Day 4

Before I begin, am truly apologetic for the late update. The pupils did many fun stuff yesterday and of course, learnt a lot while having fun.

It always makes the teachers feel warm and fuzzy when we see the pupils from Vietnam and Singapore eating together and bonding as though they have been friends ever since ever. There is so much they can learn from each other and like mentioned, they are truly learning and developing themselves in a fun and authentic learning environment.

This ostrich got real busy yesterday, entertaining our pupils and taking them for a joyride.

Our pupils got to experience and venture around the zoo in Vietnam and this allowed them to see for themselves the many similarities and differences between the two countries in just about every aspect from social, economical to political. Pupils then visited the Dai Nam Theme Park. 

For us, Dai Nam Theme Park was the highlight not because it was fun but it is the perfect occasion for our pupils to exercise responsibility and discipline. It functions both as a lesson and assessment for them to see for themselves what they can do, and how much they have grown and will continue to grow as they challenge themselves.

Later that night, we also visited a night market where pupils did their favourite... SHOPPING. We are seeing some bargain kings and queens in our midst as it is :p

Day 3

This morning, we headed to Nguyen Gia Thieu for some Physical Exercise. The pupils had so much fun playing games with their Vietnamese friends. Parents, if you are reading this, you'd have probably played these games when you were younger. This is certainly a trip down memory lane for most of the teachers.

A whole chain of rubber bands will easily beat PS3 hands down :p

After a morning of fun and games, the school decided to take things slow and planned a language and culture lesson for the pupils. Afterall, this is a Cultural Immersion Programme!

Of course, everyone's favourite time of the day... LUNCH TIME! What made today's lunch really special was the fact that another school from Singapore happened to pop by the same restaurant for lunch as well. Hello Unity Secondary School!

After lunch, we visited a sports garment factory that produces apparel for Adidas and many other brands. It was truly an eye-opening tour not only for the pupils but for teachers as well.

Then, we headed to the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). Again, another eye-opening experience as pupils learnt more about their country, and also Singapore's relationship with the rest of the world, and in this instance, Vietnam.

Before dinner, we stopped by Minh Long to get creative! Pupils were given a chance to design and paint their very own ceramic bowl. Definitely something useful to bring home and also something for pupils to remember the trip.

In a couple of hours, the pupils will be heading to the zoo and theme park with their Vietnamese friends! This will not only be a great time to have fun and bond with their new friends, but also for them to exercise the values that they have picked up along the way, since the start of the trip. We hope that by the end of the trip, pupils will grow to become better individuals and influence their schoolmates with those good values. They should seek to be exemplary in their actions and speech, and a role model for others in school.

Day 2

 Our pupils got out of the bus to find the pupils from Nguyen Gia Thieu High School receiving them with red carpet treatment. According to them, they felt really "special", and almost like "royalty". 

These students from the junior high school are so cute and ever so warm! Their constant rounds of applause and cheers really touched our hearts. 

As we walked to the auditorium, more pupils lined another red carpet to welcome us. Oh, what did we do (right) to deserve such awesome treatment! I cannot even begin to tell you how all of us felt because everything was simply overwhelming!

Mr Chen was presented with a gift from Nguyen Gia Thieu High School by their Principal.

Here are the parents of some of the pupils who will be hosting our pupils. We are ever grateful that they took time off their busy schedules to be present for this event. Thank you, parents! :)

After the splendid performances put up by the pupils from Nguyen Gia Thieu High School, our pupils also presented their well-rehearsed performance. The pupils did great and the teachers were really proud of them! Good job, everyone! You all deserve a pat on the back :)

Of course, the performance was given extra boomz, thanks to Putra! You're the man, Putra!

Vivien and Sheryl with their new Vietnamese buddy and her father. Thank you for hosting our pupils!

Yusri and Ridwan all excited to show their new buddy the autobiography that they made.

The teachers in Nguyen Gia Thieu High School very generously allowed our pupils to disrupt their lessons. We are really thankful for the hospitality extended to us by Nguyen Gia Thieu High School. Not just the school leaders and teachers, but also the pupils and their parents. Thank you so much :)

Beatboxer (Singapore) and Beatboxer (Vietnam). It is true, that it doesn't matter where you are from because similarities will always find you soulmates.

Lunch was at Victory Restaurant at Victory Hotel. We'd like to thank Nguyen Gia Thieu High School for their generosity (again!) and all of us really enjoyed the lunch spread!

Breaking ice and forging ties.

Wahhhh, so fast so friendly! :p

Next stop was the Reunification Museum. Here is where History lessons suddenly come to life.

Also introducing to everyone - Mr Chin, our local tour guide.

Moving on, we also visited the War Remnants Museum. When your child/sister/brother returns home, do ask them about this. You will know why.

Their favourite time of the day, DINNER! Dinner was at Banana Leaf, a Halal restaurant.

Alright, all the teachers are here to say Goodbye (for now) to everyone reading this entry! Remember to visit again as the blog will be updated daily!

Information Counter

Should you need to contact your child/ward, you may do so with the following information

Hotel details
Vien Dong Hotel
+84 8 3836 8941

(You may want to consider getting an international calling card so that you do not have to pay for hefty international phone calls)

1. Call the hotel (+84 8 3836 8941)
2. Ask for the room number that your child is staying in
3. Please remember that you should only call between 10 - 11pm (Singapore time)

Putra & Rian - Room 417
Joven & Bao Qin - Room 517
Faris & Hakiim - Room 610
Ridwan & Yusri - Room 810
Salihah & Jannah - Room 402
Haw Yun & Shu Zheng - Room 403
Lim Xian & Alisha - Room 404
A'izzah & Afifah - Room 405
Dhaniya & Huda - Room 414
Sheryl & Vivien - Room 415
Megan & Mirian - Room 416
Kajol & Yuan Yuan - Room 510
Nurlesda & Preetivi - Room 511
Navaneshari & Yu Jia - Room 515
Pei Yi & Regine - Room 516

Day 1

Pupils assembled in school at 6:30am. Look at their sleepy faces!

Everyone doing their part to help load their own luggage. Responsibility starts from this moment as they will have to ensure that they take good care of their belongings (and themselves!).

Excited people at Changi Airport!

All set to leave! Goodbye Singapore and Hello Saigon!

Of course, we cannot leave with empty stomachs! Makes us all warm and fuzzy to see how much our pupils care for each other :)

After 2 hours, HELLO SAIGON!!! We were received by the VP, teachers and pupils of our hosting school. Love the Vietnamese and their hospitality!

Lunch time at Red House. Our VP1, Mr How went around to ensure that everyone ate some veggies.

Next up, the cyclo city tour. Here's Joven acting "like a boss" :P Pupils took a tour around the city center of Ho Chi Minh city, seeing for themselves how the city functions. This serves to give them a perspective of the world out there other than Singapore.

The Post Office that is a landmark in HCMC. According to our local guide, Mr Chin, the architect of this post office is the same person (Gustave Eiffel) behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Fancy that!

Shopaholic Regine in action! This sweet girl spent her first Vietnam Dong on a present for her grandmother. Awwww :)

Everybody, altogether outside the Post Office.

Dinner time! Dinner was at D'Nyonya Restaurant. The pupils were all rubbing their expanded tummies after the meal ;)

After dinner, we caught the Water Puppet Show. 

Finally, we checked into the hotel and after reflection & debrief time, pupils were sent back to their rooms to wash up and rest for the night.