Whenever I travel, I always want to follow the money. Does the money stay in the communities I’m visiting? Does it directly support the people who make the experience and cultural immersion possible? Or do larger corporate interests take the money out of the country?
Early in 2027, we’ll be reporting from Vietnam, and covering that issue as we follow an organized tour by Overseas Adventure Travel. We’ll be shooting a cover story on Vietnam for our PBS series “The Travel Detective,” and broadcasting our national three-hour weekly Peter Greenberg Worldwide radio show there as well.
And what will make this a special trip: We are auctioning off a trip for two on this special O.A.T. Vietnam tour, including an opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and go behind the scenes for both the TV production and the radio broadcast. All proceeds will go back to the local community — in this case the Hope Orphanage in the Vietnamese city of Hue — one of the more meaningful stops on the tour and one of the destinations we’ll be filming.
We will also be shooting in Hoi An, Dalat, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, including an overnight cruise through Halong Bay.
The Hope Orphanage is supported by the Grand Circle Foundation, which was established over 30 years ago to give back to communities in the countries travelers visit.
It’s a philosophy I strongly believe in: if travel benefits us, it should also benefit the people who welcome us into their communities.
Hope Orphanage has been caring for children and people with disabilities in Hue for more than 26 years. Today, Sister Thao and 18 Catholic nuns provide a home, education and support for 65 people.
But those numbers only tell part of the story. For the children who come to Hope, it can mean the chance to grow up in a caring home, receive an education and begin building a future of their own.
Over the years, Hope has been home to more than 380 people. Many have gone on to college and others are now working and living independently.
And so, I welcome our readers to bid, and bid generously, to come and be a special part of this trip. After all, that’s what following the money should look like. You take an extraordinary journey, but you also leave something meaningful behind for the people and communities that made that journey possible.
Details of the auction:
Bidding starts today, Nov. 3, at 12 p.m. EST.
Bidding closes at noon, Dec. 21, at 12 p.m. EST.
Bidding starts at $8,000.
Send your bids with your name and contact info to:
InsideVietnam@petergreenberg.com
Details of the trip: The highest bidder (and guest) as of Dec. 21 receives O.A.T.’s Inside Vietnam adventure, departing the U.S. on Feb. 10, 2027 and returning to the U.S. on Mar 1. The package includes round-trip economy airfare from select cities, airport transfers, taxes, fees and fuel surcharges, accommodations, select meals as stated on the itinerary, transportation, activities and all other inclusions in the base Inside Vietnam itinerary.
Not included: Trip extensions, travel protection plan, optional tours, upgrades, other add-ons, and personal expenses (check the Overseas Adventure Travel website for details of the full itinerary).
Again, all proceeds from the highest bidder goes to the Grand Circle Foundation and then directly to the Hope Orphanage. For more information on OAT or the detailed itinerary, go to:
