Vietnam has a rich 2,000-year history. During our journey we’ll examine the traditional heritage of Vietnam — a synthesis of indigenous cultures with Chinese culture and religion — while observing its modern transformation under French colonial rule, Communist revolution, American intervention and recent globalization.

Through guest speakers and site visits we’ll gain an appreciation of Vietnamese civilization and an understanding of how French colonialism and Communism transformed the country. We’ll also observe and experience contemporary life and culture.

More details will be added regularly, with full information available by mid-February 2023. Please check back!

Given the US involvement in Vietnam’s recent history, it’s easy to forget that the country has a rich history going back thousands of years. The country is full of stunning landscapes, excellent food, striking architecture, vibrant religious traditions, and much more.

On this learning adventure you’ll discover beautiful architecture, including buildings, bridges, and temples, experience centuries-long cultural traditions, imbibe in food with influences from China and France and that varies from region to region, view breathtaking natural beauty, and explore Vietnam’s rich history and recent changes.

Dave and Pat Van Wylen are veteran group travel leaders, having led both student and adult study travel programs. Their first venture with adults was in 2015 when they led a sustainability-themed activity-based (mostly biking) program in the Netherlands. More recently, they led programs in Patagonia in 2022 and in New Zealand in 2017 and 2019. With students, they have led semester abroad programs in Asia (1998), the Middle East (2008), and Australia (2013). Dave has also taught three January interims in Peru (Peruvian Medical Experience), six interims of Cardiac Surgery and Research at Emory University in Atlanta, plus a summer Tanzania Global Health  experience. Pat assisted on most of these interims as well as on an interim Health Care and Culture course in Hawaii/Micronesia.

Dave (Biology) and Pat (International and Off-Campus Studies) worked for 21 years at St. Olaf before moving to Holland, Michigan, where Dave initially served as the Dean for Natural and Applied Sciences at Hope College and now directs Hope’s Office of Possibilities. Pat coordinated Hope College adult travel programs and now runs her own business, A Little Assist, working with seniors.

Dave and Pat graduated from St. Olaf College. Dave later received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue) and Pat completed master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia in health administration and exercise physiology. They are delighted to lead another learning and activity-rich St. Olaf adult study travel program.

This program was custom designed to examine the history of Vietnam, the mix of indigenous cultures and Chinese influence, religions, and the country’s modern transformation under French colonial rule, Communist revolution, American intervention and recent globalization.

The following itinerary is tentative. The framework is provided here to give you an idea of the cities and visits. Details will be confirmed by mid-February 2023.

Day 1  Depart United States
Individual flights from U.S.

Day 2  Arrive Hanoi (D)
Most flights are likely to arrive late in the evening, around 10 or 10:30
Transfer to the hotel included

Day 3  Hanoi (BL)
Late morning welcome gathering
Group lunch
We’ll divide these visits between today and tomorrow:
One Pillar Pagoda – we’ll start our discussion on Buddhism, which permeates society and the practice of which differs from that in Laos and Thailand
Ho Chi Minh Complex – a good place to get an overview of Uncle Ho and his influence on the country
Van Mieu (The Temple of Literature) – founded in the 11th century and offering an educational system that was still applied until the early 20th century; a nice opportunity to be introduced to Confucianism and its influence on social order in Vietnam
Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Hanoi and very near our hotel
Local market – as we walk through the streets, our guide will purchase fruits from local vendors so that we may sample them
Dinner on your own

Day 4  Hanoi (BD)
We’ll visit sites listed on Day 3 that we didn’t get to yesterday
Finish by lunch, on your own
Afternoon free
Group dinner

Day 5  Hanoi /Excursion (BL)
This will be a long day, but worth it:
Private coach to Halong Bay, taking the leisurely route along rice fields to learn about this farming staple and see the farmers in action
Board our boat, with seafood lunch on board
Cave tour, optional climb to top of one of the islands or optional swimming
Return to Hanoi, stopping for a dinner snack on your own along the way

Day 6  Hanoi (BL)
Ethnology Museum – well-designed to learn about the 50+ ethnicities in Vietnam
Group lunch
Water puppet performance in a private home
Dinner on your own

Day 7  Hanoi to Hue (B, L or D)
Perhaps a chance to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the ancient 36 streets, and see Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous Huc Bridge
Fly to Hue (Meals and any other site visits will depend on flight time)

Day 8  Hue (BL)
Imperial Citadel – a UNESCO Heritage Site, where we learn about the most recent emperors who abdicated after World War II
Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc – a beautiful site with a lovely lake and many frangipani trees
Group lunch at a nearby pagoda
Mid-afternoon: remainder of the day free with dinner on your own

Day 9  Hue/Excursion (BL)
Full day excursion to get a sense of the impact of the war on Vietnam:
National Cemetery, DMZ, Vinh Moc Tunnels
Group lunch
On the way back to Hue, visit La Vang Basilica – there are about 7 million Catholics in Vietnam still today, many people sought refuge here during the war
Return to Hue around 4:30
Dinner on your own

Day 10  Hue to Hoi An (BL)
Transfer via private motorcoach, about 2-1/2 hours, to Hoi An, a smaller, lovely, well-preserved port city dating from the 15th century
Group lunch
Mid-afternoon: remainder of the day free with dinner on your own

Day 11  Hoi An (BL)
Walking tour of the city, most of which is a UNESCO heritage site
Group lunch
Mid-afternoon: remainder of the day free with dinner on your own

Day 12  Hoi An to Saigon (B, L or D)
1 hr private transfer to Da Nang to fly to Saigon
Meals and any other site visits will depend on flight time
We’ll try to fit in a conversation with a representative at the American Consulate, which was the Embassy during the war

Day 13  Saigon (BL)
War Remnants Museum
Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda – a multifaith temple known for its elaborate tile work, hundreds of small statues, and incense coils
Group lunch
Mid-afternoon: remainder of the day free with dinner on your own

Day 14  Saigon/Excursion (BL)
Mytho and Mekong Delta – providing a glimpse into an area that has provided for the country for centuries and is important to present day
Group lunch
Return to Saigon likely around 4:30
Dinner on your own

Day 15  Saigon (BD)
Fito Museum – traditional Vietnamese medicine, another thread from centuries ago to the present
Free time with lunch on your own
Possible show at the Opera, performance schedule permitting
Farewell group dinner at the infamous Rex hotel, site of daily briefings from the U.S. military during the war, what journalists called the “Five O’Clock Follies.” The rooftop bar was a well-known hangout spot for military officials and war correspondents and provides a lovely spot overlooking the city lights

Day 16  Depart Vietnam (B)
Airport transfer included
Departures on individually-booked flights

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO CAMBODIA
Day 1 of Extension (Day 16 of Core Program)  Saigon to Siem Reap (BL)
Transfer to airport for group morning flight to Siem Reap
Group lunch
Guided city walking tour
Dinner on your own

Day 2 (Day 17)  Siem Reap (BL)
Ta Prohm
Angkor Thom
Afternoon free with lunch on your own
Group dinner at a local restaurant with traditional dance show

Day 3 (Day 18)  Siem Reap (B
Banteay Srey
Banteay Samre
Group lunch at the hotel
Transfer to the airport
Departures, likely in the early evening, on individually-booked flights

Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing. To fully participate you should be capable of walking up to five miles per day over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and of traveling with a group for several hours each day. Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.

Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

St. Olaf recommends you be fully vaccinated, with relevant boosters, against COVID-19. You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, see our General Health Information and visit cdc.gov or who.int.

The tour price is PENDING (per person, based on double occupancy). Inclusions and exclusions vary from program to program. Please read the following information carefully.

Inclusions: discussions led by Dave and Pat Van Wylen, a dedicated tour manager, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the trip, including airport transfers on arrival and departure days, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas. A supplement will apply for single occupancy.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Vietnam is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the trip price. Examples of excluded expenses are: airfare between your home town and Vietnam, airport transfers in your home town, any passport and visa fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage, beverages at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

A $500 deposit secures your space. See the full Payment and Refund Schedule below.

This schedule is TENTATIVE and will be based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program.

Because of ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it is possible that a program could be postponed. In such a case, while we will strive to make full refunds when we can, there are certain expenses that may not be refunded to either St. Olaf or the participant.

Deposit due:                          $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:          Full refund ($500) until June 14, 2023. If the deposit is made after June 14, 2023 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:        $1,000 by June 15, 2023
Refund if you cancel:          $500 until November 30, 2023

Final payment due:             December 1, 2023
Refund:                                  None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Terms and Conditions and Release and Waiver (in draft stage)

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date and at least one blank visa page. A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Vietnam. U.S. citizens can apply online for a single entry e-visa. We’ll provide instructions on this option closer to departure.

Begin to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, a safety overview, and more.

See our tips on Booking Your Flights, but do not book non-refundable airfare until we can confirm this trip is a GO.