Teck Whye Secondary School

5D4N Cultural Immersion Trip to

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

9 – 13 November 2017

Name: _____________________________

Class: _____________________________

Flight details:

Singapore (SIN) – Ho Chi Minh (SGN)

SQ 178 Departs: Thu 09 Nov 2017 0950 hrs

Arrives: Thu 09 Nov 2017 1100 hrs

Ho Chi Minh (SGN) – Singapore (SIN)

SQ 185 Departs: Mon 13 Nov 2017 1950 hrs

Arrives: Mon 13 Nov 2017 2255 hrs

Itinerary: Day Meals Activity

09 Nov 2017 Thursday (Day 1)

In Flight Meals Lunch Dinner Supper

Singapore – Ho Chi Minh

0530hrs: Assemble at school

0600hrs: Depart from school to Changi Airport

0700hrs: Proceed for group check-in upon arrival at Changi Airport

0950hrs: Flight Departure to Ho Chi Minh

1100hrs: Arrival in Tan Son Nhat International Airport

1200hrs to 1330hrs: Proceed for Lunch at local restaurant

Afternoon visit to VSIP (Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park), 70km out from Ho Chi Minh City (Journey time estimated 1 hour)

1700hrs – 1800hrs:Return to city centre for Dinner at local restaurant

1800hrs – 1900hrs: Dinner at local restaurant

1900hrs – 2030hrs: Transfer to Co-op to purchase CIP supplies and Quick Supper (own expenses) to be eaten in the hotel

2030hrs: Proceed for check in to Hotel and Debrief

End of Day 1

10 Nov 2017 Friday (Day 2)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Ho Chi MInh

0600hrs – 0700hrs: Breakfast in Hotel

0715hrs – 0800hrs: Proceed to Bac Hai Primary for morning school immersion

08.00 – 08.15 Welcome 08.15 – 08.50 Divide into 5 small teams and accompany local teachers & students to visit around Bac Hai Primary School Observe on-going lessons

Day Meals Activity

08.50 – 09.15 Both schools share country & school info at the school hall through video clips 09.15 – 09.35 cultural exchange (2 performances from local school, one from Teck Whye Sch & one local choral song performance with all teachers) 09.35 – 10.00 Traditional games (bag jumping, monkey bridge, Capture The Flag) 10.00 – 10.45 Clean up 10.45 – 11.00 Teacher’s speech & farewell

1100hrs – 1300hrs: Transfer and have Lunch at local restaurant

1300hrs – 1430hrs: Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office

1430hrs – 1500hrs: Transfer to Singapore Consulate

1500hrs – 1700hrs: Visit Singapore Consulate

1700hrs – 1900hrs: Proceed for dinner at local restaurant

1900hrs - 2000hrs: Back to hotel and Debrief

End of Day 2

11 Nov 2017 Saturday (Day 3)

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Ho Chi MInh

0600hrs – 0745hrs: Breakfast in Hotel

0800hrs – 0930hrs: Leave hotel for Cu Chi Tunnels (journey time estimated 1.5 hours).

0930hrs – 1200hrs: Cu Chi Tunnels tour o Watch a short documentary film about the Cu Chi

tunnels tell you how about the tunnels histories and how fierce the war happened.

o Then visit different underground bunkers, a firing range and much more to learn the pivotal part they played in the war such as trap doors, and climb inside to see where the Viet Cong built storage facilities, weapons factories, kitchen

o Afterward students can try local special food are rice tapioca & hot tea which was main food in Cu Chi during the war.

1200hrs – 1300hrs: Lunch at local restaurant near Cu Chi Tunnels

1300hrs – 1500hrs: Return to Ho Chi Minh city centre

1500hrs – 1730hrs: Proceed to visit War Museum

1730hrs – 1900hrs: Proceed for dinner at local restaurant

1900hrs - 2000hrs: Back to hotel for debrief

End of Day 3

12 Nov 2017 Sunday

Breakfast Lunch

Ho Chi MInh

0600hrs – 0700hrs: Breakfast in Hotel

Day Meals Activity

(Day 4) Dinner

07:00 – 08.00 Transfer to Go Vap orphanage (or Hoa Mau Don Orphanage) 08.00 – 08.15 Welcome 08.15 – 08.45 Orphanage introduce 08.45 – 09.45 Visit & get acquainted with local children 09.45 – 10.15 Performances & send Gifts or Donation to Orphanage (donations are not compulsory, however students may donate some books and old clothes if they wish to do so.) 10.15 – 10.30 Farewell

1100hrs – 1300hrs: Proceed to My Tho (Mekong Delta – journey time estimate 2 hrs) for LUNCH – elephant crispy fish

1300hrs – 1600hrs: Mekong Delta tour: o Cruise on Tien (Mekong) river and seeing four islands:

Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix. Boat capacity: 48 pax. Life jacket provided

o Stop at Thoi Son island, go walking around countryside road, visit orchards

o 100m Sampan ride along the canals of Thoi Son Island Sampan capacity 4 pax / sampan. Life jacket provided.

o Visit Nam Bo houses (traditional Southern Vietnamese houses) by horse cart to reach a performance site where Vietnamese traditional music (Đàn Ca Tài Tử - A folk art form from Southern Vietnam accredited by UNESCO in 2013 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) can be heard and seasonal tropical fruit can be tasted.

o Catching Fish Competitions to get more experiences about the daily life of local people at Mekong Delta are. BBQ the fish after catching and a prize will be given to the winning team. Fishing competition is done near a local restaurant where the catch will also be BBQ’ed

1600hrs – 1800hrs: Return to HCMC

1800hrs – 1900hrs: Dinner at local restaurant

1900hrs – 2000hrs: Back to hotel for debriefing

End of Day 4

Day Meals Activity

13 Nov 2017 Monday (Day 5)

Breakfast Lunch

In-flight meal

Ho Chi Minh – Singapore

0645hrs – 0745hrs: Breakfast in hotel

0745hrs – 0815hrs: Hotel Check-out

0815hrs – 0850hrs: Transfer to Tran Phu Secondary School

0850hrs – 1030hrs: Tran Phu Secondary School for morning school immersion

o Welcome and introduction at the school hall o Interaction with local students (Q&A session) o Divide into 5 small teams and follow local teachers and

students around Tran Phu Secondary School o Interact in English with local students o Observe and sit in for their English lessons o Teacher farewell speech

1100hrs - 1300hrs: Transfer and Lunch at local restaurant

1300hrs – 1430hrs: Transfer to Saigon Square

1430hrs – 1630hrs: Visit Reunification Palace.

1630hrs – 1730hrs: Transfer to airport

1730hrs: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport 2.5hrs before departure time for group check-in

1950hrs: Departure time from Ho Chi Minh

2255hrs: Estimated Arrival in Singapore

0030hrs: Estimated return time to school

ABOUT BAC HAI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Bac Hai Primary was established in 1996, After the school rebuilding in 2005, the facilities of the school become more spacious and clean, including new function rooms as per the regulation from Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City. Classrooms are equipped with full facilities and learning tools. The campus is spacious with a playground and a gymnasium for sports.

Based on school motto ‘”All for students”, all teachers have high quality and professional qualifications as well as a strong sense of responsibility to the

students. All teachers use innovative teaching methods and apply information technology in their teaching methods.

In addition, the school regularly organizes extracurricular activities such as conducting folk games for students to play & preserve their national culture and organising excursions to the historic relics for students to learn about nature and the country.

With the efforts of the teachers and students, the graduate rate of students at Bac Hai Primary School is 100% per year with training efficiency reaching 99.1%. For many years, the school is honored to receive the Certificate of the Ho Chi Minh City and Department of Education and Training.

With the results achieved in three years, on 16th January 2009, the school was recognized by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee as the national standards for Primary School education.

ABOUT TRAN PHU SECONDARY SCHOOL

Established since 1975 under name Tan Trao School which was based on a historical site located in North East of Vietnam. After September 1975, the school was renamed to Tran Phu - a national hero who was also the first general secretary of the Indochinese Communist Party (later renamed to Communist Party of Vietnam).

From August 2014 to September 2015, the school was completely renovated, marking a new milestone and a new development.

The school aims to build a reputation for quality, modern and advanced education, in accordance with the development trend of the country and the

integration period. Tran Phu Secondary School is also one of the best school in English teaching within District 10.

In 2016, Tran Phu Secondary School has received the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, awarded the Excellent School of the City and received the emulation flag of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee

ABOUT GO VAP ORPHANAGE

Go Vap is one of Ho Chi Minh’s biggest orphanages: It is a state orphanage that accommodates around 250 children, 80% of whom are disabled, in a three-story building, build around a courtyard, in the heart of the city. Majority of the children’s disabilities varies (trisomy e.g. Down Syndrome, autism, blindness, BMI, hydrocephalus), however there are healthy babies and toddlers at the orphanage. There are around 80 child-minders and a dozen physiotherapists.

Go Vap Oprhanage is managed by the government but sponsored by Kids Without Borders (an American based organization) and the Vietnam Volunteer Network (a non-profit founded by an adopted orphan from Go Vap and is based out of London).

Hotel Details TTC Hotel Deluxe Tan Binh Address: 89 Ly Thuong Kiet, Ward 8, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Phone: (+84) 28 38 635 210 Embassy Information Singaporean Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam The Saigon Centre, Level 8 65 Le Loi Boulevard, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Telephone : (+84) 8 3822 5174 Fax : (+84) 8 3914 2938 E-Mail : singcg_hcm@sgmfa.gov.sg Website : www.mfa.gov.sg/hochiminhcity

Emergency Contact Numbers

School General Office: (65) 6769 1386 1896 Travel: (65) 6383 1896 (Office Hours) 1896 24hr Hotline – (65) 9007 1896 Police - 113 Fire Brigade – 114 Ambulance – 115

Code of Conduct (Ground Rules):

1. Always listen to teachers’ instructions

2. Be Punctual for activities

3. Always watch out for your belongings; do not leave them

unattended

4. Do not travel or move about alone

5. Do not bring back prohibited items

6. Never follow any stranger who may be ‘nice’ to you

7. Do not offend the locals in any way

8. Do not offer money to beggars

9. Do not accept anything from strangers

10. Ensure to keep yourself hydrated

Packing List:

1. Passport

2. EZ link Card / photocopy of passport (For emergency visits to

doctors as actual passports will be kept in hotel safe)

3. Thermometer

4. Own medication in a Ziploc bag with your name on it (medication

for headache, stomach ache, fever, flu, motion sickness or any

illnesses)

5. Windbreaker or cardigan for travelling on bus / plane

6. Raincoat/ umbrella/ poncho

7. Shoes / Sneakers

8. Slippers

9. Socks

10. School T-shirts and Shorts/Slacks/Track Pants Underclothes

11. Pajamas

12. Toiletries: soap in a box/shower gel, face towel, tooth brush,

toothpaste, shampoo, comb/hairbrush, moisturizer

13. Notebook and stationery

14. Sunblock lotion/lip balm

15. Water bottle

16. Zip lock bags (to put your dirty clothes and block out the smell)

Factsheet of Vietnam GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by People's Republic of China (PRC) to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea, referred to as East Sea to the east. Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in 938 AD, following the Battle of Bach Dang River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. The First Indochina War eventually led to the expulsion of the French in 1954, leaving Vietnam divided politically into two states, North and South Vietnam. Conflict between the two sides intensified, with heavy foreign intervention, during the Vietnam War, which ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.

HISTORICAL PEOPLE IN VIETNAM 1. The Trung Sister The Trung sisters (Vietnamese: Hai Bà Trưng; literally: two ladies Trung) (c. 12 - AD 43) were leaders who rebelled against Chinese rule for three years, and are regarded as

national heroines of Vietnam. Their names are Trung Trac (徵 側) and Trung Nhị (徵 貳). The sisters were born in Northern Vietnam, the dates of their birth are unknown, but Trung Trac was older than Trung Nhị. The exact date of their death is also unknown but both died around AD 43. 2. Ngo Dinh Diem Ngo Dinh Diem was the first president of South Vietnam (1955–1963). In the wake of the French withdrawal from Indochina as a result of the 1954 Geneva Accords, Diệm led the effort to create the Republic of Vietnam. Accruing considerable U.S. support due to his staunch anti-Communism, he achieved victory in a 1955 plebiscite, which was fraudulent. A Roman Catholic, Diem pursued biased and religiously oppressive policies against the Republic's Montagnard natives and its Buddhist majority that were met with protests, epitomized in Malcolm Browne's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of the self-immolation of Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc in 1963. Amid religious protests that garnered worldwide attention, Diem lost the backing of his U.S. patrons and was assassinated, along with his brother, Ngo Dinh by Nguyen Van Nhung, the aide of ARVN General Duong Van Minh on 2 November 1963, during a coup d'état that deposed his government. 3. Dinh Bo Linh Dinh Bo Linh, originally named Dinh Hoan, was the first Vietnamese emperor following the liberation of the country from the rule of the Chinese Southern Han Dynasty, as well as the founder of the short-lived Dinh Dynasty and a significant figure in the establishment of Vietnamese independence and political unity in the 10th century. 4. Cao Van Vien Cao Van Vien was a Vietnamese soldier who served in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and rose to the position of Chairman of the of South Vietnam's military leaders, he has been called "absolutely a key figure" and one of "the most important Vietnamese military leaders" in the American-led fighting during the Vietnam War. Along with Tran Thien Khiem, he was one of only two four-star generals in the entire history of South Vietnam.

5. Bao Dai

Bao Dai born Nguyen Phuc Vinh Thụy (阮福永瑞 ) was the 13th and last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, which is the last dynasty of Vietnam. From 1926 to 1945, he was king of Annam under French ‘protection’. During this period, Annam was a protectorate within French Indochina, covering the central two-thirds of the present-day Vietnam. Bao Dại ascended the throne in 1932. The Japanese ousted the French in March 1945 and then ruled through Bao Dại. At this time, he renamed his country “Vietnam”. He abdicated in August 1945 when Japan surrendered. He was the chief of state of the State of Vietnam (South Vietnam) from 1949 until 1955. Bao Dại was criticized for being too closely associated with France and spending much of his time outside of Vietnam. Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem ousted him in a fraudulent referendum vote in 1955. HISTORY OF HO CHI MINH CITY Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It was once known as Prey Nokor, an important Khmer sea port prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955 to 1975. On 2nd July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Dinh Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City. The metropolitan area, which consist of the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area, Thủ Dầu Một, Dĩ An, Biên Hòa and surrounding towns, is populated by more than 9,000,000 people, making it the most populous metropolitan area in Vietnam. The city’s population is expected to grow to 13.9 million in 2025. Ho Chi Minh City has gone by several different names during its history, reflecting settlement by different ethnic, cultural and political groups. In the 1690s, Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, a Vietnamese noble, was sent by the Nguyễn rulers of Huế to establish Vietnamese administrative structures in the Mekong Delta and its surroundings. Contril of the city and the area passed to the Vietnamese, who gave the city the official name of Gia Định. This name remained until the time of French conquest in the 1860s, when the occupying force adopted the name Saigon for the city, a westernized form of the traditional name. Immediately after the communist takeover of South Vietnam in 1975, a provisional government renamed the city after Hồ Chi Minh, the late North Vietnamese leader. Even today, however, the informal name of Saigon remains in daily speech both domestically

and internationally, especially among the Vietnamese diaspora.

TIME ZONES

Vietnam is 1 hour behind Singapore time.

WEATHER

Vietnam’s weather varies greatly from North to South, depending on elevation and type of landscape. The South has three somewhat distinct seasons: hot and dry from March to May/June; rainy from June/July to November; and cool and dry from December to February. April is the hottest month, with mid-day temperatures of 33°C most days. During the rainy season, downpours can happen every afternoon, and occasional street flooding occurs. Mosquitoes are most numerous in the rainy season. Average temperature ranges from 25-30°C. During wet months, heavy and short downpours may occur in mid-afternoons. The North has four distinct seasons, with a comparatively chilly winter (temperatures can dip below 10°C in Hanoi), a hot and wet summer and pleasant spring (March-April) and autumn (October-December) seasons. However, in the Highlands both extremes are amplified, with occasional snow in the winter and temperatures hitting 40°C in the summer. Rainy months are August, October, November. February and March have persistent, light, drizzling rain. In the Central region, North-East monsoon conditions from September - February with often strong winds, large sea swells and rain make this a miserable and difficult time to travel through Central Vietnam. Normally, temperatures are high all year round. Summers are hot and dry.

MEDICAL & TRAVEL INSURANCE We recommend that you have comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the duration of your visit.

CURRENCY 1 SGD = 16,710.86VND (as at 20/10/2017)

VALUE-ADDED TAX

Sales tax is at 10%.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 120V-220V plug (vertical flat blades without/with round ground pin plugs)

TELEPHONE CALLS Vietnam international code: +84 Calls can be made from hotels, post offices or telephone booths. You can also purchase SIM card in every shop that are selling mobile phones. E-MAIL Internet cafes are available in most tourist spots and rates are fairly cheap. Connection speeds are high, especially in the big cities.

Many hotels and restaurants provide free Wi-Fi or terminals for their guests. If you bring your own phone and/or laptop, several providers offer mobile internet services (EDGE/3G) services as well.

DRINKING WATER Tap water is unsafe to drink. Drink boiled or bottled water, or carbonated beverages, provided that the seal is intact. Bottles are sometimes refilled with tap water and resold, and these products are not safe to drink. Do not purchase unsealed drinks made by street vendors. These may contain untreated tap water. Avoid ice because it can be made from unsafe water. Coffee and tea made from boiling water are safe to drink.

LOCAL CUSTOMS Vietnamese dress conservatively and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also, not to cause offence to the local people. Despite the heat in summer, it’s best not to show off too much skin. Physical displays of affection between lovers in public are frowned upon. That’s why you may come across couples holding hands but not hugging or kissing. Losing your temper in Vietnam means a loss of face. Keep a cool head and remain polite, you’ll have a greater chance of getting what you want. Passing of items should be done using both hands and should not be done over someone’s head. Do not point with your finger - use your hand. It is rude to stand with your hands on your hips and do not touch anyone on the shoulder.

LANGUAGE

Vietnamese is the main tongue, a hard-to-learn language with five distinctive tones. The Roman alphabet is used for Vietnamese, however, which means street signs are easy to read. English is spoken in all the touristy areas and at main hotels, shops and restaurants, so getting by with English within Ho Chi Minh City is easy. Learning basic civilities in Vietnamese is well worth it to show respect for the culture you are in.

SURVIVAL LANGUAGE (Vietnamese)

Hello / How are you? Sin chao/kweah kohng?

Good Morning / Night Chaw bui sang/chaw bui toy

My name is _______. Thoye theyn la _______.

Thank You Gam uhhn

Sorry Toy sin loy

Where is the Toilet? Goh thee-oh uh duh-oh

Do you speak English? Bahn Koh byet noy tyeng ahn khong?

Yes/No Vung/Khome

I love you Ang eu-oh em

GoodBye Tam biet

Reflections Day 1:

Reflections Day 2:

Reflections Day 3:

Reflections Day 4:

Reflections Day 5:

Autographs:

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