Heritage Tours to Vietnam

Dates of Tour:           September 14-26, 2012

Participants: VN adult adoptees, spouses, partners, adult family members, friends Additional guests may accompany adoptees if they are 18 yrs or older.  (There may be some latitude on this requirement on a case-by-case basis, but this is designed as an adult tour)
All VN adoptees welcome--not necessary to be placed through Holt.
                                   
Unique Opportunities:
The VN Motherland Tour will arrange for visits to previous orphanage and hospital sites in Ho Chi Minh City and DaNang.  Although much has changed in VN since adoptees left in the 1970’s, we will do all we can to locate and arrange for adoptees to visit their former orphanage or center.  Former Holt VN director of social services, Glen Noteboom, will accompany the tour and can provide information and insights from his years directing the social services program in HCMC during the seventies.  Current Vietnam Director Ms. Hang Dam Thi Thuy will participate and can provide a current perspective on Vietnam.  

Adoptees interested in pursuing a birth search can arrange this in advance of the tour to maximize any potential reunion with birth family.  Please note that it is important to have realistic expectations regarding a successful search since nearly everyone and everything regarding early adoptions from Vietnam has changed in the last three decades.  However, actually being in VN could make a difference in exploring whatever might be possible.  Although it is unlikely most adoptees will find or connect with birth family—it is assured that every adoptee can successfully re-connect with the country and culture of their birth…

The VN Motherland Tour will arrange visits to current Holt programs in VN to see children and families in Holt’s care.  It is generally not possible  to access these programs and Tour Members can do this in Hanoi.

The Motherland Tour will conclude in Hanoi where Holt Vietnam has their headquarters and the Vietnam Ministries and U.S. Embassy is located.  U.S Embassy and Officials of the Vietnamese Ministry will attend a farewell celebration.  In Hanoi there will also be a press conference and opportunity

TOUR LOGISTICS:

COST:
Participants are responsible for their own roundtrip transportation to Vietnam.  This gives participants the opportunity to use their preferred carrier, frequent flyer miles or other special travel arrangements directly.  Holt works with Azumano Travel and we have arranged for Kristy Monte at 800-888-7025 or kmonte@azumano.com to assist you.   We will arrange and pay for air transportation in Vietnam and it will be included in the land package. 

Land package includes:
Airport shuttle and ground transportation; in-country flights; hotel with breakfast; sightseeing entrance fees; tour guides; and some meals.

Land package per person for single room:                             $3,100.00
Land package per person for shared double room:                 $2,900.00    

Participants are responsible for optional sightseeing excursions and alcoholic beverages.
 
Tour participants have the option of extending their trip in Vietnam and can make those arrangements independently through Azumano Travel.  The tour concludes September 26, 2012.

The return flight via United from Hanoi to U.S. overnights in Seoul and offers a free four-hour tour of Seoul.  Azumano Travel can assist you with this if interested

For more information or to receive a tour packet, please contact Courtney Young or call 541-687-2202.