Day 11 Back in Singapore

After the 10 day homestay programme, everyone of us came back with many fond memories of Hanoi, of our host families and of the people that we have met. The homestay has been very useful in allowing us (both pupils and teachers) to appreciate the culture of Vietnam.

We would like to thank UniWorld International for making this programe possible for us and all the teachers and staff for making all the arrangements. It has been indeed a most rewarding experience.

Hanoi Day 08

Today, we gathered in Kim Dong Primary School. It was the first time we visited a Vietnamese school and it was an enriching experience for us. After the assembly, Mr Yeo gave a short speech and presented a token of appreciation to the Principal of Kim Dong Primary.



Next, we were given a tour of the school and gained a better understanding of the school's history. Pupils also had the chance to sit in into one of their classes for a classroom experience, to experience the local school setting. (refer to photos)



For lunch, we had a picnic at Ba Vi National Park! We were accompanied by Ms Helen the Principal of UniWorld. We spent an enjoyable hour at the park, playing traditional games after our lunch.

Hanoi Day 06 and 07 (Halong Bay)

We gathered in school early and set off for the 3 hour long trip to Halong Bay. Along the way, we stopped for a short rest at a local handicraft centre. Our guide brought the pupils around to view how the Vietnamese sillfully weaved paintings out of coloured strings.

We arrived in Halong Bay at around 12.30 pm, where we promptly boarded a tour boat. Lunch was on board, which consists of seafood and vegetables. The beauty of Halong Bay captivated us and we spent the time cruising between the islands admiring the scenery. We also explored a cave and for many of the pupils, it was a enriching experience, as it was the first time they had ever stepped into a cave.

After dinner at a local restuarant, we visited the night market. The pupils tested their bargaining skills as they haggle with the stall owners over the prices of handicrafts, bags and even jewellery.

The next morning, after breakfast in the hotel, we set off on the journey home, to Hanoi. We had a brief stop at a local food shop to stretch our legs. When we reached the Hanoi, we went for lunch at a local restuarant and then proceeded back to UniWorld, where pupils rehearsed for their performance for the next day when they will visit Kim Dong Primary School.

The trip to Halong Bay has been indeed memorable.

Hanoi Day 05

Today, the pupils visited the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Hgoc Son Temple and sat in for an engrossing water puppet performance.

The water puppet was most interesting as for many of us it was the first time we had ever viewed a water puppet performance. A visit to Vietnam simply would not be complete without viewing the water puppets. The skillful manipulation of the puppets by the puppeteers captivated our attention, with puppets shooting our jets of water and sparks and even climbing up a tree. This was accompanied live by musicians and vocalists at the side, allowing us to appreciate the traditional Vietnamese singing and intruments at the same time.

Hanoi Day 04

Today, our pupils introduced "zero-point' to their Vietnamese counterparts during recess in Uniworld International. The pupils had an enjoyable session playing skipping with the rubber ropes.

After lunch, we departed for the Ceramic Village. The pupils visited a local ceramic factory which helped them to appreciate the hard work that went into the making of each piece, allowing them to appreciate and treasure the ceramic pieces better. Mrs Tan-Yong also briefed the pupils on the details involved at each stage of the process. It was indeed a meaningful journey for us all.

Hanoi Day 03

During recess today, our pupils set up game stations in the playgound for the Vietnamese pupils to play traditional Singaporean games. For today, our highlight was the paper ball. We will be sharing a different game with them daily.

After a sumptous lunch at the school, we departed for our study tour. Our first stop was the Temple of Literature. The temple was built in 1070 and started functioning as a university 6 years later. Our pupils looked at the architecture and the history of the place. It was a good opportunity for pupils to understand the extent Chinese influence on the Vietnamese culture.

Next, we visited the fine arts museum, where we were given a guided tour by the curator. Our pupils were impressed by the art pieces, especially the equisite and detailed wood carvings. Many were also impressed by the beauty and realism of the artwork. The journey through the museum was like taking a stroll back in time.

Hanoi Day 2

The host families brought our pupils to school before 8 in the morning and the pupils were assigned classes to attend. Lessons were interesting for the pupils and it was a new experience for them studying in a different environment and setting. They also had an enjoyable time playing with their new friends during recess.

The pupils had a good lunch in the school before leaving for our study tours for the day. The pupils enjoyed the lunch and having adapted quickly to the local food.

Our first stop was The Ethnological Museum, where pupils learnt about the culture of Vietnam, and explored the traditional houses of Vietnam. Next, we visited the Tran Quoc Pagoda at the West Lake. It was a tranquil place and our pupils gained much information from our guide.