HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM
Arrive: 1200 Tuesday, 12 February
Onboard Time: 1800 Sunday, 17 February
Brief Overview: Despite years of war, conflict and colonization, Viet
Nam remains a beautiful country with a rich cultural history. The
people of this country are resilient and proud of their heritage and
will be delighted to show off Viet Nam’s ravishing coastline, emeraldgreen mountains and dynamic cities. Despite rapid economic
development, you’ll find a raw dimension to this country with its
rugged landscape and direct yet fun-loving people. You’ll be stunned
by the bustling sites of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) and
its 6 million whizzing motor bikes and a bargain shoppers’ paradise.
Your senses will be pleased with Viet Nam’s infamous cuisine, so
don’t miss out on the quintessential noodle soup know as pho, or
savor a crispy baguette with coffee on each street corner.
In Viet Nam, Tet is the single-most celebrated time of year. Beginning
February 9 and lasting the week, the festive atmosphere is sure to
be exciting. You never know when you will stumble across a dragon
parade or lion dance. It will, however, make coordinating
independent travel a bit more challenging because priority on flights
and rail travel is given to Vietnamese nationals.
Overnight Opportunities: There is much to explore in this jungle country, including Ha Noi’s graceful architecture and
boulevards, the nearby Ha Long Bay as well as the infamous Mekong Delta region. There is even the possibility for a
homestay in a local village. For those interested in travel to Cambodia, please note that you will only have the
opportunity to do so on a Field Program trip due to strict immigration regulations. There are five trips to Cambodia.
Three visit Phnom Phen & the “Killing Fields” as well as Angkor Wat temples. Two visit the Angkor Wat temples in
Siem Reap and the temple area (one includes a special service visit to an NGO established by a SAS alum).
Suggested short-cuts to simple planning:
Register for the following “bundles” of trips based on your interests.
Art and Architecture:
HCM 100-102 Ho Chi Minh City Orientation
HCM 302-201 Temples of Angkor Wat
Cultural highlights:
HCM 104-103 Water Puppet Show & Dinner
HCM 103-102 China Town & Temples
History:
HCM 102-102 UPI Photographer & War Museum
Active/Adventure:
HCM 112-301 Cu Chi Tunnel & Center Visit
HCM 114-501 Mekong Delta River Adventure
Taste of Viet Nam:
HCM 111-601 Market Visit & Cooking Class
IMPORTANT: If you registered in one of the following courses, you have a field lab on this day.
Do not make any other travel plans as this is a designated class day in port for your course.
HCML1
HCML2
HCML3
HCML4
HCML6
Field Labs
SEMS 3500-502
ARTH 1051
SEMS 2500-106
SEMS 3500-504
SEMS 3500-111
Ho Chi Minh City
Professor Allred
Professor Maki
Professor G. Oliphant
Professor R. Oliphant
Professor Ullerich
HCML7
HCML8
HCML9
PSYC 3500-102
RELB 3559-102
ENGL 3559
Professor W. Von Hippel
Professor Waldron
Professor D. Morris
Tuesday, 12 February
Intro to International Business (Section 2)
History of Art I
Consumer Behavior
International Marketing (Section 2)
Development Economics
Psychological Approaches to Complex
Problems
Buddhism in the Modern World
Sunday, 17 February
Illness Narratives
Day 1: Tuesday, February 12
HCM-501-102
CAMBODIA OVERLAND EXPLORER
5 days/ 4 nights
(
As soon as the ship is cleared, the group will
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
depart the port for a 2-hour drive toward the
Adult
$ 1,215
$ 1,169
Vietnam/Cambodia border where each
Child
$ 784
$ 769
individual has to complete the Immigration
TIME
procedure for the Cambodia visa to be
Date
Time
stamped in your passport. An additional 3Depart
February
12
Upon arrival
hour drive through the incomparable
countryside will bring you to the capital
Return February 16
PM
Phnom Penh for the evening/night. Phnom
HIGHLIGHTS
Penh has a charm that is still evident
Countryside of Cambodia
Historic sites in Phnom Penh (2 nights)
despite the violence and destruction during
Shop at the local “Russian Market”
and immediately following the Viet Nam
Killing Fields of Choeng Ek
War. When the Viet Nam War spread to
Temples of Angkor Wat (Sunset)
Cambodia, the city’s population swelled with
Angkor Thom complex
refugees, reaching about two million in early
Local life in Cambodia
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
1975. The Khmer Rouge took over the city
Cultural dance show
in April 1975 and immediately forced the entire population into the countryside
as part of a radical social program. On your city orientation of Phnom Penh, you
will visit the National Museum and view the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda before spending some time shopping in the
famous “Russian Market.”
After lunch, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a school that was converted into a prison camp and torture chamber by the Khmer
Rouge. Thousands of Cambodians were incarcerated here before they were taken to Choeng Ek to be killed. Photographs of
the victims, taken before or after torture, line the walls of the former schoolrooms. The only crime committed by most of these
victims was being educated. A map of Cambodia, constructed of human skulls, dominates one room and symbolizes the
death and destruction carried out by the Pol Pot Regime that affected the entire country. At the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek,
you will see the mass graves of more than 17,000 men, women and children who were executed at this extermination camp
between 1975 and 1978.
Angkor is an incomparable temple complex built between seven and 11 centuries ago at the height of the Khmer civilization.
Angkor’s 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of spectacular administrative and religious center covering 200square kilometers. The ruins represent successive capitals constructed by a dozen Khmer kings, which included massive
stone temples, majestic causeways and imposing towers. Spend an entire afternoon visiting the most famous temple
complex, Angkor Wat. With its soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, many consider Angkor Wat to be one of the most
inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind.
Another full day in Siem Reap will afford you the opportunity to visit the last capital of the Khmers, Angkor Thom, with its
HCM-501-102
CAMBODIA OVERLAND EXPLORER
5 days/ 4 nights
(
stunning archaeological grandeur. Continue to Ta Prohm in the jungle and then spend
the afternoon at Ton Le Sap lake visiting the floating village and finally relax with dinner
and a cultural dance show.
Note: These historically significant sites are grim reminders of the extermination
policies carried out by the Khmer Rouge. If you choose to participate in these visits, be
prepared for some gruesome and depressing sights. Also note, 2 passport-size photos
AND $25 cash are required for visas AT THE BORDER.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (D)
Afternoon drive to Cambodia
dinner at hotel
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Morning visit to Royal Palace, Silver
Pagoda, National Museum and Russian
Market
Afternoon at Toul Sleng Genocide
Museum
Visit Cheung Ek Memorial and “Killing
Fields”
Regroup over relaxing dinner
HCM 102-102
Day 3: (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel
Depart early for drive over ancient
laterite bridges en route to Siem
Reap
Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat for
sunset
Dinner at restaurant
Day 4: (B,L,D)
Angkor Thom and its temples
Visit Ta Prohm
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
followed by local life of people
in village
Dinner and cultural dance
show
Day 5: (B)
Return FLIGHT to Saigon
FORMER UPI PHOTOGRAPHER & MUSEUM OF WAR REMNANTS
Before visiting the Museum of War
Remnants, meet with a former UPI
photographer who will provide a personal
account of his work and of war
photography during the 1960s and 1970s
in Viet Nam. You will have the opportunity
to ask questions before departing for the
museum. The Museum of War Remnants
(previously known as the Museum of
American & Chinese War Crimes and then
the Museum of War Atrocities) is housed
in the former U.S. Information Service building. Many of the atrocities documented
in the museum were well publicized in the West. This visit is likely to jolt the
senses; many of the photographs are grisly and shocking. In the yard of the
museum, U.S. armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons are
displayed. This trip will provide a backdrop for considering how images of conflict
are captured and conveyed, and for reflecting upon the ethics of telling war stories.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 40
$ 38
Child
$ 20
$ 19
TIME
Date
Time
February 12
1300
Return February 12
HIGHLIGHTS
1730
Depart
Private meeting with the Former UPI
photographer and review his own
photographic collection from the war
time
The War Remnants Museum
HCM 100-102
HO CHI MINH CITY ORIENTATION
Half day
This orientation will introduce you to the rapidly
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
modernizing Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred
Adult
$ 31
$ 30
to as Saigon. Visit the History Museum, which
Child
$ 16
$ 15
documents the evolution of Viet Nam’s various
TIME
cultures from the Dong Son Bronze Age civilization to
Date
Time
the Chams and the Khmers. The History Museum also
Depart
February
12
1300
features a water puppet performance, a traditional
Vietnamese performance art that dates back to the
Return February 12
1730
11th century. Tour rooms at the former Presidential
HIGHLIGHTS
Palace, where everything has been left much as it was
City’s French style famous buildings
on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese military
(museum, City hall, Notre Dame
tanks crashed through the front gates and overthrew
Cathedral, Central Post office)
the South Vietnamese government. Built in 1909, The
Water Puppet performance at the
Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most interesting
History Museum
places in the city with statues of phantasmal divinities
Special atmosphere in the city during
and a profusion of incense coils which burn for as long as one month. The pagoda
the Lunar New Year holidays
will likely be busy with worshippers on the first days of the Lunar New Year. Finally,
Nguyen Hue Flower Market on its last
day
walk down Dong Khoi Street, which is lined with colorful lights and festive
decorations for the New Year. We will be fortunate to see the famed Nguyen Hue
Flower Street on its last day before the street reverts back to normal traffic. Here
many locals gather to take family photographs and dress in their finest clothes to welcome in the start of the year.
From there, you are free to explore more of the city on your own or return to the port by coach.
HCM 103-102
CHINA TOWN AND TEMPLES
Located in the western part of the city is a typical
China Town, a thickly settled district with lot of oldstyle shop houses, colorful pagodas and temples,
each with their own flavor, and the famous market
named Cho Lon or Binh Tay market.Although many
of the houses and shops are closed for business
during the holidays, the Chinese commune before
and during Lunar New Year is filled with decoration
and activity at its places of worship. We may see
dragon & lion dance performances on streets.
These are often sponsored by individual families or
shop owners who believe they bring good luck and
fortune during the early days of the New Year.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 31
$ 30
Child
$ 16
$ 15
TIME
Date
Time
February 12
1300
Return February 12
HIGHLIGHTS
1730
Depart
Special atmosphere & traditions in the
Chinese commune during the Lunar
New Year period
The spiritual life of Chinese at Temples,
pagoda & church in the first days of
Lunar New Year
A visit at the small Cao Dai Temple right
in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City
After an orientation drive and walk around the area to experience the atmosphere
of the Chinese commune, you will stop to visit Cha Tam Church, where President
Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963 – a precursor for the
advent of American military intervention. Then, visit the Thien Hau Temple
dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors.
This is the oldest Chinese-built pagoda in the city where you can see huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, which can
burn for up to three months at a time. A nearby walk will take our group to the Quan Am Pagoda - a Chinese-style Buddhist
temple featuring beautiful courtyard, gardens, a pond and a Jade Emperor. These pagodas are often the focal point of worship
during the New Year and may be extremely crowded and smoky from the burning incense. If it is not too crowded your guide will
explain the merit of making a donation and having your own incense coil or pink donation slip placed inside the pagoda. Finally,
stop at a tiny Cao Dai temple where one small religious sect worships one god who they believe oversees all religions.
HCM 101-102
HALF DAY CU CHI TUNNEL TOUR
Half day
Located approximately two hours from Ho Chi
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Minh City, Cu Chi is famous for its 200-kilometer
Adult
$30
$29
network of underground tunnels. These tunnels
Child
$15
$15
were created and used by the Viet Cong forces
TIME
during wars against both the French and
Date
Time
Americans. Before visiting the tunnel system, you
Depart
February
12
1300
will be shown a video explaining their history and
construction. From the mid-1940s onward, the
Return February 12
1830
tunnels were used as a base from which the Viet
HIGHLIGHTS
Cong could launch strategic attacks and then
Underground community made up of
seemingly disappear into thin air. Most of the
200km of tunnels and chambers
tunnels are only about two feet wide and five feet
high. However, some of the passageways and
tunnel rooms (e.g., meeting room, kitchen, dining
room and hospital), while still small, have
been enlarged for easier access. If you decide to visit the lower levels of the tunnels, you will most likely get dirty while crawling
through the narrow passageways. You may wish to bring a flashlight to assist in navigating these lower levels.
HCM 104-103
WATER PUPPETS & DINNER w/ Professor Kattwinkel
Long before Cirque du Soleil, one
traditional art form with deep roots in
Vietnamese culture is a water puppet
show. Water puppetry originated in the
villages of the Red River Delta around Ha
Noi more than 1,000 years ago. Reflecting
their origin, most of the skits revolve
around stories about village and rural life.
In this evening you will travel to a Water
Puppetry Theatre for a 1-hour show
followed by a Vietnamese set menu dinner
at a local restaurant in the downtown area.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 59
$ 56
Child
$ 30
$ 28
TIME
Date
Time
February 12
1645
Return February 12
HIGHLIGHTS
1930
Depart
Water puppet performance
Vietnamese dinner of typical dishes
Day 2: Wednesday, February 13
HCM-305-201
HOMESTAY IN MAI CHAU VILLAGE & HA NOI
Escape to a fascinating village in the
heartland of the North’s ethnic minority
region. The mountainous region west of
Ha Noi with its expanses of rice fields,
magnificent mountain vistas, and scenic
valleys is home to the Mai Chau village,
where weaving and rice farming are the
mainstays of life and the locals provide a
warm welcome. You will have the unique
opportunity to spend the evening in the
home of a member of the Black Thai hill
tribe.
3 days/2 nights
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 667
$ 639
Child
TIME
$ 452
$ 433
Date
Time
February 13
1000
Return February 15
HIGHLIGHTS
2100
Depart
After experiencing rural life in Viet Nam, your visit to Ha Noi provides an
interesting contrast. History has been brutal to Viet Nam, and much of our
knowledge of this country comes from images of the Viet Nam War. A visit to Ha
Noi today is more likely to evoke an “old-world” image of ambience and tranquility
rather than an image of an “enemy city.” Ha Noi is arguably the most beautiful capital in
Southeast Asia, a city of dignified, if somewhat dilapidated, charm where Frenchcolonial architecture dominates narrow, tree-shaded streets. The absence of modern
buildings and the predominance of bicycle traffic are quite different from Ho Chi Minh
City. Your orientation to Ha Noi includes visits to Ho Chi Minh’s house, the Army
Museum, the Temple of Literature, the charming Old Quarter and if time permits, the
Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Rural life in Mai Chau
Hanoi’s highlights in Tet with traditional
games at the Temple of Literature
Longhouse stay
Local interaction
Water puppet show in Ha Noi
Ho Chi Minh’s house
Due to Tet (Lunar New Year, most important holiday in Vietnam) the group can
experience the special atmosphere at each house during Tet and enjoy traditional
games at the Temple of Literature and other pagodas.
Note: Sturdy walking shoes required. Bring a flashlight for walks in the village at night.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (D)(Longhouse)
Fly to Hanoi via Saigon
Drive to Mai Chau and local commune
Orientation walk through nearby villages
Dinner at long house with cultural performance
(according to village agreement)
Day 2: (B,L,D)(Hotel)
Visit local market, explore villages, interact with locals
5-hour return drive to Hanoi
Dinner and water puppets show
Day 3: (B, L)
Hanoi city tour including 1 Pillar Pagoda and Army
Museum and the Temple of Literature to see traditional
games in Tet, as well as visits to Tran Quoc Pagoda,
Quan Thanh Temple and the Old Quarter
Lunch and some free time
Return flight from Hanoi
HCM-306-201
HA NOI & HA LONG BAY
3 days/2 nights
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 783
$ 750
Child
TIME
$ 505
$ 484
Date
Time
February 13
1000
Return February 15
HIGHLIGHTS
2100
Depart
Ha Long Bay & Caves – one of the
In addition to visiting Ha Noi, which arguably has become one of the most
World’s 7 New Wonders
Hanoi’s highlights in Tet with traditional
interesting cities in Southeast Asia, this trip explores one of the natural wonders
games at the Temple of Literature
of the world – the magnificent Ha Long Bay. The bay’s tranquil beauty
Junk boat ride
encompasses 1,500-square miles dotted with more than 1,000 limestone
Water puppet show in Ha Noi
islands and islets. Bizarre rock sculptures jut dramatically from the sea, and
numerous grottoes create a picturesque setting. The sails of the junks and
sampans gliding on the bay add to the timeless beauty of the scene. A four-hour boat trip on the bay includes stops at some of
the grottoes. The most spectacular is Dau Go Cave with its stalactites and stalagmites resembling beasts, birds and human
forms. Folk legends associated with various grottoes and some of Ha Long Bay’s historic battles are part of this learning
experience.
The scenic drive from Ha Noi to Ha Long provides insight into the agricultural lifestyle of the north. See emerald-green rice
paddies, water buffalo, farms and villages before arriving in Ha Noi for dinner and a water puppet performance.
Due to Tet (Lunar New Year, and most important holiday in Vietnam) the local life in the Old Quarter will not bustle as usual,
but the group can experience the atmosphere at each house in Tet and enjoy traditional games at the Temple of Literature.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (D)
Fly to Ha Noi via Saigon
3-hour scenic drive to Ha Long
Bay through rice paddies,
water buffalo herds, and
villages
Hotel check-in at Ha Long and
Dinner at local restaurant
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Short trip to Ha Long pier for 4hour junk boat ride in Ha Long
Bay including seafood lunch on
board
Return drive to Ha Noi
Leisure time before dinner at local
restaurant
Water puppet show
Day 3: (B, L)
Hotel breakfast
Ha Noi city tour including Temple of
Literature, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran
Quoc Pagoda, Army Museum and the Old
Quarter
LUNCH
Free time before return flight to Saigon
HCM-304-201
COASTAL WONDERS OF NHA TRANG
3 days/2 nights
(
The town of Nha Trang extends the length
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
of a white sandy beach and affords you the
Adult
$ 533
$ 511
opportunity to explore some of Viet Nam’s
Child
$ 328
$ 315
beautiful coastline and off-shore islands.
TIME
Many remnants of the ancient Cham
Date
Time
civilization of Viet Nam are also found in
Depart February 13
0415
this area. Visit the Long Son Pagoda with
its entrance gate and roofs decorated with
Return February 15
1535
mosaic dragons made of glass and
HIGHLIGHTS
ceramic tile. Behind the pagoda, a huge
One of the most popular beaches in
Vietnam
white Buddha sits on a lotus blossom atop
Boat trip and swim at uninhabited
a steep hill. The figure is 14 meters high
islands
and can be seen from all over Nha Trang.
Long Son Pagoda
Climbing the 152 stone steps to the
Cham Towers
Buddha statue is well worth the effort, as it
provides an excellent view of Nha Trang.
Cultural Show
You’ll also visit the famous Cham Towers
at Po Nagar, built between the 6th and 12th centuries. The towers provide an excellent view of the mouth of the river, bridges
and coracles (bamboo baskets) used to ferry fishermen out to their boats. A scenic boat trip with stops for swimming and
lunch at a local village on the Con Se Tre islands will allow you to experience the beauty of Nha Trang on the water as well.
Note: Please bring a swimsuit for water activities.
“One of the best 2 cities during Tet.” – Trip Advisor
ITINERARY
Day 1: (L,D)
1-hour flight to Nha Trang via Saigon
Light breakfast upon arrival
Full-day tour of Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, Hon
Chong Rocks, the Oceanographic Institute, and more
Lunch at Bao Dai’s palace
Dinner and cultural show
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Full-day boat trip and swimming at uninhabited islands
Seafood lunch at Con Se Tre islands
Dinner at local restaurant
Day 3: (B)
Hotel breakfast
Full day at your leisure
Return flight that evening
HCM-401-201
CU CHI / CAMBODIA COMBO
Depart at 7:00 am for a one-way speedboat ride
on the Saigon River and canals to Cu Chi where
you will be the first visitors of the day at the Cu
Chi tunnels. After visiting the tunnels, drive to Tay
Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Temple and observe the
noon service during Tet. Lunch in Tay Ninh before
driving to the Cambodian border at Bavit for
immigration procedures. A Cambodian guide will
meet and escort you through the scenic
countryside on your 3-hour drive to Phnom Penh.
Brace yourself for your morning visit to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, a former
high school that was used as a prison for detentions and torture of prisoners
during the Pol Pot time. Continue to Cheung Ek, the Khmer Rouge’s most
infamous Killing Field. The remains of almost 9,000 bodies have been excavated
from mass graves in this area. Today Cheung Ek is a Memorial site for visitors
from all over the world to pay their respects for those lost. This visit is a
profoundly moving but also depressing experience. Before lunch, You will also visit
The National Museum, which houses many Angkorian artifacts, as well as a good
collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of Buddha
figures.
STANDARD PRICE
4 days/ 3 nights
(
Early Booking
Adult
$ 1,218
$ 1,168
Child
$ 639
$ 612
TIME
Depart
Date
Time
February 13
0700
Return February 16
HIGHLIGHTS
PM
Cu Chi tunnels & Cao Dai temple
Express tour of Phnom Penh
Killing Fields of Choeng Ek
Temples of Angkor Wat (sunset)
Ta Prohm
Banteay Srei (The Woman’s Citadel)
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
Cultural dance show
Drive in the afternoon from Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom. Then continue toward
to Siem Reap by passing over and alongside ancient laterite bridges, the town of
Kampong K’dei. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the hotel for dinner.
Visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers and its stunning Bayon temple and
Elephant Terrace. Continue to Ta Prohm in the jungle and then spend the afternoon (through sunset) at the famed Angkor
Wat. With its soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, many consider Angkor Wat to be one of the most inspired and
spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. Your expert guide will explain the history, symbolism and
mystical tales associated with the site. Conclude the day with a cultural dance show and dinner.
Spend the final day visiting Banteay Srei, the Woman’s Citadel – a tiny, enchanting temple that is a jewel of Siem Reap. And
conclude with a stop at Ton Le Sap lake to visit the floating village before catching your flight back to Saigon.
Note: These historically significant sites are grim reminders of the extermination policies carried out by the Khmer Rouge. If
you choose to participate in these visits, be prepared for some gruesome and depressing sights. Also note, 2 passport-size
photos AND $25 cash are required for visas AT THE BORDER.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (B,L,D)
Boat ride to Cu Chi Tunnels
Tour Cu Chi tunnels
Cao Dai temple service
Vietnamese lunch
Afternoon drive to Cambodia
dinner at hotel
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
Cheung Ek Memorial and “Killing Fields”
National Museum
Drive to Siem Reap via Kampong K’dei
Day 3: (B,L,D)
Angkor Thom & temples
Visit Ta Prohm
Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat for sunset
Dinner w/ cultural show
Day 4: (B,L,D)
Banteay Srei: “the Woman’s Citadel”
Tonle Sap Lake , floating villages
PM return FLIGHT to Saigon
HCM 106-201
MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP
Until the 16th century the Mekong Delta was
an area of marshlands and forest. Gradually
marshlands were reclaimed, and a canal
network was built for the cultivation of rice,
fish, soybeans, maize, peanuts, tobacco and
melons. The My Tho area is famous for its
coconut palms and fruit orchards (mangoes,
longans, bananas and citrus fruits). The drive out of Ho Chi Minh City (about 1.5
hours using the National Highway) takes you through miles of flat rice fields, along
a road that is always busy with bicycles and people heading to or from the market.
A highlight of this trip is a boat ride on the Mekong River to observe the active river
life. The Mekong Delta was annexed from the Khmers in the late 18th century and
continues to be influenced by Cambodia. Your boat trip takes you to one of the
islands in the Mekong Delta to see a traditional farmer’s home and fruit orchards
where you will have the opportunity to sample exotic tropical fruits.
HCM 107-201
CU CHI TUNNELS & CAO DAI TEMPLES
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 48
$ 46
Child
$ 24
$ 23
TIME
Date
Time
February 13
0800
Return February 13
HIGHLIGHTS
1730
Depart
Natural & local life discovery in Mekong
Delta
Sampan ride through tiny canals
Chances to interact with local people
during walking
Full day
Tay Ninh (approx 3-hr drive from Ho Chi Minh City) serves
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
as headquarters for one of Viet Nam’s most interesting
Adult
$62
$60
indigenous religions, Caodaism. Caodaism is the product
Child
$31
$30
of an attempt to create the ideal religion through the
TIME
fusion of the secular and religious philosophies of the
Date
Time
East and West. The result is a colorful potpourri that
Depart
February
13
0800
includes elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, native
Vietnamese spirits, Christianity and Islam. The Great Temple is one of the most
Return February 13
1900
striking structures in all of Asia, with its rococo extravagance and many HIGHLIGHTS
architectural idiosyncrasies. Services are held daily at 0600, 1200, 1800 and
Cao Dai temples
2400. You will observe a portion of the 1200 service. Located approx 2-hrs from
Cu Chi Tunnel network
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is famous for its 200-kilometer network of underground
LUNCH at local restaurant
tunnels. These tunnels were created and used by the Viet Cong forces during wars
against both the French and Americans. Before visiting the tunnel system, you will
be shown a video explaining their history and construction. If you decide to visit the lower levels of the tunnels, which have not
been enlarged, you will most likely get dirty while crawling through the narrow passageways.
HCM-307-201
MEKONG DELTA EXPLORER (HOMESTAY)
3 days/2 nights
Until the 16th century, the Mekong
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Delta was an area of marshlands and
Adult
$ 210
$ 201
forest. Gradually, marshlands were
Child
$ 105
$ 101
reclaimed and a canal network was
TIME
built for the cultivation of rice, fish,
Date
Time
soybeans, maize, peanuts, tobacco
Depart February 13
0800
and melons. The Cai Be area is
Return February 15
1800
famous for its coconut palms and fruit
HIGHLIGHTS
orchards (mangoes, longans, bananas
and citrus fruits). The drive out of Ho
Local life in Mekong Delta during Tet
Chi Minh City (about 2.5 hours) takes
Riverboat travels through tributaries
Homestay with local people and chance
you through miles of flat rice fields,
to learn more of the traditional lifestyle
along a road that is always busy with bicycles and people heading to or from the
Explore by bike
market. Highlights of this trip are a boat ride on the Mekong River to observe the
Visit Bang Lang Stork Garden
active river life, and active engagement with local people on a bicycle tour
through the village. The Mekong Delta was annexed from the Khmers in the late 18th century and continues to be influenced
by Cambodia. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a local house with evening activities offered by the owner.
The second day your group will take a boat trip to visit the brick kilns where local people create beautiful clay pottery. As the
boat moves through the floating village you will learn more about catfish farms in Viet Nam, before the cruise ends at Vinh
Long city. Here you can visit Vinh Long market in town, the best place for taking pictures of fish, shrimp, prawns, crabs,
snakes, rice-field rats, and local produce. An overland trip from Vinh Long takes you to Can Tho, the most modern and
commercial town in the Delta. In the afternoon, visit a stork garden and a typical ancient house in the Binh Thuy area.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (L,D)
2.5-hour trip to Cai Be
township
Boat journey to nearby islands
and through a maze of
tributaries
Riverside walk & bike through
local communities
Enjoy stay at local house
overlooking the waterway
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Breakfast at house followed by
2.5-hour trip to Can Tho
Drive to visit Bang Lang Stork
garden and Binh Thuy ancient
house
Return to Can Tho followed by
dinner at local restaurant
Day 3: (B,L)
Depart from Ninh Kieu boat station for
canal
Visit local house on Cai Son canal to
experience traditional Tet holiday with the
Southerners
Visit to Khmer Pagoda if time permits
Lunch at Sao Hom restaurant
5-hour return trip to Nha Rong Port
HCM-301-201
ANGKOR WAT & PHNOM PENH
3 days/ 2 nights
(
Angkor is an incomparable temple
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
complex built between seven and 11
Adult
$ 1,281
$ 1,228
centuries ago at the height of the
Child
$ 821
$ 787
Khmer civilization. Angkor’s 100 or so
TIME
temples constitute the sacred skeleton
Date
Time
of spectacular administrative and
Depart
February
13
AM
religious center covering 200-square
kilometers.
The ruins represent
Return February 15
PM
successive capitals constructed by a
HIGHLIGHTS
dozen Khmer kings, which included
Historic sites in Phnom Penh
Killing Fields of Choeng Ek
massive stone temples, majestic
Temples of Angkor Wat
causeways and imposing towers. You
Sunset visit to Angkor Wat
will visit the most famous temple complex, Angkor Wat. With its soaring towers
Local life in Cambodia
and extraordinary bas-reliefs, many consider Angkor Wat to be one of the most
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. The
largest religious building in the world, it was built by Suryavarman II, who reigned from 1112 to 1152, to honor Vishnu and for
later use as his funerary temple.
On your city orientation of Phnom Penh, you will visit the National Museum and view the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. You
will also visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a school that was converted into a prison camp and torture chamber by the Khmer
Rouge. Thousands of Cambodians were incarcerated here before they were taken to Choeng Ek to be killed. Photographs of
the victims, taken before or after torture, line the walls of the former schoolrooms. The only crime committed by most of these
victims was being educated. A map of Cambodia, constructed of human skulls, dominates one room and symbolizes the
death and destruction carried out by the Pol Pot Regime that affected the entire country. At the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek,
you will see the mass graves of more than 17,000 men, women and children who were executed at this extermination camp
between 1975 and 1978.
Note: These historically significant sites are grim reminders of the extermination policies carried out by the Khmer Rouge. If
you choose to participate in these visits, be prepared for some gruesome and depressing sights. Also note, 2 passport-size
photos AND $25 cash are required for visas AT THE airport.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (L,D)
Flight to Siem Reap
Lunch at hotel
Visit Angkor Wat until
sunset
Dinner at Restaurant with
Cultural Dance Show
Overnight at hotel, Siem
Reap
Day 2: (B,L,D)
South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon,
Terrace of Leper King, Elephant and Ta Prohm
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake followed by local
life of people in village
Transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh
Day 3: (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel
Toul Sleng, Killing Fields, and
National Museum
Lunch at Restaurant
Visit Silver Pagoda, Royal
Palace and transfer to airport
HCM 108-201
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAIGON CITY – GROUP A
First, visit the History Museum
which features a water puppet
performance,
a
traditional
Vietnamese performing art that
dates back to the 11th century. The
stage is a pool of water upon which
hidden puppet masters maneuver
brightly-colored wooden puppets.
You will also visit the former
Presidential Palace, where everything has been left much as it was on April 30,
1975, when North Vietnamese military tanks crashed through the front gates and
overthrew the South Vietnamese government. In addition to touring the former
palace rooms, you can view a video about the French and American wars. Then,
head to the Notre Dame Cathedral & the Central Post, two great works of French
colonial architecture. Depart downtown toward the Chinese Commune with a stop
en-route to visit a tiny Cao Dai temple and observe the noon service. On the way to
lunch at a local restaurant if you are lucky, you may see dragon or lion dance
shows performed on the streets, which are believed to bring good luck to business
and family.
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 62
$ 60
Child
$ 31
$ 30
TIME
Date
Time
February 13
0800
Return February 13
HIGHLIGHTS
1700
Depart
City’s French style famous buildings in
downtown (Museums, City hall, Notre
Dame Cathedral, Central Post office)
Water Puppet performance at the
History Museum
Religious ceremony at Cao Dai temple
at noon
Special atmosphere in Chinese
Commune & pagodas during TET
Local activities in Tan Dan Park
After an orientation drive around and walk around the Chinese commune, you will
stop to visit Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963 – a precursor for the
advent of American military intervention. Then, visit the Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas and protector of
fishermen and sailors. This is the oldest Chinese-built pagoda in the city where you can see huge coils of incense hang from the
ornate ceiling, which can burn for up to three months at a time. A brief walk will take our group to the Quan Am Pagoda - a
Chinese-style Buddhist temple featuring beautiful courtyard, gardens, a pond and a Jade Emperor. These pagodas are often the
focal point of worship during the New Year and may be extremely crowded and smoky from the burning incense. If it is not too
crowded your guide will explain the merit of making a donation and having your own incense coil or pink donation slip placed
inside the pagoda. On your way back to the city, visit Tao Dan Park where locals come to exercise each morning and afternoon.
Floral displays mark the start of the Lunar New Year. In another area of the park, there are Vietnamese traditional games.
HCM-302-201
TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
3 days/2 nights
(
Angkor is an incomparable temple complex built
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
between seven and 11 centuries ago at the
Adult
$ 1,024
$ 981
height of the Khmer civilization. Angkor’s 100 or
Child
$ 645
$ 618
so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of
TIME
spectacular administrative and religious center
Date
Time
covering 200-square kilometers. The ruins
Depart February 13
AM
represent successive capitals constructed by a
dozen Khmer kings, which included massive
Return February 15
PM
HIGHLIGHTS
stone temples, majestic causeways and
imposing towers. You will visit the most famous
Historic sites in Siem Reap including
famous Angkor Temples
temple complex, Angkor Wat. With its soaring towers and extraordinary basLocal life in Cambodia
reliefs, many consider Angkor Wat to be one of the most inspired and spectacular
Angkor Wat at sunrise or sunset
monuments ever conceived by the human mind. The largest religious building in
Cultural dance show
the world, it was built by Suryavarman II, who reigned from 1112 to 1152, to
honor Vishnu and for later use as his funerary temple. The Bayon Temple of the
complex is an edifice of 54 towers, each carved with the four enigmatic faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and bas-relief
events.
ITINERARY
HCM-302-201
TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
Day 1: (L,D)
Upon arrival meet
guide and transfer to
hotel for lunch
Dinner at Restaurant
with Cultural Dance
Show
Overnight at hotel,
Siem Reap
3 days/2 nights
(
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Optional sunrise at Angkor and back to hotel for
breakfast
Visit Ta Prohm, Bayon via Ta Keo, Thommanon, Chau
Say, Tevoda, Elephants Terrace, Leper King Terrace
and tour of Bayon and South Gate of Angkor Thom
Lunch at Shadow of Angkor Restaurant
Visit Angkor Wat until sunset
Dinner at Viroth's Restaurant
Overnight at hotel, Siem Reap
Day 3: (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
followed by local life of
people in the village
Lunch at hotel
Visit Preah Khan and Neak
Pean and transfer to airport
for flight to Saigon
Day 3: Thursday, February 14
HCM-308-201
CAT TIEN NATIONAL PARK
Cat Tien National Park is an
important national park in Viet Nam
that protects one of the largest areas
of lowland tropical rainforests left in
the country. The park was designated
as a Rhinoceros Reserve in 1992
upon the discovery of a population of
Javan Rhinoceros. The park suffered
during the Viet Nam War when it was
extensively sprayed with pesticides like the defoliant Agent Orange. To this day
these areas have extensive bamboo and grassland cover, but trees have not yet
grown back. Cat Tien is one of the world’s premier sites for biodiversity and is
also a model for the UNESCO goal of ensuring sustainable economic, cultural and
social development of indigenous people. Your guide will provide information on
local flora and fauna as well as on conservation issues in Viet Nam.
3 days/2 nights
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 270
$ 259
Child
TIME
$ 135
$ 129
Date
Time
February 14
0800
Return February 16
HIGHLIGHTS
1800
Depart
Cat Tien is one of six biosphere
reserves in the world
Endangered Primate Species Centre
Trekking in National Park
As the park has only recently been opened to tourists, facilities are sparse and quite rustic. Accommodations are very basic
and include all bedding and bathroom facilities, though hot water is unreliable. A small restaurant serves simple Vietnamese
food. This is the ideal excursion for those who wish to “get away from it all” and won’t mind the rustic conditions, hiking
through the forest and boating in very hot and humid weather.
Note: Sturdy walking shoes required for trekking.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (L,D)
4.5-hour drive to Cat Tien with brief stops at a
teak plantation La Nga fishing village if time
permits
Short river crossing to park headquarters
Lunch at one of park’s restaurants
4-hour boat ride on Dong Nai river
Evening search for wild deer, boar and
nocturnal insects
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Trek through park’s forest to
northern wetlands
Botany and natural vegetation
explained on nature walk
Vietnamese style lunch at Bau
Sau
Leisure evening by riverside
Day 3: (B)
Breakfast at park
headquarters before
check-out
Visit Dao Tien Endangered
Species Centre
Return drive to Saigon
HCM-303-301
SAS EXCLUSIVE: TEMPLES & EGBOK SERVICE
2 students from EGBOK will be joining
the ship in Hong Kong. Participants in
this trip will have the opportunity to
spend time with the students and
EGBOK
staff
member,
Molly
Daugherty (SAS Spring 2007),
between ports to learn more about
the program and the country. Angkor
is an incomparable temple complex
built between seven and 11 centuries
ago at the height of the Khmer
civilization.
Angkor’s 100 or so
temples constitute the sacred
skeleton of spectacular administrative
and religious center covering 200square kilometers.
3 days/2 nights
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 1,084
$ 1,039
Child
TIME
$ 630
$ 603
Date
Time
February 14
AM
Return February 16
HIGHLIGHTS
PM
Depart
Historic sites in Siem Reap including
famous Angkor Wat
Local life in Cambodia
Work with EGBOK Mission
Ton Le Sap Lake
Prepare dinner with EGBOK students
The ruins represent successive capitals constructed by a dozen Khmer kings, which included massive stone temples, majestic
causeways and imposing towers. You will visit the most famous temple complex, Angkor Wat. With its soaring towers and
extraordinary bas-reliefs, many consider Angkor Wat to be one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever
conceived by the human mind. The largest religious building in the world, it was built by Suryavarman II, who reigned from
1112 to 1152, to honor Vishnu and for later use as his funerary temple. The Bayon Temple of the complex is an edifice of 54
towers, each carved with the four enigmatic faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and bas-relief events.
The EGBOK Mission (Everything’s Gonna Be OK) was founded by SAS 2007 Alum, Ben Justus. At the EGBOK student home
you’ll discuss Cambodian history, the unintended consequences of the tourist economy in the country, and learn how EGBOK
utilizes the hospitality industry to alleviate poverty through self-sustaining employment. Conclude your evening with a
Cambodian-style dinner, cooked together with EGBOK Mission students. This excursion is designed for SAS participants to
experience a more intimate and authentic side of Cambodia that is not often seen by travelers.
ITINERARY
Day 1: (L,D)
Arrival in Siem Reap and met by professional guide
Lunch at hotel
Visit Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the
Leper King, the Bayon temple and Ta Prohm temple
Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Day 2: (B,L,D)
Visit Angkor Wat
Lunch at Sala Bai Restaurant
Local guide will accompany
group to EGBOK’s mission
center
Dinner hosted by EGBOK
Day 3: (B,L)
Visit Ton Le Sap
Lake
Lunch at hotel
Transfer to airport
for onward flight
HCM 112-301
CU CHI TUNNELS & HANDICAPPED CENTER VISIT
In early morning, depart the port for a two-hour drive
to Cu Chi a town famous for its 200-kilometer
network of underground tunnels. These tunnels were
created and used by the Viet Cong forces during wars
against both the French and Americans. Before
visiting the tunnel system, you will be shown a video
explaining their history and construction. From the
mid-1940s onward, the tunnels were used as a base
from which the Viet Cong could launch strategic
attacks and then seemingly disappear into thin air.
The tunnels had well-hidden entrances and thick
roofs which were capable of withstanding the weight of tanks and the impact of
bombs. Most of the tunnels are only about two feet wide and five feet high. Some
of the passageways and tunnel rooms, while still small, have been enlarged for
easier access. If you decide to visit the lower levels of the tunnels, which have not
been enlarged, you will most likely get dirty while crawling through the narrow
passageways. You may wish to bring a flashlight to assist in navigating these lower
levels.
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$96
$92
Child
$48
$46
TIME
Date
Time
February 14
0800
Return February 14
HIGHLIGHTS
1900
Depart
The famous underground tunnel system
Daily activities at the WAR station in
South Vietnam
Wildlife Rescue Station
Interact & helping with taking care of
the handicapped children
Lunch
Leaving the Tunnel, you will have lunch at a local restaurant then visiting Cu Chi wildlife rescue station. The station was
established since 2006 and is home for animals that are confiscated from the illegal animal trade in the city & surrounded
provinces. The Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station is a cooperative program between Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and the Ho Chi Minh City
Forest Protection Department (FPD). At the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, you will not only see the endangered animals, but also
learn stories and special features of different individuals. You can also visit the display centers to find out what you can do to
help. Finally you will come to visit Thien Phuoc Handicapped Children Fostering Institution that was established and managed by
the Priest Phan Khac Tu. Thien Phuoc is an organization which cares and supports disabled children. It was established in the
community of West An Nhon, in the Cu Chi district, which is also a branch of the Catholic Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. This
organization was self-sufficient in its expense, however, it also received financial support from other associations interstate and
internationally. Thien Phuoc is responsible for: taking in, feeding, teaching, and treating handicapped children and those with
infectious diseases and illness. There are also children, from newborn infants to 12 year olds, that are infected with poison that
have been accepted into Thien Phuoc’s care, as well as orphans and those that are too poor for medication.
HCM 109-301
HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Hoa Tuc restaurant is one of the city’s bestAdult
$80
$77
kept secrets. Hidden in a small urban
Child
$40
$39
square, the restaurant is home to a
traditional cooking class. The chef has
TIME
selected some favorite classic Vietnamese
Date
Time
dishes as well as signature dishes such as
Depart February 14
0945
“mustard leaf rolls with crispy vegetables and
Return February 14
1300
shrimp”, or “spicy beef salad with kumquat,
HIGHLIGHTS
baby white eggplant and lemongrass.” What
makes this cooking class so special are the small class size and the care taken in
Interactive cooking class on traditional
Vietnamese dishes
all the details. Details such as discovering fresh exotic ingredients at the local
market, cooking with unusual Vietnamese kitchenware in a beautiful location, and
being surrounded by a thoughtful staff that speaks fluent English. From total novice
to food professional, you will find this cooking class a fun and interesting way to dig into the rich and colorful culture of Viet Nam.
Menus can be adapted to incorporate vegetarians or those with food allergies.
Day 4: Friday, February 15
HCM 113-401
ORPHANAGE VISIT – GROUP A
The Dieu Giac Temple Orphanage is located in Ho Chi
Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, where it shelters and
cares for over 120 abandoned, orphaned or street
children. They range from several months to 18 years
of age and are of different ethnic groups and religious
backgrounds. The children of the orphanage are taken
care of by a group of Buddhist nuns and volunteers. All the children who reach
school age are sent to local school like other children. After school hours, the
children learn handcrafting such as knitting, embroidering and making wooden
toys which would be sold at the pagoda’s souvenir shop to raise fund for the kids.
Each student will be provided with a red pocket of lucky money to hand to each
child in celebration of the start of the Lunar New Year – as according to tradition.
HCM 109-401
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$44
$43
Child
$22
$22
TIME
Date
Time
February 15
0800
Return February 15
HIGHLIGHTS
1200
Depart
Interact with orphaned children
HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS – GROUP C
Hoa Tuc restaurant is one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
Hidden in a small urban square, the restaurant is home
to a traditional cooking class. The chef has selected
some favorite classic Vietnamese dishes as well as
signature dishes such as “mustard leaf rolls with crispy
vegetables and shrimp”, or “spicy beef salad with kumquat, baby white eggplant
and lemongrass.” What makes this cooking class so special are the small class
size and the care taken in all the details. Details such as discovering fresh exotic
ingredients at the local market, cooking with unusual Vietnamese kitchenware in a
beautiful location, and being surrounded by a thoughtful staff that speaks fluent
English. From total novice to food professional, you will find this cooking class a fun
and interesting way to dig into the rich and colorful culture of Viet Nam. Menus can
be adapted to incorporate vegetarians or those with food allergies.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$80
$77
Child
$40
$39
TIME
Date
Time
February 15
1345
Return February 15
HIGHLIGHTS
1700
Depart
Interactive cooking class on traditional
Vietnamese dishes
Day 5: Saturday, February 16
HCM-114-501
MEKONG DELTA RIVER ADVENTURE
Until the 16th century, the Mekong Delta
was an area of marshlands and forest.
Gradually, marshlands were reclaimed and
a canal network was built for the
cultivation of rice, fish, soybeans, maize,
peanuts, tobacco and melons. Depart
from the pier in District 1 and enjoy a light
breakfast served on the boat as you travel
through the urban center down-river
toward the lush, jungle Mekong region. Upon arrival in Binh Chanh, you will visit
Tuong Van’s pagoda and spend time exploring a riverside market. There will be
plenty of time to engage with local people, visit a private home, and even taste
coconut water. Enjoy lunch (catered from HCM restaurant) at a local temple and
spend some time after lunch at a Cao Dai temple before the return river trip.
Full Day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 124
$ 109
Child
TIME
$ 75
$ 65
Depart
Date
Time
February 16
0730
Return February 16
1600
HIGHLIGHTS
Local life in Mekong Delta during Tet
Speedboat tour down river
Lunch at temples
Explore local villages and visit a local
home
HCM 110-501
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM & CHINESE COMMUNE VISIT
On this 4-hour trip, transfer to the Museum of
War Remnants for a sobering cross-cultural
view of the Viet Nam War before heading to
the western part of the city for a visit to a
Chinese Commune. The Museum of War
Remnants (previously known as the Museum
of American & Chinese War Crimes and then
the Museum of War Atrocities) is housed in
the former U.S. Information Service building.
This visit is likely to jolt the senses; many of
the photographs are grisly and shocking. In the yard of the museum, U.S. armored
vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons are displayed. This
practicum will provide a backdrop for considering how images of conflict are
captured and conveyed, and for reflecting upon the ethics of telling war stories.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$25
$24
Child
$13
$12
TIME
Date
Time
February 16
0800
Return February 16
HIGHLIGHTS
1200
Depart
War Remnants Museum
Special atmosphere in the Chinese
Commune & pagodas during TET
The small but unique Cao Dai temple in
the heart of the city
Next, journey toward China Town on an orientation drive around the area to
experience the actual life of the Chinese Commune in Ho Chi Minh city. Together
with the festive atmosphere the Lunar New Year (TET) brings to Vietnam, the event is also the most fortuitous time of the year for
the local inhabitants to reflect on their spiritual lives and pay respect to religious institutions. Thus, visiting pagodas, church,
temple on the first days of the year is a deep-rooted tradition.
Stop to visit Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before his assassination in 1963 – a precursor for the
advent of American military intervention. Then, visit the Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to
protect fishermen and sailors. This is the oldest Chinese-built pagoda in the city where you can see huge coils of incense hang
from the ornate ceiling, which can burn for up to three months at a time. A brief walk will take you to the Quan Am Pagoda - a
Chinese-style Buddhist temple featuring beautiful courtyard, gardens, a pond and a Jade Emperor. These pagodas are often the
focal point of worship during the New Year and may be extremely crowded and smoky from the burning incense. If it is not too
crowded your guide will explain the merit of making a donation and having your own incense coil or pink donation slip placed
inside the pagoda. Finally, stop at a tiny Cao Dai temple, where a small religious sect worships one god who they believe oversees
all religions.
HCM 104-503
WATER PUPPET SHOW & VIETNAMESE DINNER – GROUP B
Long before Cirque du Soleil, one traditional art
form with deep roots in Vietnamese culture is a
water puppet show. Water puppetry originated
in the villages of the Red River Delta around
Hanoi more than 1,000 years ago. Reflecting
their origin, most of the skits revolve around
stories about village and rural life. In this
evening you are picked up from hotel to a Water
Puppetry Theatre for 1-hour show followed by
Vietnamese set menu dinner at a local
restaurant in the downtown area.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$59
$56
Child
$30
$28
TIME
Date
Time
February 16
1700
Return February 16
HIGHLIGHTS
1930
Depart
Water puppet performance &
Vietnamese typical dishes
Day 6: Saturday, February 17
HCM 106-601
MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP
Until the 16th century the Mekong Delta was
an area of marshlands and forest. Gradually
marshlands were reclaimed, and a canal
network was built for the cultivation of rice,
fish, soybeans, maize, peanuts, tobacco and
melons. The My Tho area is famous for its
coconut palms and fruit orchards (mangoes,
longans, bananas and citrus fruits). The drive
out of Ho Chi Minh City (about 1.5 hours using
the National Highway) takes you through
miles of flat rice fields, along a road that is always busy with bicycles and people
heading to or from the market. A highlight of this trip is a boat ride on the Mekong
River to observe the active river life. Your boat trip takes you to one of the islands in
the Mekong Delta to see a traditional farmer’s home and fruit orchards where you
will have the opportunity to sample exotic tropical fruits.
HCM 113-601
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 48
$ 46
Child
$ 24
$ 23
TIME
Date
Time
February 17
0800
Return February 17
HIGHLIGHTS
1730
Depart
Natural & local life discovery in Mekong
Delta
Sampan ride through tiny canals
Chances to interact with local people
during walking
ORPHANAGE VISIT – GROUP B
The Dieu Giac Temple Orphanage is located in Ho Chi
Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, where it shelters and
cares for over 120 abandoned, orphaned or street
children. They range from several months to 18 years
of age and are of different ethnic groups and
religious backgrounds. The children of the orphanage
are taken care of by a group of Buddhist nuns and volunteers. All the children who
reach school age are sent to local school like other children. After school hours, the
children learn handcrafting such as knitting, embroidering and making wooden
toys which would be sold at the pagoda’s souvenir shop to raise fund for the kids.
Each student will be provided with a red pocket of lucky money to hand to each
child in celebration of the start of the Lunar New Year – as according to tradition.
HCM 101-601
Full day
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$44
$43
Child
$22
$22
TIME
Date
Time
February 17
0800
Return February 17
HIGHLIGHTS
1200
Depart
Interact with orphaned children
CU CHI TUNNEL TOUR WITH LUNCH
Located approx 2 hrs from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is
famous for its 200-kilometer network of underground
tunnels. These tunnels were created and used by the
Viet Cong forces during wars against both the French
and Americans. You will be shown a video explaining
their history and construction. From the mid-1940s, the
tunnels were used as a base from which the Viet Cong
could launch strategic attacks and then seemingly
disappear into thin air. Most of the tunnels are only
about two feet wide and five feet high. However, some
of the passageways and tunnel rooms (e.g., meeting room, kitchen, dining room
and hospital), while still small, have been enlarged for easier access. If you choose
to explore the lower levels of the tunnels, you will most likely get dirty while crawling
through the narrow passageways. You may wish to bring a flashlight.
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$54
$49
Child
$27
$25
TIME
Date
Time
February 17
0800
Return February 17
HIGHLIGHTS
1430
Depart
Underground community made up of
200km of tunnels and chambers
Typical Vietnamese set menu lunch
HCM 108-601
HIGHLIGHTS OF SAIGON CITY – GROUP B
First, visit the History Museum
which features a water puppet
performance,
a
traditional
Vietnamese performing art that
dates back to the 11th century.
The stage is a pool of water upon
which hidden puppet masters
maneuver brightly-colored wooden
puppets. You will also visit the
former Presidential Palace, where everything has been left much as it was on April
30, 1975, when North Vietnamese military tanks crashed through the front gates
and overthrew the South Vietnamese government. In addition to touring the former
palace rooms, you can view a video about the French and American wars. Then,
head to the Notre Dame Cathedral & the Central Post, two great works of French
colonial architecture. Depart downtown toward the Chinese Commune with a stop
en-route to visit a tiny Cao Dai temple and observe the noon service. On the way to
lunch at a local restaurant, if you are lucky, you may see dragon or lion dance
shows performed on the streets, which are believed to bring good luck and fortune
Full day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$ 62
$ 60
Child
$ 31
$ 30
TIME
Date
Time
February 17
0800
Return February 17
HIGHLIGHTS
1700
Depart
City’s French style famous buildings in
downtown (Museums, City hall, Notre
Dame Cathedral, Central Post office)
Water Puppet performance at the
History Museum
Religious ceremony at Cao Dai temple
at noon
Special atmosphere in Chinese
Commune & pagodas during TET
Local activities in Tan Dan Park
After an orientation drive around and walk around the Chinese commune, you will
stop to visit Cha Tam Church where President Diem sought refuge shortly before
his assassination in 1963 – a precursor for the advent of American military intervention. Then, visit the Thien Hau Temple
dedicated to the goddess of the seas and protector of fishermen and sailors. This is the oldest Chinese-built pagoda in the city
where you can see huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, which can burn for up to three months at a time. A brief
walk will take our group to the Quan Am Pagoda - a Chinese-style Buddhist temple featuring beautiful courtyard, gardens, a pond
and a Jade Emperor. These pagodas are often the focal point of worship during the New Year and may be extremely crowded
and smoky from the burning incense. If it is not too crowded your guide will explain the merit of making a donation and having
your own incense coil or pink donation slip placed inside the pagoda. On your way back to the city, visit Tao Dan Park where locals
come to exercise each morning and afternoon. Floral displays mark the start of the Lunar New Year. In another area of the park,
there are Vietnamese traditional games.
HCM 111-601
MARKET VISIT AND COOKING CLASS
On this morning transfer to a local market
where a chef will guide you through the
colorful and vibrant produce section to
purchase the ingredients needed during
your cooking lesson. Then, return to the
local restaurant for the hands-on cooking
class. After selecting fresh exotic ingredients
at the local market, you will cook with
unusual Vietnamese kitchenware in a
beautiful location, being surrounded by
thoughtful staff. From total novice to food professional, you will find a cooking
class is a fun and interesting way to dig into Vietnamese rich and colourful cuisine.
Half day
STANDARD PRICE
Early Booking
Adult
$90
$86
Child
$45
$43
TIME
Date
Time
February 17
0830
Return February 17
HIGHLIGHTS
1300
Depart
Local food market with chef
Interactive cooking class on traditional
Vietnamese dishes