We went straight to the Post Office after arriving in Vietnam. We look around inside the building but not how they worked. Souvenirs are also available for us to purchase there.The post office looks quite big from the outside. It looks impressive. However it is regretted that we cant see how they work. I learnt how the Vietnamese use mail as a form of communication. It is very old fashioned as compared to Singapore as we seldom send mail by the post office anymore. It made me realised how fortunate we are to live in Singapore, where most families owns a computer each and they could just send an email to the other party. They can save the time neededto travel to the post office and spend the time on more useful things.
Next, we went to the Cu Chi Tunnel. The journey to there was a long one and most of us were sleeping on the bus. Upon reaching the place, we attended a talk and watched a video to understand the history behind the tunnels. We learnt more about the Vietnam War, how they used the tunnel against the Americans and experienced how the Vietnamese travelled in the tunnel. It was amazing to know that the Vietnamese built the tunnel, which was about 200km long, manually with simple tools. They also created many amazing traps that were useful against the Americans. The journey in the tunnel was very tiring. We had to duck walk all the way as the height of the tunnel was quite low. The living conditions are simply unbearable. It is beyond imagination how the Vietnamese soldiers survived through the war in these harsh conditions. Although it was physically demanding, we endured it and realised it was quite interesting. After the journey, most of us had muscle aches for the next few days. It is definitely an enriching experience to go through what the Vietnamese soldier experience during the war. I learnt how the Vietnamese persevered against the Americans in the Vietnam War and had to live in such cramped living conditions just to fight for their own independence.
Day 4
After breakfast, we went to the Bao Dai Villa. The villa was quite big and magnificent and had many rooms. The place was well preserved and was in good condition although it was built in 1938, which was 70 years ago. Portraits of the emperor, empress, prince and princess were present in each of their bedrooms. We explored the building and learnt about this emperor that was previously unknown to most of us.
It was finally time for us to leave Dalat. We spent close to 10 hours on the bus before we reached Saigon, which is Ho Chi Minh City.
Boon Kiat
Reynold
Weng Lum
Tuesday, December 16, 2008,3:03 AM
Hello we are back again!
After breakfast we proceeded to the VietSing Industrial Park where we were welcomed by the Manager of the Vietnam Branch. He gave us an insight of the foreign investments made to the company. He also introduced economical statistics of the company to us. Next we proceeded to a room where there were sample products which the company manufactured. Next we went for a tour around the industrial park and were showed the different buildings and factories.
Next we went to a Pottery workshop where they had pottery with fine craftsmanship. An interesting fact was that most of the workers were actually handicapped in one way or another. We were given a tour around the workshop and we got to see how the products were done.
The highlight of the day was the CIP project to an Orphanage. We had planned many activities prior to the trip but unfortunately were unable to carry them as the older children were out at resort enjoying themselves. We were slightly dissapointed but nevertheless we enjoyed the time spent with the younger kids. As we were given a tour around the orphanage to see the kids, we were disheartened to see the different kids who had deformities and were physically impaired. We then realised how fortunate we were to have been able to be born without physical deformaties. We also were told that these kids were abandoned by their parents upon birth because of their states of handicap. We were assigned to certain rooms to play with the kids. It was a very fun and enriching experience for us and from this visit, we learnt to treasure what we have at present.
This is a Reflection by Weng Lum about his experience at the Orphanage.
" This CIP made me realise how fortunate we are to have our parents with us. We realised that the children are very determined to overcome all difficulties to live without their parents and also the phyical disabilities. We intereacted with them and also played some games with them. They were very happy as this might be one of the few times that they had visitors to visist them and also to play games and interact with them. "
By Reynold. " I think that the visit is very fun. I realise that I am very fortunate as compared to some of the physically challenged children. But these children learn to lead a happy life and I hope to learn from them. I think that they are very happy because they are satisfied with what they have and do not ask for much."
Finally, we had to leave vietnam back for Singapore. We headed for the airport and at the Airport we Bade farewell to our trusty Tour Guide, Hoang(Pronounced as Wank). Also to mention, Long joined us and followed us on the last day. If you don't know, Long is from Zhonghua and is in 2e5'08. He is a citizen of vietnam!
The following are pictures taken on the last day, and the first picture was our Lunch. The fish is going to eat you!
,1:35 AM
Hello we are Dave Tay and Joseph Lim and we are here to blog! This are some pictures to arouse your interest before we start.
Day 3 was an early day and we had an early breakfast as we had a school visit to Bui Thi Xuan high school in Dalat. We were excited to attend the school as we were able to meet the vietnamese students. We were warmly welcomed by them and the introduction of the school and of Dalat allowed us to understand their pride in the country. They put up a performance which contained of a dance and a song. We had a question and answer session and through this we understood more about their life as a student and their school curriculum. They were very friendly during interaction and we had a chance to attend one of their lessons. Unfortunately, their teacher's computer was not working and thus that lesson was used for interaction between the student. We then bade farewell and made our way to the next destination.
Next, we went to the Strawberry where we learned how they cultivated strawberries. It was a nice hands on experience as we were given the chance to pluck the strawberries.
Next, we went to the Lat village to do our CIP project which was one of the main objectives of the trip. On arrival, we got a briefing and introduction by the village chief. He was relatively fluent in his languages and he could even speak French. Our objective was to build a barrier which was to protect the village from wild animals.
Here's one of the reflections of our group member, Reynold.
" It was very meaningful. The villages used primitive tools to construct the barrier. It shows that the villagers were very creative in maximising the tools that were available. We put in a lot of hard work. The village chief kept encouraging us and helped us when we were unable to chop the wood. With the united effort we were able to finish a large part of the barrier."
On the day 3 was a very meaningful and fufilling day and we also enjoyed ourselves and learnt much from it.
xoxo, With LOTS OF LOVE, David Tay and Lim Kiat We
HELLO.
