6D5N Cultural Immersion Trip: Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, complete immigration procedures and meet our local tour guide at the arrival gate. The group will then transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, begin exploring Ho Chi Minh City with a visit to Saigon Central Post Office, one of the city’s most iconic colonial-era landmarks, known for its distinctive French architecture and historical significance.

Weather permitting, enjoy a short walking tour from the Central Post Office towards the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building. Continue with a coach orientation passing by the Saigon Opera House, a historic French colonial building completed in 1898.

Next, visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam’s wartime history through photographs, documents and historical artefacts.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel for check-in. The day concludes with a group debriefing to review the day’s activities and introduce the programme ahead.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Vietnam Education Tours

(Full-day meals included)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network that played an important role during the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour to explore the tunnel system and learn how it was built using simple tools and manual labour. Students will discover how local people lived underground, where they cooked, slept, treated the wounded and planned their activities during wartime. The visit also includes a short documentary about the tunnels, an opportunity to explore parts of the underground network and a chance to try Cu Mi, a local speciality.

After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Known for its extensive waterways and coconut plantations, the region offers students an opportunity to experience local life along the river.

Take a traditional sampan ride through the narrow canals and enjoy the peaceful scenery while learning about the importance of waterways to communities and trade across the Mekong region and ASEAN countries.

Along the way, visit a local coconut candy-making workshop to see how this traditional product is made and gain insight into small-scale family businesses and local entrepreneurship. Students will also have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Vietnamese folk music as part of their cultural experience.

In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner and transfer back to the hotel. The day concludes with a group debriefing to reflect on the day’s visits and learning experiences.

Note: Life jackets are compulsory during water-based activities.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Vietnam Education Tours

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to a local university for a Cultural Exchange Programme.

The programme begins with a welcome and introduction session, followed by a cultural sharing activity where foreign students will have the opportunity to introduce their traditional games and culture to local students.

The group will also enjoy a campus tour to learn more about the university environment and student life in Vietnam before taking a group photo and saying goodbye.

After lunch, visit the Samsung Showcase Outlet at Bitexco Financial Tower for a brief introduction to the retail space and an opportunity to explore Samsung’s products and brand experience.

Continue to Vincom Landmark 81, one of Vietnam’s most recognisable modern landmarks and among the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia. Students will have free time to explore the shopping mall, observe the building’s architecture and experience one of Ho Chi Minh City’s major commercial and lifestyle destinations. The tower’s design is inspired by a traditional bundle of bamboo, symbolising strength and unity in Vietnamese culture.

In the evening, enjoy dinner before attending a sharing session with Garastem, a local startup operating in the STEM sector. Students will gain insights into the company’s business journey, its work in the STEM field and the challenges of developing a business in Vietnam.

The day concludes with a group debriefing session to reflect on the cultural, business and learning experiences before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Vietnam Education Tours

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a business visit to DIGI-TEXX, a German-invested SME located at Quang Trung Software City.

Established in Vietnam in 2003, DIGI-TEXX specialises in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and digital services, supporting clients across various industries worldwide. During the visit, students will have the opportunity to learn about the company’s operations, digital transformation services and how technology is used in different business sectors.

After lunch, visit the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Ho Chi Minh City for an engagement session with local diplomats.

Students will gain a better understanding of the consulate’s role, the relationship between Singapore and Vietnam, and the importance of regional cooperation within ASEAN. The session also provides an opportunity to ask questions and exchange perspectives on international relations and regional connections.

In the evening, enjoy dinner before heading to Ho Thi Ky Flower Market, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s well-known wholesale flower markets. Explore the lively market, where flowers of different varieties and colours are traded daily, offering a glimpse into the city’s local commerce and everyday life.

Continue with a walk through the nearby street food area to discover popular Vietnamese dishes and observe how locals spend their evenings.

After the visit, return to the hotel for a group debriefing and reflection on the day’s experiences.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Vietnam Education Tours

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Yakult Vietnam Factory, located in Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP), Binh Duong Province.

During the visit, students will be introduced to Yakult Vietnam’s operations and learn about the nutritional benefits of its products, followed by a product tasting session.

Students will also have the opportunity to observe the factory’s manufacturing process through viewing glass panels, including fermentation, production and packaging. A Q&A session will provide further insights into the use of automated systems in manufacturing and production management.

After lunch, continue to Maison Chance, a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged children, people with disabilities and individuals facing difficult circumstances in Vietnam. Through its programmes in education, healthcare, accommodation and vocational training, Maison Chance provides opportunities for individuals to develop skills and become more independent.

The visit includes an introduction to the organisation, a guided tour of the Take Wing Center and participation in a stuffed toy-making workshop. Students will gain a better understanding of how social enterprises support vulnerable communities while creating opportunities for learning, skills development and social inclusion.

In the evening, enjoy dinner before returning to the hotel for a group debriefing and reflection on the day’s experiences.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, organized by Vietnam Education Tours

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and visit the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), one of Vietnam’s most significant historical landmarks.

Students will explore the former presidential residence and learn about its role in Vietnam’s modern history, particularly the events surrounding the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Continue to Multi-Trust Co., Ltd – Lion City Restaurant for a dialogue session with a Singaporean business owner living and working in Vietnam. Through this sharing session, students will gain insights into the experience of doing business overseas, adapting to a different cultural environment and navigating the challenges of living and working abroad.

After lunch, visit Ben Thanh Market, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s best-known traditional markets. Beyond shopping and exploring local products, students will learn about responsible tourism and how their travel choices can make a positive contribution to the destinations they visit.

Topics will include supporting local businesses, choosing sustainable products and souvenirs, respecting Vietnamese customs and traditions, and helping preserve local culture and the environment.

Following the visit, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for check-in and departure procedures. Board your flight back to Singapore, bringing home new knowledge, cultural experiences and memories from the journey.

End of programme. Thank you for travelling with Vietnam Education Tours!