June 30: Departure Day, Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City
Group Meeting:
At 9:00 PM, meet your leader and fellow students at the Cathay Pacific check-in counter (outside of security) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This is the official start of your Putney program!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on Cathay Pacific flight #883 departing Los Angeles (LAX) at 11:55 PM on June 30, arriving in Hong Kong (HKG) at 5:45 AM local time on July 2. (Note: July 1 is lost crossing the International Date Line.) The group will continue on from Hong Kong (HKG) on Cathay Pacific flight #767 departing at 8:35 AM and arriving in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (SGN), at 10:10 AM local time on July 2 (20 hours, 15 minutes en route).
July 2 & 3: Ho Chi Minh City
Begin with two nights in Ho Chi Minh City to get acclimated after the long journey and have an in-depth orientation in preparation for life in Vietnam. A visit to the War Remnants Museum helps give context to the complex relationship between the United States and Vietnam.
July 4–7: Duc Lan Village
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang. Stay for a month in Duc Lan village, located in the Mo Duc District, one hour from Quang Ngai city on the central Vietnamese coast. Stay in a simple guesthouse and work with the local Youth Union to build Compassion Houses. A foreman teaches us aspects of construction — digging the foundation, laying brick, applying stucco, and tiling the roof of each house. Teach English in a local school and participate in agricultural projects using traditional tools and methods. Spend afternoons as a group at the beach, and enjoy a game of pick-up soccer or go for a swim in the ocean.
July 8 & 9: Quang Ngai
Spend a weekend enjoying the beautiful beaches of Quang Ngai. Visit the Sơn Mỹ Memorial and the tunnels at Binh Chau Beach. Learn about one of the earliest civilizations in the region at the Sa Huynh Museum and hike to the Thien An Temple for a chance to speak with monks.
July 10–14: Duc Lan Village
Continue work on projects.
July 15 & 16: Hoi An
Visit the beautiful city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its temples, tailors, and beaches. Learn about the range of different religions practiced in Vietnam, and visit Hoi An’s markets to try local fruits including rambutan, green dragon, and durian.
July 17–22: Duc Lan Village
Finish work on projects. Participate in a culminating ceremony to hand over the keys to the recipient families of the completed Compassion Houses, and enjoy a goodbye party together with new friends.
July 23 & 24: Hanoi
Fly from Danang to Hanoi. Visit the spectacular capital city of Hanoi, and learn about the local cuisine and unique Vietnamese cooking methods in a cooking class. Walk along Hoan Kiem Lake on your way to the night market with your group.
July 25 & 26: Ha Long Bay
Spend two nights and three days in stunning Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay on a private boat – or “junk,” as they’re regionally called – and take in the spectacular scenery. Swim and kayak among the thousands of limestone karsts and islets throughout the bay.
July 27: Hanoi
Return to Hanoi for a final night and celebratory dinner before the journey home.
July 28: Return Day, Hanoi to Los Angeles
Group Flight:
The group will fly on Dragon Air flight #294 departing Hanoi, Vietnam (HAN), at 7:35 PM local time on July 28, arriving in Hong Kong (HKG) at 10:30 PM local time on July 28. The group will continue on from Hong Kong (HKG) on Cathay Pacific flight #880 departing at 12:05 AM local time on July 29, returning to the International Arrivals Area of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 10:10 PM on July 28 (16 hours, 45 minutes en route).
July 28: Los Angeles Airport Hotel
One of your trip leaders will stay overnight with the group. If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, we will send you an email two weeks prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation.