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, emerald-

green 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.

Field Labs Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday, 12 February Sunday, 17 February

HCML1 SEMS 3500-502 Professor Allred Intro to International Business (Section 2)

HCML2 ARTH 1051 Professor Maki History of Art I

HCML3 SEMS 2500-106 Professor G. Oliphant Consumer Behavior

HCML4 SEMS 3500-504 Professor R. Oliphant International Marketing (Section 2)

HCML6 SEMS 3500-111 Professor Ullerich Development Economics

HCML7 PSYC 3500-102 Professor W. Von Hippel

Psychological Approaches to Complex

Problems

HCML8 RELB 3559-102 Professor Waldron Buddhism in the Modern World

HCML9 ENGL 3559 Professor D. Morris 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

depart the port for a 2-hour drive toward the

Vietnam/Cambodia border where each

individual has to complete the Immigration

procedure for the Cambodia visa to be

stamped in your passport. An additional 3-

hour drive through the incomparable

countryside will bring you to the capital

Phnom Penh for the evening/night. Phnom

Penh has a charm that is still evident

despite the violence and destruction during

and immediately following the Viet Nam

War. When the Viet Nam War spread to

Cambodia, the city’s population swelled with

refugees, reaching about two million in early

1975. The Khmer Rouge took over the city

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 200-

square 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

STANDARD PRICE Early Booking

Adult $ 1,215 $ 1,169

Child $ 784 $ 769

TIME

Date Time

Depart February 12 Upon arrival

Return February 16 PM

HIGHLIGHTS

Countryside of Cambodia

Historic sites in Phnom Penh (2 nights)

Shop at the local “Russian Market”

Killing Fields of Choeng Ek

Temples of Angkor Wat (Sunset)

Angkor Thom complex

Local life in Cambodia

Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake

Cultural dance show

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

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


followed by local life of people

in village

Dinner and cultural dance

show

Day 5: (B)

Return FLIGHT to Saigon

HCM 102-102 FORMER UPI PHOTOGRAPHER & MUSEUM OF WAR REMNANTS Half day

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.


Adult $ 40 $ 38

Child $ 20 $ 19

TIME

Date Time

Depart February 12 1300

Return February 12 1730

HIGHLIGHTS

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

modernizing Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred

to as Saigon. Visit the History Museum, which

documents the evolution of Viet Nam’s various

cultures from the Dong Son Bronze Age civilization to

the Chams and the Khmers. The History Museum also

features a water puppet performance, a traditional

Vietnamese performance art that dates back to the

11th century. Tour rooms at 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. Built in 1909, The

Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most interesting

places in the city with statues of phantasmal divinities

and a profusion of incense coils which burn for as long as one month. The pagoda

will likely be busy with worshippers on the first days of the Lunar New Year. Finally,

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.


Adult $ 31 $ 30

Child $ 16 $ 15

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

City’s French style famous buildings

(museum, City hall, Notre Dame

Cathedral, Central Post office)

Water Puppet performance at the

History Museum

Special atmosphere in the city during

the Lunar New Year holidays

Nguyen Hue Flower Market on its last

day

HCM 103-102 CHINA TOWN AND TEMPLES Half day

Located in the western part of the city is a typical

China Town, a thickly settled district with lot of old-

style 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.

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.


Adult $ 31 $ 30

Child $ 16 $ 15

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

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

HCM 101-102 HALF DAY CU CHI TUNNEL TOUR Half day

Located approximately two hours 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. 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. 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 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.


Adult $30 $29

Child $15 $15

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Underground community made up of

200km of tunnels and chambers

HCM 104-103 WATER PUPPETS & DINNER w/ Professor Kattwinkel Half day

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.


Adult $ 59 $ 56

Child $ 30 $ 28

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Water puppet performance

Vietnamese dinner of typical dishes

Day 2: Wednesday, February 13

HCM-305-201 HOMESTAY IN MAI CHAU VILLAGE & HA NOI 3 days/2 nights

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.

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 French-

colonial 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.

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


Adult $ 667 $ 639

Child $ 452 $ 433

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

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

HCM-306-201 HA NOI & HA LONG BAY 3 days/2 nights

In addition to visiting Ha Noi, which arguably has become one of the most

interesting cities in Southeast Asia, this trip explores one of the natural wonders

of the world – the magnificent Ha Long Bay. The bay’s tranquil beauty

encompasses 1,500-square miles dotted with more than 1,000 limestone

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 4-

hour 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


Adult $ 783 $ 750

Child $ 505 $ 484

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Ha Long Bay & Caves – one of the

World’s 7 New Wonders

Hanoi’s highlights in Tet with traditional

games at the Temple of Literature

Junk boat ride

Water puppet show in Ha Noi

HCM-304-201 COASTAL WONDERS OF NHA TRANG 3 days/2 nights

( The town of Nha Trang extends the length

of a white sandy beach and affords you the

opportunity to explore some of Viet Nam’s

beautiful coastline and off-shore islands.

Many remnants of the ancient Cham

civilization of Viet Nam are also found in

this area. Visit the Long Son Pagoda with

its entrance gate and roofs decorated with

mosaic dragons made of glass and

ceramic tile. Behind the pagoda, a huge

white Buddha sits on a lotus blossom atop

a steep hill. The figure is 14 meters high

and can be seen from all over Nha Trang.

Climbing the 152 stone steps to the

Buddha statue is well worth the effort, as it

provides an excellent view of Nha Trang.

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


Day 3: (B)

Hotel breakfast

Full day at your leisure

Return flight that evening


Adult $ 533 $ 511

Child $ 328 $ 315

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

One of the most popular beaches in

Vietnam

Boat trip and swim at uninhabited

islands

Long Son Pagoda

Cham Towers

Cultural Show

HCM-401-201 CU CHI / CAMBODIA COMBO 4 days/ 3 nights

( 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.

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


Adult $ 1,218 $ 1,168

Child $ 639 $ 612

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Cu Chi tunnels & Cao Dai temple

Express tour of Phnom Penh


Temples of Angkor Wat (sunset)

Ta Prohm

Banteay Srei (The Woman’s Citadel)


Cultural dance show

HCM 106-201 MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP Full day

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.


Adult $ 48 $ 46

Child $ 24 $ 23

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Natural & local life discovery in Mekong

Delta

Sampan ride through tiny canals

Chances to interact with local people

during walking

HCM 107-201 CU CHI TUNNELS & CAO DAI TEMPLES Full day

Tay Ninh (approx 3-hr drive from Ho Chi Minh City) serves

as headquarters for one of Viet Nam’s most interesting

indigenous religions, Caodaism. Caodaism is the product

of an attempt to create the ideal religion through the

fusion of the secular and religious philosophies of the

East and West. The result is a colorful potpourri that

includes elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, native

Vietnamese spirits, Christianity and Islam. The Great Temple is one of the most

striking structures in all of Asia, with its rococo extravagance and many

architectural idiosyncrasies. Services are held daily at 0600, 1200, 1800 and

2400. You will observe a portion of the 1200 service. 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. 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.


Adult $62 $60

Child $31 $30

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Cao Dai temples

Cu Chi Tunnel network

LUNCH at local restaurant

HCM-307-201 MEKONG DELTA EXPLORER (HOMESTAY) 3 days/2 nights

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 Cai Be 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 2.5 hours) 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. Highlights of this trip are a boat ride on the Mekong River to observe the

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


Adult $ 210 $ 201

Child $ 105 $ 101

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Local life in Mekong Delta during Tet

Riverboat travels through tributaries

Homestay with local people and chance

to learn more of the traditional lifestyle

Explore by bike

Visit Bang Lang Stork Garden

HCM-301-201 ANGKOR WAT & PHNOM PENH 3 days/ 2 nights

( 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 200-square

kilometers. 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.

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


Adult $ 1,281 $ 1,228

Child $ 821 $ 787

TIME

Date Time

Depart February 13 AM


HIGHLIGHTS

Historic sites in Phnom Penh


Temples of Angkor Wat

Sunset visit to Angkor Wat



HCM 108-201 HIGHLIGHTS OF SAIGON CITY – GROUP A Full day

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.

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.


Adult $ 62 $ 60

Child $ 31 $ 30

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

City’s French style famous buildings in

downtown (Museums, City hall, Notre

Dame Cathedral, Central Post office)


History Museum

Religious ceremony at Cao Dai temple

at noon

Special atmosphere in Chinese

Commune & pagodas during TET

Local activities in Tan Dan Park

HCM-302-201 TEMPLES OF ANGKOR 3 days/2 nights

( 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 200-square kilometers. 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.

ITINERARY


Adult $ 1,024 $ 981

Child $ 645 $ 618

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Historic sites in Siem Reap including

famous Angkor Temples


Angkor Wat at sunrise or sunset

Cultural dance show

HCM-302-201 TEMPLES OF ANGKOR 3 days/2 nights

( 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

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


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 3 days/2 nights

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.

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


Adult $ 270 $ 259

Child $ 135 $ 129

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Cat Tien is one of six biosphere

reserves in the world

Endangered Primate Species Centre

Trekking in National Park

HCM-303-301 SAS EXCLUSIVE: TEMPLES & EGBOK SERVICE 3 days/2 nights

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 200-

square kilometers.

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


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


Adult $ 1,084 $ 1,039

Child $ 630 $ 603

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Historic sites in Siem Reap including

famous Angkor Wat


Work with EGBOK Mission

Ton Le Sap Lake

Prepare dinner with EGBOK students

HCM 112-301 CU CHI TUNNELS & HANDICAPPED CENTER VISIT Full day

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.

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.


Adult $96 $92

Child $48 $46

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

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

HCM 109-301 HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS Half day

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.


Adult $80 $77

Child $40 $39

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Interactive cooking class on traditional

Vietnamese dishes

Day 4: Friday, February 15

HCM 113-401 ORPHANAGE VISIT – GROUP A Full day

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.


Adult $44 $43

Child $22 $22

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Interact with orphaned children

HCM 109-401 HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS – GROUP C Half day

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.


Adult $80 $77

Child $40 $39

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS


Vietnamese dishes

Day 5: Saturday, February 16

HCM-114-501 MEKONG DELTA RIVER ADVENTURE Full Day

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.


Adult $ 124 $ 109

Child $ 75 $ 65

TIME

Date Time



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 Half day

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.

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.


Adult $25 $24

Child $13 $12

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

War Remnants Museum

Special atmosphere in the Chinese


The small but unique Cao Dai temple in

the heart of the city

HCM 104-503 WATER PUPPET SHOW & VIETNAMESE DINNER – GROUP B Half day

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.


Adult $59 $56

Child $30 $28

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Water puppet performance &

Vietnamese typical dishes

Day 6: Saturday, February 17

HCM 106-601 MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP Full day

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.


Adult $ 48 $ 46

Child $ 24 $ 23

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Natural & local life discovery in Mekong

Delta

Sampan ride through tiny canals

Chances to interact with local people

during walking

HCM 113-601 ORPHANAGE VISIT – GROUP B Half day

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.


Adult $44 $43

Child $22 $22

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Interact with orphaned children

HCM 101-601 CU CHI TUNNEL TOUR WITH LUNCH Full day

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.


Adult $54 $49

Child $27 $25

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Underground community made up of

200km of tunnels and chambers

Typical Vietnamese set menu lunch

HCM 108-601 HIGHLIGHTS OF SAIGON CITY – GROUP B Full day

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

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.


Adult $ 62 $ 60

Child $ 31 $ 30

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

City’s French style famous buildings in

downtown (Museums, City hall, Notre

Dame Cathedral, Central Post office)


History Museum

Religious ceremony at Cao Dai temple

at noon

Special atmosphere in Chinese


Local activities in Tan Dan Park

HCM 111-601 MARKET VISIT AND COOKING CLASS Half day

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.


Adult $90 $86

Child $45 $43

TIME

Date Time



HIGHLIGHTS

Local food market with chef


Vietnamese dishes

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

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