VIETNAM TIES
December 27, 2010 - January 8, 2011
(Our traditional South-North Program)
April 20-30, 2011
(Our NEW Focus on Northern Vietnam Program)
Watch Vietnam Ties come to life on video!!! 
Vietnam Ties Highlights
Read What Families Have to Say
Information & Packet Request,
Pre-Registration
Suggested Reading & Helpful Travel Items
Possibilities for visiting people & places significant to your adoption
Vietnam Ties Highlights:
Vietnam has touched your family in a very special way. Adoptive parents have vivid memories of being in Hanoi or Saigon to bring home their son or daughter. Vietnam Ties is an opportunity for you to reconnect with those special places, and share them first hand with your children. All the stories your child has heard about seem to come alive as you walk down a familiar street or revisit a hotel you once stayed in.
Many families remember people too, such as a translator, or a caretaker important to their child. We will make every effort possible to see that you reconnect with those special people. Reminiscing is an important part of the journey, and points of connection establish a concrete setting for your child of when you became a family. Further, it is a chance for all of you to learn more about the fabulous Vietnamese people and culture together.
The Tradional South-North Program Our journey begins in Hanoi. With its old buildings, trees, and lakes, Hanoi has a charm most Asian cities have long since lost. In addition to sightseeing, we will also visit a school, Tu Liem Orphanage, and spend time with Mrs.  Thuy from the former Claudia Hotel. We can add in other orphanages as they pertain to the families traveling.
From Hanoi, we will travel to the spectacular Halong Bay where we will overnight on a houseboat. It is delightful and the scenery is magnificent. You’ll even have a chance to try kayaking if you’d like!
Leaving Hanoi, we fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where families often visit Tam Binh Orphanage. Our travels also take us to the  Mekong Delta, where river life is fascinating and people are very gentle. During our time in the Delta, we will visit the colorful floating market, and as part of a local humanitarian project, we will donate a sampan to a local farmer. Throughout our journey we offer optional "Connect & Chat" for the kids and “Talk Times" for the adults to help process the amazing experiences we have in Vietnam. Ties Programs travel with a social worker or adoption professional to facilitate optional discussion groups for adults and kids.
Our NEW Focus on Northern Vietnam Program will begin in Hanoi, and have time for families to visit places like Phu Tho and Lang Son and other northern provinces for an overnight if desired. Then, we will board the train to Sapa where we will explore villages and local markets, and take a boat ride down the scenic Chay River. Along the way, we will learn about some of the many Vietnamese ethnic groups that live in the far north of Vietnam. When we return to Hanoi, we will head out to spectacular Halong Bay for an overnight on one of the "junks" (houseboats) that are both lovely and enchanting, and surrounded by beauty in every direction. We chose this time of year because it is the time of year when northern Vietnam is warm and dry. (During the wet season roads in the north  can be treacherous and landslides are common.) We want you and your family to be able to be out and about, enjoying Vietnam as much as possible. Note: It is always difficult to determine spring break. If a significant number of families all have a different school break, we will adjust dates or add a second departure. Also, because this is a new program and we are always trying to have our programs include things on your wish list, please let us know if you would prefer different cities. We will always try to accommodate you.
We staff all of our programs with an adoption professional/discussion facilitator…something we see as critical to your time in Vietnam if it is to be the identity building experience for your child, and the bonding experience you want it to be for your family.
Traveling as a family to your child’s country of birth is a life changing experience. It fosters understanding, nurtures pride and creates family memories that last a lifetime.
Top of Page
Read What Families Have To Say
“Awesome, supportive experience.”
Leslie Anixter
“I’m really special to be from Vietnam.” Sophie Wydman, 8
“Bringing adoptive children ‘home’ to their country of origin is an important gift of a lifetime.”
Connie Lewis
“Big thanks for the thoughtfulness that went into planning and especially to the consideration of the needs of the children.” Susan Sher
“I came to understand the importance of visiting Vietnam for our daughter’s self image.” Richard Flood
“I liked that we could pick and choose what we wanted to be part of.”
Roz Cantrell
“I loved how we got to go with a group.” Cami Coppage, age 10
“I love this country. People were warm, welcoming and genuine.”
Cindy Gallaher
“Pre-trip counseling and advice was invaluable.” Liz Hemphill
Re: Connect & Chat for kids: "We actually talked and share our thoughts.” Josie Kelsay, 15
“We really appreciate the effort involved in finding Emily’s birth family and arranging the visit.” Tim Hack
Sitting with his dad, Nathan Hack, 7, worked very hard at filling out his end-of-trip evaluation. He gave us a 100 percent score!!! (We gave him 100% too!)
Top of Page
For More Information
Contact The Ties Program
Request an Informational Packet.
pre-registration (pre-registered families have
priority when registration opens)
Possibilities for visiting people &
places important in your adoption.
The Ties Program is pleased to assist families visit people and places important in their child's life. Over the years, families have have expressed interest in visiting the following places. We look forward to updating the list and new requests are received.
An Giang Orphanage
An Lac Orphanage
Bien Hoa Orphanage
CanTho Orphanage
CanTho Hospital
Don Chua Cuu
Go Vap Orphanage
Hoa Binh Social Assistance Center
Hoi An Orphanage
Kien Giang Orphanage
Madame Hai (deceased)
Mam Non 4 Orphanage
Mrs. Thuy, former Claudia Hotel
Phu Tho Orphanage
Sapa
Sister Mary Vincent
Soc Trang Orphanage
SOS Children’s Village Ben Tre
Tam Binh Orphanage
Thai Binh Social Protection Center
Thai Nguyen Orphanage
Tu Du Hospital
Tu Liem Orphanage*
Vinh Phu Orphanage
Vinh Son Montagnard Orphanage (VSO)
*Closed. AKA Cau Giay
See something missing above? Or, are there other people or places on your "dream list?" Please email us. We are always open to helping you with other connections.
The Ties Program does not endorse any of the places listed above, but rather offers them as places families have indicated they may want to visit.
Top of Page
Suggested Reading & Helpful Travel Items
Amazon makes a donation to our sister organization, World Ties, and there is NO extra charge to you. All proceeds from Amazon support Project Kindness. Your connection to Amazon must be made through our site, but once there you can purchase ANYTHING at NO additional charge to you! Please click on an item below to enter via our site and help children in Vietnam.
|
