Upon arrival to the Da Nang airport, your group will be greeted by a private driver who will transport you to our guesthouse in Hoi An, a city famous for its well-preserved ancient town and rich cultural heritage. After settling in, a local guide will lead us on a walking tour of Hoi An’s ancient town, where students will explore its iconic temples, bridges, and markets, gaining an understanding of the city’s historical significance and the impact of climate change on its preservation. The evening will conclude with a welcome dinner, where the group can discuss the week ahead.

We’ll begin the day with workshops focused on documentary storytelling, specifically tailored to exploring themes of climate solutions and cultural preservation. These sessions will equip your students with the skills needed to document the stories of the local organizations we’ll be collaborating with. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a local market to explore traditional Vietnamese ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking class where students will learn to prepare local dishes such as banh xeo and pho. This immersive experience will provide insights into the connection between food systems and climate change in the region.

Today, we’ll engage directly with a local climate action organization that is working to address the environmental challenges facing Hoi An and its surrounding areas. The morning will be spent learning about their mission, meeting community leaders, and understanding their ongoing climate resilience efforts. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the guesthouse for a group discussion and production meeting to plan the documentary approach, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to move forward with the project.

We’ll return to the organization to conduct in-depth interviews with key individuals, including local leaders and community members involved in climate action. These interviews will help students understand the personal and environmental impact of these initiatives. The afternoon will be dedicated to reviewing the day’s material and refining our storytelling techniques.

We’ll spend the day documenting visual elements that bring our stories to life, capturing the essence of the organization’s daily activities and its impact on the community. This could include documenting sustainable farming practices, coastal protection projects, or educational outreach efforts. After returning to the guesthouse, the group will review the material and plan the next steps in the post-production process to ensure the narrative is cohesive and impactful.

Today, we’ll take a break from our documentary work and embark on a full-day excursion to the Cham Islands, a protected marine area off the coast of Hoi An. Students will learn about local conservation efforts to protect marine life and coral reefs, as well as the challenges posed by climate change. The day will include opportunities to explore the islands, meet with local conservationists, and enjoy the natural beauty of this important ecological site. In the evening, we’ll return to Hoi An for a relaxing night at the guesthouse.

We’ll start the day with a final workshop led by the Actuality team to review the rough cut of our documentary. The group will provide feedback, and the team will incorporate the final edits before the evening screening. The day will conclude with a screening of the completed documentary, followed by a wrap party to celebrate the success of the project.

After a final breakfast at the guesthouse, the group will gather for reflections and farewells, sharing key takeaways from the trip. Following this, pre-arranged transport will be ready to take everyone to the airport for the journey home.