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SOHS Vietnam Trip 2025, Balclutha (2026)

26/04/2025

What a compliment 🥰
Jackie Lee we are so grateful for your time, knowledge and friendship what a blessing to have met you both. We wish you all the very best.

24/04/2025

We are back 🇳🇿

Our two weeks in Vietnam were packed with new experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments. From the busy streets of Hanoi to the calm beauty of Ha Long Bay, beautifully tailored clothes in Hoi An and chaotic markets of Ho Chi Minh every day brought something different.

We explored historic sites, stunning architecture and learned a lot—not just about Vietnam, but about ourselves and each other. Crossing the road felt like a real-life video game, and while some of us fell in love with Vietnamese iced coffee, others were… less enthusiastic about the local food (fish sauce & duck heads aren’t for everyone).

One of the best parts was spending time with our guides, their knowledge, patience, dedication and sense of humor made a huge difference—they helped us understand the culture in a way we never could from a classroom.

There were early mornings, long bus rides, long sweaty walks and far too many dodgy toilets, but also lots of laughs, shared moments, and memories we’ll hold onto for a long time. It wasn’t always easy, but that’s what made it real—and worth it.

As Jackie would say “Enjoy the Game”

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our students and helped make this trip possible—we are truly grateful beyond words.

This journey has been an incredible experience, made even better by the dedication of everyone involved. I’m especially proud of our students for the way they carried themselves throughout the trip—they represented us with maturity, respect, and a great sense of adventure.

23/04/2025

Leaving day.
Ho Chi Minh to Singapore
Jess and Millie shared a heartfelt speech with Jackie and Quang before the students led the school in a waiata.
Jackie and Quang’s knowledge has been absolutely invaluable—this trip wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Guides to friends!!
They are going to be very missed.

23/04/2025

Day 12

Our final full day in Vietnam, we immersed ourselves in the culture, history, and legacy of this resilient nation. Our day began with a hands-on traditional Vietnamese cooking lesson, where we learned to prepare and enjoy some of the country’s dishes.

In the afternoon, we visited the War Remnants Museum—an experience that was both confronting and deeply moving. Through powerful exhibits and personal stories, we all gained insight into the harsh realities faced by both soldiers and civilians during the Vietnam War. We learned about the devastating effects of Agent Orange, a chemical that not only caused immense suffering during the war but continues to impact generations today through birth defects and long-term health issues. The museum highlighted the heavy artillery used during the conflict and also discussed the limited compensation provided to victims, particularly those affected by Agent Orange.

We then explored key landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, and the Independence Palace.
At the bustling Bến Thành Market, we tested our hagling skills, experiencing the vibrant chaos of locall commerce.

We embarked on a cycle tour through the city’s chaotic streets— soaking in the spirit of Saigon one last time, ahead of the celebrations at the end of this month celebrating the end of the war 50 years ago which caused traffic jams and delays.
The day ended with a special farewell dinner—a time to reflect on the unforgettable memories we have made.

We’re certainly going to miss our incredible guides, Jackie and Quang, who have been with us every step of the way over the past two weeks. Their warm, funny, and bubbly personalities brought so much energy to the trip, and their knowledge and passion made every experience more meaningful. They didn’t just guide us—they became our friends, and they truly helped make this journey unforgettable.

22/04/2025

Day 11

Today we said goodbye to the beautiful town of Hoi An and flew south to Ho Chi Minh City—formerly known as Saigon. From the airport, we jumped straight onto a bus, had a quick lunch, and then headed out to explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.

The Cu Chi Tunnels played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. This vast network of underground passages—stretching over 1,000 kilometers near the Cambodian border—served as a strategic base for the Viet Cong, especially during the 1968 Tết Offensive.

Hand-dug during the war, the tunnels were used as hiding spots during combat, and also functioned as communication routes, supply lines, field hospitals, weapon storage, and living quarters for North Vietnamese fighters. Their design allowed the Viet Cong to counter the growing American and ARVN military presence with surprising resilience and creativity.

Ventilation shafts, made from bamboo, were cleverly disguised as termite mounds to avoid detection. The Viet Cong even used a mix of chili and pepper powder around tunnel entrances to throw off the scent for American sniffer dogs. Many of the tunnel entrances were hidden in plain sight—camouflaged beneath leaves, behind bushes, or under trapdoors that blended seamlessly into the jungle floor.

Inside, the tunnels were fitted with dangerous bamboo traps to injure or kill enemy soldiers, particularly the South Vietnamese “Tunnel Rats” who dared to crawl in. The entire network was a remarkable feat of ingenuity, built by people who were farmers and workers by day, and fierce fighters by night.

For 18 years, the Vietnamese fought to defend their land, facing overwhelming firepower and devastating losses. Yet through sheer determination and resourcefulness, they held strong—an inspiring testament to the human spirit in times of war.

A few of the students took the opportunity to try out the firing range, experiencing the power of an AK-47 firsthand. Most of the group also took on the challenge of crawling through the tunnels—an intense experience given the tight, enclosed space. A few managed to make it as far as 100 meters, gaining a real sense of what life underground might have been like during the war.

20/04/2025

Day 10

Originally established in 1919 as a French hill station retreat, Ba Na Hills was once home to villas and a resort before falling into disrepair. Today, it has been transformed into a vibrant theme park and popular tourist destination.

Today, a group of 30 parents, students, and staff enjoyed a fun-filled day at Ba Na Hills. The hour-long drive was well worth it—especially for the ride on the world’s second-longest cable car, which offered stunning views.

The students had a fantastic time exploring the rides, playing games, and taking in the breathtaking scenery. A highlight of the day was the incredible buffet lunch, offering a wide variety of delicious options for everyone.

Just returned to the hotel for a quick rest before heading back into Hoi An Old Town for final fittings of our tailored clothes and a bite to eat. Then it’s off to bed early—ready for tomorrow’s flight.

20/04/2025

Day 9
Today was an incredibly moving and emotional day. We watched a short film about the My Lai Massacre before our guide led us through the museum, explaining the horrific events that unfolded on March 16, 1968.

On that day, 504 innocent lives were taken when American soldiers arrived by helicopter and carried out the mass killing of unarmed civilians—89 men, 182 women,173 children, 60 elderly. Hearing the firsthand accounts of the few survivors, who were fortunate enough to live through the massacre, was heartbreaking.

The tour then took us through the ruins of what used to be the village. Many of the victims had been forced into a ditch and executed. Some survived only by hiding beneath the bodies of their friends and family.

It was a powerful and sobering experience—one that left a lasting impression.

19/04/2025

Day 8

Another packed day of adventure!

We started by taking dragon boats up the Perfume River to visit the historic Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. Built in 1601, the pagoda has long been an important site for Buddhist rituals and remains a symbol of spiritual tradition.

Next, we explored the sprawling mausoleum complex of Emperor Tu Duc, a ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty and grandson of King Nguyen. The grounds were rich with history and provided a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s imperial past.

From there, we traveled along the stunning Hai Van Pass—a famously scenic route offering breathtaking coastal and mountain views—before arriving in Da Nang and continuing on to Hội An.

Hội An was a highly anticipated stop, especially for students eager to have custom-made clothing and ball dresses tailored. The ancient town truly lived up to its reputation, with its postcard-perfect streets, glowing lanterns, bustling night markets, and an impressive array of tailor shops.

17/04/2025

Day 7
We are one week in to our trip, the time is flying by!
Today was another free day—nothing planned. Most of the students went off in their own wee groups to fill in the day. Shopping at the markets, a round of golf, spa treatments and we even checked out the local shopping mall.
Just to give you an idea of prices a six pack of coke cost 59000VND - $3.82NZD the sugarcane drink (pictured below) sold on the side of the road with ice is 10000VND - $0.66NZD burger meal cost 50000VND - $3.24NZD a whole watermelon in the
supermarket was 66000VND - $4.28NZD spa treatment— 90 minute hair wash, hair sauna, hair mask & hair dry, neck, shoulder, arm and head with hot stone massage cost 300000VND + 100000 tip - $25.92NZ so although we having been living it up here it is very inexpensive.
Tomorrow we head to Hoi An.

17/04/2025

Day 6
Part 3

As you can see, it was a huge day full of memorable moments. We wrapped it up with a meal truly fit for royalty — and luckily, we had two students who stepped perfectly into those roles! It was amazing to see everyone fully embrace the experience and genuinely enjoy every part of it.

17/04/2025

Day 6
Part 2

We visited Minh Tu Orphanage/ Duc Son Pagoda
It was a very humbling experience —the children’s stories are heartbreaking. Many have lost one or both parents to flooding, disease, traffic accidents, or the occupational hazards inherent in two important local industries: fishing and mining. Sometimes, they themselves are the victims of a war that ended more than 45 years ago. They or their parents may have been injured by landmines, which still are dug up to this day for their value as scrap metal. Others may have been affected by Agent Orange, a poisonous herbicide and defoliant used by American forces to destroy the jungles of Vietnam during the war. Food harvested from gardens with affected soil still has the power to harm the young.

I was incredibly proud of the way our students carried themselves during our visit to the orphanage. Their kindness, patience, and genuine engagement with the neurodivergent children was heartwarming. They approached every interaction with respect and compassion, showing maturity beyond their years. It was inspiring to see them create meaningful connections, and it reminded me just how powerful empathy and understanding can be. We all learnt some very powerful messages.

The students bought lots of gifts from home as well gifting things they had bought in the local markets.

17/04/2025

Day 6
Part 1
The overnight train arrived in Hue early this morning we dropped our bags off at the hotel and headed out to the Hue Imperial Citadel—
The Imperial City is a walled enclosure within the citadel of the city of Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty. It contains the palaces that housed the imperial family, as well as shrines, gardens. Constructed in 1804 under Emperor Gia Long as a new capital, it mostly served a ceremonial function during the French colonial period. After the end of the monarchy in 1945, it suffered heavy damage and neglect during the Indochina Wars through the 1980s.
We then headed off to a traditional lunch before we checked in properly at our hotel.

SOHS Vietnam Trip 2025

26/04/2025

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