Sing ‘Home among the Gumtrees’ with me in Da Nang, Vietnam

Over the winter break, I had the pleasure of embarking on a Global Short Program, spending 10 days in the amazing city of Da Nang, Vietnam, engaging in entrepreneurship classes, exploring the rich cultural heritage of the region, and building unforgettable memories with students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The FPT University summer camp program ran from the 15th to the 24th of July and had 12 participants, 10 students whom were from Singapore, one student from China and myself along with local Vietnam students who were our guides for our time in Da Nang. This experience was incredible blend of learning and adventure, where I formed international friendships and connections.

My Project Group presenting our final Project: business proposal!

The summer camp kicked off with a city tour of Da Nang, where we visited the lady Buddha, which is the tallest feminine buddha statue in the world, located in the Linh Ing Pagoda courtyard. We also did a Boat trip through the canals of Da Nang and saw the famous Dragon Bridge. The weekday mornings were spent in an entrepreneurship class led by Professor Tung, who taught us how to develop business ideas, analyse markets, and create effective business plans. The project for this class consisted of creating a business proposal in teams and these classes also allowed to exchange perspectives and ideas with my international peers.

The afternoons were dedicated to fun-filled activities that brought the group closer together and allowed for time to explore the city. We participated in team-building beach games and competed in teams throughout the program, playing various games (my team won!). A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An’s Ancient Town was my favourite excursion, as the town was so beautiful, lined with lanterns and filled with markets. We also visited the Thanh Ha Pottery village in Hoi an and attempted some pottery. One of the highlights of the summer camp was the cultural exchange with our Vietnamese buddies. We shared stories, danced, ate some local delicacies and competed in a quiz about all the different cultures of the students in attendance.

Hoi An (Ancient Town)

On the weekend, we attended a camping trip to Toom Sara Village. In the mountains, there was picturesque views and we participated in friendly competitions, cooked a delicious BBQ, and gathered around the campfire together. I taught everyone the lyrics to “Home among the Gumtrees” as we sat around the campfire. The food in Vietnam was incredible and some of my favourite dishes were Bun Bo Xao, a beef salad noodle dish, and Banh Xeo, a savoury crispy pancake filled with shrimp and bean sprouts.

View from Toom Sara Village!

Banh Xeo- Crispy Savoury Pancake – So yummy!

The summer camp in Da Nang, Vietnam, was an enriching and life-changing experience. Beyond the knowledge gained from entrepreneurship classes, I discovered the value of cultural exchange, the joy of forming connections with people from different countries, and the thrill of exploring a foreign country. This experience reaffirmed the significance of embracing diversity and fostering global friendships and I look forward to going back to Vietnam in the future!

Toni Clenton
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
Global Communication program in FPT University, Vietnam
New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant Recipient