HO CHI MINH CITY - DAY 1

MEMORIES FROM VIETNAM

A group of 32 student leaders and 4 teachers from Yishun Secondary School visited Vietnam from 29 October - 3 November. The students consisted of school councillours, class chairmen as well as co-curricular leaders.

In support of the Ministry of Education’s initiative on Internationalisation, the school has arranged for this overseas immersion programme as an integral part of the educational experience of our students and for them to develop a global mindset and cultural awareness.

Yaty, Jeremy, Idham and I had painstakingly planned for the trip. It took us about six months to ensure everything had been looked into and that every stone had not been left unturned. The moment we had been waiting for finaly came. We landed at HCMC in the evening and were impressed by the airport facilities and clinical and minimalist look. A little upward curve of the smile to welcome the visitors from the immigration offcers would do wonders I feel. After claiming our baggage, we boarded the coach for another kind of experience that no one had prepared us for.

The roads of HCMC were choked with motorcyclists and we were awed at the way the traffic was weaving in and out in an endless network of running motors. I squirmed at my seat and wondered how these 'road runners' survive daily with the carbon monoxide emitted by their mode of transport. I could not help notice too that there were many ladies daintily perching on their Vespa with protective masks hiding half of their porcelain-complexioned facial appearance and wearing beautiful painted and designed crash helmet. I am not sure how much protection the helmets would give to them in times of an emergency but they sure attracted my attention because of the colours and feminine touches given to the design - with floral prints and ribbons adorning the helmets.

I was awed and almost blinded by the bright neon lights that illuminated the skyscrapers and taken aback by the magnificent structures and architecture left by the French. The modern hotels stood majestically in the city centre amidst the screaming vehicles and the throngs of motorists at every road intersection and the badly-needed in repair shophouses and low buildings lining the roads. The new and the old, the present and the past all seemed too chaotic at times for without proper planning, everything seemed to fuse and blend as one. The modern standing amidst the old backdrop and the old amidst the tapestry of the modern. There is no line of division but all coming in as one. I suppose that is how Vietnam tries to move ahead with development without erasing its connection and links to the past. Modernisation and moderation is a good formula to apply when a country has a long history to preserve.

Dinner was waiting for us at Tandoor, an Indian halal restaurant serving naan and everything else hot and spicy. Suited my palate and the rest of the Muslim students. Pile of praises went too the food, just llike the pile of plates waiting for the other diners. Ambience was right and the food was nice. Jeremy and the Chinese students went to a Vietnamese restaurant nearby, trying out the famous Vietnamese spring roll.

The first place we went too was the Ben Thanh Night Market. It reminded me so much of Petaling Street at Kuala Lumpur where imitation products ruled the roads. The students were already consumed with shopping there and came armed with shoes, t-shirts, bags and little souvenirs. It was only the first night in Vietnam and they were already spending the dong like they own the whole place. Maybe some lesson on financial literacy would be of good for them, like what Idham had mentioned in one of our casual conversations.

Together with the rest of the teachers and Bennet, we sat down on low fire-cracker red plastic stools infront of a drink stall. It sold somoothie and fruit juices. It was time for my parched throat to be soothed with some cold stuff. I wanted to try something different so ordered a glass of 'chiku' smoothie. Chiku has been on my top list of favourite fruit - it's fragrance, the smooth texture glides down your throat effortlessly and it has a high content of glucose. The frothy thick drink served to me tasted like heaven and was fresh that not every drop of it went to waste.

Bennett was my course mate in Singapore in 2007. I had been impressed by him at how he would voice his opinions during the course and how he had wililngly shared some of his things with his coursemates. Also, I had visited his 'his3site' website and shameleslly downloaded all his teaching slides and materials on social studies. All that had come to an end now for Bennet had heard that the dragon in Vietnam would soon wake up and snort fire. I remember his parting words on the last day of the course that he would move to Vietnam and should anyone needed his assistance, to just alert him. He had moved to HCMC together with his family and started an international kindergarten. That was how our trip was planned when I checked out the wikipedia he had created for his coursemates and found his address. You see, Bennett is the digital native. I am a digital immigrant and a digital idiot too! I dropped him an e-mail one day informing him of my intention of bringing the student leaders over to Vietnam, least expecting he would reply. He replied instantly and that gave birth to our Vietnam trip project. Since then he had willilngly offered all kind of help, and most of the time going beyond his call of duty.

But why did we choose Vietnam? I believe our students have a lot to learn from Vietnam. It's rich in NE, offers a lot of focus for us to look into the trip - academic, social, political, economy and of knowing how the youth is affected and preparing for the winds of change - that well-loved word everyone loves to quote from great political leaders to the commoner on the road nowadays, "globalisation."

We finally checked in at Dainam Hotel around midnight. We were welcomed by the loud bubble gum and barbie doll music from the disco adjacent to the hotel lobby. I couldn't care less anymore about the music though it was exploding in my brain and bursting my ear drums. That wasn't me anymore for I would usually stamp my feet and groove to the music. By then my sore feet and aching body were screaming for the bed and the cool air from the conditioner.

After a quick wash-up and me eying at the bed lovingly, nothing else would persuade nor cajole me to stay awake any longer. I jumped onto bed straight away - with my thoughts of my beloved husband, my two sons, mum and siblings drowned in my deep slumber the minute my head made contact with the white sheeted pillow. I hope I did not snore and disturb my room mate Yaty the minute sleep took control of my conscious self. Tomorrow? Let it come and let me deal with it later.

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Group photo at Changi Airport


At HCMC airport. Boxes of books for donation


Can't wait to tear apart those naan


Bennett & Idham at Banh Thanh Market


Banh Thanh market wowed the students

Everyone should try the Vietnamese spring roll


Checking-in at Dai Nam Hotel