Luther Alumni and Friends Travel

Beyond the War: A Resilient People, A Rising Nation

It has been greater than 50 years for the reason that Paris Peace Accords formally ended America’s involvement within the Vietnam conflict. And but, that conflict and the social discord that accompanied it nonetheless looms giant for Americans of a sure age. Although many remnants of what the Vietnamese referred to as “the American war” stay seen in Vietnam, the Vietnamese appear to have adopted the recommendation a mechanic gave an expat who wished the rear-view mirror on her bike fastened: there’s no have to look again, simply preserve trying ahead.  

This Luther Alumni and Friends Travel journey to Vietnam is designed to introduce Americans to the nation’s pure magnificence, its fascinating tradition and wonderful meals, and its light folks, most of whom really feel affection for the United States. We will go to UNESCO World Heritage websites and museums that handle Vietnam’s historical past and traditions; we’ll encounter Vietnamese meals tradition via a cooking class and group meals; and we’ll join you to Luther alums via an alumni gathering, so you may acquire higher views about modern-day Vietnam. At the identical time, we’ll discover two units of concepts via students/practitioners and group reflection. First, we’ll examine and distinction the American and Vietnamese responses to the conflict, each then and now. Second, we’ll take into consideration the influence globalization is having on Vietnam. Will the financial features, which already are going down, come at a price to the standard values of the folks? Can financial development go hand in hand with continued rule by the Communist Party? Will financial development have a unfavourable influence on the pure surroundings? How will the United States and Vietnam work together sooner or later?

John Moeller, retired professor of political science, started his educating at Luther in 1981 and retired in 2017 after a 36-year profession. He has visited Vietnam 4 occasions; twice co-teaching a January Term course. In addition to his travels in Vietnam, John has led January Term programs in Tanzania, Western Europe, New Zealand, and England and directed Luther’s Malta Semester Program, Scandinavian Semester Program and Washington D.C. Semester Program.

Jon Lund lately retired from Luther after practically 30 years of service in quite a lot of administrative positions. For 20 years, Jon traveled extensively as he directed Luther’s worldwide admissions efforts and managed the school’s examine away packages. Of the 106 international locations he’s visited up to now, Vietnam is close to the highest of his “most loved countries” checklist. He has traveled to Vietnam practically 25 occasions, co-led two J-Term programs in Nepal, and accompanied the Luther Concert Band on two worldwide excursions to Japan. 

*Special Note: President Brad and Julie Chamberlain are planning on becoming a member of this tour.

Itinerary

The journey will start in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, with its century-old structure, vibrant Old Quarter, and legendary markets. After our orientation in Hanoi, we’ll depart for the stunningly lovely UNESCO World Heritage websites of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh (Tam Coc), each recognized for his or her breathtaking karst mountains and unbelievable landscapes. We then head south to 2 central cities: Hue, a former Imperial City with palaces, shrines, temples, and tombs; and Hoi An, a captivating and exceptionally preserved Fifteenth-Nineteenth century buying and selling port consisting of a walkable historical metropolis, colonial buildings, colourful lanterns, and a vigorous meals scene. Our journey continues south to the Mekong Delta (An Binh Island) the place we expertise Vietnam’s agricultural coronary heart, a area of rivers, canals, mysterious islands, floating markets, and stilted homes. We conclude our tour of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the nation’s largest and most dynamic metropolis, which has change into a significant industrial, monetary, and cultural middle. At every cease we’ll present a mix of cultural actions and lectures by locals, leaving loads of time for exploring on one’s personal.

The detailed planning itinerary is on-line. The tour remains to be a piece in progress, although the broad particulars of the itinerary have already been set. Feel free, although, to start touring together with us as you watch the planning for the journey unfold.

Background Reading

Two novels, which run from French colonialism to the American War, are Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s The Mountain Sings and Andrew X Pham’s The Eves of Heaven. Both novels transfer backwards and forwards between the Nineteen Forties and up to date occasions and each describe the plight of a household of landowners. In the course of the tales the reader learns about key durations in current Vietnamese historical past.

Camilla Gibbs’ The Beauty of Humanity Movement tells the story of a Vietnamese-American who returns to search out her previous. The novel gives image of contemporary day Hanoi and Vietnamese tradition.

Robert Olen Butler’s A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, which received the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1993, is a set of brief tales. Although the tales deal with Vietnamese immigrants within the United States, they reveal a lot in regards to the methods Vietnamese take a look at the world.

Doung Thu Huong is a well-liked and extremely revered novelist who got here of age through the American War. Her books have been banned, she was imprisoned and kicked out of the Communist Party, and presently she lives in Paris. Paradise of the Blind addresses the Communist Party’s confiscation of land within the early Nineteen Eighties.

There clearly are many books by American historians and novelists that cope with the Vietnam War.  Tim O’Briens’s The Things They Carried is a basic, which seems to be on the American soldier. In the Lake of the Woods is a thriller thriller about an American politician who dedicated conflict crimes whereas preventing within the conflict.

Quan Barry’s She Weeps Each Time You’re Born is ready through the conflict and has a primary character who speaks to the lifeless. Barry, who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was born in Saigon.

Details and Expectations

The journey problem scale for this tour is Intermediate. You ought to anticipate the next:

• Vietnam is an extremely vibrant, lovely, and numerous nation. For these not accustomed to journey, it will also be a little bit of an assault on the senses on account of its fast-paced, intense, and typically chaotic environment. You will probably be swept away by the sights, sounds, and smells of this unbelievable nation and tradition.
• Most journey between cities will probably be in air-conditioned non-public motor coaches.
• We will take two in-country flights from Hanoi to Danang and from Danang to Can Tho.
• While in Vietnam, we can even journey through a wood cruise ship, bikes, motorboat, small bamboo boats, river junk, and Grab taxis (the Southeast Asian equal of Uber). 
• We will navigate most cities on foot, just because that is one of the best ways to come across a brand new tradition. You ought to anticipate to stroll and stand loads. We anticipate we could stroll 5 miles or extra some days. You ought to plan on uneven surfaces, plenty of stairs, railings in some locations (and never in others), and restricted entry to elevators in lots of areas.
• Traffic in each Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City could be chaotic at greatest. We’ll aid you learn to navigate busy roads and intersections. You might want to come to Vietnam with the willingness to be a bit adventurous as you navigate busy walkways and roads.
• You needs to be ready to hold and transfer your personal baggage, although help will probably be accessible in some lodges. We’ll present a packing checklist and a pre-arrival Advice Guide previous to journey, that may emphasize the significance of packing gentle.
• Our lodges are all 5- and 4-star properties in nice areas with character and appeal. They will all have air con and personal bogs. Buffet breakfast will probably be included at every property. 
• Although this tour is designed for adults, older kids who search journey and are prepared to interact extra deeply on the planet are additionally welcome. Please seek the advice of with the tour leaders upfront in regards to the participation of kids. 

Costs, Inclusions, and Exclusions

The value of the tour is $4,000 per individual based mostly on double occupancy. We invite solo vacationers to hitch us for a single complement of $500.  We are additionally glad to match solo vacationers 

What is included on this value:

• Accommodation 
  • 13 nights in 5- and 4-star (or equal) lodges
  • This contains 1 night time in a cruise cabin whereas on Halong Bay
  • This contains 1 night time specialised lodging in a farmhouse on An Binh Island within the Mekong Delta
  • Each lodge is listed on the detailed itinerary, together with its handle
• Meals 
  • 13 each day buffet breakfasts are included
  • 9 lunches are included
  • 3 dinners are included
  • 1 Luther Alumni, Parents, and Friends Gathering with Hors d’oeuvres is included    
  • All included meals are highlighted on the detailed each day itinerary as: B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner) 
• Transportation
  • Comfortable air conditioned, non-public, motor coach journey
  • Cruise ship on Halong Bay
  • Transfers to/from airports upon worldwide arrival and departure 
  • 2 in-country flights from Hanoi to Danang and from Danang to Can Tho (Please be aware that every participant could verify one 50-lb bag, which is included within the ticket value)
  • We can even journey through bikes, motorboat, small bamboo boats, river junk, and Grab taxis (the Southeast Asian equal of Uber)
• Sightseeing & Activities 
  • Guided excursions and entrance charges to websites and points of interest as indicated on the schedule
  • Tips and gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and group meals
• On-Site Support 
  • Ongoing planning, group facilitation, and help from the tour leaders
  • A devoted, Vietnamese-speaking tour director
  • Knowledgeable guides and lecturers all through the tour 
  • Professional bus drivers/transportation suppliers
• Insurance
  • Enrollment in a journey accident and illness insurance coverage coverage, which covers the next:
    • General accident and illness medical protection whereas exterior the U.S.
    • Emergency evacuation profit
    • Accidental dying, dismemberment, repatriation of stays
    • Trip cancellation, delay, interruption profit (when private illness/damage or dying of a member of the family make journey not possible–see coverage for particulars)
    • 24/7 international journey help for enrolled people

Examples of what’s not included on this value:

• Flights
  •  International airfare to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City
• Meals
  • Meals not indicated on the detailed, each day itinerary
  • Alcoholic drinks not included as a part of group meals
  • Room service
• Excursions/Tips/Gratuities
  • Individual excursions and actions deliberate throughout free time
  • Tips and gratuities throughout free time 
• Personal Expenses
  • Passport and visa charges
  • Recommended immunizations and vaccinations
  • Baggage insurance coverage and journey insurance coverage (see Dates, Deadlines, Payments, & Refunds for added particulars)
  • Laundry and dry cleansing
  • Phone costs, eSIMS, worldwide cell phone plans

Dates, Deadlines, Payments, and Refunds

We sit up for having you journey together with us. The following dates, deadlines, funds, and refunds apply to this particular tour and are based mostly on funds Luther College should make to the corporate tour distributors to ensure group charges.

*Please safe your spot as quickly as doable so we are able to guarantee tour firm minimums are met.

Registration Deposit: A $500 deposit is due upon registration.

Deposit Refund Policy: The deposit is 50% refundable ($250) for cancellations made on or earlier than October 1, 2026. Deposits made after October 1, 2026, are non-refundable.

Balance Due Payment: The remaining stability of $3,500 is due by December 1, 2026.

Late Cancellation Policy: No refunds will probably be issued for cancellations made after December 1, 2026, besides in extenuating circumstances lined by our insurance coverage (for particulars, see insurance coverage info above).

Important Note: The Luther accident and illness insurance coverage coverage wherein you may be enrolled is NOT a “cancel for any reason—CFAR” or “interrupt for any reason— IFAR” coverage. If you have an interest in buying a CFAR/IFAR coverage, that permits for higher flexibility in cancellations and interruptions for any cause, we recommend you contact your insurance coverage supplier who might help you discover varied choices.