Past Cultural Events

Vietnam Cultural Exchange - Motherland Tour 2009

When

Beginning in Saigon on Sunday July 12 and
ending in Hanoi on July 25.

Where

This years first annual culture camp/motherland tour will begin in Saigon and take us to explore the Saigon area, Tay Ninh, to the midlands and Ha Long Bay, ending in Hanoi.

Why

A cultural exchange presents an opportunity to both cultures to have fun while learning and sharing language, foods, religions, commerce and the general way of life for all. With travelling and being together for a two week period, it presents opportunites for understanding that the world is very small and although there are differences, we are all more alike with the same concerns and feelings.

EXCHANGE AND LEARN
	Traditional and modern music of both cultures.
SHARE AND ENJOY
	Traditional and modern foods of both cultures.
EXPERIENCE
	Modern day life in different areas of Vietnam - city,suburban, country, and farm life.
TRAVEL
	Through travelling via car, bus, boat and plane to see and be immersed in the traditions and culture of Vietnam.
LEARN
	Learn conversational English and Vietnamese by sharing and teaching each other as we study but also as we travel the country.
DEVELOP- UNDERSTANDING
	Of another culture and make life long friends. Sharing our differences, but knowing that we are all the same underneath.
CELEBRATE
	Our differences and understand that the world is very small.

Cost

2,100 usd / Per adult, double occupancy
1,700 usd/ For a child under 12 staying in the same room with the parents

Souvenir Gift

Each family participating are requested to bring a gift for the family gift exchange.
Each family will receive a photo album (DVD) of the trip.
Each family will receive one handbook named “Nine differences between child education with Vietnamese and American families”
Each person will receive one T-shirt of The international summer camp.

Itinerary

Sunday	12-Jul	Orientation & tour of Saigon/stay Saigon
		Vietnamese and American families get together at hotel. Introduction and information of the trip. Introduce families together.
		Morning: visit war museum, go shopping at Ben Thanh market (Vietnamese families go with American and bargain )
		Afternoon: Visit China town, pagodas..., Church of Mother Mary. Vietnamese families share the history of the Ben Thanh Market
		Evening: on own
Monday	13-Jul	Vietnamese and American cooking class/stay Binh Quoi
		Everybody drive out to Binh Quoi
		In the morning, go shopping at the market to prepare for Vietnamese/American cooking class. Vietnamese families prepare lunch – Vietnamese food.
		In the afternoon, go to swim, play some traditional games such as: tug of war, barrel racing, rice bag racing…American familes prepare dinner – Western food.
		In the evening: fire camp: Sing, dance, exchange, information of the next day.
Tuesday	14-Jul	Art and music/stay Binh Quoi
		In the morning, children learn how to make lanterns, do animal sculptures with leaves….. Swim in Bình Quới and play some games in water.
		Afternoon : learn how to make Vietnamese coffee, fruit shake cocktail, study English, Vietnamese
		Evening: buffet in Bình Quới Join a traditional wedding of Vietnamese., exchange and listen to traditional music, information of next day.
Wednesday	15-Jul	Religions / History of Vietnam - stay Cu Chi
		Morning: Go to Tay Ninh and attend service at Cao Dai Great Temple
		Afternoon: visit Cu Chi Tunnel
		Evening: Cu Chi resort, swim & relax
Thursday	16-Jul	Visit family farms/stay Saigon
		Morning: Do farm (plant rice, go fishing) in Cu Chi, lunch at the field
		Go back Saigon, American families come back hotel and Vietnames families go back home.
Friday	17-Jul	Water park/stay Saigon
		Morning: Visit Suoi Tien
		Afternoon : relax, picnic, play sport, watch film 4D
		Evening : Homestay w/ family
Saturday	18-Jul	Saigon
		Morning: Visit orphanage or pagoda/volunteer work, play with kids, lunch and fishing crocodile in Thu Duc.
		Evening: Street party and Karaoke. Homestay in Vietnamse families
Sunday	19-Jul	Go to Buon Me Thuot
Monday	20-Jul	Visit Buôn Me Thuột, ride an elephant, listen to traditional music
Tuesday	21-Jul	Fly to Hà Nội
Wednesday	22-Jul	Tour of Halong Bay
		Go to Ha Long Bay, sightseeing, over night on boat
Thursday	23-Jul	Go back Ha Nội
		Visit old town by cyclo/shopping
		Free time in evening
Friday	24-Jul	Visit Hà Nội
		Visit Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ngoc Son temple
		Visit Ministry of Justice Department of International Adoption
		Dinner at an ancient home in Ha Tay
Saturday	25-Jul	Ending tour
		Say goodbye