12. november 2026 – 26. november 2026 Vietnam Folk High School
Vietnam from the inside
Vietnam is a popular travel destination and not without reason. The people are incredibly welcoming and friendly. The country is exotic and very beautiful. By far most Danish travel providers offer essentially the same trips – especially Vietnam from North to South keeps coming up. Here you travel through Vietnam with short stops at the big highlights, together with tourists from all other countries.
Doing it a different way
Annas Højskole has chosen to do it a little differently, because we are a folk high school and like to immerse ourselves and meet people. And we already dare to promise now that completely unique experiences await you, which you will not find with any other travel provider. Our course leader is also quite a scoop, we think, namely Mette Holm. She is a journalist, speaker and author, and has covered Asian affairs in Vietnam and China among other places for large national media. Mette is married to former foreign minister Mogens Lykketoft, and he is coming along on the whole trip! He will also give talks on selected days. (See more in the programme) We have chosen to place the folk high school in Vietnam's utterly charming capital, Hanoi. It is a city that breathes history and culture, and a city where Prince Henrik lived as a child and returned to several times, both alone and together with the Queen. The folk high school is located in an incredibly cosy area of Hanoi and centrally placed in relation to many of the places we are to see. And the hotel that is the physical setting for our folk high school has a lovely roof terrace with a swimming pool.
Meeting both Vietnamese and Danes who live in Hanoi
We will meet Danes who work and live in Vietnam. We will meet young Vietnamese and hear about their dreams for the future, we will meet Vietnamese artists, and we will be in the company of an American Vietnam veteran who came back to heal his wounds after the war and today helps to clear mines that the Americans laid. On some of the days we begin by doing tai chi – just like the Vietnamese out in the park or at the folk high school. And after our breakfast there will be communal singing, gatherings and talks, when we are not out on excursions. Close to the folk high school are also the old craft streets, or as they are also called: the 36 Guild Streets, which run this way and that and are named after the craft that is sold there. Here we can strike a good bargain in the silk street, the shoe street and the bamboo street, or drop in at some of the little street kitchens and have lunch together with the Vietnamese. And speaking of the many little street kitchens: they can seem a bit daunting to dive into for a Dane who does not speak the language. But we will get an introduction to the street kitchen and their typical dishes from Mette Holm. We have chosen to give you a tour leader assistant on the trip. It is Nanna Grunwald, who has worked for Annas Højskole for several years. Nanna handles practical things, and she will be the one who leads all the folk high school singing. Nanna has been along in Vietnam the last two years, when Vietnam has been on the programme.
We are also heading out of the city
We know it is a long journey to Vietnam, and that for some it can be a little hectic getting used to the traffic and the very different city life. That is why we also start gently, with time and calm to let the impressions settle. And that is why we also have trips where we travel 3 days away from the folk high school – out into the countryside – out to the sea – and then we come back to our folk high school again. We spend two days in the countryside and a day in Ha Long Bay, which is one of the world's seven wonders. We bathe, fish, spend the night and eat breakfast while the sun rises on the horizon. At the end of the trip we head out into the countryside again for a day, where we are to sail on rivers in the rice fields and cycle in villages. Out here we hold our festive closing evening.
A lovely temperature. In terms of weather, November and December are completely perfect in northern Vietnam – it is very much like Danish summer. There will be the opportunity to extend the trip if you wish to travel around a bit on your own or combine it with a beach holiday, after our folk high school stay. We look forward to taking you to folk high school in our Vietnam and showing you "Vietnam from the inside".
*Subject to changes
Alle kan være med
Du bestemmer selv dit tempo, og programmet tilpasses holdet. Er du i tvivl om noget, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Day 1: Thursday 12 November: Departure day
Departure Copenhagen - Hanoi with Qatar Airways.
At the gate we gather with tour leader Nanna Grunwald and greet one another.
Copenhagen - Doha (local times) 15.05 - 23.00.
Doha - Hanoi (local times) 01.50 - 12.20.
Day 2: Friday 13 November: Welcome to Vietnam and Hanoi
12.20 Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi. Transfer to the GM Premium Hotel, which is the base for Annas Højskole. We stay in a lovely quarter in the old town. After check-in you can relax and have a bite to eat.
16.30 -17.30 We meet on the roof terrace for a welcome drink and folk high school singing.
Course leader Mette Holm and her husband – former foreign minister Mogens Lykketoft – tell us a little about themselves. Here you also meet tour leader Nanna Grunwald, who tells us about the broad outlines of the programme. We also greet our local guides, Mr. Tien and Mr. Hung.
18.00 We meet in the lobby and walk to a restaurant where we have dinner together.
On the way Nanna shows where you can withdraw money, the nearest pharmacy and a couple of tips for good cafés etc. in the local area. Possibly a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Not too late to bed. We know that you have jet lag, and there will already be many new impressions by now.
Day 3: Saturday 14 November: Our Vietnam by Mette Holm and Mogens Lykketoft
6.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 12.00 We gather in the hotel restaurant and do an introduction round, where you briefly tell us who you are and say a little about why you have come with Annas Højskole on this trip, and very briefly what you expect from the trip.
After the round we sing a song – and then Mette Holm and Mogens Lykketoft tell us about their relationship with Vietnam:
Mette has been coming to, and working with, Vietnam for over 30 years. She has travelled far and wide, interviewed high and low, has friends here and has followed the country's development closely. It is one of the countries she values the most, especially the people, their inventiveness, endurance and zest for life. Mogens has been to Vietnam a handful of times, including on official visits with meetings at a high political level. For him too, Vietnam has had great personal significance.
13.00 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a lunch restaurant.
On the way home we look around the nearby area of Pho Puong. The locals call the quarter 'The 36 Streets'. It is from the time when every trade had its own street with names like Silk Street, Silver Street, Clothes Street and Shoe Street. You can still buy silk in Silk Street and even fried fish in the street of the same name.
18.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together towards the restaurant, where we are to have dinner.
Free to choose whether you want to walk back to the hotel together or explore the city.
Day 4: Sunday 15 November: Vietnam then and now
7.00 We begin the day early, as they do in Hanoi, with tai chi. Here we are guided by a local instructor. We sing a couple of folk high school songs before we head down to breakfast. There is the chance for a dip in the pool after tai chi.
The breakfast buffet is open 06.00 - 10.00, and you just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 11.30 Nanna tells us very briefly about the trip we are going on the day after tomorrow, and passes the baton on to Mette and Mogens: Vietnam then and now
Break
12.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a lunch restaurant.
14.30 - 16.30 Vietnam's women. We are to visit the Women's Museum, which describes women's conditions through Vietnam's history and culture – among other things their important role in war, in trade, in the family – and in more recent times as sole providers.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense. We can help with ideas for restaurants.
Day 5: Monday 16 November: Vietnam's cuisine + Chula Fashion House
06.00 - 9.30 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
9.30 -14.00 Departure by bus from the folk high school at 9.30.
We visit Hua Soa, which is a school where young people from poor backgrounds and young people with disabilities can get an education. Mette tells us about Hua Soa, whose goal is to train the young people for various practical trades – so there are many different workshops at the school, including a large professional kitchen. After the tour we go into the kitchen ourselves and make our own Vietnamese lunch under the expert guidance of a home economics teacher. (The tuition is in English.)
In connection with the lunch we do a small (voluntary) collection of money for the young people – and hand over the donation before we leave the place.
Bus trip to Chula Fashion House by Hanoi's renowned West Lake, Hồ Tây.
15.00 - 19.00 Chula Fashion House is a company that designs and produces one-of-a-kind clothing. All the models are cut, printed and sewn at the workshop in Hanoi – and the place here is an experience in itself. Chula has a very special bond with Hua Soa, which we have just visited. A third of the company's 68 employees have physical disabilities that can be traced back to the consequences of the American War. We talk with Laura Fontan, who, together with her now late husband Diego, founded Chula Fashion House. She tells us about their history and social profile. Laura is Spanish and speaks English.
On the bus ride home to the folk high school we go through the programme for the next few days.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
Day 6-7: Tuesday 17 + Wednesday 18 November: Life in the countryside
We are to take a longer walk, visit a village and stay overnight.
6.00 - 8.30 Breakfast and check-out from the room. You need to pack a bag/backpack with what you need for the next three days. The suitcase you leave at the hotel/folk high school is kept securely in a locked room until we return.
9.00 Departure by bus into the countryside. Over the coming days we will experience how life unfolds in the villages. We visit field workers and take a walk of 8-10 km with our guides – and taste local food.
The walk is for those who can and want to. The rest take a shorter walk or relax.
We stay in a local guesthouse.
Along the way Mette and Hung will tell us about life in the countryside, about the ethnic minorities etc., and Nanna will make sure we get to sing from the folk high school songbook. A closer description of the countryside trip will follow.
Day 8: Thursday 19 November: Experience Hạ Long Bay with an overnight stay on a boat
9.00 Departure towards Hạ Long Bay.
12.00 We are ready to board the boat, which we have to ourselves. It is pure luxury. Just wait and see …
Hạ Long Bay is on UNESCO's World Heritage List and was recently named one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Hạ Long means "the descending dragon".
According to legend, a dragon descended from the mountains to fight enemies who wanted to invade the area. The dragon spat out jade, which turned into limestone peaks, so the enemy could not get through.
There will be plenty of time on board to relax and enjoy the beautiful and special view. There will be various experiences along the way on the boat – more info to follow. Mette and Hung give talks about the bay, touching among other things on its environmental challenges. Both lunch and dinner are served.
Day 9: Friday 20 November: Travel back to Hanoi / free time in the city
7.00 Tai chi on the boat and then breakfast.
11.00 Check-out.
11.30 We drive back to our folk high school at the GM Premium Hotel.
16.00 - 17.30 Afternoon special: Chuck Searcy and Lina Pham.
We are visited by Chuck Searcy, who was an intelligence analyst in the American army during the Vietnam War, and later became co-founder of the organisation Project RENEW, which works to clear unexploded ordnance in Vietnam. He is interviewed by presenter and producer Lina Pham, from the Vietnamese state-owned VTV4.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
Day 10: Saturday 21 November: The Vietnam War and its consequences
06.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 -12.00 Mogens and Mette will tell us about the Vietnam War, or the American War, as they call it out here, and its consequences. The war was one of the most brutal wars after the Second World War. It cost 58,000 American soldiers their lives, but that was nothing compared to the Vietnamese victims. It is estimated that over 4 million Vietnamese – among them many civilians – were killed or disabled. The war ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. After this, tens of thousands of Vietnamese fled – among other places to Denmark.
12.30 Departure by bus – lunch near the Vietnam Military History Museum.
14.00 The Vietnam Military History Museum gives insight into Vietnam's war history, both the early and the later – with considerable focus on the resistance against the French as well as the American War and the Vietnamese victory in 1975. There are examples of the Vietnamese home-made weapons and, for example, the bicycles that were used to transport heavy weapons to Dien Bien Phu, where the French suffered defeat in 1954, and more modern weapons, shot-down aircraft etc.
17.30 - 19.00 We meet in the lobby and walk to the restaurant where we have dinner together.
20.00 - 21.00 Voluntary offer: We show the documentary film Beyond the Lines about the boy Lê Minh Châu – his upbringing in an orphanage and his struggle to become an artist. Châu does not want to be seen as a victim of Agent Orange, but as an artist.
Day 11: Sunday 22 November: Mette and Mogens take the temperature of the world right now + artist visit
06.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 11.30 Mette and Mogens take the temperature of the world right now, based on current events and flashpoints: China-USA, Gaza, Ukraine and more.
12.00 We meet in the lobby and take the bus out to a suburb, where we are going on an artist visit.
13.00 After about an hour's drive we eat lunch at a restaurant near the gallery.
15.00 We visit the artist Ngo Van Sac, and see how he works on his deeply original works, which have attracted great attention both in Vietnam and beyond the country's borders. Sac will, among other things, demonstrate his very special technique and tell us about his view of the development of modern art in Vietnam.
17.00 Departure by bus back to Hanoi, where you get half an hour to freshen up.
18.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a restaurant where we have a communal dinner.
Day 12: Monday 23 November: Denmark and Vietnam
7.00 We start the day early with tai chi in a nearby park. Here we are guided by a local instructor. We sing a couple of folk high school songs.
06.00 - 9.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
9.00 - 10.00 Mette and Mogens tell us about: Vietnam – From Pariah to Aid Darling
About Vietnam's relationship with the surrounding world – including Denmark.
10.30 We meet in the lobby and walk towards the Danish embassy.
11.00 - 13.00 At the embassy we meet deputy head of mission Mette Ekeroth or ambassador Nicolai Prytz. We hear about Vietnam anno 2024 and about Denmark's and Vietnam's partnership and work around 'the green transition'. How is the climate fight going here, for example?
13.30 Communal lunch at a restaurant near the embassy.
After lunch there will be the opportunity to make your way past Pung Hung Street, where a collaboration between South Korean and Vietnamese artists has resulted in a number of remarkable artworks stretching over 200 m along the old railway bridge. The works show scenes from old Hanoi.
Free time on your own.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
20.00 Those who wish meet at the Binh Minh Jazz Club.
Quyen Van Minh is a jazz legend far beyond Vietnam's borders. He trained on wind instruments in the army and taught himself to play jazz while it was still illegal in Vietnam, because jazz was regarded as an expression of capitalist culture.
The pictures travelled around the world when US President Bill Clinton came on stage and played a duet with Minh on stage, when in 1995 he came to Hanoi as the first American president ever. Since then the club has had cult status, and jazz personalities from all over the world regularly show up.
We expect that the music this evening will be provided by young jazz musicians from Hanoi. Once in a rare while Quyen Van Minh plays along himself.
Day 13: Tuesday 24 November: a trip to Ninh Binh
8.00 Breakfast.
9.00 We check out and leave the folk high school/hotel.
On the bus: Mette, Mogens and Hung sum up the trip and life in Vietnam.
11.30 Arrival in Ninh Binh.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
14.00 Check in to the rooms
14.30 Now we are to go out sailing on the rivers among rice fields and through caves in small wooden boats steered by experienced local rowers.
19.30 Closing dinner with entertainment and various performances.
Day 14: Wednesday 25 November: Bike ride in the countryside – packing and departure
8.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open.
8.30 - 10.00 Bike ride in the countryside for those who wish – with a guide.
11.00 We leave the hotel and drive towards the airport, where we are to be at 15.00.
19.10 - 22.50 We fly from Hanoi to Doha with Qatar Airways.
Day 15: Thursday 26 November: Arrival day
After a couple of hours' stopover in Doha we fly onwards towards Copenhagen:
02.10 - 06.40 Doha - Copenhagen.
Goodbye and thank you after what will hopefully be a completely unforgettable trip.
We reserve the right to make changes to the programme.
Programme
Day 1: Thursday 12 November: Departure day
Departure Copenhagen - Hanoi with Qatar Airways.
At the gate we gather with tour leader Nanna Grunwald and greet one another.
Copenhagen - Doha (local times) 15.05 - 23.00.
Doha - Hanoi (local times) 01.50 - 12.20.
Day 2: Friday 13 November: Welcome to Vietnam and Hanoi
12.20 Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi. Transfer to the GM Premium Hotel, which is the base for Annas Højskole. We stay in a lovely quarter in the old town. After check-in you can relax and have a bite to eat.
16.30 -17.30 We meet on the roof terrace for a welcome drink and folk high school singing.
Course leader Mette Holm and her husband – former foreign minister Mogens Lykketoft – tell us a little about themselves. Here you also meet tour leader Nanna Grunwald, who tells us about the broad outlines of the programme. We also greet our local guides, Mr. Tien and Mr. Hung.
18.00 We meet in the lobby and walk to a restaurant where we have dinner together.
On the way Nanna shows where you can withdraw money, the nearest pharmacy and a couple of tips for good cafés etc. in the local area. Possibly a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Not too late to bed. We know that you have jet lag, and there will already be many new impressions by now.
Day 3: Saturday 14 November: Our Vietnam by Mette Holm and Mogens Lykketoft
6.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 12.00 We gather in the hotel restaurant and do an introduction round, where you briefly tell us who you are and say a little about why you have come with Annas Højskole on this trip, and very briefly what you expect from the trip.
After the round we sing a song – and then Mette Holm and Mogens Lykketoft tell us about their relationship with Vietnam:
Mette has been coming to, and working with, Vietnam for over 30 years. She has travelled far and wide, interviewed high and low, has friends here and has followed the country's development closely. It is one of the countries she values the most, especially the people, their inventiveness, endurance and zest for life. Mogens has been to Vietnam a handful of times, including on official visits with meetings at a high political level. For him too, Vietnam has had great personal significance.
13.00 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a lunch restaurant.
On the way home we look around the nearby area of Pho Puong. The locals call the quarter 'The 36 Streets'. It is from the time when every trade had its own street with names like Silk Street, Silver Street, Clothes Street and Shoe Street. You can still buy silk in Silk Street and even fried fish in the street of the same name.
18.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together towards the restaurant, where we are to have dinner.
Free to choose whether you want to walk back to the hotel together or explore the city.
Day 4: Sunday 15 November: Vietnam then and now
7.00 We begin the day early, as they do in Hanoi, with tai chi. Here we are guided by a local instructor. We sing a couple of folk high school songs before we head down to breakfast. There is the chance for a dip in the pool after tai chi.
The breakfast buffet is open 06.00 - 10.00, and you just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 11.30 Nanna tells us very briefly about the trip we are going on the day after tomorrow, and passes the baton on to Mette and Mogens: Vietnam then and now
Break
12.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a lunch restaurant.
14.30 - 16.30 Vietnam's women. We are to visit the Women's Museum, which describes women's conditions through Vietnam's history and culture – among other things their important role in war, in trade, in the family – and in more recent times as sole providers.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense. We can help with ideas for restaurants.
Day 5: Monday 16 November: Vietnam's cuisine + Chula Fashion House
06.00 - 9.30 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
9.30 -14.00 Departure by bus from the folk high school at 9.30.
We visit Hua Soa, which is a school where young people from poor backgrounds and young people with disabilities can get an education. Mette tells us about Hua Soa, whose goal is to train the young people for various practical trades – so there are many different workshops at the school, including a large professional kitchen. After the tour we go into the kitchen ourselves and make our own Vietnamese lunch under the expert guidance of a home economics teacher. (The tuition is in English.)
In connection with the lunch we do a small (voluntary) collection of money for the young people – and hand over the donation before we leave the place.
Bus trip to Chula Fashion House by Hanoi's renowned West Lake, Hồ Tây.
15.00 - 19.00 Chula Fashion House is a company that designs and produces one-of-a-kind clothing. All the models are cut, printed and sewn at the workshop in Hanoi – and the place here is an experience in itself. Chula has a very special bond with Hua Soa, which we have just visited. A third of the company's 68 employees have physical disabilities that can be traced back to the consequences of the American War. We talk with Laura Fontan, who, together with her now late husband Diego, founded Chula Fashion House. She tells us about their history and social profile. Laura is Spanish and speaks English.
On the bus ride home to the folk high school we go through the programme for the next few days.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
Day 6-7: Tuesday 17 + Wednesday 18 November: Life in the countryside
We are to take a longer walk, visit a village and stay overnight.
6.00 - 8.30 Breakfast and check-out from the room. You need to pack a bag/backpack with what you need for the next three days. The suitcase you leave at the hotel/folk high school is kept securely in a locked room until we return.
9.00 Departure by bus into the countryside. Over the coming days we will experience how life unfolds in the villages. We visit field workers and take a walk of 8-10 km with our guides – and taste local food.
The walk is for those who can and want to. The rest take a shorter walk or relax.
We stay in a local guesthouse.
Along the way Mette and Hung will tell us about life in the countryside, about the ethnic minorities etc., and Nanna will make sure we get to sing from the folk high school songbook. A closer description of the countryside trip will follow.
Day 8: Thursday 19 November: Experience Hạ Long Bay with an overnight stay on a boat
9.00 Departure towards Hạ Long Bay.
12.00 We are ready to board the boat, which we have to ourselves. It is pure luxury. Just wait and see …
Hạ Long Bay is on UNESCO's World Heritage List and was recently named one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Hạ Long means "the descending dragon".
According to legend, a dragon descended from the mountains to fight enemies who wanted to invade the area. The dragon spat out jade, which turned into limestone peaks, so the enemy could not get through.
There will be plenty of time on board to relax and enjoy the beautiful and special view. There will be various experiences along the way on the boat – more info to follow. Mette and Hung give talks about the bay, touching among other things on its environmental challenges. Both lunch and dinner are served.
Day 9: Friday 20 November: Travel back to Hanoi / free time in the city
7.00 Tai chi on the boat and then breakfast.
11.00 Check-out.
11.30 We drive back to our folk high school at the GM Premium Hotel.
16.00 - 17.30 Afternoon special: Chuck Searcy and Lina Pham.
We are visited by Chuck Searcy, who was an intelligence analyst in the American army during the Vietnam War, and later became co-founder of the organisation Project RENEW, which works to clear unexploded ordnance in Vietnam. He is interviewed by presenter and producer Lina Pham, from the Vietnamese state-owned VTV4.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
Day 10: Saturday 21 November: The Vietnam War and its consequences
06.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 -12.00 Mogens and Mette will tell us about the Vietnam War, or the American War, as they call it out here, and its consequences. The war was one of the most brutal wars after the Second World War. It cost 58,000 American soldiers their lives, but that was nothing compared to the Vietnamese victims. It is estimated that over 4 million Vietnamese – among them many civilians – were killed or disabled. The war ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. After this, tens of thousands of Vietnamese fled – among other places to Denmark.
12.30 Departure by bus – lunch near the Vietnam Military History Museum.
14.00 The Vietnam Military History Museum gives insight into Vietnam's war history, both the early and the later – with considerable focus on the resistance against the French as well as the American War and the Vietnamese victory in 1975. There are examples of the Vietnamese home-made weapons and, for example, the bicycles that were used to transport heavy weapons to Dien Bien Phu, where the French suffered defeat in 1954, and more modern weapons, shot-down aircraft etc.
17.30 - 19.00 We meet in the lobby and walk to the restaurant where we have dinner together.
20.00 - 21.00 Voluntary offer: We show the documentary film Beyond the Lines about the boy Lê Minh Châu – his upbringing in an orphanage and his struggle to become an artist. Châu does not want to be seen as a victim of Agent Orange, but as an artist.
Day 11: Sunday 22 November: Mette and Mogens take the temperature of the world right now + artist visit
06.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
10.00 - 11.30 Mette and Mogens take the temperature of the world right now, based on current events and flashpoints: China-USA, Gaza, Ukraine and more.
12.00 We meet in the lobby and take the bus out to a suburb, where we are going on an artist visit.
13.00 After about an hour's drive we eat lunch at a restaurant near the gallery.
15.00 We visit the artist Ngo Van Sac, and see how he works on his deeply original works, which have attracted great attention both in Vietnam and beyond the country's borders. Sac will, among other things, demonstrate his very special technique and tell us about his view of the development of modern art in Vietnam.
17.00 Departure by bus back to Hanoi, where you get half an hour to freshen up.
18.30 We meet in the lobby and walk together to a restaurant where we have a communal dinner.
Day 12: Monday 23 November: Denmark and Vietnam
7.00 We start the day early with tai chi in a nearby park. Here we are guided by a local instructor. We sing a couple of folk high school songs.
06.00 - 9.00 The breakfast buffet is open, so just head down whenever it suits you.
9.00 - 10.00 Mette and Mogens tell us about: Vietnam – From Pariah to Aid Darling
About Vietnam's relationship with the surrounding world – including Denmark.
10.30 We meet in the lobby and walk towards the Danish embassy.
11.00 - 13.00 At the embassy we meet deputy head of mission Mette Ekeroth or ambassador Nicolai Prytz. We hear about Vietnam anno 2024 and about Denmark's and Vietnam's partnership and work around 'the green transition'. How is the climate fight going here, for example?
13.30 Communal lunch at a restaurant near the embassy.
After lunch there will be the opportunity to make your way past Pung Hung Street, where a collaboration between South Korean and Vietnamese artists has resulted in a number of remarkable artworks stretching over 200 m along the old railway bridge. The works show scenes from old Hanoi.
Free time on your own.
Dinner on your own and at your own expense.
20.00 Those who wish meet at the Binh Minh Jazz Club.
Quyen Van Minh is a jazz legend far beyond Vietnam's borders. He trained on wind instruments in the army and taught himself to play jazz while it was still illegal in Vietnam, because jazz was regarded as an expression of capitalist culture.
The pictures travelled around the world when US President Bill Clinton came on stage and played a duet with Minh on stage, when in 1995 he came to Hanoi as the first American president ever. Since then the club has had cult status, and jazz personalities from all over the world regularly show up.
We expect that the music this evening will be provided by young jazz musicians from Hanoi. Once in a rare while Quyen Van Minh plays along himself.
Day 13: Tuesday 24 November: a trip to Ninh Binh
8.00 Breakfast.
9.00 We check out and leave the folk high school/hotel.
On the bus: Mette, Mogens and Hung sum up the trip and life in Vietnam.
11.30 Arrival in Ninh Binh.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
14.00 Check in to the rooms
14.30 Now we are to go out sailing on the rivers among rice fields and through caves in small wooden boats steered by experienced local rowers.
19.30 Closing dinner with entertainment and various performances.
Day 14: Wednesday 25 November: Bike ride in the countryside – packing and departure
8.00 - 10.00 The breakfast buffet is open.
8.30 - 10.00 Bike ride in the countryside for those who wish – with a guide.
11.00 We leave the hotel and drive towards the airport, where we are to be at 15.00.
19.10 - 22.50 We fly from Hanoi to Doha with Qatar Airways.
Day 15: Thursday 26 November: Arrival day
After a couple of hours' stopover in Doha we fly onwards towards Copenhagen:
02.10 - 06.40 Doha - Copenhagen.
Goodbye and thank you after what will hopefully be a completely unforgettable trip.
We reserve the right to make changes to the programme.
Beliggenhed & ophold
At our folk high school in Hanoi we stay at the GM Premium Hotel, which is super centrally located, right in the heart of the old town. Here we stay close to Hoan Kiem Lake, small cosy streets, street food, cafés and plenty of life – it is all within walking distance, so it is easy to experience the city.
There is both a restaurant and a bar at the hotel. Look forward to the breakfast, served as a buffet with both Vietnamese dishes and international classics, so there is something for every taste (incl. vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options) – and we eat it with a view over the old town.
There is a fine view over Hanoi from the roof terrace's outdoor pool – so remember your swimwear!
Meet your instructors
Mette Holm:
Your course leader is Mette Holm, who is accompanied by her husband, former foreign minister Mogens Lykketoft, on the whole trip. So you are in the very best – and wisest – of hands. Mette has been coming to and working with Vietnam for over 30 years, has travelled far and wide, interviewed high and low, has dear friends here and has followed the country's development closely. It is one of the countries she values the most, especially the people, their inventiveness, endurance and zest for life. Mogens Lykketoft demonstrated against the war in Vietnam in Copenhagen back in the day, and on his first trip here in 1993 (as finance minister) he saw with his own eyes the necessity of re-establishing diplomatic relations. While Mette has especially had contact with ordinary people, Mogens has handled the diplomacy and conversations with politicians and decision-makers, which makes their combined insight unique.
Nanna Grunwald
Nanna is along as tour leader, helping with all the practical things, and she is the one who makes sure we also get to sing plenty from the folk high school songbook, even though we are far from home. She has several times been along as both course leader and helper at Annas Højskole, and is therefore well versed in the folk high school spirit. When she is not to be found at Annas Højskole, she is a graphic designer, and has among many other things designed books about food, culture and architecture. Her free time she often spends running and hiking, and over the years she has hiked in areas as different as Catalonia, the Alps, Iceland, Norway and several times in Lapland, where she also met her Swedish husband. She has a large family, including two grown children and two grandchildren.
Praktisk & pris
We fly with Qatar Airways, return
Outbound Wednesday 12 November:
Departure Copenhagen – Hanoi Copenhagen – Doha (local times) 15.05 - 23.00
Thursday 13 November:
Doha – Hanoi (local times) 01.50 - 12.20
When we head home it is:
Tuesday 25 November:
Hanoi – Doha 19.10 - 22.50
Wednesday 26 November: After a couple of hours' stopover in Doha we fly onwards towards Copenhagen:
Doha – Copenhagen: 02.10 – 06.40
Subject to changes
Price includes
- Flight Copenhagen/Hanoi return. We fly with Qatar Airways
- Danish course leader
- Danish tour leader
- Local guides
- Hotel with double/single room with own bathroom
- Access to the roof terrace with pool
- All shared bus transport in Vietnam
- All shared taxi rides
- All shared meals as described in the programme
- All entrance fees for shared excursions
- All scheduled activities
- All talks
- Trip to Ha Long Bay with a voyage on a privately chartered boat with single and double cabins as at the hotel; there will be a cooking school, the chance to fish and to bathe. All meals on the boat are included.
- Hike and stay in the countryside. We walk with a local guide. This trip is inclusive of all transport and meals.
Price excludes
- Drinks
- Tips for local guides, bus driver etc.
- Meals at your own expense – it is 1 * lunch and 5 * dinner (It is cheap to eat out in Vietnam; reckon about 130-170 kr. for a dinner).
- Payment:
- On registration we ask for a deposit of kr. 6000,- The balance must be transferred 2 months before departure.
- In special cases it is possible to pay by Mastercard; please write on the registration if this is desired.
Billeder
What our guests say
“Tak for en fantastisk oplevelse, ikke mindst takket være Anna og dig. Du var en inspirerende rejseleder, der gjorde turen til meget mere end bare en pilgrimsvandring.”
“Skøn tur som puttes i rygsækken med fantastiske oplevelser, smukke fotos og den bedste kursusleder Michael Birkkjær Lauritsen. Elsker oplevelser med Annas Højskole.”
“Jeg har netop været på strikkehøjskole på Læsø ved Annette Danielsen. Uanset hvor hårdt jeg anstrenger mig, kan jeg simpelthen ikke finde noget negativt at sige. Annette Danielsen er en fuldstændig fantastisk inspirerende og forrygende formidler. Østergaard B&B er et skønt sted med lækre lejligheder, dejlig og velsmagende mad, og en meget sympatisk og underholdende vært. Vi mødte skønne og inspirerende fortællere i huset og på ture på Læsø. Vi startede dagene med morgensang sammen med Jens Christian, som fint fortalte lidt om de sange, vi sang. Dejlig start på nogle vidunderlige dage. Det har bare været helt igennem en skøn, pragtfuld og fantastisk uge. Føler mig meget beriget.”
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Kan jeg rejse med, hvis jeg rejser alene?
Ja — rigtig mange af vores kursister rejser alene. Du bliver en del af fællesskabet fra første dag, og du kan vælge eget værelse, hvis du vil have ro omkring dig.
Hvor god en form skal jeg være i?
Alle kan være med! Programmet tilpasses holdet, og du bestemmer selv dit tempo. Er du i tvivl, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Hvordan foregår betalingen?
Du reserverer din plads med et depositum og modtager en faktura pr. e-mail. Restbeløbet betales senest 60 dage før afrejse — også via faktura og bankoverførsel.
Hvad hvis jeg bliver nødt til at aflyse?
Vores afbestillingsregler står i rejsereglerne for pakkerejser, og vi er medlem af Rejsegarantifonden (reg.nr. 3122). Kontakt os hurtigst muligt, hvis noget kommer i vejen — vi finder altid en løsning sammen.
Kan I tage hensyn til allergier og særlige behov?
Ja. Når du reserverer, spørger vi ind til kost, allergier og særlige behov, og vi giver besked videre til køkkenet og værterne på destinationen.
Er der dansktalende værter med på rejsen?
Ja, altid. Der er dansktalende kursusledere og værter med på alle vores ophold.
Reserve your place
1. Choose room · 2. Your details · 3. Confirm