Dream Big Travels - Aus

18/06/2026

Happy International Sushi Day! 🍣

Today’s a fun one for families — whether you’re a sushi lover or not. Sushi is such a big part of Japanese food culture, and it’s amazing how many different styles there are, from simple cucumber rolls to colourful bento-style creations.

Travelling teaches kids to try new flavours, new textures, and sometimes even new skills… like mastering chopsticks. Our kids continue to amaze us every day with how adventurous they’re willing to be with food — and sushi is a firm favourite in our household.

Quick question for families:
Sushi rolls, sashimi, or “we’re still working up the courage”?

15/06/2026

Important information for travelers heading to Vietnam from July 1, 2026

If you are flying into Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Phu Quoc, you're encouraged to complete a Digital Pre-Arrival Form online within 72 hours of arrival.

VGP – All inbound and outbound travellers shall be subject to health declaration from July 1, 2026, according to the Government's Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP.

13/06/2026

Not every day needs to be packed with activities, especially when you're travelling with kids!

Today is our free day.

Weather permitting, we'll head to the beach where the kids can swim, play, build sandcastles, chase waves, and simply enjoy being kids alongside their new friends.

Parents can do the same.

Grab a coffee.

Read a book.

Enjoy a swim.

Of course, today is completely flexible.

You may prefer to stay at the villa and enjoy the pool, wander the Ancient Town, do a little shopping, or take advantage of one of Hoi An's fantastic optional experiences.

Some of our favourites include:

• Traditional knife-making workshop
• Vietnamese coffee workshop

Both come highly recommended by previous families and offer a wonderful insight into Vietnamese culture and craftsmanship.

In the afternoon, we'll come together for our Culture & Reading Exchange.

Children will share stories, books, games, and experiences from their own countries and cultures with local children in Vietnam.

Learning Highlights:
• Social confidence and communication
• Global awareness and cultural exchange
• Building friendships and community
• Unstructured play and exploration

Included Today:
✔ Beach day (weather permitting)
✔ Culture & Reading Exchange
✔ Free time to relax or explore
✔ Optional activities available

If you'd love your children to experience this kind of learning, friendship, adventure, and cultural immersion, we'd love to welcome your family to Vietnam.

Feel free to send us a message for the full itinerary or to ask any questions. We're always happy to chat.

Nicky & Brad
Dream Big Travels

12/06/2026

Anyone in Danang in June! I can highly recommend this program! Hosted by a wonderful bunch of volunteers and is a great way to connect with local families.

12/06/2026

After a busy few days of exploring, learning, cycling, and adventuring together, today comes with a slightly slower pace.

One of the things we love about having our own private villa is that sometimes the cultural experiences can come to us.

This morning, we don't need to rush anywhere.

Instead, our local artist joins US at the villa for one of Vietnam's most iconic cultural experiences... conical hat decorating.

Before the paint brushes come out, she'll share the history behind the famous conical hat, an enduring symbol of Vietnamese culture that is still worn and used throughout the country today.

For generations, these hats have protected farmers working in rice fields, vendors selling at local markets, and families going about their daily lives.

They are far more than a souvenir.
They are a piece of Vietnam's story.

Then it's time to get creative.

Both parents and children will have the opportunity to design and decorate their very own conical hat to take home..

By the end of the morning, everyone leaves with a one-of-a-kind keepsake and a deeper appreciation for the culture behind it.

The afternoon is intentionally left free.

Relax poolside with new friends.
Book a massage.
Grab another Vietnamese coffee.
Browse the shops.
Take the kids for a swim.
Or simply enjoy a well-earned afternoon snooze.

Then, as the sun begins to set, we prepare for one of the most unforgettable experiences of the week.

The Teh Dar Bamboo Circus.

Now this is not your typical circus.

Using bamboo, music, storytelling, and incredible acrobatics, the performers bring Vietnam's tribal culture and rural life to the stage in a way that captivates both children and adults alike.

Families will be left wondering if what they just witnessed is even possible.

Learning Highlights:
• Artistic expression and creativity
• The history and symbolism of the Vietnamese conical hat
• Cultural traditions and identity
• Storytelling through performance
• Creativity, design, and fine motor skills

Included Today:
✔ Conical hat decorating workshop at the villa
✔ Cultural presentation on the history of the conical hat
✔ Free afternoon to relax or explore
✔ Teh Dar Bamboo Circus performance
✔ Group transfers

If your family would like to participate in this experience comment below or reach out to us via email: [email protected] we would love to have you.

12/06/2026

One of the greatest gifts of travel is the opportunity to step into a world that looks completely different from home.

For our family, immersing our children (and ourselves) in different cultures, traditions, and ways of life has become a fundamental part of their education.

There is something incredibly powerful about seeing firsthand how people live in other parts of the world.

How they work.
How they create.
How they celebrate.
How they connect with their community.

These experiences help our children develop perspective, empathy, curiosity, and an appreciation for the fact that there are many different ways to live a meaningful life.

In Vietnam traditional skills and village life is still very much alive.

Throughout the morning we'll stop to meet local families and learn about some of the trades that have supported communities here for generations.

The children will have the opportunity to try their hand at
traditional mat weaving.
Wood carving
discover how one of Vietnam's most famous foods is made during a traditional noodle-making experience.
One of the things we love most about these experiences is that they help children understand where things actually come from.

Real people using skills that have often been passed down through generations.

Then, just when everyone thinks the day couldn't get any better...
The lanterns begin to glow.

As the sun sets.... Hoi An transforms.

Thousands of colourful lanterns light up the streets, and the entire town feels like something from a storybook.

For many families, this becomes one of the most memorable evenings of the entire trip.

And everyone takes a moment to appreciate just how magical this little corner of Vietnam really is.

Learning Highlights:
• Traditional trades and village life
• Food origins and preparation
• Cultural traditions and craftsmanship
• Sustainable living and community
• Cultural festivals and symbolism

Included Today:
✔ Guided cycling tour to Cam Kim Island
✔ Mat weaving experience
✔ Wood carving demonstration
✔ Traditional noodle-making workshop
✔ River boat transfer back to Hoi An
✔ Hoi An Lantern Festival experience

These are the moments that stay with our children long after the holiday is over.because they meet the people. Touched the materials. Tried the skills. Shared the food.

And experienced a different way of life.
Travel has a unique way of turning lessons into memories.
And when learning becomes a memory, it has a habit of staying with us forever.

11/06/2026

With our next two World School Camps starting in a few months, I felt it was a good time to share some of our own experiences when it comes to those long flights with kids.

before we started traveling as a family, this was one of those anxiety inducing topics of discussion with Brad.

“How on earth are we going to manage 4 kids on a long flight!?”

I am happy to share that we survived, and the kids did much better than we did! 😅

I hope you find this blog article helpful as you plan, dream, or prepare for your next family adventure.

Travelling long-haul with kids can feel overwhelming, especially if you're preparing for your first international family holiday. After flying thousands of kilometres with our four children across the globe, we've learned that surviving a long-haul flight isn't about luck, it's about preparation.

09/06/2026

There are some days on our Worldschool Camps that remind us exactly why we do this.

Today is one of those days.

After breakfast, we jump aboard our private bus and make our way to Son Tra Peninsula, better known as Monkey Mountain.
The drive itself is beautiful, winding its way along the coastline before climbing into the lush green hills overlooking Da Nang.
As we make our way through the forest, the excitement begins to build.

"Will we see one?"

The "one" everyone is hoping for is the incredibly rare Red-Shanked Douc Langur.

Often called one of the most beautiful primates in the world, these endangered monkeys live right here on the peninsula.

Seeing one in the wild is something special. The kids eagerly scan the trees, hoping to be the first to spot one.

Along the way, we'll learn about the important conservation work taking place in the area and why protecting habitats like these matter so much.

It's one thing to read about conservation in a book.

It's another thing entirely to stand in the middle of a protected ecosystem and experience it for yourself.

We'll also visit the famous Lady Buddha statue, towering high above the coastline.

Standing here, looking out across Da Nang, the ocean, and the mountains beyond, it's easy to appreciate just how diverse and beautiful Vietnam's landscapes really are.

After a busy morning in nature, we'll head into the city for lunch before spending the afternoon at the Da Nang Museum.

It's modern, interactive, air-conditioned (which parents always appreciate!), and does a fantastic job of bringing Vietnam's story to life.

Quan will once again be our guide, stretching his knowledge muscles as he answers the endless stream of questions that curious children inevitably come up with. Of course, if your family prefers to wander and explore the museum at your own pace, that's perfectly fine too.

As we explore the exhibits together, children will discover how Vietnam has changed over time, learning about its people, culture, history, and rapid development into the country we see today.

By the end of the day, the children have often learned far more than they realise.

They've explored a rainforest ecosystem.

They've learned about endangered wildlife.

They've stood above one of Vietnam's most spectacular coastlines.

And they've connected with the history and culture of the country they're visiting.

That's the magic of worldschooling.

Learning Highlights:
• Wildlife conservation and biodiversity
• Endangered species and ecosystems
• Geography and coastal landscapes
• Vietnamese history and culture
• Modern development and society

Included Today:
✔ Guided Monkey Mountain excursion
✔ Red-Shanked Douc Langur conservation learning
✔ Lady Buddha visit
✔ Group transport
✔ Lunch
✔ Da Nang Museum entry and exploration

Some of the best classrooms in the world don't have four walls.

If this sounds like the kind of learning adventure you'd love your children to experience, we'd love to have your family join us in Vietnam.

Feel free to send us a message with any questions or comment below and we'll happily send through the full itinerary. 💚

09/06/2026

One of the questions we often get asked by families is:

**"Where will we be staying during the Worldschool Camp?"**

We're excited to share that families joining us will be staying at **Discovery Villa Hoi An**, our home base for the week.

Accommodation is INCLUDED in the camp price, and we'll allocate rooms based on your family size. Each family has the privacy of their own room and facilities, while still enjoying the benefits of being part of the wider camp community.

Families are welcome to opt out of the accommodation component and receive a credit towards sourcing their own accommodation. However, we highly recommend staying together, as so much of the camp experience happens during the downtime between activities.

While the kids are swimming, playing games, and building friendships, parents can enjoy a coffee, relax by the pool, and connect with other homeschooling families from around the world.

Discovery Villa offers:

• Comfortable family-friendly rooms
• Swimming pool
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Great location close to our activities
• Relaxed spaces to unwind and connect

The villa has been personally vetted and recommended by our wonderful local partners, and the Google reviews speak for themselves (see below).

We can't wait to fill the pool (and poolside) with laughing kids, morning coffee catch-ups, and plenty of new friendships.

If you'd like to join us in Vietnam this August or January 2027, we'd love to hear from you.
Feel free to comment below or send us a message.

https://www.dreambigtravels.com.au/world-school-camp-destinations-1/world-school-camp-vietnam-aug-2026

09/06/2026

One of our favourite parts of every Worldschool Camp is the first full day together.

The excitement is hard to describe.

The children have already spent an evening getting to know one another, and by breakfast the next morning they're chatting, laughing, and running around playing together like old friends.

Parents are excited too.

You'll often find them sitting together over a famous Vietnamese salt coffee, getting to know other mums and dads in the group, while slowly realising something quite wonderful...

They don't have to organise anything.

There's no rushing around trying to figure out transport, no navigating unfamiliar busy streets, and no prying the kids away from their new friends because it's time to move on to the next attraction.

The guide is coming.

The transport is organised.

meals sorted

The activities are ready to go.

All they need to do is sit back, relax, enjoy their coffee, and maybe grab an extra croissant.

After all, it is a holiday.

There is no better way to start life in a new city than to explore it on foot.

We begin the morning early to beat the heat, with a guided exploration of Hoi An Ancient Town — kid style.

There is so much history packed into these beautiful old streets, but we know children learn best when they're engaged and having fun. That's why we've organised an interactive scavenger hunt to help bring the stories, culture, and history to life.

Our good friend and local guide, Quan, will lead us through the Ancient Town, sharing fascinating stories about Hoi An's trading history, architecture, and cultural influences.

Afterwards, families will have free time to continue exploring, grab another coffee, enjoy morning tea, browse the markets, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the famous Thanh Hà Pottery Village.

This is always a highlight for the kids.

They'll learn about traditional pottery-making techniques before creating their own pottery piece to be fired and collected later in the week — a special keepsake and reminder of their time in Vietnam.

Then comes the perfect way to finish the day...

Our Welcome Dinner.

Even we were blown away by this restaurant when we first visited in February.

The food is incredible.

The scenery is breathtaking.

Parents have time to chat and connect, while the children wander with their new friends along the boardwalks between the rice paddies.

As the sun begins to set across the fields, it's also the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful family photos.

By the end of the evening, it often feels like everyone has known each other far longer than a single day.

This is only Day 1.

The adventure is just beginning.