After the success of the first Westminster in Vietnam travel course in 2016, a second trip has been planned for May 2018. 

Westminster students, alumni, and friends of the college are invited to join Professors Mark Boulton and Tobias Gibson in studying the United States’ involvement in what remains one of its longest and most controversial wars. For fifteen days the group will travel ‘in country’ with veterans of the conflict and Vietnamese guides, visiting some the key battlefields of the war. Participants will also take time to stop and embrace the people, the culture, and the stunning natural environments of this incredible country. See some of the highlights from the 2016 trip and a rough itinerary of the 2018 trip below.

“This is one of those rare opportunities that few other colleges or professions provide,” says Professor Boulton. “As you are making your college plans for the coming year and beyond, please consider joining us on what will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Students can receive three hours of college credit in either History, Security Studies, Transnational Studies, Asian Studies, or Political Science, comprised of a 2 credit hour trailing to be taken in Spring 2018 and 1 credit hour for the trip. The class will count toward students’ General Education cultural awareness Tier II requirement and/or an “upper-level outside of the major” course requirement.

An information meeting for the trip will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. in Hazel 112 on Westminster’s campus. A pizza lunch will be provided.

Email Professor Boulton at mark.boulton@westminster-mo.edu for more information.

Tentative Itinerary for May 2018 Vietnam Travel Course (subject to change)

Day 1-2 (Wed/Thur) Depart Houston

Day 3 (Fri) Arrive in Hanoi
War Museum
John McCain Monument
Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

Day 4 (Sat) Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Mausoleum closed Friday and Monday)
Ho Chi Minh House
HaLong Bay (4 Hour Drive)

Day 5 (Sun) Halong Bay Boat
Hanoi/Danang

Day 6 (Mon) DaNang
Hoi An
Marble Mountain
China Beach

Day 7 (Tue) Free Day

Day 8 (Wed) DaNang to Dong Ha
Hai Van Pass
Phu Bai
Hue
Quang Tri City
Dong Ha
Peace Bridge
Gio Linh
Vin Muc Tunnels

Day 9 (Thur) Dong Ha to Khe Sanh to Hue
Con Thien
Rock Pile
Khe Sanh

Day 10 (Fri) Hue
Citadel
Battle Sites for TET 1968

Day 11 (Sat) Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
War Museum
Post Office
Bien Than Market

Day 12 (Sun) Chu Chi

View photos of the 2016 trip below.