Cultural Arts Trip - "Vibrant Vietnam"

January 12-(24), 2026

Join our 12-night, 5-star adventure to North, Central & South Vietnam to explore art & architecture, craft, culture, & cuisine, history, nature and more!

Start in Saigon, a scientific, technological, industrial & cultural center. Also, for many centuries, a commercial hub with merchants from China, Japan and European countries ultimately forming the largest city of Indochina, celebrated as “the Pearl of the Far East.” Though officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City (locally still called,“Saigon”), today, it is a bustling city with interesting sites that, not only its acknowledging its turbulent past, but also show off its beauty, culture and multi-cultural influences.

Fly up to Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved Ancient Trading Port with buildings and street plan reflecting both indigenous and foreign influences. In the 1st century, the city had the largest harbor in Southeast Asia. During the 7th-10th centuries, it was a strategic spot for spice trading, which brought tremendous wealth. An important trading center through the 17th century as Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled in the area, today, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ride over the mountains to the old Capital of the Nguyen Emperors. Hué is packed with temples & tombs, palaces & pagodas – many of which have UNESCO World Heritage Designations. If art and architecture are of interest, Hué will be high on your must-visit list. Foodies won’t want to miss the degustation-style Imperial cuisine for which this city is rightly famous.

Fly north to Hanoi – the capital of French Indochina (1902-1954) and, since 1976, the Capital of a Reunified Vietnam. Find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, unique museums, delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, and a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French & Russian influences.

Take a special excursion to experience a cruise on Ha Long Bay, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam. Thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes along with emerald waters create breathtakingly picturesque surroundings!

Join trip leader James Sokol on a multi-faceted, fascinating & delicious cultural journey!

For trip details & pricing, email James at anNva29sIHwgbWFyaW5qY2MgISBvcmc= or register for a free "ticket" through this Eventbrite page. The trip flyer with details, pricing, etc. will be emailed to you. Of course, the trip itself has costs, outlined in the flyer.

Our Vibrant Vietnam trip can pair perfectly with our trip to Captivating Cambodia (Jan 5-12, 2026). Email for details.

Cultural Arts Trips - offered by the National JCC Adult & Senior Alliance and the Osher Marin JCC - are open to all. JCC Members and non-members; people of all backgrounds and faiths, hair styles and chocolate preferences are invited to join in these enriching cultural programs.

For information on this and other upcoming In-Person Cultural Arts Trips as well as on Online Programs,

Also check out other Food & Drink events in Ho Chi Minh City, Business events in Ho Chi Minh City, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Ho Chi Minh City.