Senior Social Sciences Explore Vietnam

From 24 September to 7 October, a group of our Senior Social Sciences students embarked on an unforgettable tour of Vietnam. Travelling from the historic streets of Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh City, our journey took us through key cultural and historical locations including Ha Long Bay, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Hue, Hoi An, the My Lai Memorial, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta. Despite pushing through intense tropical heat and humidity, with temperatures hovering around 35°C on most days, our students met every day with amazing energy and curiosity. It was wonderful to watch their confidence grow throughout the trip, especially as they put their communication skills to the test bartering with local vendors in the markets!

Here are some of the students’ favourite moments from our trip:

“While the sights of Vietnam were amazing, my favourite and the most memorable part of the trip was the never-ending jokes and laughter. Some of my favorite memories were the many bus rides filled with laughter and the sunset karaoke on the overnight-cruise. All 16 of us left Vietnam with lifetime memories of the deep history and beautiful scenery. Thank you to Mrs de Vos for her huge effort in organising and to Mr Waterworth for showing up with the vibes!” - Isobel

“One of my highlights was the fresh fruit, it felt special to eat every day in Vietnam because it is so expensive at home. Another highlight for me was the homestay which particularly exceeded my expectations. It was a great way to immerse myself into Vietnamese culture.” - Amelia

“Our time spent in Hanoi was amazing! The organised chaos of the city created an exciting first few days of our trip. Our stop at the Temple of Literature was hot yet insightful, learning a lot about the history of Hanoi and Vietnamese education.” - Matthew

“Vietnam was one of the best experiences. One of the best parts was Ha Long Bay because of its beautiful scenery and the overnight cruise, which included some of my favourite activities of the trip, such as kayaking and karaoke. Throughout the trip it was fascinating to try new foods such as snails, prawn and oysters. I want to thank Mrs de Vos for organising and planning this trip. All of us appreciate it a lot. Thank you to Mr Waterworth for bringing along the vibes and the dad jokes. Thank you two for the experience of a lifetime!” - Olivia

“The highlight of the Vietnam trip was definitely Ha Long Bay. It was so cool seeing all the different islands, swimming in the warm sea, kayaking through the cave section, and looking for monkeys. A key part of the trip for me was visiting My Lai, seeing the museum and the village, and hearing Phạm Thành Công's story about experiencing the massacre and how it still affects him to this day, which really relates to the research we did as a class on My Lai.” - Alice

“We started off the trip in the busy city of Hanoi, where we got to experience a Jeep ride around the city, getting a taste of city life in Hanoi. My highlight of the trip was the cruise across Ha Long Bay. I really enjoyed kayaking, swimming at the beach and exploring the amazing Sung Sot Cave.” - Maya

“The Vietnam trip was a fun and exciting time when I was able to make lots of memories with my peers and indulge into the culture of the Vietnamese people. My highlight of this trip was the beautiful Ha Long Bay, where we had the opportunity to go on a cruise and explore the different islands surrounding it, and the Cu Chi tunnels, where we learnt about the smart war tactics that the Viet Cong used to trick and defeat the American soldiers.” - Esther

This trip would not have been possible without the support of our wider school community. Thank you to everyone who supported our various fundraising efforts. Finally, a massive thank you to our parents and whānau for trusting us with your young people and allowing us to share this opportunity with them. It was a privilege to watch them grow, learn, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Mrs de Vos and Mr Waterworth