Vietnam - March 2026!

• 8 days and 7 nights at our hotel accommodations featuring air-conditioned rooms with private en-suite bathrooms
• All hotel amenities including free in-room wifi, toiletries, daily fresh water
• All excursions and activities, with the exception of the optional cable car/trek to Yên Tử Mountain
• All ground transportation except return airport transfers (we are happy to assist in this arrangement if desired, pricing will depend on guest's return schedules). Fresh water will be available in all ground transportation
• Private welcome transfer from Hanoi airport to our hotel in Hanoi
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 4 dinners, and most drinks at meals
• Tips for included meals, transport, excursions, and hotel staff
• 7 CE credits (click here for more info)
• Proceeds support sustainability, cultural preservation, and child protection and welfare missions in Vietnam

• Airfare
• Return airport transfers (we are happy to assist in this arrangement if desired, pricing will depend on guest's return schedules) 
• 1 lunch and 3 dinners during free time for the main tour
• Some beverages at meals including water, alcoholic drinks, coffees, teas, or soft drinks 
• Continuing Education (CE) certificate (optional add-on at check out for $20)
• Optional activities as listed in our program
• Travel insurance- this is mandatory for all guests. For more information see the FAQ below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your spot on this retreat. Check out options include payment of the deposit only, or you may pay for your trip in full. All payments are due 3 months before the date of departure. 

For cancellations made more than 3 months before departure, payment will be refunded in full with the exception of the $500 non-refundable deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. For cancellations made within 3 months of departure or less, all payments and deposits will be fully non-refundable due to advance reservations for retreat lodging and activities. Please note that this trip requires a minimum of 5 guests to run, and departure is not confirmed until 3 months before the date of departure. Great Minds Abroad reserves the right to cancel the departure with written notice to the customer prior to departure confirmation, and advises customers not to book any non-refundable reservations before this point. For COVID-19 related questions, please see the FAQ section below.

Due to the boutique style of our lodgings, single rooms are available upon request depending on room availability for an additional charge of $350. All single rooms requests are honored in the order they were made in booking. You may request this option at the time of booking, and every effort will be made to ensure your request is met. If a single room can be secured for you, you will receive an additional email with further instructions and payment information.

A: This retreat is designed for women mental health and healing professionals who want to truly immerse themselves in the local Vietnamese culture while expanding their professional horizons. This includes psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists and those in the physical health or spiritual healing professions. If you want to experience gorgeous Vietnam off the beaten path while making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, this trip is for you! Experience with travel is not required!  If your career isn’t mentioned and you’d like to inquire about joining this retreat, contact me here.

A: Yes! Most of our guests are solo travelers. Great Minds Abroad empowers women to get out of their comfort zones through travel, and solo travel is the perfect way to do so! Because retreat group sizes are small and designed to be immersive, you will get to know your fellow travelers in no time! There will also be opportunities to meet with your fellow travelers through a pre-trip virtual happy hour, as well as a private facebook and whatsapp group. Single rooms may be available for an additional $350 depending on availability, or if you prefer, you can match up with fellow travelers to share a room and start the bonding right away! 

A: Vietnamese cuisine consists mainly of rice in various forms, meat, fruits, and veggies. There will be a vegetarian option at all meals, and other dietary accommodations may be available upon request. Many of the restaurants we will attend may have alcoholic beverage options (not included in cost). Fresh water will be provided at most meals, and some meals will include coffee, tea, or juice as well.

A: Spring in Vietnam is fairly mild with less humidity than usual, making it the perfect time to go because there will be less chance of rain but the foliage should be nice and green! Across the north, temperatures vary due to changes in location, but daily highs should be a pleasant average around mid 70's and the average nighttime lows around low-mid 60's.

A: Our schedule includes light walking around our destinations. Some of the paths and streets will be unpaved and/or uneven to walk on. Some of our optional activities will include heavier walking or trekking, as well as kayaking. Please note that due to the nature of these destinations, some locations may not be handicap accessible. If you require a specific accommodation for this trip, please contact me to discuss prior to booking.

A: The official language spoken in Vietnam is Vietnamese. All of the locals we will encounter on our tour will either speak English or we will be able to converse via translator. On your free time, not all Vietnamese will speak English, especially those of the older generations and as we get further outside of main cities (but google translate is lifesaver here!). A small phrase in Vietnamese goes a long way with locals, and for this reason you will receive a welcome packet closer to our departure that will include basic travel phrases for you to practice if you’d like!

A: Yes, you will need both a valid passport with at least one blank page and at least 6 months validity before expiring, as well as visa to enter Vietnam. It is your responsibility to ensure that you get your passport renewed ahead of time if it is set to expire, and to secure your visa on time! It is important to be aware that the wait times for passport renewals may have increased, and it is therefore advised to start this process as early as possible! All information needed for the Vietnam visa can be found at the website here.

A: It is recommended travelers are up to date on routine vaccinations such as MMR, DTP, and chickenpox before entering the country of Vietnam. It is also suggested that travelers additionally obtain Hepatitis A and B vaccines. Proof of these vaccines are not required. For up to date information on vaccines, please visit the CDC website here.

A: You will receive a welcome packet closer to our date of departure containing a packing list, as well as all the relevant trip information and fun additions to make your retreat magical!

A: The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), which is converted to USD when using the formula that 100,000 VND = 3.82 USD (as of July 2025). Credit cards may be accepted at major business locations, but many market stalls, artisans, cafes, and street restaurants are cash only. ATMs are located throughout the city of Hanoi, including several right near our lodging, but are more sparse as we move outside the city so it is recommended to plan ahead and take out cash before this portion of our trip. Additionally, most Vietnamese will appreciate receiving tips in VND as it can be hard to exchange USD (all of your tips are included on this trip except for optional activities and dinners during free time). If you are planning to exchange your USD for VND, it is recommended to bring crisp, clean and brand new bills, and there is an excellent currency exchange option for this near our Hanoi hotel.

A: Yes! Great Minds Abroad has partnered with the Maryland Psychological Association to provide seven (7) continuing education (CE) credits for this retreat. Furthermore, these credits will satisfy the diversity and cultural requirements of licensure if needed- a real win-win! Check out more information here!

A:  Yes! Because this trip provides continuing education (CE) credits, you can count a portion of your retreat as a business expense. It is recommended that you consult with your tax accountant to determine which portions of the trip are eligible. Going on your dream trip that you can ALSO expense makes this retreat even dreamier!

A: It is MANDATORY that all travelers hold a travel insurance plan ahead of their scheduled departure to cover expenses such as medical issues during your trip, trip interruption or cancellation, or lost goods. This is not included in the retreat price. Emergency evacuation coverage is not required for this retreat, but you may purchase a policy if desired.

A: The closest airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is located just outside Hanoi approximately one hour to our lodging and start point in Hanoi. It is suggested that travelers arrive at a minimum of four hours ahead of the retreat start time at 6:00 pm to allow for customs and airport transfers. Airport transfer from HAN to our hotel in Hanoi is included in the retreat price, and pick up coordination will be arranged closer to the retreat date. HAN is also the closest airport to fly out of from our retreat end- about 3 hours away (without traffic). While return transfers are not included in the retreat price we are happy to assist in their arrangement for you. Our retreat will end by 12:00 pm, and it is strongly recommended that you pick a late evening departure if flying out on the last day to account for travel time and customs. Please note that departures before our ending time of 12:00 pm will not be possible, as this will disrupt our closing ceremony. 

A: The safety of both the guests on this retreat as well as the impact of our travels on the local communities are the highest priority. Several measures have been implemented to ensure this retreat runs safely, including a smaller group size, small lodging size where possible, private dining and events wherever possible, and focusing on disinfection and good hygiene practices at our lodging, restaurants, and private transport vehicles. Sanitation items and masks can also be provided as needed. All efforts will continue to be made to remain up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 statistics and vaccination procedures in Vietnam, as well as pandemic-related events around the world. 

Travelers to Vietnam are no longer required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC continues to recommend the vaccine as a safety precaution, but proof of vaccination will not be required for this retreat. Please note that due to changing guidelines, a negative COVID-19 test may be required to travel on this retreat. 

You may cancel your reservation at any time, for any reason, more than 3 months before departure to receive a full refund less the non-refundable $500 deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. Should the risk of traveling on this retreat outweigh the benefits, this retreat will be rescheduled to a later date and you will have the option to move your reservation or receive a full refund less the non-refundable $500 deposit and less any and all applicable credit card transaction fees and costs. Please note that there may be slight pricing differences for a rescheduled departure due to changing costs on the ground, and all efforts will be made to reduce these costs when possible. 

A: Both of these documents can be found on the Legal Hub section of the website.