The Ties Program VIETNAM Adoption- Family Homeland Travel

Vietnam Ties allows for families who would like to:

Visit both the southern & the northern part of Vietnam (Vietnam Ties Flagship Program)
Visit the southern part of Vietnam, aka Vietnam Ties Lite-South
Visit the northern part of Vietnam, aka Vietnam Ties Lite-North

Central Vietnam can be added to any program.

Vietnam Ties Flagship and Vietnam Ties Lite-South Participants:

Fly into Saigon.
Gather for an orientation meeting, a chance to connect with the other families and discuss the journey ahead.
Visit the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office.
Tour Giac Vien Pagoda and Thien Hau Temple to learn about the country’s Buddhist traditions.
Shop at boutique stores, one of many department stores, or at the amazing Cho Ben Than Market, possibly for a traditional Ao Dai.
Learn about culture and lifestyle from specially chosen guides who will be open to sharing.
Eat scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine.
Free time, Connect & Chat for adoptees, and Talk Time for parents throughout the trip.

For some families, Saigon will be the jumping off point for the “Centerpiece of your Adoption Homeland Journey.” While on adoption visits, families will:

Travel by airplane, train or car to their destination, and be met with driver and English speaking guide.
Visit the adoptee’s orphanage, meet caregivers, return to finding sites and re-connect with other people and places important to your family.
See sites in the area, according to your interests.
Birth family search and reunion is sometimes possible.
Bask in the messages of the journey as The Ties Program oversees the travel details including transportation, translators, and hotel arrangements.
Among the many places families have visited: Tam Binh Orphanage, Can Tho Orphanage, Soc Trang Orphanage, Kien Giang Orphanage, and many other orphanages throughout Vietnam.
If your adoption connections are elsewhere in Vietnam, The Ties Program will help with those arrangements too.

Resuming your travels…

Cruise the Mekong Delta waterways on a sampan, stopping to enjoy popcorn making, rice cakes, coconut candy and rice paper!
Make friends with a local farm family when you can be part of donating a sampan through Ties Program sister 501(c)(3) organization, World Ties.
Take a boat ride to Cai Rang, where you will see a colorful floating market!

Vietnam Ties Lite-South families will return to Saigon for flights home. Vietnam Ties Flagship participants will continue to Hanoi.

Vietnam Ties Flagship and Vietnam Ties Lite-North Participants:

Fly to Hanoi.
Gather for an orientation meeting, a chance to connect with the other families, and discuss the experience ahead.
Explore One Pillar Pagoda the Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (if open).
Tour the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups.
Shop for gorgeous made-in-Vietnam items, including traditional Ao Dai.
Have fun checking out the Old Quarter of Hanoi and beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake.
Visit an SOS Children’s Village and go toe-to-toe with the children in a game of soccer!
Learn about culture and lifestyle from specially chosen guides who will be open to sharing.
Enjoy free time, optional Connect & Chat for adoptees, and Talk Time for parents throughout the trip.
Eat scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine!

For some families, Hanoi will be the jumping off point for the “Centerpiece of your Adoption Homeland Journey.” While on adoption visits, families will:

Travel by airplane, train or car to their destination, and be met with driver and English speaking guide.
Visit your child’s orphanage, meet caregivers, return to finding sites and re-connect with other people and places important to your family.
See sites in the area, according to your interests.
Birth family search and reunion is sometimes possible.
Bask in the messages of the journey as The Ties Program oversees the travel details including transportation, translators, and hotel arrangements.
Families sometimes visit the site of former Tu Liem Orphanage (aka Cau Giay), the former Claudia Hotel, as well as the delightful Mrs. Thuy, Dr. Vinh and Dr. Hong. Other families visit the northern provinces of Vietnam. Excursions are common to provinces like Hoa Binh, Pho Tho and Lang Son, but other provinces are possible as well.
If your adoption connections are elsewhere in Vietnam, The Ties Program will help with those arrangements too.

Resuming your travels…

You are off to one of the most magnificent natural wonders of Vietnam: Halong Bay! There’s opportunities to kayak, hike, and even participate in a cooking class while you enjoy the scenery of over 3000 islands from the houseboat.

We end with a festive farewell dinner, providing closure to this life changing experience.