THAILAND

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THAILAND VIETNAM TRAVEL STUDY

• June 2007

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Tour LeadersLarry Neuman Han NgoJoy Yang
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THE BASICS

• THE STUDY TOUR IS 2 WEEKS LONG
• WE WILL VISIT TWO COUNTRIES, THAILAND AND VIETNAM
• We will visit Bangkok Chiang Mai THAILAND,
• Ha Noi, Hue Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) VIETNAM

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SOUTHEAST ASIA
CHINA
BURMA
LAOS
THAILAND
PHILIPPINES
VIETNAM
CAMBODIA
MALAYSIA
SINGAPORE
INDONESIA
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VIETNAM
T H A I L A N D
Chicago
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Official Course Description
The course introduces students to the history,
geography, politics, economic, religion,
education, and culture of Thailand and Vietnam
with a particular emphasis on the social changes
during the past decade in the context of
globalization. Students will examine
urbanization, economic development, inequalities
by income, ethnicity, and gender.
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Course Objectives
1. Expose students to cultural, religion, and
history of two major Southeast Asian nations 2.
Introduce students to the education and health
care systems of Thailand and Vietnam 3. Develop
an understanding of the local business growth and
the impact of large-scale globalization 4. Study
the educational systems of two major Southeast
Asian nations 5. Contrast the government and
economy in Thailand and Vietnam 6. Recognize
forms of social-economic inequality and their
persistence/change.
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What to ExpectTENTATIVE TRIP OUTLINE

• Depart from Janesville 730 am Tuesday June 5 by
  bus to OHara. Arrive (930 am, 3 hours before
  departure). Fly to Bangkok.
• Typical flight Leave OHara at 1230 arrive 430
  pm next day in Tokyo (13 hours flying time),
  change planes leave Tokyo 645 pm arrive
  Bangkok 1145 pm (7 hours flying time). Allow at
  least 2 hrs for immigration/luggage and to travel
  to the hotel.
• Sleep time 2 am, about 28-30 hours of traveling
  since Janesville.
• Basically, you lose almost 2 days in traveling
  time.
• Get up early the next morning. It will be
  Thursday.
• You probably wont sleep right because of a
  mixture of excitement, exhaustion and jet lag.

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Basic Itinerary

• Thurs-Friday Bangkok
• Sat-Monday Chiang Mai
• Tuesday fly to Bangkok then Ha noi,(mostly
  travel)
• Wed Ha noi
• Thurs Danang
• Fri Hue
• Sat, Sun, Mon Ho Chi Minh
• Monday leave and travel back to Chicago, arrive
  on Monday

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WHAT WILL WE DO ON THE TRIP?

• Visit schools, clinics, factories
• Visit museums, temples, historic sites
• Visit an elephant camp, a rural village
• Ride planes, buses, boats, trains,(maybe even an
  elephant)
• Hear a few lectures, local music
• See cultural activities, dance, crafts,markets
• Meet interesting people
• Eat great food experience new things
• Relax, laugh, have some fun learn a lot

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THAILAND
We first go to
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BANGKOK Bangkok OR Krung  Thep, The City Of
Angels
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Well visit theWORLD FAMOUS BANGKOKGRAND PALACE

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Bangkok has world famous traffic congestion
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The New Skytrain Has Helped Somewhat
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We plan to visit one of the floating markets near
Bangkok.  It takes about 45 minutes to get there
and we will need to get there very early in the
morning. You will see hundreds of boats laden
with fruits, vegetables, dried fish and other
produce paddled by women wearing broad-brimmed
lampshade hats.
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Thai Religion

• Almost all Thai people are Buddhist.
• Buddhism is central to Thai culture.

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You can goShopping, Bangkok style
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Transit

• We will check out of the hotel in Bangkok on
  Saturday morning.
• It takes 2 hours to get to the airport.
• We wait 1 hour, then fly about 1 hour up to
  Chiang Mai.
• We will arrive about noon then it takes ½ hour to
  get to the hotel

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After Bangkok we go to CHIANG MAI
Chiang Mai is Thailand's major center for quality
handicrafts. It is also close to villages of the
many hill-tribes or ethnic groups of Thailand.
Markets offer antiques, silver jewelry, hilltribe
opium pipes and embroidery, Thai silks and
cottons, basketry, celadon, silverware,
furniture, lacquer ware, woodcarving and
parasols.
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Chiang Mai

• Visit In Town temple and National Museum
• Visit Elephant camp/riding school
• Dinner with Students/Faculty local university
• Visit Doi Suthep and Doi Pui Hilltribe Village
• Visit Cottage Industries at Sankamphaeng District
  and Umbrella Village at Bor Sang
• Traditional Northern Thai Dinner (Khan Toke
  Dinner) with Thai Northern dancing and Hill Tribe
  show
• Visit Hmong Village
• Stay in Hmong Lodge
• BBQ dinner and Hmong dances
• Leisure

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Youll Eat Thai Food
The ideal Thai meal is a harmonious blend of the
spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour. It is
meant to be equally satisfying to eye, nose and
palate. A typical meal includes a clear soup
(perhaps bitter melons stuffed with minced pork),
a steamed dish (mussels in curry sauce), a fried
dish (fish with ginger), a hot salad (beef slices
on a bed of lettuce, onions, chilies, mint and
lemon juice) and a variety of sauces into which
food is  dipped. This would be followed by sweet
desserts and/or fresh fruits. With their Buddhist
background, Thais shunned the use of large
animals in big chunks. Generally Thai curries
burn intensely, but briefly, whereas other
curries, with strong spices, burn for longer
periods. Instead of serving dishes in courses, a
Thai meal is served all at once, permitting
dinners to enjoy complementary combinations of
different tastes. 
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Transit

• On Tuesday morning, we leave to go the airport in
  Chiang Mai at about 8 am.
• Wait 1 hour at airport
• Fly 1 hour to Bangkok, wait 2 hours.
• Fly 2 hours to Han noi
• 1-2 hours for customs/immigration officials and
  travel to hotel
• Arrive at hotel about 4 pm
• There will be some time to visit the downtown
  part of Ha noi after we arrive.

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VIETNAM
After Chiang Mai we fly to
Vietnam covers an area of 330.363 sq. km making
it about as big as Italy. It has 85.6 million
people (a little bigger than Germany, the largest
European country). Vietnam has a 3,400 km
coastline and mountainous cover 75 of the
country. There are two huge and fertile river
deltas where most of the population live, the Red
River in the North and the Mekong River in the
south.
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VIETNAM
Vietnam covers an area of 330.363 sq. km making
it about as big as Italy. Vietnam has a 3,400 km
coastline and mountainous cover 75 of the
country. There are two huge and fertile river
deltas where most of the population live, the Red
River in the North and the Mekong River in the
south.
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Ha Noi (Capital City)

• Hanoi is a capital with 1,000 year history.
• The architecture includes Vietnamese classic
  monuments, decaying French colonial buildings,
  and a few communist monuments.
• Hanoi was not bombed until late in the war.
• The city is pleasant, with lakes, many trees,
  open boulevards, and much less pollution and
  noise than Saigon

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Ha noi

• Hochiminh Mausoleum
• One-Pillar Pagoda
• Temple of Literature
• Museum of Art
• Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Historical Museum
• Dinner with Vietnamese Students

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We leave Ha Noi Thursday June 14

• 7am breakfast
• 8am check out to airport
• Fly to Danang
• 10 am-4 pm in Danang
• Visit World Heritage Site of Hoi An the Ancient
  Town. Visit the famous Hai Van Pass and Lang Co
  Beach
• 600 pm Arrive in Hue for overnight.

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Danang
At the beginning of the 14th century Danang was a
part of districts used as wedding presents by
the Cham King to marry princess Huyen Tran of Dai
Viet (as Vietnam was then called). At that time
Danang was a wild area with sandy beaches. In
17th century there was mass migration from the
North. By the 19the century Chinese Japanese
French Dutch Portuguese and Spanish merchants for
business.
The beaches are superb, long and good for
surfers.
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Friday June 15HUE

• 7 am Breakfast
• 8 am- 4 pm in Hue
• Scenic boat ride along the Perfume River,
  Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, Khai
  Dinh Tomb and the Royal Citadel.
• 4pm-7pm Check out of Hue hotel
• fly to Ho Chi Minh
  City
• 7 pm Check in to Hotel
• 730 pm Free time

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HUE

• Hue was unified Vietnam's capital from 1802 to
  1945, during the rule of the emperors of the
  Nguyen Dynasty.
• It was not only the political but also the
  cultural and religious centre.
• Hue is a quiet, relaxing city, big enough to be
  interesting but small enough to bicycle around.
• The city was severely damaged in the 1968 Tet
  offensive during the American war
• The food is great, the best in Vietnam, and the
  women are supposed to be the most beautiful in
  the country

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Mekong Delta
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Saigon

• Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
• Driving to Phan Thiet (Mui Ne)
• Leaving Phan Thiet for Vung Tau
• Tour Vung Tau area, while there
• Visit Whale Temple Sakya Pagoda Jesus
  Statue Bao Dai Emperor
• Visit Reunification Hall, Former Presidential
  Palace and War museum
• Lunch with a Vietnamese company
• Free time

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SAIGON (Ho Chi Minh City)
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One way to get around Saigon is  by cyclo.   The
first time you are launched into a busy
intersection ahead of your driver can be a hair
raising experience. Increasingly motorbikes are
taking over the roads and cyclos are being banned.
OPTIONAL YOU CAN TRY IT
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Vietnam is undergoing rapid social and economic
change.
It is becoming more open to outside trade and
exchange.
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OUR TOUR WILL VISIT THE FAMOUS TUNNELS USED
DURING THE 1960s WAR WITH THE US.  There were
120 miles of tunnels. They stretch to Saigon and
went into some American bases.  They were used to
shelter an under-ground army and e able them to
make surprise attacks before disappearing back
through camouflaged trap doors.  A trip below
into them is very interesting but not for the
claustrophobic.
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Youll get to eat Vietnamese Food
Platters of fresh, herb-filled salads, steaming
bowls of brothy soups, all kinds of fish and
shellfish, savory grilled meats, fragrant pots of
rice and noodles served in every imaginable way,
subtle but salty fish sauce, fiery hot chilies,
sweet coconut, tart lime and the refreshing
flavors of fresh, raw herbs like mint, coriander,
lemongrass and basil. It is a cuisine of fresh,
distinct ingredients, balanced but contrasting,
rather than a blurring of flavors and textures.
Compared to other Asian cuisines, the food is
lighter and fresher than Chinese bolder in flavor
than Japanese and less tongue-sparingly spicy
than Thai. There are the cultural fingerprints
left by decades of French influence -- a passion
for strong coffee and good baguettes, the use of
Western ingredients such as butter and certain
vegetables,
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GENERAL INFORMATION NEXTClimate, money,
requirements, etc.
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Weather
The weather is tropical, hot and humid, although
the northern highlands are a little cooler.
Hanoi and Bangkok temps range from 25-33 degrees
C Chiang Mai temps are 25-32 degrees C Hue temps
are 26-34 degrees C Ho Chi Minh temps are 24-32
degrees C This all ranges from 26 78F, 34 91F
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Rain in June

• Bangkok gets about 152 mm of rain 6 niches
  inches, humidity averages 79.
• Chiang Mai gets about 122 mm of rain, 5.2 inches,
  humidity averages about 75
• Ha Noi gets about 239 mm 9.5 inches, humidity
  averages 75
• Hue gets about 76 mm 3 inches, humidity
  averages ?
• Ho Chi Minh about 297 mm 11.7 inches, humidity
  averages 78

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WISCONSIN

• 55-80 degrees F, 4 inches of rain, 60 humidity
• Compared to Wisconsin, expect it to be hotter,
  wetter and more humid.

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What to Expect During Rainy Season

• No rain as much as a week at a time
• Night rain and clear days
• Torrential rains that last 30 minutes to 2 hours,
  then clearing and sun
• Overcast days with little to no rain
• It rarely rains for a long time. Rain is more
  like short tropical showers during the afternoon
  and after the rain the sun is shining again.
• The rain actually makes the air quite fresh and
  cools the hot air temperature down a bit.

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Should you bring an umbrella?

• Umbrellas are cheaper and very available there.
  Do not buy one here and drag it with you.
• Rain coats are too hot and heavy.
• Just expect to get wet some and relax about it.

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Clothing
Bring short sleeve clothing shorts. Tank tops
and very skimpy clothing are NOT a good idea.
There is more modesty and less skin exposed than
in is found in the US. A hat and sunglasses are a
good idea. Bring comfortable shoes -you will be
doing a lot of walking everyday. Flip flops may
not hold up. Dont forget to bring a swimsuit.
Bring your camera too!
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PACK LIGHT

• You will very quickly find that having a lot of
  luggage will be a major burden.
• On the past trip, we had to add an extra hour of
  time to wait for an extra local truck to carry
  all the luggage from students. A local tour guide
  said he never saw so much.
• Several students had to pay extra money for
  overweight luggage.
• Few students got angry with others during the
  trip, except over a few students who had too much
  luggage and held up everyone else.
• Only pack enough clothes for 2-3 days and
  underwear for 4-5 days. You can wash. If it is
  not essential, dont bring it.

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GOOD
BAD
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Currency
1 US dollar equals about 37.4 THB Thailand
Baht If something costs 300 Baht 8 If you have
10 Baht bill 27 cents If you have 100 Baht
bill 2.60 You can change money when you get
there.
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THAI CURRENCY
Thai coins are valued at 25 satang, 50 satang, 1
baht, 5 baht and 10 baht. Thai bank notes are
valued to the amounts of 10 baht, 20 baht, 50
baht, 100 baht, 500 baht, and 1,000 baht.
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Vietnamese Currency

• The currency is the dong
• 1US 16,800 Dong
• 10,000 dong 65 cents
• 100,000 dong 6.50 US.
• One million dong 65 US

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The most common bills available are the 200, 500,
1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000
notes.  There are no coins
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MONEY ISSUES

• Credit Cards you will pay a 3-5 fee
• Travelers Checks you will pay a 1 fee
• Cash no fee but you may get robbed so it could
  be a 100 fee!
• Small US bills are welcome in Vietnam more than
  Thailand. Few places in Vietnam take credit cards
  and there are very few ATMs.
• There are AMTs in Thailand but banks tack an
  additional "conversion fee" onto the Visa or
  MasterCard currency-exchange commission. Plus
  this hidden surcharge is on top of the flat
  transaction fees that banks often charge for ATM
  withdrawals away from home.

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WARNING

• Thai and especially Vietnamese currency are
  almost impossible to exchange once you leave the
  country.
• You do not want to carry a lot of currency
  outside the country, because you may not be able
  to get anything for it.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY
Food and waterborne diseases are the number one
cause of illness in travelers to Southeast Asia.
Travelers diarrhea can be caused by viruses,
bacteria, or parasites that can contaminate food
or water. Make sure your food and drinking water
are safe. Wash your hands often with soap and
water.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated
(bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Eat only
thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables
you have peeled yourself. DO NOT eat food
purchased from street vendors or drink beverages
with ice. Note that motor vehicle crashes are a
leading cause of injury among travelers, walk
defensively. Always use seat belts.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
No major risks are expected, but to be careful it
is recommended that you visit your doctor 46
weeks before the trip to allow time for shots to
take effect. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CENTERS FOR
DISEASE CONTROL Hepatitis or immune globulin
(IG) and Typhoid vaccination. As needed, booster
doses for tetanus, diphtheria, and measles, and a
one-time dose of polio for adults.
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REQUIREDPRE-DEPARTUREORIENTATIONSESSIONS

• MEETS 8 TIMES
• Thursday 400 PM 6 PM
• EVERY OTHER WEEK DURING THE SEMESTER

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How much will it cost?

• Estimate at about 3,700
• 300 deposit due Jan 25
• 3,400 MORE due February 3
• Budget about 5-10 per day for souvenirs, snacks,
  personal needs, some meals (est. 4-8)
• INCLUDED RT airfare, twin lodging,all in-country
  transport, all breakfasts, all lunches, about 6
  dinners, all museum/site entry fees
• NOT INCLUDED Passport fee, Visa fee for
  Vietnam, Bus fare to Chicagos OHara airport,
  Personal needs/snacks/souvenirs, about 8 dinners

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Costs

• In general you will find costs lower than the
  U.S. Although if you shop in certain places they
  will be just as high or even higher.
• Prices are much lower in Vietnam than in
  Thailand.
• There will be many fake brand name goods. Do not
  trust a name brand to actually be that brand.

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OUTLINE of the EightPre-departure Sessions

• Orientation, Basic geography
• History, politics (Video clips from Pacific
  Century series on colonial Vietnam)
• Economic development issues (Video Behind the
  Smile on sweatshops in Thailand)
• Buddhism, cultural values, includes guest lecture
  on religion.
• Field Trip Sample Vietnamese and Thai food,
  dance, music
• Dramatic films, discussions of gender/family
  relations, etiquette, 1st mini-language lesson
• Rural/urban issues, minority peoples (Video clips
  Vietnam)
• Student Team Presentations

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GRADING3 credits, conventional letter grade

• Tests, assignments, and/or Evaluations
• 20 Attendance
• 20 Team Presentation
• 20 Personal Journal (entries for each class
  before leaving, and daily entries while out
  of US)
• 20 Quizzes on Pre-departure Material
• 20 Individual Project/portfolio, due 1 week
  after end of study tour

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INTERESTED?WHAT NEXT?

• GET A PASSPORT
• RIGHT AWAY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE.

• APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP

• GET YOUR DEPOSIT READY
• YOU MUST MAKE A DEPOSIT OF 300 WITH THE UW-W
  INTERNATIONAL OFFICE.

• SIGN UP FOR TRIP UPDATES

• REGISTER FOR CLASS LSINDP/SOCIOLGY 491

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OPTIONAL

• If interested only
• Sociology of Pacific Asia (includes China,
  Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Laos,
  Philippines Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).
• Examines History, Social Conditions, Geography,
  Culture, Politics, Economies, etc

• SOCIOLOGY 290
• 3 CREDITS
• On line course
• General Education, Social Sciences
• Prereq. either Individual Society or Global
  Perspectives.

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END OF PRESENTATION