Delegation Leader: Dr. Ghani Razaqpur
Department of Civil Engineering, McMaster University

Program Dates: October 27 – November 6, 2008

VIETNAM

Vietnam, a country made famous by war, has a unique and rich civilization, spectacular scenery and friendly people. Visitors are often overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country’s natural setting. The Red River Delta in the North, the Mekong Delta in the South, and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies. Visitors to Vietnam have their senses thrilled by the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this intriguing society.
 

• Sustainable infrastructure development
• Water conservation and dam construction

Guest program:
Hear the story of life in 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

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.

Saturday, Day 6: 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. Siem Reap is home to dozens of temple ruins.

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, which features fabulous carved stone lanterns and impressive sculptures and makes for a fantastic 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.

Sunday, Day 7: 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.

Monday, Day 8: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Fly to Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh, the capital city, is a very lively place. Charming streets lined with many 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 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.

Tuesday, Day 9: Phnom Penh

Professional program focusing on:

• Civil engineering education and its role in creating sustainable infrastructure and development
• Public participation in the planning of large scale infrastructure

Guest program:
Enjoy a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset. The original pagoda was built in 1373 to house four Buddha statues said to have been deposited by the waters of the Mekong.

Explore the Tonle Sap Riverfront, the hub for Phnom Penh resident’s leisure activities. Here, you’ll gain an insight into the everyday life of Cambodians.

Wednesday, Day 10: Phnom Penh

Professional program focusing on:

• International design and construction standards
• Climate change and development

Guest program:
Visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum where in 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). The museum displays include room after room of floor-to-ceiling photographs of men, women and children. Virtually all the people pictured were later killed.

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.

Share your memories and experiences with fellow delegates at your farewell banquet.

Thursday, Day 11: Phnom Penh to Vancouver
 

Optional Post-program Extension to Hong Kong

Please inquire for further information upon registration

We work diligently to ensure that the activities described here are available on your program. In rare cases, scheduling conflicts, delays, weather or circumstances beyond our control may result in program changes. If substitution is required, we make every effort to feature comparable events to retain the content and quality of the program. Participating guests must be at least 18 years of age at the time of travel.