A Mission in Understanding to Vietnam and Cambodia

A Mission in Understanding to the
Republic of Vietnam and the
Kingdom of Cambodia

People to People Ambassador Programs promote friendly relations among all countries through the medium of scientific, professional, and technical exchange. The roots of People to People Ambassador Programs reach back to 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded People to People. Eisenhower's perspective as Supreme Allied Commander and President led to his belief that private citizens reaching out in friendship to the people of other nations could make a significant contribution to world peace.

In his "Report to the Nation" following the Geneva summit talks, President Eisenhower called for "increased visits by citizens of one country to another to give each the fullest opportunity to learn about the people of other nations..." Over the years, Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton have served as Honorary Chairman of People to People International.

During the second week of November 2002, People to People Ambassador Programs sponsored a Mission in Understanding to Vietnam and Cambodia.

ITINERARY
Day 1 -- Saturday, November 9th	The delegation convened in San Francisco at the Airport Marriott for a program orientation and departure briefing. Following a dinner, the delegation transferred to the airport.
Day 2 -- Sunday, November 10th	The delegation departed San Francisco on Cathay Pacific and crossed the International Dateline.
Day 3 -- Monday, November 11th	Morning - Arrived in Hong Kong, made a connection and arrived in Hanoi. Afternoon and Evening - Explored the city independently and visited the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, better known to Americans as the infamous Hanoi Hilton.
Day 4 -- Tuesday, November 12th	Morning - Visited Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) and the Ethnology Museum Afternoon - Visited the Temple of Literature and took a Cyclo-Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. Evening - Attended a Water Puppet Show.
Day 5 -- Wednesday, November 13th	Morning - Participated in the presentation of a children's library at the Thuong Hien School, Kien Xuong District, Thai Binh Province, southeast of Hanoi. Afternoon - Briefed by personnel from the United States Embassy.
Day 6 -- Thursday, November 14th	Spent the day traveling independently by train from Hanoi to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Day 7 -- Friday, November 15th	Visited the Mekong Delta on a day-trip with the delegation. Explored Saigon independently.
Day 8 -- Saturday, November 16th	Morning - Flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia on Vietnam Airlines. Visited the Center for Khmer Studies and the Angkor Conservatory. Afternoon - Visited the "Great City" of Angkor Thom.
Day 9 -- Sunday, November 17th	Morning - Rode an elephant by the elephant terrace and through the gates at Angkor Thom. Visited the Royal City of Preah Khan and Angkor Wat. Afternoon - Traveled further out in the country to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Evening - Attended a performance at a local theatre.
Day 10 -- Monday, November 18th	Morning - Flew to Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Siem Reap Airways. Visited the Royal Palace and the National Museum. Afternoon - Did some shopping at the Russian Market and traveled out to the sobering Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Evening - Attended our farewell banquet.
Day 11 -- Tuesday, November 19th	Morning - Briefed by US Embassy personnel at our hotel. Afternoon - Independently visited the chilling Tuol Sleng Holocaust Museum. Evening - Flew to Hong Kong on a Dragon Air flight.
Day 12 -- Wednesday, November 20th	Morning - Visited the city of Hong Kong and did some fast sightseeing and shopping. Afternoon - Flew back to San Francisco, crossed the International Dateline once again and got back to the US before we left Hong Kong.