abroad - ohio state university brochure vietnam.pdf–marvel at the talented performers in an...

Ha Long Bay

Hanoi Opera House

Mekong Delta Temple of Literature gate

Old quarter, Hanoi

Cover photo: Ha Long Bay, D

vel’s

mission is to deliver

inspirational educational and cultural

travel programs that delight travelers.

•Experienced Travel Directors who

attend to every detail of your journey.

•An exceptional travel value.

•Unique access to local sites.

•Flexibility and

custom

ization.

•Safety and security.

Sponsored by

| included FeaTures |

ahi Flexair

January 19-31, 2016

Our personalized air program allows you to select your flights, routing, class of service anddates of travel in consultation with one of our experienced Passenger Service Representatives.Airfares will vary, depending on airline, routing and class of service. In most cases, transfersbetween the airport and hotel/cruise ship will be included on arrival and departure days. Your Passenger Service Representative will provide you with all of the details you need toguarantee your transfer. Book your air with us to ensure assistance in the case of schedulechanges or delays that may impact your air travel plans. AHI FlexAir participants automaticallyreceive flight insurance worth up to $250,000, subject to policy terms.

1-800-852-TOUR (8687) www.go.osu.edu/travel

land prograM

January 21-31, 2016

Full Price Special Savings Special Price

$4,045 $250 $3,795*

*Special Price valid if booked by the date found on the address panel. VAT is an additional $395 per person.

accoMModaTions•Five nights in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City),Vietnam, at the deluxe Caravelle Saigon.•Four nights in Hanoi at the deluxe Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.•One night in Ha Long Bay aboard the deluxeParadise Luxury.

Meals•Enjoy an extensive meal program,featuring 10 breakfasts, seven lunches and six dinners. Tea or coffee is included with allmeals, plus wine with dinner. Take advantageof leisure time to try local cuisine independently.•Sample authentic regional specialties at local restaurants.•Attend festive Welcome and FarewellReceptions and Dinners.

TransporTaTion•The flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi andall deluxe motor coach transfers in the LandProgram itinerary and baggage handling onthese transfers are included.

your exciTing Travel prograM(For details, see the day-by-day itinerary.)•Informative educational programspresented by local experts to enhance yourinsight into the region.•Personal VOX listening devices allowyou to hear every word from your expert,English-speaking guides.

•All excursions:–See the highlights of Saigon.– Learn about life in the Mekong Delta.–Visit the Reunification Palace and the WarRemnants Museum.

–Marvel at the talented performers in an acrobatic show at the Saigon Opera House.

–Haggle with local vendors at the Ben ThanhMarket.

– Experience rural life during a day at a farm in Cu Chi Province with an opportunity tovisit the Cu Chi tunnels.

– Explore Hanoi’s historic quarter.–Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the country’sfirst university and a busy local market.

– Learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups atthe Museum of Ethnology.

–Discover Vietnam’s artistic legacy at theNational Museum of Fine Arts.

– Embark on a one-night cruise of breathtakingHa Long Bay.

Many include exTras•Consultation services of a dedicatedPassenger Service Representativeprior to departure.•Services of an experienced Campus Directorthroughout your stay.•Tipping of all guides and drivers.•Detailed travel and destination information to assist in your planning.•Complimentary travel wallet.

A good

beginning is half

the battle.

Vietnamese proverb

Drink good wine

with a good friend.Vietnamese proverb

“My little party was

amazed to discover

that we were in a

miniature Paris —

wide boulevards,

fine shops as in

the Rue de la Paix,

and a palace

of tremendous

size, wider than

Fountainebleau.”

Alfred ViscountNorthcliffe

“My Journey Aroundthe World,” 1923

Join us on an exciting journey to Vietnam, Land of the AscendingDragon. This expertly planned itinerary will introduce you to bothurban and rural Vietnam in the very different northern and southernregions of the country.

In the south, we’ll explore Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi MinhCity, and the Mekong Delta. Saigon is Vietnam’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. We’ll visit a farm to enjoy a cooking lesson withfreshly picked ingredients and discover riverine culture in the MekongDelta. The next stop is Hanoi, where preserving the country’s folkwaysis a point of pride. A one-night cruise on scenic Ha Long Bay provides aspectacular conclusion to our trip.

Enjoy a series of exclusive presentations that will enhance yourknowledge and appreciation of Vietnam. Our educational program features expert local speakers and is the hallmark of our AlumniCampus Abroad programs.

This trip combines the ease of group travel with incredible value.Space on this amazing journey is limited to 28 travelers, and it is sure to be popular. Make your reservations today!

Cordially,

Debbie Vargo Director, Alumni ToursThe Ohio State University Alumni Association, Inc.

The Many Flavors oF vieTnaM

Vietnamese cuisine incorporates a delicate balance of salty, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter flavors. The essential ingredient in most dishes isnuoc mam, fish sauce. Nuoc mam is an essential ingredient in pho, the national dish of Vietnam.Order a bowl of this fragrant beef noodle soup, and inhale the tempting aroma of cinnamon, staranise, ginger and onions. Born in Hanoi, pho is served plain in this city of traditionalists. In thesouth, a bowl of pho is celebrated with chiles, bean sprouts, basil and lime wedges on the side.During your journey, enjoy the differences between northern and southern cuisine. Northerncooks use black pepper, while southern cooks use hot peppers. Northerners favor salty dishes.Southerners prefer sweetness in their savory dishes. A fair amount of French flair was injected intothe cuisine during the decades Vietnam was a French colony. Almost as ubiquitous as pho is banhmi, a sandwich of pork, chicken or beef, paté, cilantro, and pickled cucumber, carrots and daikon,all nestled on a baguette. Whether you choose northern or southern food, traditional Vietnamesecuisine or Vietnamese-French fusion, there are plenty of satisfying choices.

Reserve your trip to Vietnam today!

CST Registration No. 2028271-20. Fla. Seller of TravelReg. No. ST-33300 Iowa Seller of Travel No. 520 Ohio Seller of Travel Reg. No. 8889139.Washington State Seller of Travel Reg. No. 601-820-781.PARTICIPATING AIRLINES-all IATA and ARC MemberCarriers ©2015 AHI Travel Printed in the USA.

NOT INCLUDED-Fees for passports and, if applicable, visas, entry/depar-ture fees; personal gratuities; laundry and dry cleaning; excursions, wines,liquors, mineral waters and meals not mentioned in this brochure underincluded features; travel insurance; all items of a strictly personal nature.MOBILITY AND FITNESS TO TRAVEL-The right is retained to decline toaccept or to retain any person as a member of this trip who, in the opin-ion of AHI Travel is unfit for travel or whose physical or mental conditionmay constitute a danger to themselves or to others on the trip, subjectonly to the requirement that the portion of the total amount paid whichcorresponds to the unused services and accommodations be refunded.Passengers requiring special assistance, including without limitationthose who permanently or periodically use a wheelchair, must be accom-panied by someone who is fit and able to assist them, and who will betotally responsible for providing all required assistance.AIR TRANSPORTATION-The price of air transportation offered by AHITravel is based on Advance Purchase Excursion fares. After tickets areissued, penalties up to 100% of the ticket price may be levied. If connect-ing flights are requested, special promotional fares may be used, in whichcase penalties of as much as 100% may be assessed by the airlines ifreservations are changed or canceled after ticketing. After departure, ifthe reservations are changed, you will be charged the higher, all yearEconomy class fare. VARIATIONS TO THE GROUP ITINERARY MUST BEREQUESTED NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.Passengers who choose to make their own airline reservations independ-ently will be wholly responsible for any airline fees or penalties incurredas a result of program cancellation and/or change in travel dates, or air-line schedule(s).BAGGAGE-Baggage restrictions vary according to the airline policy and theclass of service flown. Details will be provided with your pre-departureinformation. Baggage allowances are subject to change by the carrierwithout notice. Excess baggage charges for additional or oversized/over-weight pieces are expensive and not included in your trip price; plan yourwardrobe accordingly. Transport of baggage and personal effects is at theowner's risk throughout the travel program. AUTHORITY TO USE IMAGES AND AUDIO RECORDINGS-On occasion, AHITravel obtains, from its staff, or from trip participants, photographic orvideo images of passengers and trip activities. By participating in this trav-el program, you authorize AHI Travel, without providing compensation toyou, or obtaining additional approvals from you, to include photographicand video recordings of you, as well as voice recordings included with anyvideos, in AHI Travel's sales, marketing, advertising, publicity and/or train-ing activities.RESPONSIBILITY-AHI Travel and the Sponsoring Association do not own oroperate any entity which provides goods or services for this program, andact only as agents for the independent suppliers of travel conveyance,transport, accommodations or other services. All such persons or entitiesare independent contractors. As a result, AHI Travel and the SponsoringAssociation are not liable for any negligence or willful act of any such per-son or entity or any third person. In addition and without limitation, AHITravel and the Sponsoring Association are not responsible for any delays,delayed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, death,damage or injury to person or property or accident, mechanical defect,failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection withany accommodations, transportation or other services or for any substitu-tion of hotels or of common carrier equipment, with or without notice, orfor any additional expenses occasioned thereby. Dates, Program Detailsand Tour costs, although given in good faith and based on tariffs,exchange rates and other information current at the time of printing, aresubject to change at or before the time of departure. No revisions of theprinted itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, theright is reserved to make any changes, with or without notice, that mightbecome necessary, with the mutual understanding that any additionalexpenses will be paid by the individual passenger. Baggage and personaleffects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times. If the entireprogram is canceled for any reason, participants shall have no claim otherthan for a full refund. By forwarding the deposit, the passenger certifiesthat he/she has no physical, mental or other condition of disability thatwould create a hazard for himself/herself or other passengers andaccepts the terms of this contract set out herein and in more specificpre-departure passenger information. The airlines and other transporta-tion companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act,omission, or event, during the time passengers are not on board theirconveyances. The passage contract in use, when issued, shall constitutethe sole contract between the company(ies) and the passenger and/orpurchaser of this trip.ASSOCIATION DISCLAIMER-Association is not the touroperator.Association is not responsible for changes of flight times, farechanges, dishonor of airline, hotel or car rental reservations, delays, loss-es, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour oper-ator bankruptcies, acts of God, or any other event beyond Association'scontrol.Association acts only as agent for participants with respect totravel services, and it shall not be responsible for changes of flight times,fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or other reservations, injury, dam-age, loss of baggage, accidents or for the acts or defaults of any person orentity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrange-ments of the tour. Further, Association shall not be responsible for lossesor additional expenses of any participants due to sickness, weather,strike, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or othercauses beyond its control.Association shall not be responsible for alter-ation of the itinerary as deemed necessary for carrying out the tour, andthe right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar quality. The right isfurther reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure; in which case theentire payment will be refunded without further obligation onAssociation's part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or toretain any person as a member of the tour should such person's health,actions or general deportment in the opinion of Association impede theoperation of the tour or the rights or welfare of the other participants. Norefund will be made for the unused portion of any tour.Applicants for participation in this tour accept in full all the conditions setforth above.CANCELLATION-In addition to airline cancellation penalties, all cancella-tions for any reason whatsoever will be subject to a $250 per personadministrative fee. {Please note that you may choose, at the time of can-cellation, to apply the withheld administrative fee to a future AHI Travelprogram that will operate in the current calendar year or year following.}Cancellation from 120 days to 76 days prior to departure will result in for-feiture of 10% of the entire cost of the trip per person; 75-30 days, 50% ofthe trip cost per person; cancellation from 29 days up to the time ofdeparture will result in 100% forfeiture of the entire cost of the trip. TRIPCANCELLATION INSURANCE IS AVAILABLE. AN APPLICATION WILL BESENT AFTER YOU RESERVE. All cancellations must be submitted in writ-ing to AHI International Corporation.

Send to: VietnamOhio State Alumni ToursLongaberger Alumni House2200 Olentangy River RoadColumbus, OH 43210

Please call Addie Natalie at Ohio State Alumni Tours at 614-292-2372 ext. 3 or 1-800-852-TOUR (8687) with questions regarding this trip or to make a reservation.

Full Legal Name (exactly as it appears on passport)

(1) _____________________________________________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________

(2) ______________________________________________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________

City: ____________________________________________________________

State: _________________________________________ ZIP: ______________

Home: (_________)______________Cell: (_________)_____________________

Sharing with_______________________________________. (Form sent separately.)Name(s) you would like on your name badge(s):

(1) _____________________________ (2) ______________________________

I/we authorize you to make my/our reservations as follows:

Land Program and AHI FlexAir

� I/we reserve the Land Program and request the AHI FlexAir to Saigon (Ho ChiMinh CIty), Vietnam, with return from Hanoi, to depart from:

________________________________________________________________Departure City

� Please contact me regarding air options.� Please send me information on upgrading my flights.

Land Program

� I/we reserve this land program and will make my/our own air arrangenmentsand transfers.

Single Accommodations

� I prefer single accommodations at an additional $1,095 (limited availability).� I request assistance in securing a roommate but will accept a single, if one isavailable at this time, and pay the single supplement. Should a roommate befound, I understand the supplement will no longer apply.

Reservations are subject to availability and processed on a first come, first servedbasis. Reservations to be paid in full by November 5, 2015 (75 days prior todeparture). Reservations received after this date must be accompanied by pay-ment in full. Final payment may be made by personal check, MasterCard, Visa,Discover or Amex. Make checks payable to AHI International.Alumni, their families and friends may travel on this tour by meeting Ohio StateAlumni Tour eligibility requirements. I (we) have read, understand, and accept theconditions as stated in this brochure. Signature_________________________________ Date ___________________

Enclosed is a deposit of ______ ($600 per person) to reserve ________ place(s).

� Accept my check made payable to AHI International.

Charge my: � MasterCard � Visa � Discover � Amex Expires______/______

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Please note: Any payment to AHI International constitutes your acceptance of theterms and conditions set out herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms.

First Middle Last Date of Birth

Trip #:2-22625W

All prices quoted are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy and do not include air transportationcosts (unless otherwise stated). Single accommodations are an additional $1,095 (limited availability).

JANUARY 19-31, 2016

For more information contact Addie Natalie at Ohio State AlumniTours at 1-800-852-TOUR (8687), 614-292-2372, [email protected] our website at: www.go.osu.edu/travel

VIETNAMsaigon | hanoi

counts

Market vendor, SaigonSaigon Opera House

Tending crops

Old quarter, Hanoi

Temple of Literature

Morning tai chi, Hanoi

Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon

Musician playing a pipa, Saigon

Preparing to make lunch, Cu Chi Province

caravelle saigonThe deluxe Caravelle Saigon welcomed its first guests on Christmas Eve 1959, and quickly became a city landmark. During the Vietnam War, the hotel was home to many of the war correspondents covering the war. Sitting across from the Saigon Opera House, the CaravelleSaigon enjoys an excellent location in the heart of the city. The hotel has a fitness center, pool and spa. There are three restaurants and three bars, including the rooftop terrace. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

sofitel legenD MetroPole HanoiThe award-winning Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1901.This deluxe hotel in Hanoi’s French Quarter was a favorite of foreign visitors and celebrities to Hanoi during Vietnam’s French colonial years, and it continued to be the hotel of choice for visiting dignitaries and celebrities after Vietnam received its independence in the 1950s.The hotel has a fitness center, pool and spa. There are three restaurants and three bars. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Day five B | l | D

BEN TRE PROVINCEExcursion: The Mekong Delta. Explore Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta. Take asampan cruise on the Ham Luong River. Learnabout daily life during visits to a brick works,where bricks are made by hand, and a coconut-processing workshop, where you can try freshcoconut and observe how different productsare made from coconuts. Stroll through a villageto get a look at daily life before boarding a motorized rickshaw for a ride through fruit orchards on your way to lunch. After lunch,enjoy a stroll along the riverbank or take a relaxing ride on a sampan before cruising back to Saigon.Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch at a riversiderestaurant.Local Flavor: Visit a restaurant in Saigon for a delicious dinner.

Day six B | l

SAIGONExcursion: A Historical Perspective of theVietnam War. Learn about the history of theVietnam War and the role of Saigon in the war.Excursion: A City at War and ChineseSaigon. Visit the Reunification Palace, head-quarters of the South Vietnamese governmentduring the Vietnam War. Continue to the WarRemnants Museum, which contains artifactsfrom the 1945 August Revolution through theend of the Vietnam War in 1975. Continue to the Cholon district, the center of the Chinesecommunity in Saigon. See Cha Tam Church,which was the setting for one of most dramatic

scenes of the Vietnam War, and Thein Hau Temple, a shrine to the goddess of the seas.Here, fishermen and sailors make offeringsand pray for protection.Local Flavor: Enjoy Vietnamese specialties at a restaurant in Saigon.Excursion: ÀÕ Show. Take your seat at the beautiful Saigon Opera House for a performance of the ÀÕ Show. The ÀÕ Show is astunning contemporary production highlightingVietnamese culture. The venue, a 19th-centuryFrench colonial building, itself is noteworthy.The Petit Palais in Paris inspired architect Félix Olivier’s design.Excursion: Ben Thanh Market. The BenThanh night market is as much a social event asit is an open-air department store. Vendors selleverything from sunglasses to shoes, and thefood purveyors create delicious dishes fromaround the country. Spend some time exploringthe market, trying new foods and finding souvenirs to bring home.

Day seven B | l

CU CHI PROVINCEEducational Focus and Excursion:Meetthe People and a Day in the Country.Visit the Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Village, a collection of farms in Cu Chi Province justoutside Saigon. A chef takes you throughvegetable and herb gardens and explains the traditional, eco-friendly farming methods.Learn how herbs and spices are used for bothfood and medicine. After lunch, visit a rice-paper maker, one of the village artisans. Watchand try making some yourself. Learn about therubber industry during a visit to a rubber-treeforest, and see how latex is harvested. Continue to a dairy farm and learn about milk production in Vietnam. It also is possibleto visit the nearby Cu Chi tunnels used by theViet Cong during the Vietnam War.Local Flavor: Join the chef in making lunchwith freshly harvested ingredients.

Day eigHt B | D

HANOIFly to Hanoi this morning.

Upon arrival, transfer to the Sofitel LegendMetropole Hotel.

Excursion: The 36 Streets District. Strollthrough Hanoi’s old quarter, known as the 36Streets District. Each street in this thrivingcommercial area is named after the vendorswho set up shop there. You’ll see SugarStreet, Tin Street, Paper Street and more.Local Flavor: Enjoy an introduction to northern Vietnamese cuisine at a restaurant in Hanoi.

Day nine B | l | D

HANOIExcursion: Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and his house. Continue to the11th-century Confucian Temple of Literature,which eventually became the country’s firstuniversity. Admire the city’s French colonialarchitecture and its wide boulevards. Next,visit the lively Hang Da Market, where manylocals do their daily shopping.Local Flavor: Savor local specialties at a restaurant in Hanoi.Excursion:Water Puppetry. Ride in a cyclo, a pedicab, to see a performance of water puppetry, an ancient art form.Local Flavor: Enjoy dinner at one of Hanoi’s excellent restaurants.

Day ten B

HANOIEducational Focus and Excursion:54 Ethnic Groups, One Country. Fifty-four ethnic groups are represented in Vietnam, but there is one universal creationstory in which the Vietnamese people have

From south to north, discover the long historyand fascinating culture of Vietnam. Spend time in the city and the country, and observe bothurban life and rural culture. Delve into the locallifestyle by traveling by xe loi, modern rickshaws,and taking a stroll through bustling markets.

Day one

Depart for Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam.AAProvided for AHI FlexAir passengers

Day two

Cross the international date line.

Day tHree

SAIGONUpon arrival, transferA to the Caravelle Saigon.

Day four B | l | D

SAIGONEducational Focus: Contemporary Vietnam. Learn about current events and issues in Vietnam today.Excursion: Saigon. See the Jade EmperorPagoda, a spectacular Chinese temple; NotreDame Cathedral, built by 19th-century Frenchcolonists; the neoclassical Central Post Office;and the Fine Arts Museum, which exhibits piecesdating from the fourth century to the presentday. Visit the History Museum, which tells thestory of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people.Local Flavor: Savor the flavors of authenticVietnamese cuisine at lunch.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers to celebratethe beginning of your journey with a WelcomeReception and Dinner.

descended from a dragon and a fairy. Discoverthe differences and similarities between themany peoples of Vietnam. Learn how their histories are intertwined with the history of the country by delving deeper into their stories through the enlightening exhibits at the Museum of Ethnology. Compare the various styles of homes found throughout thecountry at the museum’s outdoor exhibit.Excursion: Vietnamese Art. Discover Vietnam’s artistic heritage at Bao Tang My Thuat, the National Museum of Fine Arts. Thisexcellent museum features works ranging fromancient stone carvings to modern paintings.

Day eleven B | l | D

HA LONG BAYExcursion: Ha Long Bay. Board ParadiseLuxury, an elegant Vietnamese junk, for anovernight cruise of scenic Ha Long Bay in theGulf of Tonkin.

Day twelve B | l | D

HA LONG BAY | HANOIContinue your cruise this morning on the bay.

After disembarking the ship, transfer to Hanoiand the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a Farewell Reception and Dinner.

Day tHirteen B

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to your gateway city.*Note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change. Many excursions in this program involve anelement of walking.Included meals indicated each day as B | L | D = Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner.

| accoMMoDations |

cruise Ha long Bay aBoarD ParaDise luxury

In ancient times, according to legend, dragons swooped down upon Ha Long Bay (giving the bay itsname, Bay of Descending Dragons) to protect the local people from maritime invaders. The gems thedragons spat into the water created the dramatic limestone formations we admire today.

This dramatic seascape, a breathtaking sight in the Gulf of Tonkin, comprises more than 1,600 limestone islands and islets. These limestone outcrops, many of which look like pillars rising from theocean, are scattered throughout the bay. For millions of years, the sea has battered these limestone islands to create dramatic caves and arches. Most of these islands are uninhabited and therefore unspoiled.

Take a one-night cruise of the bay aboard Paradise Luxury, a modern, elegant junk built in the traditional Vietnamese style. This three-deck wooden ship boasts golden sails, beautiful woodwork and sophisticated Asian décor. Admire the exquisite scenery from a comfortable deck chair. You alsohave the opportunity to join tai chi and cooking demonstra-tions. Enjoy stops where you can swim in the bay or go kayaking. You can also enjoy massages and other treatmentsat the spa. This deluxe ship has an excellent restaurant servingEuropean-Vietnamese fusion cuisine and a bar.

At the end of the day, retreat to your well-appointed, air-conditioned cabin, which features many creature comforts, including complimentary Wi-Fi, to make you feel at home during your cruise. All cabins have views of the sea.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

>Compare the different cultures of Saigon in the south and Hanoiin the north.

>Take a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on scenic Ha Long Bay.

>Discover rural life in the MekongDelta and at a farm in Cu ChiProvince with hands-on experiences.

>Enjoy a cooking lesson with a professional chef.

>Experience local life at the Ben Thanh Night Market.

>See an acrobatic cultural show at the Saigon Opera House.

The unique, value-added features of Alumni Campus Abroad® programs deliver an outstanding educational travel experience.•Carefully selected hotels with comfortable accommodations are the perfect base for exploring the region’srenowned landmarks and off-the-beaten-path treasures while providingopportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and lifestyle.

•Groups are limited to 28 travelersto maximize your travel experience.

•An extensive meal plan is seasoned with traditional specialties.

•Meet the People opportunities allow you to interact with local residentsand gain personal insight into theireveryday lives.

•Knowledgeable guides lead your excursions and local experts present insightful educational lectures.

•An experienced Campus Directorensures attentive service for the duration of your stay.

•All gratuities for excursion guides and drivers are included.

Alumni Campus Abroad® Advantages

rom vibrant, bustling cities to sleepy, countryside villages, Vietnam is a land of delightful contrasts. Ho Chi Minh City,

still called Saigon by many, is the country’s largestand most modern city. Xe loi, bicycle-powered rickshaws, fill the city’s wide boulevards, a legacyof Vietnam’s French colonial days. Skyscrapersreach for the clouds, but at street level, clouds of incense waft from ancient temples. Hanoi, thecountry’s capital, is a city of arts, tradition and the old ways. The southern countryside has fertilecoastal plains, where the Mekong Delta nourishesrice paddies, sugar cane plantations, shrimp farmsand more. In the north, the beautiful hills and islands of Ha Long Bay are said to have been created when a family of dragons descended uponthe bay to protect the Vietnamese people againstinvaders. The dragons forged the limestone formations by spitting jewels into the bay and pristine beaches by waving their tails in the water.

As the Mekong River drains from its source in the Tibetan Himalayas andmakes its way into southwestern Vietnam en route to the China Sea, the river divides into countless canals and nine principal tributaries known as the NineDragons. This is the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s “rice bowl,” a verdant world ofgreat biological diversity and human endeavor. Rice paddies, palm trees, fruit orchards and sugarcane plantations carpet the landscape. Although rural, thearea is densely populated with people whose daily lives revolve around the river.Trading occurs at floating markets and many makeshift stilt homes are built atopwooden cages that serve as floating fish farms. Locals make their way from oneisland to the next using cau khi, monkey bridges made from coconut palms andbamboo. In recent years, scientists have set their sights on the Mekong Deltaand are discovering new species as well as species once thought to be extinct.

Mekong Delta

| u n e s c o |The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bayis featured in this program.