January 18 - February 4, 2008

Our tour to Vietnam will introduce you to the spectacular beauty of the country and its unique culture. This tour is led by Luke and Mary Martin, former mission workers in Vietnam with Eastern Mennonite Missions. Come and visit some of the most scenic places in the world. Learn about the people of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Hear about the political, religious and sociological aspects of life in Vietnam. Visit historical sites and view modern developments. See thousands of limestone mountain islands as well as the vast rice-producing countryside. More than a quarter century after the war, visit the legacy of the war but observe a people committed to modern development. Talk to people working with Mennonite Central Committee, EMM and other voluntary organizations as well as Vietnamese religious leaders and persons working with education and social services.

Friday-Sunday, January 18-20

Tour departs from Los Angeles International Airport. All persons should arrive by late afternoon to meet the group and the tour leaders who will give orientation before departure. Flight from Los Angeles travels via Taipei and it will be Sunday morning upon arrival in Hanoi. We will travel through rice fields of the Red River Valley on our way to Ha Long Bay. Overnight in Ha Long.

Monday & Tuesday, January 21 & 22

A morning boat ride on the Bay will take us to see the limestone Thien Cung Cave and Dau Go Grotto. A seafood lunch on the boat is included. Back to Hanoi in the afternoon for a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. At dinner, we hope to be joined by Vietnamese and North American representatives of Mennonite Central Committee. Tuesday morning we will have a breakfast meeting with international persons in Hanoi before traveling southwest through mountainous countryside to Mai Chau Valley in Hoa Binh Province to see the mountainous villages and observe life of the ethnic minority peoples. We will enjoy their traditional songs and dance. Overnight in White Thai Stilt House in Lac Village.

Wednesday & Thursday, January 23 & 24

Today we will travel back to Hanoi. Our visits will be to the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas and the Museum of Ethnology. Enjoy an evening water puppet show and wander through the Old Quarter to visit the fascinating shops. Thursday will be spent in Hanoi visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s Old University). There will be time for additional sightseeing and shopping in Hanoi. Evening transfer to the railway station for our night train from Hanoi to Hue.

Friday-Sunday, January 25-27

The train arrives in Hue late morning. We will check into our hotel and then visit the Dong Da Market. Then we will take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. We will also visit the Citadel and the Imperial City. Dinner with family in Hue. Overnight in Hue. Saturday, we will visit the Tu Duc Imperial Tomb, and then travel by bus to Danang via Hai Van Pass to visit Cham Museum, the Cao Dai Temple, and see the Marble Mountains. Lodging in Hoi An on Saturday and Sunday nights. Sunday we will take a morning walking tour of the picturesque old city of Hoi An. There will be free time in the afternoon to explore on your own.

Monday & Tuesday, January 28 & 29

We will depart by bus to visit My Son-Cham, UNESCO World Heritage site. We will continue through the agricultural countryside to Quang Ngai Province to visit the My Lai Memorial in Son My Village. We will continue on to Quy Nhon for the night. On Tuesday we will travel to Nha Trang to visit Po Nagar Cham Towers and Hon Chong Rocks, and the site of the former MCC hospital. We will spend the night in Nha Trang where you can enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Wednesday & Thursday, January 30 & 31

We will take a boat to the aquarium on Mieu Island, visit a fishing village, and travel by bus south to Phan Rang, then up the mountain to Dalat, Vietnam’s honeymoon destination. Enjoy the vegetable and flower gardens, lakes, waterfalls and the refreshing air. Thursday morning, we will visit colorful Dalat market. Travel on the Cremaillere Cog Railroad to Trai Mat Village and meet minority peoples in Lat Village. See Emperor Bao Dai’s summer palace. Both nights in Dalat.

Friday, February 1

On our way to the airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, we will visit the Koho ethnic “chicken village.” In Ho Chi Minh City, visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Dinner with Mennonite friends. Three nights’ lodging in Ho Chi Minh City.

Saturday & Sunday, February 2 & 3

Our day trip to the Mekong Delta takes us across the Mekong River to visit Cai Be floating market near Vinh Long. We will travel by boat to fruit orchards to observe some home-based industries. On our return to Ho Chi Minh City, we will cross the new suspension bridge. Sunday morning we will attend a worship service in the city. In the afternoon, we will visit the Chu Chi tunnels northwest of the city at Ben Duoc. Evening farewell dinner.

Monday, February 4

Morning departure from Tan Son Nhut Airport to Los Angeles via Taipei. We will arrive on Monday evening.

You will arrive home with many fond memories, beautiful pictures and new friends you have made while traveling together.

For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance.