From the moment I stepped off the plane, I could tell this trip to Vietnam was going to be something unforgettable. After over 30 hours of travel, we finally made it to the hotel around 1 a.m. Exhausted, I went straight to sleep, but I woke up refreshed and ready to dive into a new experience. Breakfast at the hotel was a great start to the day, the pho was especially delicious and set the tone for what would be a day full of new cultural experiences.
Next, the tailors met us at our hotel to get measured for our custom outfits. This was such a cool experience, getting to choose from different fabrics and seeing how quickly and skillfully they took our measurements was really impressive. It gave me an early appreciation for Vietnam’s craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Soon after, our group was picked up by bus and taken to the University of Economics and Finance (UEF), where we were greeted with such warmth and energy. I was struck by how welcoming and excited the students were. Even though we come from different parts of the world, we’re all close in age and facing similar stages in life, which made our conversations feel so natural. A huge cultural difference that stood out was how much the UEF students loved taking photos. especially with peace signs and hand gestures. It was a fun and light-hearted way to connect, and definitely something you wouldn’t see as often back home.
The welcome ceremony was beautiful, complete with performances, music, and even a group dance that we participated in. After that, we toured the UEF campus, which was modern, colorful, and full of life.
In the afternoon, we took a double-decker bus tour around Ho Chi Minh City. It was an incredible way to get a sense of the city. I was amazed by the contrast of skyscrapers next to local street vendors and all the greenery that filled the city. It’s clear Ho Chi Minh is rapidly developing, signs of globalization were everywhere, from familiar brands like McDonald’s and Paris Baguette to international clothing and cosmetics stores.
One of the biggest shocks came from something as simple as crossing the street. The traffic is wild scooters and cars everywhere, and no one really stops for pedestrians. It took me a whole minute just to work up the courage to walk across. Definitely different from the crosswalk culture I’m used to!
We ended the day with a welcome dinner, enjoying food with the students of UEF!
Throughout the trip we experienced the Vietnamese custom, gift-giving. This was something I had read about but didn’t fully appreciate until seeing it in action. It’s clear that gestures like this are deeply rooted in Vietnamese hospitality and respect.
Overall, today was full of cultural surprises, beautiful views, and meaningful connections. I can already tell this trip is going to teach me a lot, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
