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Vietnam Motherland Tour 2007

 

Dear Families and Friends,

Joy and I are once again offering a unique opportunity for you to take your family on an incredible adventure back to Vietnam – sharing the experience with other adoptive families and those interested in adoption. The country of Vietnam is often described as mystical and magical – it is certainly a beautiful place with warm, friendly people. It is a time to reminisce and to learn more about the people and culture together as a family. I have listed the report of the last Motherland tour written by Jennifer Sylvester, and one of the families on the trip. As you will see if you take the time to read it – everyone has a unique experience – and everyone always wants to go again.

 

We plan to begin this tour in Ho Chi Minh City touring this city with its interesting history. A visit to your child’s orphanage will be planned. We will be visiting Tay Ninh Orphanage with a tour of the Cao Dai Temple, the Cu Chi Tunnels and other points of interest along the way.

 

The tour will include Cam Ranh/Nha Trang area, Danang/Hoi An, and Hanoi with an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay. An extra special event will be a two day tour of Sapa, an area on the China border that has been untouched by time. We will be riding the overnight Victoria express from Hanoi and return.

The scenery is magnificent everywhere you look – photo ops are everywhere. Take a lot of film or tape and batteries – you never have enough. Everyone who has been on a motherland tour with us has found it to be so much more than they expected and cannot wait to visit Vietnam again. Many have gone back on their own or with Joy’s help. A few families have gone on all the tours.

 

Several parents and teenagers have gone back to volunteer in an orphanage or center and are doing projects with us or on their own. I have hears several people say “Vietnam is a country that gets under your skin – it is in my heart – it is the only place that I have been that I feel this way about”.

 

For families interested in connecting with the birth family all efforts will be made to facilitate contact. Read Cindy’s report of her two trips connecting with her three children’s birth family. It is an amazing and very unique story.

 

Please join us. If you are interested please email me at dawn@degenhardtfoundation.org or call me at 207-532-4107 or 207-538-7899 (cell). I look forward to talking with you.

Information

Price quoted is for an adult (person 12 years or older), double occupancy: $2,000.  In-country package only. You will arrange your transportation.
Differential charged for single occupancy: $325.
Children ages 2 to 12: as a third person in the same room with parents will be discounted: $1,700. Said child will have a crib or cot provided when possible.
Children under 2: free of charge.

 

Price Includes

• Hotel accommodations in twin rooms (three star or better),
• all breakfasts and most meals, as indicated,
• all in-country flights, trains, boats and ground travel in air conditioned vans or buses,
• English speaking guide
• sightseeing fees
• water puppet show and other entertainment venues, etc.
• Also included are the first half of visa and most tips and baggage handling fees.
  

Not Included

• Passports
• second part of visa ($25.00)
• drinks
• some tips
• telephone calls
• laundry
• insurance
• room service and other personal expenses.
• Also not included: gifts for the children in the orphanage centers or project fees, if planned.

An extra fee will be charged for arranging birth family searches or meetings, where possible or desired.

Itinerary

Timeframe: Leaving Friday July 13 (or possibly Saturday July 14)

Arrive July 15 Sunday

Day 1: Sunday (7-15) Arrive in HCMC (Saigon).  You will be met by DF staff for transfer to hotel. Activities will depend on time of arrival. Free day; but those arriving early, after a brief rest and lunch, a walking tour of downtown Saigon Dinner. A visit to the night market.

Day 2: Monday (7-16) After breakfast, early departure. Visit to Tay Ninh Orphanage. Cao Dai Temple tour, Cu Chi Tunnel tour,  lunch on the way back. Free time late afternoon. If others join tour who have children from Saigon, a visit to their orphanage will be arranged. Dinner.

Day 3: Tuesday (7-17) After breakfast check out of hotel. Tour of Saigon, China town, Cathedral, Pagodas, Zoo and other points of interest. Lunch along the way. Visit to orphanage (if a family joins that has a child from this area.) Late afternoon flight  for Cam Ranh/Nha Trang. Check into hotel in Nha Trang. Dinner on the beach.

Day 4: Wednesday (7-18) Early departure to visit Nha Trang Orphanage. After lunch you are free to go to the beach, relax at the pool, shop, go to the hot springs for a mud bath; or visit Can Ranh and the Catholic orphanage. Dinner on the river with officials.

Day 5: Thursday (7-19) Early departure for Danang. Visit Hai Chau Hospital where many of our children were born and where we are currently involved with three new projects. Short tour of Danang. Lunch on China Beach, rest and swim, climb Marble Mountain (for the hardy). Early dinner with officials in local beach restaurant. Drive to Hoi An and check into Hoi An Hotel.

Day 6: Friday (7-20) Visit Hoi An library and English/Computer Center. Tour ancient town of Hoi An by cyclo. Lunch. Take short ferry ride to Cam Kim Boat Village where we have a Project. Late afternoon free. Swim at pool, shop, rest. Shopping is great and you can have lovely clothing made – ready next day.

Day 7: Saturday (7-21) Early departure for Danang airport to fly to Hanoi. Check into hotel. Bus tour of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake Pagoda. Lunch in Western Style Restaurant, continue tour, celebration of adoption and dinner with officials.

Day 8: Sunday (7-22) Early departure for Hoa Binh Orphanage. Lunch in Hoa Binh. Experience traditional minority dancing. Return to Hanoi. Water Puppet Show. Dinner.

Day 9: Monday (7-23) Drive to Ha Long Bay. Overnight Boat Tour of Ha Long Bay, lunch, dinner and breakfast on boat.  

Day 10: Tuesday (7-24) Return to Hanoi. Lunch along the way. Stops along the way. Dinner and board the Victoria Over-Night train to Sapa.  

Day 11: Wednesday (7-25) Arrive early and transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Tour Ancient Village of Sapa. Full day visit Ta Van and Ta Phin Villages. Overnight in Sapa at Victoria Hotel. Dinner at hotel.

Day 12: Thursday (7-26) Visit Sapa Market (Bac Ha), the town, Cat Cat village and the Ham Rong Mountains. Take late evening train on the Victoria Over-Night back to Hanoi.

Day 13: Friday (7-27) Early arrival in Hanoi. Check into hotel. Breakfast. Free day.  Relax by the pool, walking tour, last minute shopping, lunch on your own. Meet at hotel for Farewell Dinner. (Some may leave for airport for night flight. Taxi on your own to airport as we are all flying at different times)

Day 14: Saturday (7-28) Check out of hotel. Take taxi on your own to airport. (Seikel Family will stay Saturday and Sunday and leave on Monday).

 

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