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| Monday, Day 1: |
San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City – if registered on the main program
Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City – if also registered on the extension |
Tuesday, Day 2: En Route
Cross the International Date Line.
Wednesday, Day 3: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and its economic center. Within this teeming metropolis are also timeless traditions, and the streets are lined with both modern shops and blankets spread with vendors’ wares.
This afternoon, participate in a cultural exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s beautiful and ancient culture by exploring French architectures such as Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, War Remnants Museum and Reunification Hall.
Program briefing: Discuss the political and cultural diversity of Vietnam and receive further information on the delegation.
Thursday, Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City
Professional Overview: Status and delivery of library science in Vietnam
Professional program focusing on:
- Understand the educational system in Vietnam
- Explore the education of teachers and librarians for the 21st century
Guest program:
Understand the importance of the Cu Chi Tunnels during the conflict in Vietnam. Guests will hear the story of life underground as told by the people who experienced it. One of the few remaining monuments to the war, the cave system once contained nearly 100 miles of elaborate tunnels.
Friday, Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City
Professional program focusing on:
- Discuss the promotion of reading and literacy
- Examine distance education
Guest program:
The Christina Noble Center for visually impaired children, located in Tay Minh province, offers medical and educational opportunities in one of the more remote areas of Vietnam. Visit the center and witness what life is like for handicapped children in this far-flung corner of the country.
Saturday, Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City
Delegates and guests will have a unique opportunity to explore the Mekong River by boat and gain a real perspective of the delta. The Mekong Delta sprawls across the southernmost region of Vietnam, formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong River. The area is known as Vietnam's bread basket and produces enough rice to feed the entire country. Visit Dragon and Phoenix islands to see traditional handcrafts, bee farms, and coconut candy production.
CAMBODIA
Step back centuries as you explore the wonders of Cambodia’s ancient temples. The primary cities are steadily growing in sophistication to accommodate visitors to Angkor Wat and the country’s other remarkable ruins. Some of the architecture and lifestyle of the French occupation remains to charm visitors as well.
Sunday, Day 7: Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, today. Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap Town serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire.
Delegates and guests can venture through a few of the unique architectural monuments of Khmer civilization including the famous Bayon Temple, Phumeanakas Temple, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.
See the beautiful decorations within the enchanting Banteay Srei temple. You can also visit Banteay Samre, which features elaborate architecture and exceptional carvings.
Explore the Royal City of Preah Khan, where the fabulous carved-stone lanterns and impressive sculptures make for a visually rich experience.
Spend some time at Ta Prohm, a former monastery with massive trees growing around and through the remains of the complex, to round out the day.
Monday, Day 8: Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Wat, one of the most breathtaking architectural masterpieces to be found in the world today. Built in the 12th century, the Lost City of Angkor remained undiscovered by archeologists until the late 19th century. Angkor Wat is a legacy of the might that was once the Khmer Empire, a detailed history of which has been carved into the many walls of this fortified temple. Delegates and guests will enjoy exploring the many galleries containing columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and pools.
Tuesday, Day 9: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Fly to Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh, the capital city, is a very lively place. Charming French-style buildings dating back to the country’s days as a French colony are mixed with traditional Asian architecture. In its heyday, the city was considered one of the most picturesque in Southeast Asia. Since gaining independence from France in 1953, decades of political turmoil have constantly transformed Phnom Penh, and the city moves on today in its recovery from years of war and conflict.
Delegates and guests will visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a concentration camp from the era of Pol Pot that has 129 communal graves, 43 of which have been left untouched. Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children, and infants (including nine Westerners) detained and tortured at the S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Take some time to contemplate these atrocities, why they happened, and what can be done to prevent them in the future.
Wednesday, Day 10: Phnom Penh
Professional program focusing on:
- Discuss the role of culture within the education system
- Pursue involvement in the International Children’s Digital Library project
Guest program:
Guests will visit the National Museum this afternoon with its world-renowned collection of Khmer archeological, religious, and artistic artifacts. The Royal Palace, built by the French in 1866, and Silver Pagoda, whose magnificent floor comprises more than 5,000 solid silver tiles, are also fascinating to view.
Share your memories and experiences with fellow delegates at your farewell banquet.
Thursday, Day 11: Phnom Penh to Los Angeles/San Francisco – determined by being registered on main program or extension as noted above.
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