Category: Vietnam
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From riding shotgun with talkative cab drivers, playing volleyball with the village locals to reminiscing over my journey 63 floors above Hanoi, my Summer BUiLD Program was one not to be forgotten. There have been too many experiences to recount on my 21-day journey but before I formally begin my reflection, I’d like to first…
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I had no idea of what to expect from Vietnam. As a child born into a family of Vietnamese immigrants, the stories I have heard were punctuated by laughter that masked the dark aftermath of war. My knowledge of Vietnamese culture was knowing that nước mắm was delicious despite its smell; my grasp of the…
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I went on this trip hoping to learn more about microfinance, a field that has intrigued me as a great way to be able help people in a way that is practical and sustainable. This field appears to me as a way to link my professional skills of accounting and finance with my professional interests…
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“Cảm ơn” This became my favourite saying traveling around Hanoi. It is the Vietnamese word for Thank you. Traveling with 12 other UTS students around Hanoi with Bloom Microventures was an adventure I’ll never forget. Learning about the use of microcredit loans and exploring around both urban and rural areas around Vietnam was an equally…
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My two-and-a-bit weeks in and around Hanoi have been incredible. Bloom Microfinance are doing great work giving rural communities access to investment capital and training programs. They’re also giving tourists a glimpse of the everyday life of Vietnamese villagers. Here are a few things I’ve learnt on this program with Bloom: Good land is in…
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1. When a scooter is riding towards you, keep walking At first sight, it seems like there are no road rules in Vietnam but, in fact, they are just very different (sometimes the exact opposite) of those that exist in Sydney. Crossing the road is daunting, especially as the scooters’ constant beeping adds to their…
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My program consisted of three field trips to two different communities, Soc Son and Hoa Binh (which is Vietnamese for ‘peace’). Our workshops in Hanoi introduced us to the theories and complexities of microfinance programs, while the field trips translated these into practice. This combination allowed us invaluable insights into this area of development and…
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Somehow, I have survived my first day in Hanoi. This city is so different to anything I’ve experienced before. Yes, I’d been warned about crossing the street, but nothing can prepare you for the actual experience. It first hit me last night, when we were leaving the airport. I waited at a pedestrian crossing, watching…
