dinh Bo Linh, the first emperor at Hoa Lu. It's an extra cost and finishes late, so we'll confirm the show time closer to camp.

Meals: breakfast, group dinner

Today is all about wildlife and conservation. We begin at Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh, home to moon bears and sun bears rescued from the wildlife trade, where families can learn about the bears, their stories and the work being done to protect them.

After lunch inside Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s oldest national park, we visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and Turtle Conservation Center. Here, rescued animals are cared for, rehabilitated and, where possible, prepared for a return to the wild.

It’s a chance for the kids to see what happens after an animal is rescued, learn about some of Vietnam’s native species, and ask questions of the people involved in caring for and protecting them.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

We head out early to Hang Mua, before the heat of the day. Families who are up for the challenge can climb around 500 stone steps to the top of the mountain for incredible views across Tam Coc and the surrounding rice fields.

For anyone who would rather skip the climb, there’s plenty to explore around the gardens and limestone landscape below, or you can join an optional bike ride through the rice fields and villages around Tam Coc.

After lunch together at a local restaurant, we head back to the villa for a free afternoon to swim, pack and give the kids plenty of time to enjoy being together before the week comes to an end.

Tonight, we’ll come together one last time for our farewell dinner at the villa.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and farewell dinner

We enjoy one last breakfast together at the villa before it’s time to pack up and say goodbye.

Check-out is by 12pm, and families are free to leave at whatever time suits their onward travel plans, whether you’re catching a flight, train or continuing your adventures elsewhere in Vietnam.

Meals included: Breakfast