Hi teachers,
I will be conducting a sharing on my study trip to Vietnam in Term 1, 2009. More photos will be shared with all of you.
Our group, 6b ( MLS) went to Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam for our regional trip. One of my friends asked me whether I was disappointed as other course mates had the opportunity to go to New Zealand, Australia,
Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. I told her that I did not mind which country I am going, but were actually appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to go overseas for professional learning & enrichment. I strongly believe that wherever you go, learning would take place and it would broaden your perspective.
Before we left Singapore, the ten of us were tasked with duties such as contacting the tour agency, schools, purchasing gifts, and searching for information on Ho Chi Minh City for getting a rough picture of political, economic, education and social aspects of Vietnam.
When we arrived in Vietnam on 31 August, we were pleasantly surprised and impressed with how modern the Ho Chi Minh International airport was. Its efficiency saw us clearing our bags and customs in good time and we were whisked away in the good hands of our tour guides.
What struck us as we left the airport were the numerous motorbikes and the constant honking. We were told that traffic was considered good as it was a Sunday! There was a scene that you will never see in Singapore - 4 people on a motorbike! Because of the heavy traffic, we were also scared of crossing the road.
Of the many places we visited during our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi tunnel was one of the most interesting & enjoyable places to see. Cu Chi tunnel was used to be more than 200 km long. It is a multiple tunnel system dug by Vietnamese communists during French and America Wars. The Vietnamese created a lot of traps to protect themselves from their enemies. I was shocked by how they managed to survive and kill each other in that way and the sorrow war brings. On the other hand, I was impressed by the courage, resilience and wisdom of Vietnamese people.
One thing that we could not miss in Cu Chi Tunnel was the experience of crawling through it. It was quite scary but gave the authentic feel of living in the tunnel without sun and not much air. After coming out from the tunnel, we were served some special tea and steam tapioca. We celebrated our achievement and courage to crawl in the tunnel by drinking tea. Actually, it was nice to taste a bit of tapioca to experience what Vietnamese people ate at that time so as to understand their life during the war better.
It was really worth visiting Cu Chi Tunnel as it is a part of Vietnam’s history. Other than Cu Chi Tunnel, we also visited Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Lacquerware Industry, Cottage Industry, Ben Thanh & An Dong Wholesale market.
Ben Thanh market is packed with people and you can get T-shirts, Handbags, silk, lacquer, souvenirs, dried goods, coffee, cashew nuts, ornaments etc at ‘cheap, cheap’ prices. Many vendors would call out to you in English and Chinese. I felt the friendliness and hospitability of Vietnamese people in all the places we visited.
One of the many takeaways from this trip is: tolerance, understanding, caring and helping each other in the group are essential in making the trip enjoyable.
Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. I told her that I did not mind which country I am going, but were actually appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to go overseas for professional learning & enrichment. I strongly believe that wherever you go, learning would take place and it would broaden your perspective.
Before we left Singapore, the ten of us were tasked with duties such as contacting the tour agency, schools, purchasing gifts, and searching for information on Ho Chi Minh City for getting a rough picture of political, economic, education and social aspects of Vietnam.
When we arrived in Vietnam on 31 August, we were pleasantly surprised and impressed with how modern the Ho Chi Minh International airport was. Its efficiency saw us clearing our bags and customs in good time and we were whisked away in the good hands of our tour guides.
What struck us as we left the airport were the numerous motorbikes and the constant honking. We were told that traffic was considered good as it was a Sunday! There was a scene that you will never see in Singapore - 4 people on a motorbike! Because of the heavy traffic, we were also scared of crossing the road.
Of the many places we visited during our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi tunnel was one of the most interesting & enjoyable places to see. Cu Chi tunnel was used to be more than 200 km long. It is a multiple tunnel system dug by Vietnamese communists during French and America Wars. The Vietnamese created a lot of traps to protect themselves from their enemies. I was shocked by how they managed to survive and kill each other in that way and the sorrow war brings. On the other hand, I was impressed by the courage, resilience and wisdom of Vietnamese people.
One thing that we could not miss in Cu Chi Tunnel was the experience of crawling through it. It was quite scary but gave the authentic feel of living in the tunnel without sun and not much air. After coming out from the tunnel, we were served some special tea and steam tapioca. We celebrated our achievement and courage to crawl in the tunnel by drinking tea. Actually, it was nice to taste a bit of tapioca to experience what Vietnamese people ate at that time so as to understand their life during the war better.
It was really worth visiting Cu Chi Tunnel as it is a part of Vietnam’s history. Other than Cu Chi Tunnel, we also visited Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Lacquerware Industry, Cottage Industry, Ben Thanh & An Dong Wholesale market.
Ben Thanh market is packed with people and you can get T-shirts, Handbags, silk, lacquer, souvenirs, dried goods, coffee, cashew nuts, ornaments etc at ‘cheap, cheap’ prices. Many vendors would call out to you in English and Chinese. I felt the friendliness and hospitability of Vietnamese people in all the places we visited.
One of the many takeaways from this trip is: tolerance, understanding, caring and helping each other in the group are essential in making the trip enjoyable.
反思：（越南胡志明市之旅）
2008 年8 月31日中午，我们一行十一人启程前往越南胡志明市进行为期六天的教育考察。因为我们从未到过胡志明市，所以大家的心情都兴奋不已。在出发之前，大家发挥了分工合作的精神，收集有关越南的历史、政治、教育、文化、社会、宗教、民生和胡志明市著名的景点与廉价购物商场等等丰富的资料。除此之外，也从别人口中获悉那儿的美食，凌乱的马路和过马路的惊险情况。那种期待想赶快到达胡志明市 看个究竟的心情可想而知。
2008 年8 月31日中午，我们一行十一人启程前往越南胡志明市进行为期六天的教育考察。因为我们从未到过胡志明市，所以大家的心情都兴奋不已。在出发之前，大家发挥了分工合作的精神，收集有关越南的历史、政治、教育、文化、社会、宗教、民生和胡志明市著名的景点与廉价购物商场等等丰富的资料。除此之外，也从别人口中获悉那儿的美食，凌乱的马路和过马路的惊险情况。那种期待想赶快到达胡志明市 看个究竟的心情可想而知。
抵达胡志明市，尽入眼帘的竟是马路上密密麻麻的电单车，一家四口悠游自在地坐在一辆电单车上的情形可说是比比皆是。过马路时一定要“敢敢过”,一旦害怕，永远都过不了马路。 我们也亲身体验坐三轮车（Cyclo ） 穿梭在车笛声此起彼落和繁忙马路上那种“既害怕又感觉新鲜”的情景。坐在三轮车上，有时好几辆电单车同时“檫车而过”，真的是惊险无比。起初真的是有点害怕，但过后看到三轮车夫高超的驾驶技术，也就慢慢地放松心情，欣赏周边美好的风景。
总之，越南的交通是“乱中有序”，真令人大开眼界。
这里没有太多的新建筑物或新马路，整个市容均予人又老又旧的感觉，可能这份古老的风情就是胡志明市的特色所在吧！夜幕降临后，胡志明市处处霓虹灯闪现。彩灯闪烁下，还可发现许多充满民族特色的小工艺品店。这些小店散布在街道上。里面的手工艺品、服饰、手袋都是手工细做，看得我眼花缭乱，爱不释手。 十八世纪的胡志明市，在法国人用心的经营下，不但生活习惯深受影响，市容更是十足的法国味，许多美丽的法国殖民建筑也成了观光客流连的地方。
在所参观的各景点中，最让我印象深刻的是著名的古芝地道，古芝地道于1948年开始修建，当时越南正处于抗法时期，最初不过是将地下的一些单独的掩体连接起来，总长度为17公里。1960年以后，地道系统得到进一步的巩固和发展，总长度达到250公里，在地下分为三层，中间是主道，上下各有一层辅助设施，最深处距离地面8—10米。中间的主道宽约60—70厘米，高约80—90厘米，仅可以容得下一个身材1.6米左右的人弯着腰通过。地道里还设计有很多机关，如布满竹尖桩的陷阱。一旦敌人发现洞口进入地道，就可利用这些机关消灭敌人。地道的通道内每隔一段就会有一个挖掘时特意留下的极窄路段，越南游击队员瘦小的身材可以钻得过去，而身材高大的美军士兵要想钻过去可就不那么容易了。在到那儿参观之前，听说可以跟随地道导游钻进去见识一下隧道到底有多窄小，当时心里犹豫不决，不知自己是否有这个勇气钻进去感受一下。最后，我还是鼓起勇气，接受这个小挑战钻进去看个究竟。（因为同行者确实有人不敢入隧道）说真的，洞很小，里面漆黑一片，伸手不见五指。我们几个匍匐前行，幸亏其中一名队友打破沉默，有说有笑的，才不至于给人一种窒息和恐怖的感觉。等到从里面钻出地面时，我们身上的衣服全都被汗水湿透了。我们还以茶“饮胜”庆祝我们的无畏、互相鼓励和协作精神。
古芝地道之行，让我佩服越南人民不屈不挠的精神和聪明才智。
此行的主要目的还是参观学校，在其中两名队友和越南教育局官员取得联络后，对方终于安排我们去参观一所中学（Le Quy Don Junior High School） 和一所高中( Le Hong Phong Senior High School) 。越南的教育制度，可分為几个阶段：
（1）学龄前教育
（2）普通教育，包括小学教育(第1年-第5年)、中学教育(第6年-第9 年)、高中教育(第10年-第12年)
（3）专科教育 - 技术
（4）大学教育。
参观了这两所学校后，我感触良多。我国的学生和老师真是太幸福了。因为校长都不会说英语，所以在接见我们时就有劳他们的英文老师做翻译员。他们的英语都说得很流利。 Le Quy Don Junior High School的设备相当简单，可说是不完善， 没有运动场和体育设施，只有一间电脑室。老师的待遇也不高，办公室是一间很大的无冷气课室，排满了一百多张桌子和椅子。每个老师就窝在那张小桌子上批改作业。学生修读的科目也相当多， 除了越南文学、历史、地理、科学、数学、体育外，还要学习一门生活技术、军事训练和一科外文（英文、华文、日文、俄文）。
Le Hong Phong Senior High School是胡志明市的一间名校，有开办高才班。校长到过好多西方和亚洲国家的学校参观，也曾经来到我们新加坡的英华自主学校和莱佛 市书院进行教育考察。他对我们的教育制度赞赏有加。当问到他掌校的一大挑战时，他说希望看到自己的学校有更大的自由和自主权，可以雇用最优秀的老师， 策划、制定和教导自己设计的一套课程，让学生有更多实践知识的机会。（现阶段， 越南学校的课程都得根据教育局所指定的。）根据调查显示， 目前越南整体的教育环境是课程內容不合时宜、以教师為中心的教学方式、只有理论而无实际演练的学习造成许多大学毕业生无法就业。
大家都在观摩、学习、求变与进步，教育更需要与时并进且作出相应的改革，这是放诸四海而皆准的道理。
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