What happens when 55 students take on an expedition through the forests, rivers, caves and villages of Phong Nha?
From 12 to 14 July 2026, 55 students from VTK Leuven joined a three-day Phong Nha programme arranged by Phong Nha Holiday, combining nature, teamwork, adventure and local culture.
Based at Blue Diamond Retreat, an eco-friendly, net-zero retreat developed and operated by Oxalis, the students took on a Phong Nha expedition through forest trails, rivers, caves and a local village, putting their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test along the way.
Day 1: From Phong Nha Cave to Blue Diamond Retreat
The journey began with a transfer from Phong Nha town to Blue Diamond Retreat, just 19 km away. Surrounded by forest and limestone mountains, the retreat provided a natural base for the group’s three-day adventure.
After lunch, the group set out on a two-hour boat journey into Phong Nha Cave, part of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its outstanding geological and biodiversity values. Travelling along the underground river, they explored the cave’s vast chambers, hidden lake and spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
After the cave exploration, the group returned to Blue Diamond for dinner and a relaxing evening in the retreat’s bungalows, ready for the main challenge the following day.
Day 2: The Phong Nha Expedition
The second day was dedicated to the Phong Nha Expedition, a 5 – 6 hour outdoor expedition through the natural and cultural landscapes surrounding Blue Diamond.
The format was simple: teams started at the Lavender field and had to follow a series of clues to make their way through the countryside. But the route was far from straightforward. Along the way, they had to decode messages, trek through forest, build and paddle a traditional raft, explore a cave, assemble a map, visit a local family and find their way back to the starting point.
With several kilometres of trekking and a mix of physical, problem-solving and cultural challenges, teams had to make decisions together while keeping an eye on both the clock and their overall score.
The group makes their way through Phong Nha’s diverse landscapes.
Cracking the first clue
The race started at the Lavender field with a coded message.
Before heading out, each team had to solve the opening puzzle and work out where the first clue would lead them. The teams that decoded it quickly gained an early advantage, but this was only the beginning. The challenges that followed required different skills – and a fast start did not necessarily mean an easy finish.
Through the forest
From the Lavender field, the teams set off on foot, following clues through the surrounding countryside and forest.
The route gradually took them further into the landscape, with teams having to stay together, manage their pace and keep track of the information they collected along the way. Every clue pointed towards the next stage of the expedition.
The teams trek through the forest to reach the next stage of the race.
Building a raft and crossing the river
One of the day’s most hands-on challenges took place beside the river.
Teams were given the materials and instructions needed to build their own traditional raft. Once construction was complete, they had to use it to cross approximately 200 metres of river before taking on another riverside challenge.
The crossing tested more than the raft itself. Teams had to coordinate their movements, communicate clearly and figure out how to get everyone safely across. A stable raft helped, but getting it to work as a team was the real challenge.
Raft-building and river-crossing challenge.
Each team takes a turn testing the raft they built themselves.
Into the cave
The route then continued towards a cave, where the teams faced a different kind of challenge.
Inside, they had to search for pieces of an expedition map. Finding the pieces was only part of the task – once collected, the teams needed to assemble the map and work out where it would take them next.
After emerging from the cave, there was time to rehydrate and regroup before setting off towards the next stage.
The group explores the cave with guidance and supervision from the Phong Nha Holiday team.
A taste of local life in Khe Gat Village
The completed map led the teams to Khe Gat Village, where a 2.7 km hike brought them to a local family’s home for lunch and a series of hands-on challenges. Students tried handicrafts, traditional farming tools and simple Vietnamese language tasks, ending with an activity that let each team leave its mark.
After hours of trekking and physical challenges, the village stop offered a change of pace – an opportunity to connect with local life through creativity, interaction and learning.
Students try their hand at traditional crafts under the guidance of local residents from Khe Gat Village.
Students listen to stories about the local culture and way of life.
Back to Blue Diamond
The race was not over yet.
Following the village activities, the teams began the final 2.2 km hike back to the Lavender field. With points collected at every stage, the final ranking reflected the teams’ overall performance – from solving clues and completing challenges to the decisions they made along the way.
The finish line marked the end of a full day of trekking, teamwork and discovery.
More than a race
The Phong Nha Expedition turned a team-building activity into an outdoor expedition. Over one day, the 55 students from VTK Leuven moved through forests, rivers, caves and a local village, with each stage offering a different challenge and a new way to experience Phong Nha.
The challenges tested speed, problem-solving, coordination, navigation and creativity, while teamwork remained essential throughout.
By the time they reached the finish line at Blue Diamond, the teams had explored more than a race course. They had discovered Phong Nha through its landscapes, local community and the shared experience of working together from start to finish.
Day 3: From Blue Diamond to Hue
After breakfast, the group checked out of Blue Diamond Retreat and continued their journey to Hue, bringing three days of exploring Phong Nha to a close with new challenges and experiences in Vietnam.
Beyond the finish line
The expedition ended at Blue Diamond, but that was only the finish line of the race. Over three days in Phong Nha, the students explored caves, forests, rural villages and local culture, while working together to complete each challenge along the way.
What made the experience special was not only the places they visited, but also the way they worked together to solve problems and overcome each challenge. These are experiences and skills that will continue to be valuable long after the race is over.
