Way to Vietnam

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

“To expand your perspectives and set them up for success in an

interconnected world. This BOOKLET will help you to find the
perfect destination and itinerary, one that introduces new
experiences that give you a new confidence and cultural
understanding they will carry throughout their lives~!”

Fast Facts

Language: The national language is Vietnamese, but Ho Chi Minh City

locals can understand English.

Currency: The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the unit of currency in Vietnam.

Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport

Get to know about “MY” Destination

Popular Tourist Attraction: _________________________________

Popular Foods to Try: ________________________________________

Strangest Law: ________________________________________________

Something I Didn’t Know:____________________________________

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 Day 1

DAILY MOTTO

玉石越磨越亮，黃金越練越純。
“The more jade is polished, the brighter it becomes,

The more gold is refined, the purer it becomes.”

KNOWLEDGE: Who Was Ho Chi Minh?

For nearly five decades, Ho Chi Minh spearheaded the movement for
Vietnamese independence from colonial powers, and is considered one of the
most prominent revolutionaries of the 20th century. A founder of the
Indochinese Communist Party in 1930 and the League for the Independence
of Vietnam (Viet Minh) in 1941, Ho Chi Minh also served as the president of
the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 1945 until his
death in 1969.

ACTIVITIES: The Saigon Central Post Office, HCMC RE: D1_A1

When did the Saigon Central Post Office first opened?

Highlights SEEK & FIND: 1. Exterior 2. Interior (decoration, services)
What to Do in the Post Office?
*Enjoy its unique architecture *Reminisce about the Past
*Write letters and postcards *Buy souvenirs
Draw your favorite Stamp

RE: D1_A2

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 HO CHI MINIH CITY INDEPENDENCE PALACE

HCMC - OPERA HOUSE SAIGON POST OFFICE

Today I felt

Serious attitude during every visit

Actively participate in all activities

Completed my goal for today

Overall evaluation of my day

FUN FACTS OF THE DAY:

The Saigon Central Post Office was constructed from 1886-1891 and depicts

classic element of Gothic, Renaissance and French colonial design. While some

erroneously credited Gustave Eiffel, the famed designer of the Eiffel Tower in

Paris, it was actually designed by French architect Alfred Foulhoux.

 Day 2

DAILY MOTTO

在椰子裡度日, 就成圓形; 在竹子裡生活，就成長形。

“If you live in a coconut, you will become round;

if you live in a bamboo, you will grow into a long shape.”

KNOWLEDGE:
“Human civilization is born of rivers and rivers are the cradle of civilization.”

The Vietnam Association of Craft Villages counts more than 5,000 craft

villages in the country with various skills producing a wide range of products

including Bamboo, Rattan Weaving, Ceramics, Wood Sculpting, Lacquering,

Embroidery, Metal Work, etc.

ACTIVITIES: RE: D2_A1

10 delicious fish species of Vietnam that many people love

Which way to open a coconut would you prefer? Why?
How many types of handmade crafts from coconuts did you see?

Do you enjoy making coconut candy? How do you like it?

Traveling the Mekong Rive and Mekong Delta Canals Memories...

RE: D2_A2

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 BEN TRE MARKET

 Experience in riding on Tuk Tuk

Learn about COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

COCONUT HUSKING FACTORY COCONUT CANDY WORKSHOP

 Steps on making coconut husk  Steps on making coconut candy

Today I felt

Serious attitude during every visit

Actively participate in all activities

Completed my goal for today

Overall evaluation of my day

FUN FACTS OF THE DAY:

SAMPAN is one of the authentic and traditional boats that the Mekong people

used to have for the markets, floating markets, traveling around, loading goods

and even for the wedding.

 Day 3

DAILY MOTTO

既然你無法做你想做的所有事，那就想你能做的事吧。
“Since you can't do everything you want,

then think of the things you can do.”

KNOWLEDGE:
Vietnamese art has a long and rich history, the earliest examples of which date

back as far as the Stone Age around 8,000 BC. With the millennium of

Chinese domination starting in the 2nd century BC, Vietnamese art

undoubtedly absorbed many Chinese influences, which would continue even

following independence from China in the 10th century AD. However,

Vietnamese art has always retained many distinctively Vietnamese

characteristics. By the 19th century, the influence of French art took hold in

Vietnam, having a large hand in the birth of modern Vietnamese art.

ACTIVITIES: RE: D3_A1

What kind of hands on job did you learn during the services learning event?
What did you prepared for your services learning on teaching session?
Sharing lunch with Vietnamese students.

RE: D3_A2

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 LOCAL SCHOOL VIETNAMESE ART & CULTURE
 Services learning  Conical hat painting
 Animal craft stuffing

Today I felt

Serious attitude during every visit

Actively participate in all activities

Completed my goal for today

Overall evaluation of my day

FUN FACTS OF THE DAY:

Vietnamese culture is heavily influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, and

Buddhism. Family is highly valued, and the elderly are revered and respected.

Vietnam has a rich tradition of ancestor worship, with families offering prayers

to their ancestors on special holidays.

 Day 4

AILY MOTTO

在授人以魚不如授人以漁
“You better to teach someone to fish than to give him a fish.”

KNOWLEDGE:
Throughout Cambodia's long history, religion has been a major source of cultural

inspiration. Over nearly three millennia, Cambodians have developed a unique

Cambodian culture and belief system from the syncretism of indigenous animistic beliefs

and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilization,

including its languages and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century

AD. It is generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and

culture to ports along the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific en route to trade with China.

The Kingdom of Funan was most probably the first Cambodian state to benefit from this

influx of Indian ideas. There is also French colonial influence as well.

ACTIVITIES: RE: D4_A1

Can you name all of the world heritage sites in Vietnam?

Give examples of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Among the many local specialties, such as Vietnamese Baguette, beef pho,
spring rolls, prawn cake, etc. Which is your favorite?
What did you learn about Khmer cultural, instruments, music and dance?

RE: D4_A2

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 FISHING IN MUD FOOD APPRECIATION

KHMER CULTURAL VILLAGE

Today I felt

Serious attitude during every visit

Actively participate in all activities

Completed my goal for today

Overall evaluation of my day

FUN FACTS OF THE DAY:

How do fish live in mud?

As the dry season draws near, the fish burrows into the mud. A slime secreted

by the skin mixes with the mud to form a cocoon in which the fish lies dormant

(estivates, meaning “summer sleep”) until the next rain. Where the mouth

comes in contact with the cocoon there is a tiny opening.

 Day 5

AILY MOTTO

世界是一本書，不旅行的人只讀了其中的一頁。
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

KNOWLEDGE:
A cottage industry is a small manufacturing operation and is often run out of

a home by a single individual or family. Cottage industries can be an

important source of income in rural areas where jobs are scarce.

In developing countries, cottage industries are playing a significant role in

lifting people out of poverty. It only requires very small investments to get off

the ground.

In advanced economies, cottage industries produce handmade goods that are

prized for their traditional craftsmanship.

ACTIVITIES: RE: D5_A1

What is a Cottage Industry?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cottage industry?

How many Vietnamese traditional product can you name?

RE: D5_A2

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 LEAVE BLESSINGS TO VIETNAM

Today I felt

Serious attitude during every visit

Actively participate in all activities

Completed my goal for today

Overall evaluation of my day

LAST NOTE OF THE DAY:

You can share your experience of this trip with your parents, classmates and

friends in terms of Vietnamese culture, foods and drinks, architecture, lifestyle,

and ethnic characteristics.