On the morning of December 31st, we will fly to Hoi An, the famous UNESCO World-Heritage City, for a lantern-making workshop, culminating in a lantern release during the New Year celebrations. We will spend the first day of the New Year in this vibrant city relaxing and enjoying one of the most scenic places in the country. 

On January 2nd, we will fly to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon, although locals use both names interchangeably) and have five days in this buzzing metropolis. Besides being the former capital of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam), it is also the business and financial hub of the country and a well-known center for the arts. 

Through our partnership with Fulbright University Vietnam and Professor Yen Vu, we will get a unique opportunity to engage with the younger generation, who comprise most of the country's population. A staggering 70%+ of the Vietnamese were born after the end of the Vietnam War (which Vietnamese commonly call the Resistance War Against America). 

As the epicenter of U.S. presence during the war, we will also explore the legacy and current sentiments of the Vietnamese toward the U.S. and other former colonial powers. We will meet with veterans of the conflict on the Vietnamese and the U.S. side.

The journey in Saigon combines experiential learning and cultural entertainment. We will go to a show and take a hands-on cooking class, offering insight into Vietnam's rich heritage and culinary traditions.

The second part of the trip will start on January 5th, when we will fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia and continue to the famous world heritage site of the Angkor Wat temple complex. The experience is enriched by engaging with our local friends and partners in a basket weaving workshop at a social enterprise, communal shopping at the local night market, and culminating in the warmth of a shared home-cooked meal, deepening our connection to the local culture and community.

Before taking our bus to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh and visiting the site of the Killing Fields on the way, we will learn about Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia, which ultimately stopped the genocide there. Comparing how the two countries reflect on the same period of time, their relationship to the U.S. (and the West in general), and towards each other will be instructive as we finish our trip and reflect on our learnings. 

Again, many good international flights leave from Phnom Penh back to the U.S. (or other international locations). We will depart on January 09.