Students Explore Vietnam's Rich Culture and History on School Trip

CGA students from across the world joined local students in Vietnam for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The school cultural trip, organised and led by Deputy Principal Mr Ronan Kearney, invited 16 students to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of Vietnam. Travelling through Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An, the exciting itinerary featured tunnel adventures, cooking classes, local delicacies, museums, temples, and much more.

Mr Ronan Kearney was especially proud of the students, who he says "exemplified kindness, teamwork, and curiosity, every step of the way".

Here is Mr Kearney's personal account of the school trip, highlighting the wonderful opportunities for social connections and cultural immersion.

Day 1 - Waking up in Ho Chi Minh City

We started our morning with a poignant visit to the War Remnants Museum, deepening our understanding of Vietnam’s history.

Next, we explored the historic Independence Palace and enjoyed the eclectic mix of stores and architecture at the Apartment Cafes on Nguyen Hue Street; featuring coffee shops, small businesses, and most importantly: doughnuts!

We finished the day with views from the Saigon Skydeck, admiring the city lights after enjoying some delicious Pho.

Day 2 - Cu Chi Tunnel experience

We began today with a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, learning about the ingenious fighting tactics, the construction of the tunnels, and the various traps used during the war. We even had the chance to crawl through some of the holes and tunnels, truly experiencing a piece of history firsthand!

Back in the city, we explored the architecture of the Saigon Central Post Office and wandered through Book Street. There we engaged in activities like portrait drawing and painting and some shopping. The day was made even more special by the company of seven local CGA Vietnamese students who joined us for dinner.

We finished the evening with a night bus tour of the city, with our local CGA students joining us having immediately made friends and joined in with the trip students!

Day 3 - Cruising on the Mekong Delta

Today was another adventure, this time to the Mekong Delta. Our journey began with a scenic bus ride past rice paddies before arriving for a motorboat cruise to Ben Tre. There, we walked through fruit orchards, learning about farming life and sampling local honey tea.

A highlight for many was meeting a friendly rescue python, a long-time resident of the farm, and socialised with people for years.

Next, we took a sampan ride through the coconut canals, enjoying fresh fruit and traditional music at our stop. We also got a glimpse of how coconut candy is made and, for lunch, some of us bravely tried local specialities (though, sadly, coconut worms weren’t on the menu today!).

Back in Ho Chi Minh City, we dined at a local restaurant renowned for its delicious filled pancakes, which didn't disappoint! The evening wrapped up with a Disney-themed "Who Am I?" game, led by Ms Jeffcott.

Day 4 - Historic sites in Hanoi

We said goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and flew to Hanoi! Our afternoon was spent exploring some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Đền Thủy Trung Tiên, walking past the Presidential Palace, and the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Each stop offered unique insights into Vietnam's rich history and culture, helped by Dolly, our Vietnamese staff member, explaining the significance.

We then headed to the famous Train Street, where we enjoyed fresh juices as the train passed by just meters away! The day concluded with dinner in Hanoi's Old Town, followed by time to pack and prepare for our exciting Halong Bay adventure tomorrow.

Day 5 - Adventures on Halong Bay

Today we journeyed to Halong Bay, with a stop along the way to learn about the region’s pearl production. Upon arrival, we boarded our cruise and were greeted with a welcome tea, followed by a delicious lunch as we began our scenic journey through the stunning limestone karsts of Halong Bay.

The afternoon was filled with adventure as we kayaked near a pearl farm, soaking in the beauty of the bay. We also visited Titop Island, where some of us hiked to the summit for incredible views, while others enjoyed swimming and a game of beach football.

The day finished back on the ship with a fantastic five-course dinner, followed by squid fishing and a lively karaoke session on the deck!

Day 6 - Tai Chi at Sunrise

Starting the day with a sunrise Tai Chi session on the cruise deck at 6:00 AM, most of our group embraced a peaceful start to the day. An early breakfast followed before we set out to explore the breathtaking Hang Sung Sot Cave, marveling at its three magnificent chambers.

Back on the boat, we enjoyed a scenic cruise towards the port and learned how to make summer rolls in a fun cooking lesson. A final brunch on board capped off our Halong Bay trip before returning to Hanoi.

The afternoon was relaxed as we explored more of the city’s sights, culminating in a visit to the Thang Long Water Puppet Show—a unique and captivating cultural experience.

Day 7 - Braving the Rain in Hoi An

We traveled from Hanoi to Hoi An, and while the weather has been wet, it certainly hasn’t dampened our spirits!

We started with a fantastic lunch from the famous Banh Mi Queen before venturing to the historic My Son Sanctuary. This ancient Hindu temple, rich in history and culture, offered us a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

After returning to the hotel, we had time for showers and a quick change before heading out to a local restaurant to enjoy Hoi An’s specialties, including fried spring rolls, rice pancakes, and grilled pork. The evening wrapped up with some well-deserved downtime back at the hotel, with a few students even braving a rainy evening for a swim!

Day 8 - Local culinary delights

Our penultimate day was full of creativity, culture, and culinary delights in Hoi An!

We began the morning touring the local markets, selecting fresh ingredients for our Vietnamese cooking class. Following this, we learned the art of lantern-making, crafting beautiful lanterns to take home as a keepsake.

In the cooking class, we mastered the preparation of Hoi An specialties, including pancakes, fried rolls, and chicken papaya salad, and enjoyed these for lunch.

The afternoon was spent relaxing and staying dry before we ventured out to Hoi An Old Town for the evening. We enjoyed a peaceful boat ride, releasing lanterns onto the water, followed by time to explore the vibrant Old Town and its bustling night market for our final evening in Hoi An.

Dec 9 - The Farewell Dinner

We returned to Ho Chi Minh City for the final day of our Vietnam adventure. After arriving, we made a stop at a top-rated street food eatery to enjoy some delicious sticky rice. The afternoon was spent exploring local shops and shopping centres, picking up final gifts and souvenirs to remember this incredible trip.

For the evening, we dressed up and attended the stunning Bamboo Circus by Lume Productions at the Saigon Opera House. Following the show, we had our farewell dinner at Ola Hale, where we said a heartfelt goodbye to Dolly Vu, our wonderful local staff member. Dolly has been an incredible support throughout the trip, effortlessly connecting with the students and enhancing every moment of our journey.

Back at the hotel, the students took time to share messages they had written for one another, reflecting on the friendships and insight they've gained about each other during the trip. The students also presented thank-you cards to each staff member, a gesture that meant a lot to the entire team.

It has been a fantastic trip, filled with unforgettable experiences and a group of students who exemplified kindness, teamwork, and curiosity every step of the way. We were so impressed at how easily they connected and made friendships and engaged in every activity!

A real example of how online learning still promotes and allows student's to develop socially.