2025 Global Connect Trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

For a group of Secondary 3 CCKSians, a 5-day, 4-night trip from 30 May to 2 June to Ho Chi Minh City turned into a journey far beyond sightseeing. It was an experience that awakened their senses, broadened their horizons, and left lasting impressions of history, culture, and compassion. Excitement buzzed through the group as they landed in Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic city. The vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City—with their motorbike-filled roads, food stalls, and colonial architecture was something completely different from Singapore.

History students were brought back in time as they ventured to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network used during the Vietnam War. Crawling through the narrow tunnels and seeing booby traps and hidden bunkers gave them a raw and sobering understanding of the hardships endured during wartime. Visits to the Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum offered insight into Vietnam’s turbulent past, highlighting the resilience of its people. These visits further deepened their understanding of the country’s complex history and inspired reflections that lasted well beyond the museum walls.

The highlight for many was a visit to a beautiful organic farm outside the city. There, under the guidance of Vietnamese chefs, our CCKSians learned to cook traditional dishes like fresh spring rolls for their lunch. Divided into teams, they took part in a mini cooking competition. Laughter echoed through the kitchen area as groups worked together to chop herbs, stir broths, and perfect their plating. The experience was not just about food, but teamwork, creativity, and cultural immersion. There was also the opportunity to experience padi farming and from the pictures sent by the teachers, it was certainly a lot of fun!

Our CCKSians also enjoyed a scenic boat ride to the Mekong Delta where they were able to see coconut-candy made live and even got to sample a few flavours! Seeing the Vietnamese countryside was a very unique experience for our CCKSians as they are used to the hustle and bustle of Singapore's busy lifestyle. The quiet and serene surroundings were a welcome break!

An important learning experience was a visit to the Que Hong Humanitarian Centre. Prepared with small gifts and simple games, our CCKSians spent quality time engaging with the children—playing games, reading and generally having fun. The visit was eye-opening and emotional. While some CCKSians were initially shy, warmth and joy quickly took over. Bonds were formed, and many left with a deeper appreciation for what they had and a new desire to give back to the larger community in the future.

As the trip came to an end, the group shared stories and highlights over their final Vietnamese meal and a surprise birthday celebration!. Each CCKSian had grown—not just as travelers, but as individuals. They had navigated a new city, tasted unfamiliar foods, walked through history, and connected across language and culture. For many, this was their first time abroad without family. They returned home more independent, more aware, and more inspired. This 5-day adventure in Ho Chi Minh City was far more than a school trip. It was a journey of personal discovery—blending learning with fun, service with culture, and challenge with joy. For this group of 15-year-olds, it marked the beginning of seeing the world not just as a destination, but as a place of stories, connections, and endless possibility.

Chúc mừng! Chúng tôi hy vọng được thăm bạn lần nữa tại Việt Nam!

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2024 Global Connect Trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Our CCKSians embarked on an exciting 5 Days and 4 Nights trip to history-rich Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 26 to 30 October 2024. Exploring Vietnam’s tumultuous war history, they trekked through the Cu Chi Tunnels, visited the hidden bunkers, War Remnants Museum and The Presidential Palace. Visiting these historical sites offered our CCKSians rich first-hand knowledge that until then only existed in the pages of their history textbooks.

They also hopped on a boat in the Mekong Delta, visiting My Tho where they made friends with the wildlife and learned how to fish traditionally with a more than 90% success rate! Lasting memories were made amongst much laughter and camaraderie. Riding a motorised tuk-tuk with glimpses of rural Vietnam and tasting traditional coconut candy made the experience more memorable.

Ben Tahn Market was a favourite stop where CCKSians could see traditional Vietnamese hawker stalls jostling for space with souvenir and coffee stalls. They learned the fine art of bargaining and traded information on where to get the best buys!

Our CCKSians also interacted with their counterparts from Inspire School and exchanged information about each other’s countries, customs and festivals. As the interaction time drew to a close, we reluctantly bid farewell to our new friends and hope to see them soon! The next day, our CCKsians prepared to visit Maison Chance, a non-profit organisation aimed to help its disadvantaged beneficiaries learn the necessary skills to reintegrate society with dignity. Everyone had a great time playing with traditional Singapore games and learning how to communicate with one another through simple English and Vietnamese.

Chúc mừng! Chúng tôi hy vọng được thăm bạn lần nữa tại Việt Nam!

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