 An
Archaeological Study Tour
Vietnam
16 Days
December
28, 2007- January 12, 2008
Led
by Prof. Jeffrey Riegel
This
tour provides an overview of Vietnam’s history and
culture, introducing many of the numerous peoples, sites
and events that have contributed to Vietnam’s intriguing
civilization. We will explore its ancient past—partly
shrouded in the myths and legends of dragons and kings—when
the land was dominated by the Lac lords and its artisans
produced stunning bronze vessels whose iconography brings
to life early beliefs and traditional festivals. We trace
the cultural influences from China and, as we proceed down
Vietnam’s stirringly beautiful coastline, we look
for the ancient evidence of the religious influences from
ancient India. Along this coast we see idyllic beaches and
ethereal mountains that are a backdrop to elegant palaces
and sophisticated temples. Vietnam also evokes images of
wars and political upheavals that still shape the lives
of those who live there and American policies toward them.
However, we will be warmly welcomed by its outgoing people.
Beginning in Hanoi, rich in museums and ancient pagodas,
we travel to Halong Bay for a relaxing overnight cruise.
We will see the temples and relics of the ancient Cham peoples—known
in history as the fierce adversaries to the Khmers who built
Angkor—as well as the villages and religious institutions
of the modern Cham, rare followers of Islam in mainland
Southeast Asia. In the imperial city of Hue, marvelous remains
of the Nguyen kings are set against the romantic Perfume
River, while in the old port of Hoi An—an old commercial
center whose merchants transported Chinese porcelains throughout
Southeast Asia—we will be enchanted by the blend of
architectural styles of its temples, pagodas, shrines and
shops. We end our stay in the cosmopolitan river port of
Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by its residents, where
a sense of vitality permeates the atmosphere.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 28 28 & 30 HANOI:
Depart from Los Angeles Friday night via Thai Airways. Our
arrival into Hanoi is Sunday morning. Our three-night stay
is at the refurbished Metropole Hotel, located in the heart
of the city. In the late afternoon we will begin our exploration
of the city at the Museum of History, which displays large
bronze drums from Vietnam’s Dong Son culture of 3000
BC as well as other treasures. This evening we will have
an orientation dinner meeting with Professor Riegel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Monday, December 31: HANOI:
During our stay in Hanoi we will visit all of the major
sites, including, One Pillar Pagoda, Sword Lake, Quan Su
Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and the Temple of Literature,
built in 1070 as the official temple of the Le dynasty.
Our day ends with a walking tour of the old quarter and
the market. This evening we attend a water puppet performance,
a uniquely Vietnamese art form called Roi Nuoc, followed
by New Years Eve dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tuesday, January 1, 2008: HALONG BAY:
This morning we drive to Halong City to board our private
18-cabin wooden junk in time for lunch on board. While cruising
through the bay, visits will be made to several spectacular
caves, the famous Hang Dau Go (Grotto of the Wooden Stakes),
where General Ngo Quyen stored his stakes. In AD 938, General
Quyen lured the Chinese fleet upriver over hundreds of iron-tipped
stakes embedded in the mud, thus gaining victory.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wednesday, January 2: HANOI:
Continue cruising to Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands,
Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain. There
will be time to visit the bustling Halong Market before
disembarking at Halong pier. After lunch, we will return
to Hanoi, stopping at Bat Trang pottery village on the way.
Metrople Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, January 3, 4 & 5: HUE:
A
morning flight brings us to Hue. Along the banks of the
Perfume River are the tombs of the 13 Nguyen rulers. Our
visits will include those of Tu Duc (1829-1883), with its
Triumphant Way of human and animal figures, and Khai Dinh
(1885-1925). We will also visit the Imperial City, built
in the 19th century and modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden
City, and the excellent Hue Ancient Museum (Imperial Museum).
Saturday, after exploring the morning market where we might
buy the lovely “picture hats” that are typical
of this region, we cruise on the Perfume River, with its
animated boat traffic, stopping to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda,
the largest royal tomb of Minh Mang (1791-1841), and the
Forbidden Purple City. Friday evening we will attend a performance
of traditional music. We will spend three nights at the
Saigon Morin Hotel, situated on the banks of the Perfume
River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily
Sunday, January 6: HOI AN: Our
scenic drive via the Hai Van Pass (Sea of Clouds) to Danang
takes us along the famed National Highway One, which winds
along the coast linking Hanoi and Saigon. Used by every
possible means of transportation, from bicycle to bullock,
the road is often covered by the farmers’ unhusked
rice and colorful market stalls. We will spend the afternoon
viewing the fine sculpture collection at the Cham Museum
and touring Danang. We then continue to our small hotel
located in the center of historical Hoi An, a former port
of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese trading
vessels. Life Resort Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Monday, January 7: HOI AN: A
short drive south brings us to our first Cham complex, My
Son, recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During
the 4th century My Son became the most important Cham intellectual
and religious center; its scholars were sent to Java to
study and trade developed between the two empires. My Son’s
monuments date to several periods, providing an introduction
to Cham architecture. We will also stop at Tra Kieu Church,
where a collection of Cham artifacts found by the local
people are displayed. Returning to Hoi An, we will spend
the afternoon visiting the 17th and 18th century merchant
houses and public buildings displaying the varied architecture
styles of the Chinese and Japanese merchants who settled
here to trade in silks, paper, tea and porcelain.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tuesday, January 8: CAN THO: We
return to Danang for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
As we drive into the Mekong Delta, tropical vegetation and
banana plantations begin to transform the landscape. We
will stop for lunch to sample traditional Mekong food and
continue to Can Tho, a bustling town at the confluence of
several rivers and canals. We will spend two nights at the
refurbished French colonial-style Victoria Can Tho Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wednesday,
January 9: CAN THO: We will spend the
full day exploring the wonderful waterways, with water palms
and rice paddies hugging the riverbanks of this picturesque
area. After visiting Can Tho’s floating market and
a small family-operated rice noodle factory, we will visit
Long An and An Giang, as well as some local museums and
fine Khmer pagodas adorned with traditional Khmer motifs
in dazzling colors.
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Thursday, January 10: HO CHI MINH: We
will slowly wend our way back to vibrant city life in Ho
Chi Minh City. Here the entrepreneurial spirit has completely
taken over. Small businesses have sprung up along the roadside,
together with wonderful restaurants and a bustling market.
Caravelle Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Friday, January 11: HO CHI MINH: Our
last day will be spent touring the city, including Cholon,
its energetic Chinatown, and the History Museum, which displays
a variety of collections from Vietnam’s military history
to exquisite Champa art and the customs and crafts of Vietnam’s
ethnic minorities. After visiting the Cholon Market, the
remainder of the day will be at leisure. Some of us will
want to book a tour to the Cu Chi tunnel, while others of
us complete our shopping or stroll in the botanical gardens.
We will celebrate our last evening in Vietnam with a gala
farewell dinner at one of the city’s fine restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Saturday, January 12: Our
Thai Airways flight to Los Angeles departs mid day via Bangkok,
arriving in Los Angeles saturday evening.
Meals: Breakfast
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