Vietnam: Culture, Social Change, and Development Fall 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 3 CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY ...... 3 LOCAL CUSTOMS ...... 3 DIET ...... 4 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH ...... 5 HOMESTAYS ...... 6 OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS ...... 6 TRANSPORTATION ...... 7 COMMUNICATION ...... 7 PHONES AND E-MAIL ...... 7 MAILINGS ...... 8 MONEY ...... 8 VISITORS AND FREE TIME ...... 9 PACKING GUIDELINES ...... 11 LUGGAGE ...... 11 GUIDELINES ...... 11 EQUIPMENT ...... 11 COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS .... 11 GIFTS ...... 12 WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY ...... 13 ALUMNI CONTACTS ...... 13 PACKING LIST ...... 14

SIT Study Abroad - 2 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019

COUNTRY OVERVIEW

GENERAL INFORMATION CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY is located on the eastern edge of mainland Vietnam has a diverse climate because of its Asia. It is bordered by and wide range of latitude and altitudes. Vietnam is to the west, China to the north and the South located in both a tropical and a temperate zone. China Sea to the east. The population of Vietnam is It is characterized by strong monsoon estimated at 94 million, making it the 13th most influences, but has a considerable amount of populous country in the world. There are 54 ethnic sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity. minority groups in the country, but 86% of the lies entirely within the tropics, population is ethnically Vietnamese. which has two main seasons: the wet and the After opening to foreign investment in a series of dry. The wet season is May to November. economic and political reforms begun in 1986 and During this period, there are heavy, short lived continuing until today, Vietnam has had one of the downpours almost daily. The dry season is strongest economies in Asia over the past decade December to April. April and May are very hot. and has recently become a member of the World are essential to avoid sunstroke. Trade Organization (WTO). Manufacturing, information technology and high-tech industries form []: AVERAGE HIGH/LOW a large and fast-growing part of the national TEMPERATURES (°F) economy, and agriculture remains an important – though declining – contributor. The country is now JAN FEB MAR APR MAY the largest producer of cashew nuts producing 88/70 91/73 93/76 94/78 93/77 approximately 30% of the global output, the largest exporter of rice and the second largest exporter of SEPT OCT NOV DEC coffee. Other key exports are tea, rubber, and 88/76 88/75 88/73 87/71 fishery products. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a single-party state, with a President and Prime Minister elected LOCAL CUSTOMS by the National Assembly. The National Assembly of Most of the Vietnamese in urban areas no longer Vietnam is the unicameral legislature of the bow when they meet each other. The custom of government, composed of 498 members. It is handshaking is now achieving popularity due to the superior to both the executive and judicial branches Western influence in the country. Men will generally shake hands and say the equivalent of "how are you" and tip their hats when greeting people. Women, especially those in the countryside, still shy away from shaking hands, especially with men from their own country. It is best not to offer to shake hands with a woman unless she offers her hand first. Whereas Americans often immediately introduce themselves in given situations, the ordinary people of Vietnam think this to be rather bold and like to have a mutual acquaintance make the introduction. They will rarely introduce themselves when going into a home or office until asked to do so. This may be due to their innate shyness and modesty. Names carry great importance in Vietnam. Most Vietnamese names consist of a family name, middle

SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 name and a personal or given name. The order is choice. Your admissions counselor is a great reverse to the American custom. For instance, Miss resource in better understanding the local diet. Hoang Ngoc Van. Hoang is the family name. We would call her Miss Van. have a habit of not looking into your eyes when they talk to you. This is often because of shyness, but one of the main reasons is that traditionally they do not look into the eyes of those they respect or those higher in rank when shows diversity from north to talking to them. This indicates politeness. south, as well as similarities with Chinese and The smile of a Vietnamese can be very confusing in Southeast Asian cuisine. Even French cuisine and Vietnam to an outsider and cause food culture has been adapted in striking ways. misunderstandings. In Vietnam, it may indicate a There is an emphasis on fresh vegetables and polite, but perhaps skeptical reaction to something, herbs, often served in a broth or light sauce. The compliance or toleration of a blunder or most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine misunderstanding or on occasion represents are pork, beef, prawns, various kinds of fish, and submission to judgment that may be wrong or unfair. chicken. This is particularly true if the one making the Ho Chi Minh City offers a fantastic range of food judgment is at a superior level and perhaps has lost choices that can compete with any world city – his temper. For instance, a laundress may ruin a ranging from small outdoor food stalls, to Asian, favorite and is called in by her employer to be European and American-style restaurants, and even asked about it. She may smile. This does not mean some familiar fast food chains. A good choice for that she thinks it is funny that she burned the shirt, breakfast is the world-renowned pho, a noodle soup but instead is submission to the fact. If the owner of usually made with beef or chicken. Lunch will the shirt loses his temper, she may keep smiling typically consist of rice with meat or fish, plus a side indicating politeness or patience with superiors. vegetable dish and soup. Bread, or more specifically Because of this, foreigners should be very cautious the baguette (bánh mì) or sandwiches with pâté and in voicing their opinions and perhaps be a little more other fillings are also common quick meals. delicate, more tolerant and restrain from being Vietnamese dinners are often more elaborate, obstinate. including several shared meat and vegetable dishes, usually accompanied by rice and soup. DIET SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning Though it is possible to maintain a vegetarian diet opportunities where students become embedded in while in Vietnam, you may wish to ask whether fish or meat products have been added to vegetable their host community. As such, we strive to dishes. Fish and fish products are somewhat accommodate serious food allergies where possible unavoidable in Vietnamese cuisine and therefore but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions students with severe fish allergies and who are strict or non-medically mandated diets can be vegetarians and do not eat fish or fish products, accommodated. might want to consider a different location. For Students are encouraged to participate in the local strictly vegetarians, keep your eyes peeled for premises with a "Cơm Chay" sign. The food in those food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By vegetarian eateries often contains meat-like chunks trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss or slices, but they are imaginative creations using out on an important part of your host culture. Due to tofu, pulses or soya beans. the unique living and learning community central to all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and Elsewhere, the situation is somewhat more difficult. eating communally (including with your host family) The words "vegetable" and "vegetarian" are often from the program experience. Please consider local confused in Vietnam, and even though menus may diet seriously when selecting your program of have a vegetarian section, the dishes listed tend to be along the lines of spinach with beef, cabbage

SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 with chicken and so on. Even without the added and Requirements document as early as possible meat, the vegetables are often cooked with fish and examine it with your medical provider. The sauce or shrimp paste. Fried rice often contains tiny guidelines include recommended immunizations; a pieces of pork and noodles may be fried with pork suggested calendar for immunizations and other fat and splashed with fish sauce. Vegetable pho prophylaxes; and valuable information on how to (noodle soup) is invariably made with chicken or avoid exposure to common carriers of disease. beef stock. Students are thoroughly briefed on safety considerations during in-country orientation and are In addition to the "Cơm Chay," which translates as updated throughout the semester if and when vegetarian rice, look for "Món Chay" on the menus, circumstances change. For information regarding which translates as vegetarian dishes and is more safety and security, emergency communications, common. SIT policies, health and personal property insurance, and general program tips, please read Realize that there are a good number of Buddhists the Safety, Security, and Health document and in Viet Nam, (not as many as people think because Student Handbook. ancestor worship is not Buddhism, but that's a different story) and staunch Buddhists are strict The traffic in Vietnam is chaotic, and it is important vegetarians. You will be able to find plenty of good to be alert and careful at all times when moving in food to eat, and everywhere you go, fresh fruit is traffic, walking or crossing the street. One of the plentiful. greatest risks to your safety is traffic and vehicular accidents. In Ho Chi Minh City or in Hanoi Capital, you will find During your time in Vietnam, you will have many restaurant Italian dishes along with the more opportunities to make Vietnamese friends and traditional fare. socialize with local students. However, please be Veganism is practiced by some Vietnamese aware that unforeseen misunderstandings can occur Buddhists, particularly on festival days, and there due to cultural differences. Traditional, conservative are some vegan restaurants. family values play a role in Vietnamese society at all levels, and as a result, dating between Vietnamese For those wishing to remain Kosher, pork is a and foreigners can be the subject of severe popular meat and flavoring, but milk and dairy criticism. When you socialize with local Vietnamese products are rarely used in cooking. Yogurt is friends, be very sensitive to the traditional cultural available and often used in blended fruit drinks. expectations of your friends, your homestay family, your teachers and others. Do not hesitate to talk to SAFETY, SECURITY, AND program staff about any questions or concerns. HEALTH During orientation, you will be given contact information for several recommended clinics and Maintaining good health is critical to having a hospitals. Vietnam has good medical services and successful semester. To help you do that, we have most illnesses can be treated at the international provided Requirements for your program. clinics or national hospitals. Some hospitals in Vietnam accept payment by credit card, but many local clinics require cash payment. Please remember to carry a credit card and have access to cash in case of emergency. Counseling and psychiatric care is not as widely available nor utilized in Vietnam in the same way as in the United States. Students should not plan on having regular access to local psychological services. In emergencies, students may be able to consult with a Vermont-based SIT therapist by It is phone or a counselor/psychiatrist in Ho Chi Minh very important that you read the Health Guidelines City or in Hanoi Capital.

SIT Study Abroad - 5 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 HOMESTAYS university student of the same age and gender. During the Excursion to Da Lat in Central Highland, you will pair up with one student to stay in a homestay family there for a week. Most homes will be located within commuting distance of the center of town and university campus. Most students will have a commute of between 15 and 45 minutes via bus or private taxi, though there may be traffic jams during rush hour. Students with family in HCMC may not stay with their families during the homestay portion of the semester, but may choose to stay with their families during the ISP period.

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS As many SIT Study Abroad alumni will tell you, the In addition to the homestay in HCMC, other homestay experience can be one of the most accommodations during the program include rewarding and most challenging aspects of the guesthouses, hostels, educational institutions, or program. We hope you will come prepared for the small hotels. When you first arrive in Vietnam, you experience and committed to moving beyond will share a hotel room with another student. The cultural immersion as you begin to question, rooms are furnished with beds, wardrobes, writing distinguish, and analyze the host culture vis-à-vis tables, televisions, and all have bathroom facilities your own culture and come to a deeper (towels and sheets are provided). For the understanding of both. accommodation during the Excursion, Family structures vary in every culture. SIT Study students are recommended to bring their own Abroad values the diversity of homestay families, toiletries and the towel because the group will stay and your family may include a single mother of two in a basic dormitory at the university. small children or a large extended family with many people coming and going all the time. Additionally, During the ISP period, it is recommended that please bear in mind that, in many countries, the idea students choose to make their own of what constitutes a “home” may be different from accommodations in guesthouses, backpacker what you expect. You will need to be prepared to adapt to a new life with a new diet, a new schedule, new people, and new priorities and expectations. Each program’s homestay coordinator will be responsible for placing students in homestays. These placements are made first based on health concerns, including any allergies or dietary needs, to the extent possible. Please note: in order to ensure the best fit for students and families, SIT may make final adjustments to homestay placements after student arrival in country. Therefore, SIT will not provide information about your homestay family before you depart for the program. On this program, you will be staying in two hostels, rent a room in house. Students may choose homestays. In HCMC, the program-base, each to stay with a classmate or on their own. student will have a four-week homestay with a

SIT Study Abroad - 6 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 TRANSPORTATION the waiver and/or policy may result in immediate dismissal from the program. Vietnam has a comprehensive transportation system ranging from jets, trains and buses to cars, scooters, bicycles, and three-wheeled motorized COMMUNICATION buggies. Transportation depends on the region and While you may want to be in regular communication its economics. The traffic pattern will probably seem with friends and family from home during the term chaotic to you at first because the roads aren’t very abroad, please bear in mind that different time wide and traffic moves quickly without an apparent zones, unreliable phone lines, and changing program activities can complicate communication. system; however, having grown up within this system, local people follow a group sense of order, It’s important to be clear with family and friends which you will pick up on after a short time. For about your availability during the term. Many example, horns are used as a warning to others. students recommend making an appointment to call Keep in mind that in larger towns and cities, air and home or to receive a call. You should also consider noise pollution may be a problem because it is not the impact of constant communication with friends and family at home on your cultural immersion. regulated and the number of motorized vehicles on the roads is increasing each year. PHONES AND E-MAIL It is recommended that students commute to class As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and each day by the frequent public buses. You also security, all students are required to have a working have the option of travel by taxi, bicycle, or cell phone capable of making and receiving both motorcycle. local and international calls throughout the duration For many years, SIT Study Abroad participants have of the program. For that purpose students are been prohibited from riding as a passenger on required to bring a smart phone from the U.S and motorbikes at any time during their study abroad either a) confirm they have an open phone thus program. In fact, on most of our programs, students enabling you to insert a local SIM card into your are strictly forbidden from riding as passenger and U.S. phone upon arrival or b) bring along a dual SIM can be immediately dismissed from the program if card smartphone. Your local SIT they do so. In all programs, students are prohibited Study Abroad staff will assist you during orientation from driving motorbikes. to purchase an appropriate local SIM card and required minimum minutes for calls and texting. SIT In recent years however, as public transportation Study Abroad requires that each student has a local options have changed, motorbikes are becoming number for communication with the homestay one of the dominant forms of transportation in family, program staff, etc. Vietnam. As a result of this shift, SIT Study Abroad staff have evaluated the risks and instituted a policy While we recognize that alternative communication that permits students to choose to travel as methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. passenger on motorbikes under limited facetime, skype, WhatsApp, etc. those do not satisfy circumstances and only in certain localities where our need for regular communication with the local motorbikes are the dominant mode of transportation program staff and partners nor do they meet our for local people. emergency communication needs. Therefore, local All students will undergo an orientation to the cellular capacity on each student’s phone is required motorbike culture in Vietnam, and will receive for the duration of the program. Full compliance with instructions on how to ride a motorbike and visually this policy is expected. Students are responsible for identify a mechanically sound bike and driver. maintaining a minimum number of credits, keeping Students will be required to sign a waiver before their phones charged and on their person at all using motorbike transportation, and may only ride a times. motorbike while wearing a . Any violation of Telecommunications is not cheap in Vietnam and international phone calls are expensive, however,

SIT Study Abroad - 7 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 access to local and international phone lines is easy cultural immersion while still sharing your throughout HCMC. Phone calls from Vietnam cost experience with your friends and family. Mail to and about US$1-2 per minute, and faxes may cost from Vietnam usually takes two weeks or longer. US$1-2 per page. It is much less expensive to call The SIT program center provides internet access from the U.S. to Vietnam. during posted hours. When you travel outside of HCMC you will find a range of access to local and international phone MAILINGS lines, but should have reliable access, unless you Unlike receiving a package here in the US, receiving choose to pursue an ISP topic in a remote location. a package at your program site is usually SIT students can also make calls at the post office, expensive and problematic. Customs agents must though these rates can be rather high. inspect all packages and you, as the recipient, are responsible for duty and storage fees. In addition, there are cases of items being lost in the mail or taking so long to reach the recipient that the recipient is nearly back in the US by the time the items are received. For these reasons, sending packages should be done only for emergency situations. Additionally, sending valuables is highly discouraged. For this program, DHL and FedEx services are available in country .Despite cheaper prices, reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due to delays and unreliability. When given the option, it’s always a good idea to send packages certified and with a tracking number that allows the sender to Some students may currently be using a phone that track the package. is compatible with the Vietnamese cellular phone networks. Check your phone to see if it is functional If it is necessary for someone to send you mail then on a GSM 900/1800 network, and has an unlocked posted letters and packages should be sent to the SIM card. You may need to contact your provider to following address: have it unlocked. Student Name Room 801, Number 49 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Keep in mind the time difference when calling or District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Zip Code 70 receiving an international call. Vietnam is 12 hours 000 ahead of EST, 11 hours ahead during Daylight Tel. 84 283 9100 423 Savings Time (April - October). Most places that you stay in Vietnam will offer [Packages should be sent to the following address internet services, and many places have wireless via DHL or FedEx. internet available. In addition, there are some up- [Student Name market coffee shops in HCMC with wireless Internet Room 801, Number 49 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, access. There will be times during the semester, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Zip Code 70 particularly when on excursion, when you will not 000 have Internet access. For this program we expect all Tel. (848) 3832 8623] 84 283 9100 423 students to bring their own laptop to Vietnam. Students take full responsibility for their own belongings. MONEY In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program Note: Using pen and paper to communicate with fees cover room and board throughout the program. home is encouraged! In these days of instant When room and/or board are not taken with the communication, this mode allows you to retain your group, students will be given a stipend to cover

SIT Study Abroad - 8 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting and can sometimes be very expensive. Renewing costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while normal program itinerary. During the ISP period, on the program will be an expensive and highly students will receive a stipend for basic room and inconvenient process. Before you leave for your board only, based on the cost of living at the program, please check the expiration dates on your program base. Any domestic travel, interpretation cards to ensure that they will not expire while you services, or supplies necessary for the ISP are are abroad. It is also very important that you make the students’ responsibility. Please plan photocopies of all your debit/credit card information accordingly. and leave them with someone you trust in case your card(s) is/are lost or stolen. Vietnamese Dong can be purchased in some large U.S. banks, but it is also very easy to get upon Following are suggestions for spending money arrival in Vietnam. Students may exchange U.S. during the program, including estimates for currency or withdraw Vietnamese Dong from an textbooks, ISP-related expenses, medical expenses, ATM machine inside the international airport in Ho personal spending, and gifts. Figures are based on Chi Minh City upon arrival. recent student evaluations, though individual spending habits vary widely and these costs are averages. A suggested total amount of money to budget ranges from US$800 to $1,200. To determine where you might fall in this range, please examine your spending habits during a typical semester at your home school and consider any exceptional expenditures you may have on the program, including travel costs for your planned ISP or a

specific personal expense. ATM machines are in abundance throughout Please budget approximately: Vietnam. Accessing money should not be a problem for you. Many restaurants, large department stores Personal spending (from past and tourist boutiques take major credit cards, such student suggestions): 300 USD as Visa and MasterCard. A Visa or MasterCard can also be helpful in emergencies, medical or Books, printing, supplies: (includes printing and binding of ISP) 100 USD otherwise. Up-front medical costs: 100 USD For your valuable items, such as passports, air- Per visit tickets, major credit cards, you should ask the front desk of your guesthouse to place them in the safe Potential ISP travel expenses: 250 USD box. During your homestay period, you should ask your homestay family to store these things in a safe Interpreter services during ISP 100 USD place, although the homestay family does not take (When traveling outside HCMC) responsibility for their security. Otherwise, you can put these in the locked box in your room. Estimated total: 850 USD Check current exchange rates: http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ VISITORS AND FREE TIME If using a debit and/or credit card, you should SIT strongly discourages and will not provide contact your bank and/or credit card companies support for any visitors to students during the regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform these term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and companies that you will be away, they will often the disruption that such visits cause in program flow assume the card has been lost or stolen and will put and group dynamics. Students should be sure that an immediate hold on the card. You should also relatives and friends are aware of this policy and check on costs of withdrawal, as these costs vary that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal

SIT Study Abroad - 9 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019 conclusion of the program. Students will not be counselor can advise you about particular interests excused from program components to attend to you may have. For example, if you must keep in visitors. See the Attendance and Participation shape for your next athletic season, or if you play a section of the Student Handbook. musical instrument and want to know whether to bring it, we can help you to understand your Please note that any visitors during the course of schedule and any concerns or limitations that may the program must plan their own independent exist. Please note that you will not have a long accommodations; SIT Study Abroad homestay break during the program, such as Thanksgiving or families can accommodate only their assigned Spring Break. student and, due to cultural and contractual understandings with SIT, should not be asked to If you wish to leave the program site for any reason, host students’ guests. you must give your proposed travel plans in writing to the Academic Director for approval before During the program, students follow an intense departure. No travel outside the country is permitted schedule of classes and field-based learning during the program. Further details regarding the assignments, even during the ISP. Free time for independent travel policy can be found in the pursuing an independent interest or hobby during Student Handbook. the program will be limited. Your admissions

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PACKING GUIDELINES judgment when going out with friends, since you might encounter situations where conservative LUGGAGE is more appropriate. There are many Please pack lightly and include only necessary inexpensive markets to buy any clothes you might items. You should be able to carry all your luggage need, although larger-sized clothes and are significant distances on your own. Try to minimize not readily available. both the number of bags and weight of your bag(s) There will be formal occasions when you meet since you will likely be acquiring more belongings lecturers from local universities, or attend functions while abroad. Usually only one carry-on is permitted with homestay families and other guests. For these on the plane: we recommend a small daypack, occasions, you will need to dress in a more formal which will also be useful for short excursions when style. This means a nice dress and dress on the program. for women, nice pants and shirt and good shoes for If carrying prescription medications, you should men. carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any For traveling, you should bring wash-and-wear and concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the light-colored clothes that you can wash by hand and “General Health Tips” section in the Safety, dry quickly. It may get cold during the excursions to Security, and Health pre-departure document. the north or in the mountains, so you should bring Please check the current requirements of the some warmer items, such as and Transportation Security Administration . Dampness and the lack of heating (http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline can make it feel colder than it is. on which you are flying for domestic and Tailor-made garments are inexpensive in Vietnam. international baggage restrictions. You may want to pack less and have things made. CLOTHING GUIDELINES For the rainy season, you will need a rain or a rain (which can be easily bought in Vietnam is becoming more open to contemporary Vietnam). influences and global trends, but you will find that the for college students is still conservative. By following local customs, you will EQUIPMENT show your respect for the people you meet here. Students do not need to bring bed linens or pillows, Even on a hot day, long and short-sleeved though they should bring one towel. Students also and , long pants and are good choices do not need sleeping bags, tents, or other camping for most occasions, especially when you might meet equipment. Students can bring mosquito nets, but people older than yourself. In most situations, you many rooms use electric fans as a method of should avoid sleeveless shirts, short skirts, keeping mosquitoes off your body. and torn clothing. These can be considered very It is a good rule whenever you travel to pack all your disrespectful, and so if you wear them, it is possible gear inside your pack in Ziploc and/or garbage you may be criticized – even by complete strangers! bags. If you are bringing expensive camera gear, Keep in mind you should wear proper clothes when have a strategy to protect your camera and lenses you visit religious sites. from moisture and humidity. You should wear clothing to class on all campuses of different colleges/universities COMPUTERS AND OTHER throughout the semester, although and t-shirts ELECTRONICS may be fine with some of your younger teachers. It is required that you bring a laptop computer. If you You can wear less formal clothing when you are in bring a laptop, the computer will be your personal your hotel or homestay, but please use your property and responsibility. It is recommended that

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you insure your computer, smartphone, or other GIFTS valuables for full coverage in the event of loss or As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared with theft. SIT is not responsible for any duty tax you a gift to offer your homestay family in gratitude for may have to pay when you enter the country, theft, their hospitality and as a means to share a part of or loss. your culture with them. We suggest one or two gifts It is required for students to bring their laptops with that the whole family can enjoy. You may also wish them on the program. If you bring your laptop or to consider gifts for people outside your homestay other portable computing devices, you will be 100% family. Try to choose gifts that represent you or the responsible for any item you bring. Be aware that part of the country and/or community you live in. theft can occur, if you leave your laptop unattended. Think about what your city, state, or local artisans Not all computer manufacturers have service produce. Draw upon your personal interests or centers in Vietnam, so even if your computer is hobbies for ideas. Pack a couple of small gifts for covered by an international warranty, service may not always be available. Students in the past who children, such as small games, bubbles, or a have had computer problems have not been able to Frisbee. Even if your homestay family does not have get their computers repaired in a timely manner small children, chances are that you will engage here. If your computer breaks down, you will still be with children in your homestay community. Once expected to soldier on and do your work. Make sure you are on the program and learn more about the that you back up all data prior to your departure. local culture, you will discover other ways to thank Keep in mind that you might need to have a two your family. Remember to bring pictures of your prong adapter if your computer has a three prong friends and family to share. grounded plug because most of the wall outlets in Vietnam are equipped with two ground prong. Gifts are an important form of social interaction in Vietnam. Successful lightweight gifts in the past It is recommended you have insurance against theft have been framed photographs of yourself or family, or breakage. All students should be aware of the T-shirts, calendars or posters with scenes of your image they present if they are carrying costly home locations. CDs, small musical instruments electronics, including an iPod and digital camera. All electronics should be kept out-of-sight. (harmonicas, recorders, etc.), match box cars, small toys, fancy soaps and cosmetics, shampoos, lotions Internet cafes are quite common now where and bottles of perfume have also been popular gift students can have access to Wi-Fi services. The items for homestay brothers and sisters. great majority of computers in Vietnam are PCs. These facilities also allow customers to transfer Photographs of you, your family and friends, your digital photos from cameras to flash drives or blank home, school or town, are an excellent means of CDs. You should bring your camera docking cord if bridging language and cultural gaps. When you would like to transfer photos. selecting photographs to share with those you meet When using public computers, you are cautioned to in Vietnam, you should remain aware of Vietnamese save your work frequently and send it to yourself as attitudes regarding dress and displays of affection an email attachment from time to time. You should between men and women. It may be taken as a sign also be familiar with anti-virus software and use it of disrespect rather than informality to appear regularly. disheveled or untidily dressed. Photos of women in Please see the following website for information will not likely result in greater cultural about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. understanding, but instead lead to greater confusion http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/.If you plan over what are already many conceptions of women to bring electrical equipment you will need to bring a in the West. Similarly, photos in which men and voltage adapter and plug converter. The voltage in women openly display affection for each other can Vietnam is 220v, AC 50 Hz. There can be frequent often result in embarrassment and/or discomfort to power surges, and the current is not always stable Vietnamese unaccustomed to what appears to them to be inappropriate public behavior or a serious

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relationship. Extreme affluence, as demonstrated by http://studyabroad.sit.edu/admitted- photos of many homes, cars, and boats may also students/contact-a-former-student/. have an effect of which you should be aware.

Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page! These packing guidelines are based on suggestions from past students and your academic director.

WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY In Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) you will be able to obtain film (it is not overly expensive), soap, toilet paper, cosmetics, deodorant, razor blades and other items but specific brands may not be available. Indeed, most basic consumer items are available in Vietnam. Sun hats are very nice to wear in HCMC. If you do not have a wide brim there is a better selection and variety in Vietnam. If you have a bigger than average head, you may want to purchase one before arriving in Vietnam. ALUMNI CONTACTS If you have further questions, please contact your admissions counselor and/or ask an alumni contact:

SIT Study Abroad - 13 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019

PACKING LIST

GENERAL o An extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses, if worn o Loose pants o Plenty of contact lens cleaning solution, if used o T-shirts or blouses (anything light, long and o Eye drops (the dusty and polluted air is quite loose) irritating) o and light jacket or o Hand and face lotion, lip moisturizer o Dressy outfit for presentations, dinners, o Tampons (not available in Vietnam) professional meetings o Several pairs of longer, moderate-length shorts - OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS no short shorts please! o Nightgown/ (light for sleeping) o o Underwear - (two week supply) - 100% cotton o (poncho can be bought in Vietnam and are recommended to avoid skin is good for bike riding in rain) rashes, infections, and other irritations o Luggage locks for your bags o A few pairs of o Insect repellent with DEET of 20/30% for use on o Walking sandals good for rain and mud, such as skin and 100% DEET or Permethrin for use on Tevas (not flip flops) clothing o Flip-flops for shower o Plenty of sunscreen o Tennis shoes o Travel alarm clock and/or o Nice shoes for presentations, dinners and o Notebook and paper, journal and pens professional meetings (closed-toe is best) o Daypack o Hiking o Homestay gifts o Photos of friends/family to share with homestay family TRAVEL DOCUMENTS o Discreet-sized money - important o Digital camera o Passport o Yellow WHO Card (see the Safety, Security, and Health document for more information) OPTIONAL o Two photocopies of your passport, stored o Linens: A travel sheet is very helpful and a separately from your actual passport lightweight towel and washcloth (most o Photocopy of visa hotels/guest houses in Vietnam provide one per guest, but the dormitory in Hoa An during the HEALTH/TOILETRIES Mekong Delta Excursion) o Athletic/running clothing o An adequate supply of any medication you use o Novels (bring a few so that you can trade with regularly including birth control (drugs for use classmates; novels can be hard to find) other than for medical purposes is strictly o Ear-plugs forbidden on your program and strict penalties o CD/MP3 player/recorder and favorite music are in effect) o A list of any medications you are currently taking with the generic name of each (if there is one) o Small first aid kit with band-aids, hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic cleanser/alcohol pads, moist Remember to place all valuable items towelettes, rehydration salts or powder form of and any prescriptions in your carry-on Gatorade, and over-the-counter drugs for minor luggage while traveling and all sharp pain, diarrhea, anti-itching, and motion sickness, items in your checked luggage. as approved by your doctor (chewable tablets when possible as water is not always available) o Multi-vitamins

SIT Study Abroad - 14 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines5/17/2019