Vietnam: Nongovernmental Organization Internship Summer 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 3 CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY ...... 3 LOCAL CUSTOMS ...... 3 DIET ...... 4 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH ...... 5 ACCOMMODATIONS...... 5 TRANSPORTATION ...... 6 COMMUNICATION ...... 6 PHONES AND E-MAIL ...... 6 MAILINGS ...... 7 MONEY ...... 8 VISITORS AND FREE TIME ...... 8 PACKING GUIDELINES ...... 9 LUGGAGE ...... 9 CLOTHING GUIDELINES ...... 9 EQUIPMENT ...... 10 COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS .... 10 GIFTS ...... 10 WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY ...... 11 ALUMNI CONTACTS ...... 11 PACKING LIST ...... 12

SIT Study Abroad - 2 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020

COUNTRY OVERVIEW It is characterized by strong monsoon GENERAL INFORMATION influences, but has a considerable amount of is located on the eastern edge of mainland sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity. Asia. It is bordered by and lies entirely within the tropics, to the west, China to the north and the South which has two main seasons: the wet and the China Sea to the east. The population of Vietnam is dry. The wet season is May to November. estimated at 90 million, making it the 13th most During this period, there are heavy, short lived populous country in the world. There are 54 ethnic downpours almost daily. The dry season is minority groups in the country, but 86% of the December to April. April and May are very hot. population is ethnically Vietnamese. Hats are essential to avoid sunstroke. After opening to foreign investment in a series of economic and political reforms begun in 1986 and LOCAL CUSTOMS continuing until today, Vietnam has had one of the Most of the Vietnamese in urban areas no longer strongest economies in Asia over the past decade bow when they meet each other. The custom of and has recently become a member of the World handshaking is now achieving popularity due to the 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 Western influence in the country. Men will generally state, with a President and Prime Minister elected shake hands and say the equivalent of "how are by the National Assembly. The National Assembly of you" and tip their hats when greeting people. Vietnam is the unicameral legislature of the Women, especially those in the countryside, still shy government, composed of 498 members. It is away from shaking hands, especially with men from superior to both the executive and judicial branches 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 name and a personal or given name. The order is reverse to the American custom. For instance, Miss Hoang Ngoc Van. Hoang is the family name. We CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY would call her Miss Van. Vietnam has a diverse climate because of its have a habit of not looking into wide range of latitude and altitudes. Vietnam is your eyes when they talk to you. This is often located in both a tropical and a temperate zone. because of shyness, but one of the main reasons is that traditionally they do not look into the eyes of SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 those they respect or those higher in rank when food culture has been adapted in striking ways. talking to them. This indicates politeness. There is an emphasis on fresh vegetables and herbs, often served in a broth or light sauce. The The smile of a Vietnamese can be very confusing in most common meats used in Vietnam to an outsider and cause are pork, beef, prawns, various kinds of fish, and misunderstandings. In Vietnam, it may indicate a chicken. polite, but perhaps skeptical reaction to something, compliance or toleration of a blunder or Ho Chi Minh City offers a fantastic range of food misunderstanding or on occasion represents choices that can compete with any world city – submission to judgment that may be wrong or unfair. ranging from small outdoor food stalls, to Asian, This is particularly true if the one making the European and American-style restaurants, and even judgment is at a superior level and perhaps has lost some familiar fast food chains. A good choice for his temper. For instance, a laundress may ruin a breakfast is the world-renowned pho, a noodle soup favorite shirt and is called in by her employer to be usually made with beef or chicken. Lunch will asked about it. She may smile. This does not mean typically consist of rice with meat or fish, plus a side that she thinks it is funny that she burned the shirt, vegetable dish and soup. Bread, or more specifically but instead is submission to the fact. If the owner of the baguette (banh mi) or sandwiches with pâté and the shirt loses his temper, she may keep smiling other fillings are also common quick meals. indicating politeness or patience with superiors. Vietnamese dinners are often more elaborate, including several shared meat and vegetable Because of this, foreigners should be very cautious dishes, usually accompanied by rice and soup. in voicing their opinions and perhaps be a little more delicate, more tolerant and restrain from being obstinate. Though it is possible to maintain a vegetarian diet while in Vietnam, you may wish to ask whether fish or meat products have been added to vegetable DIET dishes. Fish and fish products are somewhat SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning unavoidable in Vietnamese cuisine and therefore opportunities where students become embedded in students with severe fish allergies and who are strict their host community. As such, we strive to vegetarians and do not eat fish or fish products, accommodate serious food allergies where possible might want to consider a different location. For but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions strictly vegetarians, keep your eyes peeled for or non-medically mandated diets can be premises with a "Com Chay" sign. The food in those accommodated. vegetarian eateries often contains meat-like chunks or slices, but they are imaginative creations using Students are encouraged to participate in the local tofu, pulses or soya beans. food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss Elsewhere, the situation is somewhat more difficult. out on an important part of your host culture. Due to The words "vegetable" and "vegetarian" are often the unique living and learning community central to confused in Vietnam, and even though menus may all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and have a vegetarian section, the dishes listed tend to eating communally (including with your host family) be along the lines of spinach with beef, cabbage from the program experience. Please consider local with chicken and so on. Even without the added meat, the vegetables are often cooked with fish diet seriously when selecting your program of sauce or shrimp paste. Fried rice often contains tiny choice. Your admissions counselor is a great pieces of pork and noodles may be fried with pork resource in better understanding the local diet. fat and splashed with fish sauce. Vegetable pho (noodle soup) is invariably made with chicken or beef stock.

In addition to the "Com Chay," which translates as vegetarian rice, look for "Mon Chay" on the menus, which translates as vegetarian dishes and is more common. Vietnamese cuisine shows diversity from north to south, as well as similarities with Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Even French cuisine and SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 Realize that there are a good number of Buddhists The traffic in Vietnam is chaotic, and it is important in Viet Nam, (not as many as people think because to be alert and careful at all times when moving in ancestor worship is not Buddhism, but that's a traffic, walking or crossing the street. One of the different story) and staunch Buddhists are strict greatest risks to your safety is traffic and vehicular vegetarians. You will be able to find plenty of good accidents. food to eat, and everywhere you go, fresh fruit is During your time in Vietnam, you will have many plentiful. opportunities to make Vietnamese friends and socialize with local students. However, please be In Ho Chi Minh City, you will find restaurant Italian aware that unforeseen misunderstandings can occur dishes along with the more traditional fare. due to cultural differences. Traditional, conservative Veganism is practiced by some Vietnamese family values play a role in Vietnamese society at all Buddhists, particularly on festival days, and there levels, and as a result, dating between Vietnamese are some vegan restaurants. and foreigners can be the subject of severe criticism. When you socialize with local Vietnamese For those wishing to remain Kosher, pork is a friends, be very sensitive to the traditional cultural popular meat and flavoring, but milk and dairy expectations of your friends, your homestay family, products are rarely used in cooking. Yogurt is your teachers and others. Do not hesitate to talk to available and often used in blended fruit drinks. program staff about any questions or concerns. SAFETY, SECURITY, AND During orientation, you will be given contact information for several recommended clinics and HEALTH hospitals. Vietnam has good medical services and Maintaining good health is critical to having a most illnesses can be treated at the international successful semester. To help you do that, we have clinics or national hospitals. Some hospitals in provided Requirements for your program. 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 phone or a counselor/psychiatrist in Hanoi Capital.

It is very important that you read the Health Guidelines ACCOMMODATIONS and Requirements document as early as possible For the first week of the summer program, you will and examine it with your medical provider. The stay at the AU LAC Hotel, 90 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai guidelines include recommended immunizations; a suggested calendar for immunizations and other Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. You will share a prophylaxes; and valuable information on how to room with another student. The rooms are furnished avoid exposure to common carriers of disease. with beds, wardrobes, writing tables, televisions and all have bathroom facilities (towels and sheets are Students are thoroughly briefed on safety provided). Au Lac Hotel is also very close to the SIT considerations during in-country orientation and are Center. updated throughout the semester if and when circumstances change. For information regarding After one week, you might stay at other guest safety and security, emergency communications, houses or homestay nearby the NGOs or SIT policies, health and personal property institutions. The SIT program staff and relevant insurance, and general program tips, please read organizations will help you choose rooms or the Safety, Security, and Health document and homestay families to reduce the travel/commuting. If Student Handbook. you choose to stay at the FSC Guest House or other

SIT Study Abroad - 5 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 guest houses near the program center, you might motorbike while wearing a helmet. Any violation of commute with the public bus system within Ho Chi the waiver and/or policy may result in immediate Minh City as the bus network has expanded in dismissal from the program. different areas of the city. COMMUNICATION TRANSPORTATION While you may want to be in regular communication Vietnam has a comprehensive transportation with friends and family from home during the term system ranging from jets, trains and buses to cars, abroad, please bear in mind that different time scooters, bicycles, and three-wheeled motorized zones, unreliable phone lines, and changing buggies. Transportation depends on the region and program activities can complicate communication. its economics. The traffic pattern will probably seem It’s important to be clear with family and friends chaotic to you at first because the roads aren’t very about your availability during the term. Many wide and traffic moves quickly without an apparent students recommend making an appointment to call system; however, having grown up within this home or to receive a call. You should also consider system, local people follow a group sense of order, the impact of constant communication with friends which you will pick up on after a short time. For and family at home on your cultural immersion. example, horns are used as a warning to others. Keep in mind that in larger towns and cities, air and PHONES AND E-MAIL noise pollution may be a problem because it is not As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and regulated and the number of motorized vehicles on security, all students are required to have a working the roads is increasing each year. cell phone capable of making and receiving both local and international calls throughout the duration It is recommended that students commute to class of the program. For that purpose students are each day by the frequent public buses. You also required to bring a smart phone from the U.S and have the option of travel by taxi, bicycle, or either a) confirm they have an open phone thus motorcycle. enabling you to insert a local SIM card into your For many years, SIT Study Abroad participants have U.S. phone upon arrival or b) bring along a dual SIM been prohibited from riding as a passenger on card smartphone. Your local SIT motorbikes at any time during their study abroad Study Abroad staff will assist you during orientation program. In fact, on most of our programs, students to purchase an appropriate local SIM card and are strictly forbidden from riding as passenger and required minimum minutes for calls and texting. SIT can be immediately dismissed from the program if Study Abroad requires that each student has a local they do so. In all programs, students are prohibited number for communication with the homestay from driving motorbikes. family, program staff, etc.

In recent years however, as public transportation While we recognize that alternative communication options have changed, motorbikes are becoming methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. one of the dominant forms of transportation in facetime, skype, WhatsApp, etc. those do not satisfy Vietnam. As a result of this shift, SIT Study Abroad our need for regular communication with the local staff have evaluated the risks and instituted a policy program staff and partners nor do they meet our that permits students to choose to travel as emergency communication needs. Therefore, local passenger on motorbikes under limited cellular capacity on each student’s phone is required circumstances and only in certain localities where for the duration of the program. Full compliance with motorbikes are the dominant mode of transportation this policy is expected. Students are responsible for for local people. maintaining a minimum number of credits, keeping All students will undergo an orientation to the their phones charged and on their person at all motorbike culture in Vietnam, and will receive times. instructions on how to ride a motorbike and visually identify a mechanically sound bike and driver. Telecommunications is not cheap in Vietnam and Students will be required to sign a waiver before international phone calls are expensive, however, using motorbike transportation, and may only ride a access to local and international phone lines is easy SIT Study Abroad - 6 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 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 Ho Chi Minh City you will find a range of access to local and international MAILINGS phone lines, but should have reliable access, unless Unlike receiving a package here in the US, receiving you choose to pursue an internship placement in a a package at your program site is usually remote location. SIT students can also make calls at expensive and problematic. Customs agents must the post office, though these rates can be rather inspect all packages and you, as the recipient, are high. 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 track the package. Some students may currently be using a phone that is compatible with the Vietnamese cellular phone If it is necessary for someone to send you mail then networks. Check your phone to see if it is functional posted letters and packages should be sent to the on a GSM 900/1800 network, and has an unlocked following address: SIM card. You may need to contact your provider to Student Name have it unlocked. SIT Center, 49 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Zip Code: 70 000. Keep in mind the time difference when calling or receiving an international call. Vietnam is 12 hours Tel: 84 28 3910 0423 ahead of EST, 11 hours ahead during Daylight Savings Time (April - October). In Vietnamese….. Most places that you stay in Vietnam will offer internet services, and many places have wireless Student Name internet available. In addition, there are some up- Trung tâm SIT, số 49 đường Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Zip Code: 70 000 market coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City with Tel: 84 28 3910 0423 wireless Internet access. There will be times during the semester, particularly when on excursion, when you will not have Internet access. For this program [Packages should be sent to the following address we expect all students to bring their own laptop to via DHL or FedEx. Vietnam. Students take full responsibility for their own belongings. [Student Name SIT Center, 49 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1, Ho Note: Using pen and paper to communicate with Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Zip Code: 70 000. home is encouraged! In these days of instant communication, this mode allows you to retain your Tel: 84 28 3910 0423 cultural immersion while still sharing your In Vietnamese….. SIT Study Abroad - 7 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 Student Name regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform these Trung tâm SIT, số 49 đường Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, companies that you will be away, they will often Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Zip Code: 70 000 assume the card has been lost or stolen and will put Tel: 84 28 3910 0423 an immediate hold on the card. You should also check on costs of withdrawal, as these costs vary and can sometimes be very expensive. Renewing MONEY and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program on the program will be an expensive and highly fees cover room and board throughout the program. inconvenient process. Before you leave for your When room and/or board are not taken with the program, please check the expiration dates on your group, students will be given a stipend to cover cards to ensure that they will not expire while you related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting are abroad. It is also very important that you make costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the photocopies of all your debit/credit card information normal program itinerary. During the Internship and leave them with someone you trust in case your period, students will receive a stipend for basic room card(s) is/are lost or stolen. and board only, based on the cost of living at the Following are suggestions for spending money program base. Any domestic travel, interpretation during the program, including estimates for services, or supplies necessary for the textbooks, ISP-related expenses, medical expenses, Internship are the students’ responsibility. personal spending, and gifts. Figures are based on Please plan accordingly. recent student evaluations, though individual Vietnamese Dong can be purchased in some large spending habits vary widely and these costs are U.S. banks, but it is also very easy to get upon averages. arrival in Vietnam. Students may exchange U.S. A suggested total amount of money to budget currency or withdraw Vietnamese Dong from an ranges from US$800 to $1,000. To determine where ATM machine inside the international airport in Ho you might fall in this range, please examine your Chi Minh City upon arrival. 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 Internship or a specific personal expense. Please budget approximately:

Personal spending (from past student suggestions): 300 USD

Books, printing, supplies: (includes printing and binding of ISP) 100 USD ATM machines are in abundance throughout Vietnam. Accessing money should not be a problem Up-front medical costs: 100 USD for you. Many restaurants, large department stores Per visit and tourist boutiques take major credit cards, such Potential Internship travel 250 USD as Visa and MasterCard. A Visa or MasterCard can expenses: also be helpful in emergencies, medical or otherwise. Estimated total: 850 USD For your valuable items, such as passports, air- tickets, major credit cards, you should ask the SIT program staff to place them in the safe box. Otherwise, you can put these in the locked box in VISITORS AND FREE TIME your room. SIT strongly discourages and will not provide Check current exchange rates: support for any visitors to students during the http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and If using a debit and/or credit card, you should the disruption that such visits cause in program flow contact your bank and/or credit card companies and group dynamics. Students should be sure that SIT Study Abroad - 8 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020 relatives and friends are aware of this policy and you may have. For example, if you must keep in that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal shape for your next athletic season, or if you play a conclusion of the program. Students will not be musical instrument and want to know whether to excused from program components to attend to bring it, we can help you to understand your visitors. See the Attendance and Participation schedule and any concerns or limitations that may section of the Student Handbook. exist. Please note that any visitors during the course of If you wish to leave the program site for any reason, the program must plan their own independent you must give your proposed travel plans in writing accommodations; SIT Study Abroad homestay to the Academic Director for approval before families can accommodate only their assigned departure. No travel outside the country is permitted student and, due to cultural and contractual during the program. Further details regarding the understandings with SIT, should not be asked to independent travel policy can be found in the Student Handbook. host students’ guests.

During the program, students follow an intense schedule of classes and field-based learning assignments, even during the Internship. Free time for pursuing an independent interest or hobby during the program will be limited. Your admissions counselor can advise you about particular interests

the dress code for college students is still PACKING GUIDELINES conservative. By following local customs, you will show your respect for the people you meet here.

Even on a hot day, long and short-sleeved shirts LUGGAGE and blouses, long pants and skirts are good choices Please pack lightly and include only necessary for most occasions, especially when you might meet items. You should be able to carry all your luggage people older than yourself. In most situations, you significant distances on your own. Try to minimize should avoid sleeveless shirts, short skirts, shorts both the number of bags and weight of your bag(s) and torn clothing. These can be considered very since you will likely be acquiring more belongings disrespectful, and so if you wear them, it is possible while abroad. Usually only one carry-on is permitted you may be criticized – even by complete strangers! on the plane: we recommend a small daypack, Keep in mind you should wear proper clothes when which will also be useful for short excursions when you visit religious sites. on the program. You should wear smart casual clothing to class on If carrying prescription medications, you should all campuses of different colleges/universities carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any throughout the semester, although jeans and t-shirts concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the may be fine with some of your younger teachers. “General Health Tips” section in the Safety, You can wear less formal clothing when you are in Security, and Health pre-departure document. your hotel or homestay, but please use your Please check the current requirements of the judgment when going out with friends, since you Transportation Security Administration might encounter situations where conservative (http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline dress is more appropriate. There are many on which you are flying for domestic and inexpensive markets to buy any clothes you might international baggage restrictions. need, although larger-sized clothes and shoes are not readily available. CLOTHING GUIDELINES There will be formal occasions when you meet Vietnam is becoming more open to contemporary lecturers from local universities, or attend functions influences and global trends, but you will find that with homestay families and other guests. For these occasions, you will need to dress in a more formal SIT Study Abroad - 9 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020

style. This means a nice dress and dress sandals not always be available. Students in the past who for women, nice pants and shirt and good shoes for have had computer problems have not been able to men. get their computers repaired in a timely manner here. If your computer breaks down, you will still be For traveling, you should bring wash-and-wear and expected to soldier on and do your work. Make sure light-colored clothes that you can wash by hand and that you back up all data prior to your departure. dry quickly. It may get cold during the excursions to Keep in mind that you might need to have a two the north or in the mountains, so you should bring prong adapter if your computer has a three prong some warmer items, such as sweaters and grounded plug because most of the wall outlets in windbreakers. Dampness and the lack of heating Vietnam are equipped with two ground prong. can make it feel colder than it is. It is recommended you have insurance against theft Tailor-made garments are inexpensive in Vietnam. or breakage. All students should be aware of the You may want to pack less and have things made. image they present if they are carrying costly electronics, including an iPod and digital camera. All For the rainy season, you will need a rain jacket or a electronics should be kept out-of-sight. rain poncho (which can be easily bought in Internet cafes are quite common now where Vietnam). students can have access to Wi-Fi services. The great majority of computers in Vietnam are PCs. EQUIPMENT These facilities also allow customers to transfer Students do not need to bring bed linens or pillows, digital photos from cameras to flash drives or blank though they should bring one towel. Students also CDs. You should bring your camera docking cord if do not need sleeping bags, tents, or other camping you would like to transfer photos. equipment. Students can bring mosquito nets, but When using public computers, you are cautioned to many rooms use electric fans as a method of save your work frequently and send it to yourself as keeping mosquitoes off your body. an email attachment from time to time. You should also be familiar with anti-virus software and use it It is a good rule whenever you travel to pack all your regularly. gear inside your pack in Ziploc and/or garbage bags. If you are bringing expensive camera gear, Please see the following website for information have a strategy to protect your camera and lenses about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/.If you plan from moisture and humidity. to bring electrical equipment you will need to bring a voltage adapter and plug converter. The voltage in COMPUTERS AND OTHER Vietnam is 220v, AC 50 Hz. There can be frequent ELECTRONICS power surges, and the current is not always stable It is required that you bring a laptop computer. If you bring a laptop, the computer will be your personal GIFTS property and responsibility. It is recommended that As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared with you insure your computer, smartphone, or other a gift to offer your host organization in gratitude for valuables for full coverage in the event of loss or their hospitality and as a means to share a part of theft. SIT is not responsible for any duty tax you your culture with them. We suggest one or two gifts may have to pay when you enter the country, theft, that the whole NGOs can enjoy. Try to choose gifts or loss. that represent you or the part of the country and/or community you live in. Think about what your city, It is required for students to bring their laptops with state, or local artisans produce. Draw upon your them on the program. If you bring your laptop or personal interests or hobbies for ideas. Once you other portable computing devices, you will be 100% are on the program and learn more about the local responsible for any item you bring. Be aware that culture, you will discover other ways to thank your theft can occur, if you leave your laptop unattended. Not all computer manufacturers have service family. Remember to bring pictures of your friends centers in Vietnam, so even if your computer is and family to share. covered by an international warranty, service may SIT Study Abroad - 10 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines2/26/2020

Gifts are an important form of social interaction in Vietnam. Successful lightweight gifts in the past have been framed photographs of yourself or family, T-shirts, calendars or posters with scenes of your home locations. CDs, small musical instruments (harmonicas, recorders, etc.), match box cars, small toys, fancy soaps and cosmetics, shampoos, lotions and bottles of perfume have also been popular gift items for homestay brothers and sisters. Photographs of you, your family and friends, your home, school or town, are an excellent means of bridging language and cultural gaps. When selecting photographs to share with those you meet in Vietnam, you should remain aware of Vietnamese attitudes regarding dress and displays of affection between men and women. It may be taken as a sign of disrespect rather than informality to appear disheveled or untidily dressed. Photos of women in bikinis will not likely result in greater cultural understanding, but instead lead to greater confusion over what are already many conceptions of women in the West. Similarly, photos in which men and women openly display affection for each other can often result in embarrassment and/or discomfort to Vietnamese unaccustomed to what appears to them http://studyabroad.sit.edu/admitted- to be inappropriate public behavior or a serious students/contact-a-former-student/. relationship. Extreme affluence, as demonstrated by photos of many homes, cars, and boats may also Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page! have an effect of which you should be aware. These packing guidelines are based on suggestions WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT from past students and your academic director. OBTAIN IN COUNTRY In Ho Chi Minh City 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 Hanoi. If you do not have a wide brim hat 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:

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PACKING LIST

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

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