BIND Vietnam 2014

One month ago, I embarked on a 5Days 4Night BDS Internationalisation and National Education Development programme(BIND) to Vietnam with my schoolmates and teachers. This was my second time going overseas with my schoolmates and teachers and I am very glad to have this bunch of people together with me. 

Group Picture taken at Singapore Changi Airport, Terminal 3 

After the 2hours 45mins journey on the Vietnam Airlines, we finally arrived at Vietnam. 

Our journey started in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. Our first destination was the General Post Office and the Reunification Palace. There, we saw how different the post office there was as compared to the ones in Singapore. There was no air-con, there were only small fans around keeping the place ventilated. 

Reunification Palace

General Post Office 

On Day Two, we proceed to Ben Tre City where we took a 20mins boat to visit a Coconut Making Factory. We had the chance to see how to people there use fresh coconuts and make it into small coconut candies. There at Ben Tre City, we also experienced the horse cart riding, sampan rowing and mud fishing! These were things that we can never experience in Singapore. 

Horse-Cart Riding

Sampan Rowing

Day Three, we went to visit Tam Phuoc Secondary School for cultural exchange. Thankfully, the teachers and students there were really friendly, we played lots of games with the students, and i am confident that they had loads of fun! 

Tam Phuoc Secondary School

Lessons conducted at Tam Phuoc Secondary School

Games played at Tam Phuoc Secondary School

The next day, we continued our journey to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel. The Cu Chi Tunnel is a unique project of architecture, as an underground system of tunnel deeply located in the ground bed with numerous floors that is over 200km long. The tunnel was build as part of the  Anti-American resistance, countering against the enemies to save its country. There, we learnt that the peaceful life we have in Singapore should not be taken for granted. A war might take place anytime, we should stay prepared by being vigilant to our surroundings, like a suspicious bag seen on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). 

Model of Cu Chi Tunnel

Trap set by the Vietnamese during the war

Bus 1 Group Photo

After the visit to Cu Chi Tunnel, we continued the day at a Paddy Field where we get the chance to experience rice planting. Through the experience, I learnt that teamwork is very crucial in this activity, without teamwork, the rice seeds are planted everywhere on the field that makes it hard for the farmers to harvest them. 

Rice Planting

On the last day, we visited the War Remnant Museum where we see how the American torture the people in Vietnam. There were graphic pictures, accompanied by a short text in English, Vietnamese and Japanese, covering the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays. There were also military equipment like the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter and the F-5A fighter. 

Military Equipments used for the war

Military Equipments used for the war

Graphic Pictures of the torture caused by the Americans.

After the five days spent together with the Vietnam BIND-ers, it was time to head home to Singapore. I must admit that this trip was one of the best trips among all the trips i have been to. I brought back many memorable memories that it can never be replaced. Really thankful to all the teachers who have taken care of us for these five days, making this trip a really successful one. 

3A'2014 Vietnam BIND-ers