Study Abroad in Vietnam

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Da nang,  Hue,  Thai Nguyen,  Da lat,  Can Tho,  Rach Gia,  Qui Nhon,  Nha Trang city,  Vung Tau,  Hai Phong,  Hoi An

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: July 7, 2007 to August 4, 2007

Description: Explore Vietnam

Spend your summer touring Vietnam and learn all about this remarkable culture through an introduction to local handicrafts, arts, traditional music, foods, drinks, crops, fisheries, places of worship, and historic sites. For four weeks, you will be offered glimpses into the country's present and past while visiting various cities and regions across the length of the country.

Starting in the south, your first five days will be spent in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon and Vietnam's largest city. While living with a host family, you will attend orientation sessions and go on guided tours around the city to visit sites such as the city's Youth Center, Museum of History, Women's Museum, Central Market, and main places of worship. Also planned is a one-day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnel Network, which was used by the Viet Cong (Communist Vietnamese) during the Vietnam War, and the Great Temple of Cao Dai, a local religion founded in the 1920's that combines a variety of Eastern and Western philosophies.

Next, embark on a tour of Vietnam with a YFU chaperone that will find you staying in local guest houses and traveling by all modes of transportation - buses, paddle and motorized boats, trains, planes, and ox carts! Highlights of your tour may include:

- Mekong Delta (four days) - Learn about the wet rice culture, visit various ethnic communities, and witness the strong influence of Indian and Chinese cultures on the local way of life.
- Dalat, Nha Trang (five days) - In Dalat the high elevation will offer you a cooler climate than other parts of the country as you find out about vegetable farming and the French influence on the city's old villas and churches. Nha Trang is a beautiful coastal city with numerous beaches and off shore islands to enjoy. It is here that you will visit ancient Cham temples and learn about the fishing industry and the effects of tourism on the local environment.
- Hoi An, Huo (five days) - Visit the riverside town of Hoi An, formerly a major international port for Asian and European traders, and enjoy possible excursions to China Beach and to Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum. On your way to Huo, you will cross the Hai Van Pass, the longest, highest, and most scenic mountain pass in Vietnam. The capital city of Vietnam from 1802-1945, Huo offers you many historic sites to see and tours of the former DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) and Ho Chi Minh Trails.
- Hanoi (four days) - A walking/cycling tour is a must for you to gain a meaningful insight into the cultural identity of the Vietnamese and a true appreciation for the countless historic and religious sites, beautiful lakes, and vibrant Old Quarter of Vietnam's capital city.
- Halong Bay (two days) - Take part in a bus- and boat-tour of scenic Halong Bay and its 3000 islands, innumerable beaches, and hidden grottoes, all surrounded by the emerald waters of the Gulf of Bac Bo, known as Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War.
- Sapa, Bac Ha (three days) - In this fertile region in the north, you will learn about and have the possibility for a brief homestay among the H'Mong and Dzao peoples that live among the green valleys and misty mountain tops.

Prepare to say good-bye as you return to Hanoi for your return trip to the US. After this action-packed trip through Vietnam, you will bring back a lifetime of memories to share with your family and friends.

Adventure and language course programs as well as year and semester options are available in over 35 countries.

Highlights: Vietnam is an Asian country full of contrasts and variety - from the tropical coastline to the lush mountain valleys and terraced rice fields, visitors can see traditional charm and increasing modern influences.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is situated on the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand and is bordered by Laos, Cambodia, and China. The often tropical climate is as diverse as the landscape, from cold winters in the northern mountains to the habitual warmth of the Mekong Delta. Although mainly Buddhist, the country offers a mixture of philosophies, including Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and uniquely Vietnamese religions such as Cao Dai and Hoa Hao.

A cultural and artistic center, prevalent artistic forms include music, dance, theater, puppetry, silk painting, sculpture, and ceramics. The cuisine of Vietnam is colorful and often includes exotic meats and spices, fish, vegetarian dishes, and abundant fruit.

Cost in US$: inquire for more information

Participants Travel to Vietnam in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Youth For Understanding USA's Mission Statement: Youth For Understanding (YFU) prepares young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world.

Year Founded: YFU in 1951