Pre-Trip Program: October—December, 2014; three 2-hour classes, date and place to be determined.
Post-Trip Program: January or February, 2015: one 2-hour class, date and place to be determined
See Course Syllabus for readings and assignments for each portion of the class.
Saturday 27 December
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Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
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11pm – 12:40 am (12/28)
Accommodation
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Flights arrive, meet at airport. Change money at the airport (suggested amount: $100). Check into hotel.
Victory Hotel
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Sunday 28 December
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Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
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8:30 am – 9:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm
1:30 pm
3:30 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast at hotel, group check in
Introduction to Vietnam (Nguyen Tuan Khanh, University of Social Sciences and Humanities of Hochiminh City). Introduction to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. Geographical overview, history (including French and American influence) and Vietnam today (including its place in the world, and international relations), important domestic and international issues and concerns Vietnam is confronting today, overview of government system and structure, overview of the Vietnam economy. Introduction to culture, learning some basic Vietnamese phrases and travel tips for Ho Chi Minh City.
*Lunch on your own near Victory Hotel
Visit War Remnants Museum
(a two block walk from the hotel)
Return to hotel; Debrief WRM visit
Free Time
1st Response Essay DUE – Critical Review of Vietnam: Rising Dragon with focus on history, economy & political structure of Vietnam
Group dinner at Nha Hang Ngon Restaurant
160 Pasteur Street.
Victory Hotel
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Monday 29 December
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Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City
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7:00 am to 6:00 pm
7:00 am
9:00 am
10:30 am
11:30 pm
1:30 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
Accommodation
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Visit to Can Gio Nature Reserve with Dr. Nguyen Van Be; mangrove restoration project
Depart HCMC for Can Gio
Visit Center for Environmental Education, Communication and Ecotourism at Can Gio
Visit Zone A of the Reserve
Lunch and Discussion with Shrimp Farmer
Visit Shrimp project; Travel by boat through Mangrove Forest
Mangrove planting and restoration project
Return to Ho Chi Minh City
Dinner on your own in Ho Chi Minh City
Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet show
Victory Hotel
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Tuesday 30 December
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Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City
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8:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
12:15 pm
1:15 pm
2:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
8:00 pm
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Breakfast at hotel
Leave for U.S. Consulate
U.S. Consulate meeting: U.S./Vietnam relations
U.S. Consulate General
*Lunch on own near Victory Hotel
Leave for Nong Lam University
Afternoon with Nguyen Van Thiet and Dang Thao Huong and environmental studies and faculty from HCMC International University and Nong Lam University; presentations by IU, NLU & UM students and faculty on climate change and environmental issues
Return to Victory Hotel
*Dinner on your own
Traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony at Tra Viet Tea House with Dang Thao Huong
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Wednesday 31 December
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Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City
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8:00 am to 9:00 am
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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Group breakfast at hotel
Class Meeting: group debrief, review first essay assignment, and discuss and schedule blog postings
*Lunch on your own
Explore Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnamese guides: Buddhist Temples, Ben Thanh Market, Cathedral, Post Office, National Palace
*Group Dinner and New Year’s Eve festivities in downtown Ho Chi Minh City as a group
Victory Hotel
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Thursday 1 January
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Day 6: Can Tho
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8:00 am
10:00 am
3:00 pm
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
6:30 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast in Victory Hotel and free time
Depart for Bus tour to Can Tho City with stop for *Lunch on route
Check- in to Guest House Number 2 in Can Tho
Orientation and visit to ‘Old Can Tho’ along the Mekong River with Vietnamese Teaching Assistants.
*Group Dinner with Can Tho Teaching Assistants
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Friday 2 January
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Day 7: Can Tho
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7:00 am
7:30 am
8:00 am
9:00 am to 11:30 am
11:30 to 12:30 pm
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm
3:30 – 5:00 pm
6:30 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast in Guest House Number 2
Depart for Can Tho University
Introduction to Can Tho University: Nguyen Thu Huong
Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta with Dr. Duong Van Ni
*Lunch on your own near University
Dr. Pham Le Thong: The economy of the Mekong Delta, livelihoods of local people, economic impacts of climate change on the Mekong Delta
Break
Mangrove ecology and management, and climate change adaptation models with Dr. Nguyen Van Be, Director of International Relations
Welcome Dinner with Can Tho University hosts
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Saturday 3 January
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Day 8: Can Tho
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7:30 am
8:00 am
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm onward
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast in Guest House Number 2
Move out of rooms in preparation for Homestay
Development in the Mekong Delta with Dr. Nguyen Huu Chiem
-
Agriculture and aquaculture development, management practices and environmental and socio-economic impacts
-
Other important industries in the Mekong Delta
-
Discuss the complex issues surrounding sustainable development in the Mekong Delta
*Lunch on your own near Can Tho University
Exchange and Presentations with CTU Student Environment Club: comparison of climate impacts and responses in US and Vietnam from UM and CTU student perspectives.
Social and soccer/volleyball with CTU students, then free time
Check-in with homestay host
Homestay
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Sunday 4 January
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Day 9: My Khanh Commune: Biogas Digesters
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am/pm
Accommodation
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Cultural tour with home stay family
Homestay
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Monday 5 January
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Day 10: Homestay in Can Tho
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7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
12:00 pm-1:30 pm
1:30 pm-4:30 pm
4:30 pm
Accommodation
|
Breakfast with Homestay Families
Families drop students at Guesthouse #2
Depart from Guesthouse #2 for My Khanh Commune
Field Lecture on the sustainable development research activities in My Khanh with Dr. Nguyen Huu Chiem. Visit to a model VACB farm and examine a biogas system.
Group Lunch with a farm family household
Visit additional VACB farms with biogas systems
Return to Can Tho City
Homestay
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Tuesday 6 January
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Day 11: Can Tho University
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7:00 am
8:00 am
8:30 am
9:00 am to 11:30 am
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:30 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast with Homestay family
Check back into Guest House Number 2
Depart for Can Tho University
Climate change in the Mekong Delta and the work of the DRAGON Institute by Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of DRAGON institute-Mekong-CTU
*Lunch on your own near Can Tho University
Vietnamese culture lecture and activities – music and language/religion with Mr. Le Dinh Bich
Class check-in and debrief meetings
*Dinner on your own near Guesthouse #2
Guesthouse #2
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Wednesday 7 January
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Day 12: Can Tho
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7:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
Accommodation
|
Breakfast at Guesthouse #2
Depart for Chau Thanh district, Soc Trang province
Visit to Heifer International Projects in Soc Trang with Ms. Nguyen Quyen, Heifer Vietnam
Lunch with Staff of Heifer Vietnam in Soc Trang
Depart for Can Tho
Time to work on second response essay: Impact of Climate Change on Vietnam’s coastal and low-lying areas.
Class discussion and debrief Heifer Vietnam field day
*Dinner on your own near Guest House & free evening
Guest House Number 2
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|
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Thursday 8 January
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Day 13: Can Tho
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7:00 am to 8:00 am
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
|
Breakfast at Guesthouse #2
Visit to Son Island with Mr. Ly Quoc Dang, Mekong Delta Development Research Institute and members of the Delta Youth Alliance to discuss issues of dykes and erosion, catfish production, local livelihoods and lifestyles, lack of local infrastructure and education facilities, and health and sanitation problems. Lunch near Son Island.
Afternoon to work on second response essay.
RESPONSE ESSAY #2 DUE – Climate change impacts on Vietnam’s coastal and low-lying areas
*Dinner on your own near Guest House
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Friday 9 January
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Day 14: Soc Trang – Fishing Village – Bac Lieu
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6:00 am
7:00 am to 12:00 pm
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast in Guest House Number 2
Travel to Soc Trang to visit cultural sites. Tours and Lectures at the Bat Pagoda & Khleang Temple
Lunch at restaurant in Soc Trang
Note: all meals on field trips are covered by the program
Travel to coastal area with Dr. Pham Minh Duc and Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, College of Aquaculture and Fisheries; learn about the livelihoods of local fishers through discussions with fishing families. How is climate change likely to affect the natural environment upon which their livelihood depends? Visit levee and dike system being built to protect farmland from seawater intrusion due to climate change. Site visits: rain fed rice cultivation area, water control dike, and intensive shrimp farming farm, CTU Research Station, sea dike and protective mangrove forests.
Debrief Field Trip Day over Dinner in Bac Lieu
Hotel in Bac Lieu
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Saturday 10 January
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Day 15: Farms on road from Bac Lieu – Ca Mau
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8:00 am to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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With Dr. Pham Minh Duc and Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai visit family and commercial agricultural farms (rice and shrimp) and aquaculture farms. Site visits: rice-shrimp rotation area, multiple rice crop areas.
Debrief Field Trip Day over Dinner in Ca Mau
Hotel in Ca Mau
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Sunday 11 January
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Day 16: Ca Mau – Nam Can
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8:00 am to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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With Dr. Pham Minh Duc and Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai visit coastal sites where mangroves have been removed and where healthy stands remain to demonstrate the importance of mangroves for stabilizing the coast and for healthy aquatic ecosystems. Explore the implications of climate change on the health of mangrove ecosystems and the flow-on implications for marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Site visit: Cape Ca Mau National Park, mangrove-shrimp integrated systems areas.
Debrief Field Trip Day over Dinner in Ca Mau
Hotel in Can Mau
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Monday 12 January
|
Day 17: Kien Giang Provinve; U Minh Thuong National Park
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8:00 am to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
Accommodation
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With Dr. Pham Minh Duc and Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai explore the implications of climate change on the health of melaleuca forest and peat swamp ecosystems and the flow-on implications for marine and terrestrial ecosystems in U Minh Thuong National Park. What are the implications of damaged ecosystems for local livelihoods and Vietnamese society more generally?
Return to Can Tho.
Check back into Guest House Number 2
Debrief Field Trip in restaurant of Guest House Number 2
*Dinner on your own near Guest House
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Tuesday 13 January
|
Day 18: Can Tho
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9:30 -11:30 am
11:30 am onward
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
|
Class and Group discussion of field trip: Guest House dining room patio
Free time & Time to work third response essay: Livelihoods and Climate Change, and explore Can Tho.
RESPONSE ESSAY #3 DUE – Livelihoods and climate change
Group Dinner and Orientation to next field trip
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Wednesday 14 January
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Day 19: Can Tho to An Giang Province
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6:00 am
7:00 am
7:30 am to 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
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Breakfast in Guest House
Check out of Guest House Number 2 for 2nd field trip
With Dr. Ngo Thuy Diem Trang, (lecturer of College of Natural Resources and Environment) and Dr. Nguyen Chau Thanh Tung visit An Giang Province to explore international Mekong River management issues, cultural sights – Ba Chúc Khmer Rouge massacre site, demonstration of traditional weaving in Cambodian Khmer village. Hike Mt. Sam and visit pagodas
Note: all meals on field trips are covered by the program
Debrief Field Trip Day over Dinner in Châu Dôc
Hotel in Châu Dôc
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Thursday 15 January
|
Day 20: An Giang Province to Tram Chim National Park
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7:30 am
8:30 am to 11:30 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:30 pm
Accommodation
|
Breakfast in Hotel
Drive to Tram Chim National Park with Dr. Ngo Thuy Diem Trang and Dr. Nguyen Chau Thanh Tung
Check into Hotel in Tram Chim
Lunch at National Park office
Presentation about the history, ecology and management of the Park by park manager
Tour and discussion of the Park ecosystems, management units, park boundary issues
Dinner at National Park office with National Park staff
Debrief field day at Tram Chim National Park
Hotel near Tram Chim National Park
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Friday 16 January
|
Day 21: Tram Chim National Park to Can Tho
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6:00 am to 10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
Accommodation
|
Bird watching and Boat Tour of Park (light breakfast on boats), exploration of the Park management units, park boundary issues
Check out of Hotel
Depart to Can Tho City with lunch on route
Check into Guest House Number 2
Debrief Field Trip in restaurant of Guest House Number 2
*Dinner on your own near Guest House
Guest House Number 2, Can Tho
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Saturday 17 January
|
Day 22: Can Tho& Ho Chi Minh City
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am
10:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
Accommodation
|
Free morning. Time to work on written assignments.
Final Can Tho class: Debrief Can Tho program
Check out of Guest House Number 2; load luggage in bus
*Lunch on your own near Guesthouse
Return to Ho Chi Minh City
Check into Victory Hotel
*Dinner on your own & free evening
Victory Hotel
|
Sunday 18 January
|
Day 23: Ho Chi Minh City
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8:00 am
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
12:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
Accommodation
9:00 pm
|
Breakfast at hotel
Group wrap up discussion and course evaluations
(Place: TBD)
*Lunch on your own
Check out of Hotel for those going to airport tonight
Final Group dinner at Nha Hang Ngon Restaurant
Victory Hotel
Depart for airport for those leaving in the evening
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Monday 19 January
|
Day 24: Ho Chi Minh City to United States
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7:00 am onward
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Depart Vietnam for the United States
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