Trinity 2 Vietnam: Day 9 Activities

Ninh Binh and Hanoi

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Dearest Parents of the Vietnam Service and Eco Adventure Trek,

It is with a heavy heart that I concede that our final official night of the trip has just concluded. While we wish it wasn’t so, even sunshine burns if you get too much; the time has come for us to reconcile with the fact that our journey of a lifetime was destined to be limited to this short, magical period.

Today began aboard the roaring wheels of our luxury overnight train. While it took a bit of time to adjust to our decidedly more confined quarters, we soon enjoyed the sweet repose afforded to us by the cradling of our locomotive transport. As morning broke over the familiar vista of rice paddies and leafy mountains, we heard the sound of the trolly master imploring us to avail ourselves of his complimentary tea or coffee. After a short while, our train arrived in Ninh Binh where we surprised to feel cooler air for the first time during our trip. We were greeted at the station by another luxury coach of which we were its very first passengers. Have you ever been on a coach bus that has that new car smell?

In any event, Ninh Binh is an adorable little enclave that caters to nature enthusiasts and all those that seek solace in its peaceful river gorges and lofty mountaintop views. Whilst in town today, we certainly received a spiritual recharge from ever-magnificent Ninh Binh. Our first point of interest was to Mua Cave, whose name is a bit deceiving, as we were more concerned with summiting the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain (inside of which the cave is located). Ascending over 500 steps, we encountered goats along the trail, one of which some of us named Admiral Akbar, and were gobsmacked by the overwhelming beauty and glory of the views that presented themselves to us. Not even a little bit of rain or chilly weather could quell our enthusiasm for the activity at hand. Once atop the mountain, we encountered an ornate dragon sculpture, a pagoda, and an enormous Vietnamese flag for us to capture for posterity on our cameras.

Next it was time for lunch at a tiny little hideaway famous for its goat meat dishes. In addition to the stewed goat, we also dined on stir-fried chicken, pumpkin soup, mango salad, and fresh spring rolls. Our final stop in Ninh Binh was to the "Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex,” which is yet another UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also famous for being one of the filming locations for the recent film King Kong: Skull Island. Students were divided into groups of two before embarking on a 90 minute sampan boat tour through the Trang An river gorge and its three distinct cave systems. Each of the boats were paddled by locals who used their feet to steer and command the oars. "Sensory overload" is a phrase used all too frequently to describe the impact of experiences far less gratifying than a visit to the Trang An. Wildlife, karst limestone formations, mysterious caves, and explosive foliage on all sides is what you will see if you are ever blessed to share a ride through the landscape complex.

When the ride reached the end we hoped would never come, we got back on our bus and drove a short ways into Hanoi. After checking into our palatial hotel, we freshened up and enjoyed dinner in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The students caught a second wind and then requested an extension of their shopping time in the expansive night market of the old city. One has to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything or anyone on our shopping lists! We are now safely in our rooms enjoying our final sleep in country before we return home to the loving arms of our families.

Sensing the pending conclusion to our journey of a lifetime, the students have begun to cling to one another even more fervently, as we do not want to say ‘goodbye’ to one another or to our beloved Vietnam. We have a full day tomorrow before we board our flight to Seoul, then to NYC, and finally onward to PBI. I may not have the time to compose a formal recap before then, but we will certainly keep you abreast of our journey homeward in real time.

Thank you for lending us your children for the past week and a half. We won’t soon forget the time we spent together in this country of beauty and kindness.

All the best,

Trinity 2 Vietnam: Day 8 Activities

Phong Nha Cave and The Duck Stop

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Dearest Parents of the Vietnam Cave and Duck Crew!

Hello from majestic, rustic, and downright charming Phong Nha. While yesterday was a powerful foray into the sobering and tragic details of the Vietnam War, today juxtaposed brilliantly via countryside adventure and spirit. When the fingers of dawn pulled the dark from the lakeside, we gently awoke to find that our rooms are actually overlooking the private lake from which the resort takes its name. As expected, we discovered that the Lake House Resort is even more beautiful than initially appreciated, which all of the students were affirming as they took their breakfast al fresco on the veranda, replete with waterfront views. The breakfast befit the B&B atmosphere of the hotel, as fresh pastries, eggs, yoghurts, and freshly cut fruits filled the plates of our hungry ThunderWolves. Today’s itinerary was, perhaps, one of the most ambitious and adventurous, so there wasn’t much time for perambulating about the hotel. Our new local guide for the day, Duc, greeted us in the reception lounge and provided an overview of our action-packed excursion that lay ahead of us.

Boarding our luxury coach, we were first shuttled to Dark Cave, whose ominous name belies the beauty and brilliance of the overall experience. The very first activity was to zip line approximately 400 meters over crystalline waters to the cave’s entrance. Our students sounded cheers of joy and exuberance as they whizzed along the expanse, receiving a spiritual embrace from the leafy mountains on either side and the soothing waters below. We then descended a small pathway to the mouth of the cave, which we had to swim towards in order to enter. We then were fitted with helmets and headlamps, as the dark cave has no artificial light within, yet our collective torches were more than enough to guide the way for our precious students. We waded through cooling waters and carefully made our way through narrow tunnels that opened to a mystical chamber featuring a mud bath where the children availed themselves of the mud's curative properties. After covering ourselves from head to toe, we posed for souvenir photographs with our smiles beaming from ear to ear. We then turned and exited the cave where we took a short kayak ride to the water park in all of its fairytale splendor. There were additional zip lines, diving platforms, obstacle courses, and, perhaps most importantly, the finest view one could ever ask for. Although we would have been contented to stay there for the majority of the day, we still had another cave to visit. First, however, we stopped for lunch at a local eatery featuring soup, noodles, rice, beef, tofu, spring rolls, and bok choy.

The next cave, simply known as Phong Nha Cave, was accessed by a 30-minute motor boat ride through the Phong Nha national park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peaceful ride allowed for a contemplative moment following all of the excitement of the Dark Cave. It wasn’t long, however, before we reached the cave and the boat’s motor was switched off, the sunroof was removed, and the drivers transitioned to manual paddling. Remaining aboard our vessels for the majority of the tour, this particular cave system was far more beautiful than the Dark Cave, although decidedly less muddy! If you refer to our photostream, you will see the images of the interior, as words will only serve to cheapen the sheer magnificence of the cave structure.

The last destination of the day prior to returning to the resort for dinner was the “Duck Stop.” This idiosyncratic favorite of eco-tourists is actually a duck farm owned and operated by the Duong family. To subsidize their income, the family opens their farm to visitors who wish to enjoy their home and farm, including the duck play pen. When we first arrived on site, we were given special sandals to wear, as we were informed our own shoes might otherwise get ruined. We were then escorted down a dirt road to the pen, where seemingly hundreds of ducks were released to interact with us and enjoy our bird feed. Most of us took a seat and poured the seeds at our feet, inviting scores of ducks to feast on our treats whilst simultaneously rubbing their feathers on our legs and tickling our feet with their beaks. What an incredibly thrilling end to the day!

After a shower and dinner back at the resort, we boarded our luxury coach and headed towards the train station in time to catch our deluxe, overnight train. I will further describe the luxurious nature of the train in my next missive, as the hour is late and the movement of the train is making it harder to flight the sweet repose promised by our beds.

Until then,

Hearts for Hue & Community Service Photostream

Dearest Parents of the Vietnam Community Service Team,

When I began designing the itinerary for this trip last year, it was determined that we would continue to include a service element in the itinerary for a number of significant reasons. Service learning for young people is often implemented as a means to develop leadership skills, strengthen work ethic, and further an appreciation of the social issues that impact the needy. When we take part in such programming whilst traveling abroad, the educational benefits are further enhanced, as students are able to interact with locals in ways that simply would not be possible otherwise. Students are also able to give back to the country that provides the backdrop to their ever-lasting memories. In our case, our day of service was particularly meaningful for all of these reasons and more.

As previously intimated, our service project was made possible by Hearts for Hue, an NGO that works with the local authorities to identify families in need of coordinated assistance. The family that we were assigned to was selected due to their financial hardships, the fact that the patriarch of the family has a disability, and that their two youngest children passed away from disease when they were very young. Located in Phu Gia, the Anh family household supports themselves through the sale of rice and by traveling into the city to work in the service industry. Upon arrival at their home, we were greeted by Mr. Truong Trong Khanh, the Chairman of the Hearts for Hue organization. He began the morning with official remarks and the introduction of Mr. Anh, his wife, and his eldest son and daughter. Next, local guide Thien and Hearts for Hue volunteers Fong and Kahoa helped to separate the Oxbridge workers into groups whilst delving into the particulars of the task at hand.

The work, itself, consisted of the construction of a chicken coop adjacent to the family's small rice paddy. Students took turns mixing mortar and laying bricks for the knee wall surrounding the coop. Others joined the roofing team to help move materials and assist Kahoa as he affixed the tiles to the metal frame. There was even a team that created a bamboo floor matt using nothing more than freshly cut wood and simple wire. The sun was hot, the work was tiring, but the students never relented, and nary a complaint nor a protestation could be heard from anyone. As such, mandatory rest breaks were implemented, in addition to the most delicious banh mi lunch that any of us had ever tasted.

I had earlier explained to the students that part of the money that went towards the cost of this trip helped to provide the bricks and mortar for the coop, in addition to a dozen chickens that will live in the coop and provide fresh eggs for the family to sell and consume. As the day progressed, it filled our hearts to know that we were leaving something behind that will literally change the lives of a most deserving family. When the coop was finally completed (about an hour ahead of schedule due to the industrious nature of our precious ThunderWolves), we hung a placard on the structure that indicated that Oxbridge Academy had provided the labor and resources for its construction. Next, a closing ceremony was held where the Anh family were visibly moved. They said a few words, as translated by Kahoa and Mr. Khanh, and then Hannah and Henry read a prepared speech expressing their gratitude for the opportunity. Finally, I presented each of the students with a certificate of appreciation as coordinated by Hearts for Hue, Ms. Eileen, and Oxbridge Academy. The certificates are in the possession of the Oxbridge chaperones and will be redistributed once we return Stateside. We said our goodbyes, took a final souvenir photograph with the family, and departed with the image of a gorgeous and completed coop etched into memory.

The rest of the day consisted of a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda where we learned about the monk, Thích Quảng Duc, who self immolated in an act of resistance against the persecution of Buddhists during the reign of President Diem. While the shocking event took place in present day Ho Chi Minh City, the car that he drove in that morning is preserved near the pagoda. We also visited a temple where a group of monks were chanting and sounding the 108 bell rings. The students were feeling tired from the coop construction and the Pagoda walking, so a relatively short dragon boat ride back to our hotel was a welcomed opportunity to rest our feet, feel the cool wind in our hair, and focus on our all-you-can-eat dinner on the horizon. Dinner was held at a posh restaurant where the students dressed accordingly and were permitted to order whatever they liked. While the restaurant does serve traditional Vietnamese dishes, they specialize in Western foods, as they even have their own pizza oven. Students ordered as many as 3 main dishes; pizzas, burgers, steak, and other comfort foods from home were devoured during their “reward meal” for incredible comportment and phenomenal work today... and everyday since we’ve been in country. The physical exertion left us a bit sleepy, however, so we opted to spend only about 40 minutes in the downtown area, which happens to be an incredibly lively and hip hotspot, I must say!

I can say that our hearts certainly are for Hue, and we will be sorry to leave it behind come sunrise. The students are now peacefully resting in their rooms and are ready for even more excitement tomorrow.

Having a blast with these amazing students,

From Hoi An to Hue and Hai Van

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Dearest Parents of our delightful and daring Vietnam contingent,

Greetings from Hue! While we are all sad to have left the charm and magical flair of Hoi An, it is thrilling to have arrived at yet another gorgeous city in lovely Vietnam. After enjoying a final breakfast in the Grand Breakfast Hall at Le Pavillon hotel back in Hoi An, our mighty crew loaded their now truly overflowing luggage onto our luxury coach as we set a coarse to Hue, former capital of Vietnam. While there are more expedient roads that will take one to Hue, we purposely chose the most scenic route possible as we traversed the ever glorious Hải Vân Pass. The pass follows a serpentining road through the mountains with the most awe-inspiring views of the South China Sea. Although most of the children had dozed off fairly quickly after leaving Hoi An, the beauty of the Hải Vân found its way into their dreams and roused them in time for some pictures and a history lesson from local guide Thien. Once at the base of the pass, we took a quick rest break at “The Lagoon,” which is a purveyor of locally sourced pearls (from the oyster farms literally steps away). Some lucky parents just may be receiving pearl necklaces upon our return!

Our first official stop of the day was at a Buddhist monastery where we enjoyed an absolutely delicious vegetarian meal and a look around the temple. Next, it was on to Tu Duc’s Tomb, which is located on a sprawling expanse of carefully crafted landscaping, replete with manmade lakes, gardens and several palace buildings. As Thien explained, Tu Duc was an emperor from the Nguyen dynasty who is notable for having dozens of wives, yet no progeny. From what we understand, the emperor planned his own tomb, and was actually able to enjoy the grounds and buildings as his part time residence, as the project was completed at least 10 years before his actual death. Another notable element of the tomb, itself, is that it does not contain the actual remains of Tu Duc, nor anyone else. Fearing retribution after death from any number of his enemies, Tu Duc arranged to be buried in a secret location, and because all of those who took part in his burial were killed upon their return from the clandestine operation, the emperor’s final resting place remains unknown to this very day. As we walked about the grounds, students listened attentively while capturing furtive snapshots in between the bite size history lessons from Thien.

Next, we found our way to an incense gallery where a portion of their fragrant sticks are still hand rolled. While some incense packages were, indeed, purchased, it is safe to say that the food stall across the street selling freshly squeezed sugar can juice received just as much attention. Could cane juice be the new official drink of our stay in Hue? We’ll have to see tomorrow! With our thirst quenched and our hearts full, we trundled along to the Imperial City, which is where the imperial family lived and ruled when Hue was the capital. Located within the walled gates of the city are breathtaking gardens, residences, “office space,” and halls of worship. While some tourists will spend an entire day within the Imperial Palace, we relied on local guide Thien to give us the condensed version, as we still had a cooking class to attend.

After freshening up at The Romance Hotel, which is not as opulent as Le Pavillon but still more than sufficient, we drove to the Vietnamese cooking class in the teaching kitchen and quaint backyard of a local family. The students gathered around butane gas grills to learn how to prepare many of the dishes we have already enjoyed throughout the trip: spring rolls, morning glory salad, and a stir-fried chicken dish. There were many teachers and attendants on hand to guide the students through their lesson, but chief instructor, Ms. Thao, was particularly helpful and friendly. After completing the meal, the students carried their food into the backyard where they sat al fresco at a long table for a glorious gala of good food and even better company.

It was a long day filled with a lot of travel and much time spent outdoors in the sun. As such, we are now resting comfortably and reconstituting ourselves for a day of community service with local NGO Hearts For Hue.

Until then!

Trinity 2 Vietnam: Day 4 Activities

Kayaking on the Thu Bon River, Cooking and Community Service

March 24, 2025

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Dearest Parents of the Vietnam Eco-Adventurers,

I sincerely hope that my effusive musings haven’t become redundant or unpalatable to you just yet, because I must reiterate that another perfectly marvelous day has just come to a close! In fact, I daresay that this has been the most productive and enjoyable day of the journey thus far. As previously mentioned, our present accommodations at Le Pavillon have surpassed all expectations, which was further cemented when breakfast was served this morning in the Grand Breakfast Hall on the top floor. The delectable feast consisted of stuffed pancakes, noodle and rice dishes, hot soup, the freshest of passionfruit and watermelon, and western pastries and cereals (amongst other delights). The hearty meal was most certainly in order, as we had quite an active day ahead of us. Breaking from tradition, we did not seek out our luxury coach. Instead, we made our way to the hotel’s veranda where a hybrid bicycle was waiting for each of us. Following a pithy safety briefing from local guide, we mounted our single speed bicycles and began one of the most pleasurable rides through the bucolic town of Hoi An and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Riding in a single file line, we quickly traveled just beyond the bustling city center, finding solace and peace at the Thu Bon River’s gentle shores. Students were simply gobsmacked by the mighty panoramas that materialized at each passing turn. The warm and whimsical homes that dotted the trail conjured fantasies of what it would be like to live life as purely and passionately as those that inhabited these blessed domiciles. Next, we happened upon endless rice fields in all of their blinding green glory. Before too long, we found ourselves at the kayak launch where we met with river guide Phát Pham who reviewed the fundamentals of paddling and properly steering a double kayak. Within no time, we were floating over the refreshing waters of the Thu Bon. Upon the calming waters and amongst the rolling, lush greenery, it was apparent that what was once a disparate group of students had clearly transformed into a loving family proven to support one another in whatever circumstances. Our long and adventurous voyage down the winding waterway was thematically analogous to the greater journey embarked upon by our entire group over the course of the several days prior. Like the trip, itself, we began the kayak excursion with uncertainty, unsure of exactly what lay ahead. However, once aboard our trusted vessels, and with the moral and physical support of our compatriots, we learned to trust ourselves and each other as we reveled in all that the Thu Bon had to offer. A surprise element of the kayak adventure was that we had the opportunity to participate in a litter trash mitigation effort, removing nearly 100 pounds of debris from the muddy banks of the river. The students were incredibly proud to take part, as they were eager to give back to the local community that had already enriched us in so many ways.

After reaching our destination, we boarded our bikes, once again, and made our way to a lantern workshop. Group members were able to choose their own fabric patterns, tassel colors, and bottom beads whilst benefitting from the skillful tutelage of 3 artisanal guides. Even those that wouldn’t typically describe themselves as artistically dexterous found a way to produce impressive pieces that will, somehow, find room in our luggage amongst the scores of souvenirs we’ve already accumulated. But the adventure wasn’t yet over! We boarded our bikes again and rode towards an organic vegetable garden and its accompanying restaurant. While another tremendous set meal of chicken, morning glory vegetables (straight from the garden), and prawn rolls were already being prepared for us upon arrival, the students were tasked with making their own appetizers over a gas flame. The spitting pancakes, so called because of the effect of the hot oil popping on the pan, proved to be both tasty and a blast to concoct. Perhaps the images in our photostream of the students flipping their pancakes to one another will help to capture the pure joy that pervaded the scene. After our garden lunch, we cycled back through town to Le Pavillon where we availed ourselves of the pool and the other resort amenities.

Because today was Henry’s birthday, we surprised him with a stunning cake in the reception area where we all devoured a slice as Henry made his wishes in front of his supportive and convivial travel mates. We then allowed the students freedom to shop in Old Quarter, bargain in the night market, and choose their own dinner venues. Most simply opted for dinner by the bite, tasting a bit from each of the variety of food stalls that lined the market.

With the Hoi An element of our trip now finished, we seek the sweet repose of our hotel rooms, eagerly anticipating what wonders await for us in Hue tomorrow.

Until then,

Trinity 2 Vietnam: Day 3 Activities

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Dean Glick's updates are a must read!

Dearest parents of our erudite and magnificent Oxbridge representatives in Vietnam,

As the sun sets on another day of adventure and discovery in beautiful Vietnam, it gives me great pleasure to proudly declare that your students have done an absolutely remarkable job thus far representing themselves, and our school, whilst abroad. Their thoughtful questions, intellectual curiosity, and general affability have made for a potent combination, winning them admiration and appreciation from our guides and myriad hosts. Your students have also been incredibly kind and respectful. It has been a joy spending time with them whilst also witnessing them grow closer to one another as each days leads to the next. And as we made our transition today from HCM city to Hanoi, their congeniality was on full display throughout.

While we were sad to say goodbye to our blessed Ho Chi Minh City, we still had a final point of interest to visit prior to leaving the city behind for the remainder of the trip. Many of you who are students of history will undoubtedly be familiar with the Cu Chi Tunnels and the critical role they played in the Vietnam War. This clever and quite extensive tunnel system helped the Viet Cong evade the American offensive whilst also providing shelter from heavy bombings and the like. After quite a detailed overview of its history and engineering, the group finally made their way underground and passed through 3 distinct Cu Chi Tunnel chambers that were far narrower and shorter than most of us had anticipated. While it was a thrill to traverse the subterranean maze, one did have to consider just how harrowing it must have been to spend any period of extended time beneath the surface in the meandering and confining tunnels of Cu Chi.

Following this enlightening and, frankly, obligatory visit to this historic destination, we boarded our luxury bus towards Phở Hòa Pasteur. This nondescript, yet downright disarming, restaurant satisfies its customers with their signature dish of either chicken, beef, or vegetarian phở by keeping the recipe simple, clean, and authentic. With regard to how the Oxbridge group felt about the meal, suffice it to say that there was very little left to waste by the time the meal came to an end. Speaking of ‘end,’ this glorious gala of traditional food was, indeed, our final activity in the city prior to transitioning to the airport en route to Hoi An. While students were slightly misty eyed whilst saying ‘farewell’ to Húng, we were happy to retain our full-time guide Eileen and to be meeting Tin, our Hoi An local guide. Arriving in Hoi An necessitated a brief domestic flight, which did not present any logistical issues at all. In fact, we were at Le Pavilion Hotel well ahead of schedule. Once again, our accommodations are of a luxury grade, with all of our students expressing universal appreciation for our new home base for the next two nights.

After a quick freshening up, we walked towards the Old Quarter, which is an actual UNESCO world heritage site due to its significance as one of the most important ports in all of Southeast Asia several hundred years ago. Today, the neighborhood is a magical and serpentining streetscape serving as a working shopping arcade and backdrop for an evening stroll along the Hoai River. As soon as the students laid their eyes on the charming architecture of the preserved wooden buildings, the tempting displays of the tantalizing storefronts, and the smoke signals from the kitchens of restaurants galore, it was clear that there was nowhere else we’d rather be in this very moment. We walked on with our cameras capturing each successive visual delight, all while paper lanterns were creating a kaleidoscoping canopy above us. Once at the river’s edge, we found ourselves at our restaurant, which couldn’t have been more perfect. Tonight’s menu featured an eggplant dish, beef noodles, and a succulent banana leaf chicken that paired quite nicely with a heaping portion of sticky rice.

As the students began to collect themselves to depart for some evening shopping, we surprised them with the fact that there was a world-class night market on the other side of the river that they were also permitted to visit during their evening spree. Students purchased desserts from friendly food stall vendors, found souvenirs for family and friends, and even found some high fashion duplicates that just might be “even better than the real thing" due to the sentimental value they now carry. We trundled back to our luxury hotel and are now resting soundly in our rooms with the promise of another incredible day ahead of us. Today truly set a new bar for the trip, and we can’t wait to awaken to another day here in wondrous Vietnam.

Until tomorrow,

Trinity & her classmates visit the Mekong Delta

The Dean of Students is doing an excellent job keeping us in the loop.

Day 2 Mekong Delta

To the parents of our adventurous and noble Vietnam sojourners,

As another day draws to a close, I am happy to report that our escapade throughout the Mekong Delta was yet another roaring success of an excursion. After a much needed evening of rest and recovery, the students awoke to a full service breakfast down in the lounge of the charming GK Hotel. The typical rice and noodle dishes were available, once again, although several students were also observed to be satiating themselves with made-to-order omelettes and piping hot soup. A bit of fresh passionfruit, pomelo, and watermelon proved to be a refreshing final course to our fortifying breakfast meal. Once properly fed, we boarded our usual luxury coach and set a course towards the highly-anticipated Mekong Delta region. Driving outside of the fuss and frizzle of the city streets, we passed by sprawling rice fields, lush and appealing urban landscapes, and cozy domestic enclaves. All throughout the drive, local guide Hùng regaled us with relevant history, impressive domestic facts, and even a Vietnamese language lesson. Did you know that there is no letter ‘z’ in the Vietnamese alphabet, or that the word ’ma’ has six different meanings depending on the tone that is used? (Ma, Má, Mà, Mả, Mã, Mạ)

After disembarking our luxury coach, we were escorted to a series of traditional tuk tuks, which is a more suitable form of transportation for the winding and narrow roads of the Delta. Our first stop was at a weaver’s workshop where the group observed how straw mats are still crafted by hand in some of the surrounding villages. We met local weaver, Bảo, who happily shared her seat at the loom with our more curious group members. We then transitioned to a punting-style boat that took us to the most charming restaurant at the Hai Ho Family Homestay. As you may have seen from the posted menu on our Photostream, it was here where students savored the oft-requested “Elephant's Ear Fish” as filleted and hand rolled in rice paper by our attending servers. Dipped in the tamarind sauce, this local delicacy went down as a right treat for even the more tentative diners. With much more to do in the Delta, we then transitioned to a motorized boat that took us past fish farms, floating houses, and small coconut processing facilities. In fact, our next stop was at one such establishment where we sat for a demonstration on the extraction of coconut water, the harvesting of coconut meat, and how it is then ground into flakes and used for all sorts of purposes. We were treated to complimentary coconut candies, coconut cakes, and coconut milk prior to being served a fruit medley with the option of a chili salt enhancer. Students even purchased freshly made candies and other souvenir items which many of you will be the beneficiaries of when we return Stateside.

It was then back to the boat where a surprise round of fresh coconuts had been prepared with straws for us to enjoy as a coconut water refresher. As we sipped on some of the freshest coconut water we’ve had in recent memory, our trusted vessel delivered us to our final Mekong Delta destination. The local brick factory is notable for its massive kilns, fueled by burning rice husks, that reach scorching temperatures of nearly 800 degrees Celsius. Nothing like an actual scorch house pairs better with the sweltering heat of the Mekong Delta on a sunny afternoon! We then found a small cafe where we purchased drinks and ice creams for the road, as we had a healthy drive ahead of us towards the city center. Dinner was at the Propaganda restaurant where a set meal of chicken with broken rice and custard apple (soursop) ice cream was a universal hit with our Oxbridge contingent.

Similar to last night, the chaperones then divided the students by evening interest. My group went to the downtown area where we strolled past luxury stores, the Opera House, and scores of locals enjoying a Saturday night out on the town. We also popped back into a mall where students made last-minute purchases that they had been considering since the evening prior. Others enjoyed the establishments closer to the hotel so that they could steal away to their rooms should they feel the need for an earlier rest.

With our final night in Ho Chi Minh City now at its terminus, I am able to say that we are all resting comfortably in the safety of our hotel rooms. Tomorrow is another massive day that features a crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels and a domestic flight towards Hoi An! And to think that we haven’t even begun the most exciting elements of our trip. You won’t believe how good it can get when we are together in Vietnam!

Until tomorrow,

The Dean of  Students provided this detailed update for the families: 

I am pleased to report that our first full day in Vietnam has just come to a close, and all signs point to the fact that we are in store for the ride of our lives! Your children have been exemplary ambassadors for our beloved Oxbridge thus far; it gives me great pride to be traveling with them and to call them my students. As you know, the journey began two days ago when we boarded our early morning flight from familiar Palm Beach International en route to the wondrous environs of multi-faceted Vietnam. While the students were certainly a bit bleary eyed upon check-in, the excitement was palpable, reaching a healthy crescendo by the time we reached Atlanta. Ever the respectful and mindful group, our travelers did an excellent job keeping together and following all essential directions in the airport and aboard our flights. Once aboard the longest element of our travel, I was not totally surprised to observe that everyone fared brilliantly and managed to bear the ~15 hour flight to Incheon with maturity, poise, and grace. Although I forewarned the students during our meeting at school that there would be “no time for Ramen” when we landed in South Korea due to a shorter layover, we managed to reach our gate with about an hour to spare prior to our final flight. As such, we used the time to stock up on snacks and drinks and, yes, even enjoy a sumptuous Ramen Feast in the case of a few of our hungrier travelers.

You heard from me last when we were actually still at the airport. The arrival process couldn’t have been any smoother. We had our bags and were boarding our luxury bus in less time than it sometimes takes to make it out of baggage claim at MIA. After meeting our guides Eileen (from New Zealand) and local guide Hùng, we were shuttled away to our hotel, which was a mere 18 minutes down the road. While our weary bones would have been satisfied with the simplest of accommodations, we were quite chuffed to note that our rooms are of a more than acceptable caliber, replete with all of the resplendence a tired traveler could ask for.

As was planned, today was designed for gentle acclimation and light exertion. We allowed the students to enjoy breakfast at whatever hour best suited them. Some of us were adjusting to jet lag and found ourselves in the breakfast hall much earlier than we anticipated, while others managed to slumber until our prescribed meeting time at noon. Eileen and Hùng brought us on foot to a local jeweler that happened to offer the best money exchange rate in town. Who would have thought?! What an excellent pro tip! It was then time for a Vietnamese set meal at the Panda Leaf Saigon restaurant where we feasted on pho, sticky rice, fried wantons, spring rolls, and succulent pork. With our bellies full and our energy levels rising, it was finally time to officially take in the sights. We boarded our luxury bus, once again, to tour the expansive “Reunification Palace,” whose history dates back to the French colonial days (albeit in slightly different form following its initial destruction). It was here, amongst other things, where Henry Kissinger met with South Vietnamese President Thieu to discuss the war and potential peace negotiations. Our group was also ushered through the palace’s underground bunker area where the President and his family took shelter on the day that Saigon fell almost 50 years ago to the day. With the war very much on our minds, the next point of interest was the War Remnants Museum, which was a lot more sobering than any of us had anticipated. As you can imagine, the museum has a very specific take on America’s role in the war and quite graphically demonstrates things like Agent Orange’s lasting effects and the traumatic encounters that villagers, or “non combatants,” endured throughout the war. At the risk of oversharing, I will simply say that it is quite a unique experience to look at one’s own country through a foreign lens. The day concluded with a walk by the Notre Dame cathedral (shrouded in scaffolding) and an interior visit to the Old Post Office in all of its architectural glory.

Before we enjoyed another delectable meal, we recuperated back at the hotel and found shelter from the sweltering heat. After hoovering our chicken, mixed vegetables, and simple soup at the Soul Ben Thanh Restaurant, some free time remained before bed. As such, the group divided up, with the vast majority opting to go shopping at a traditional night market and then at a western mall. This slower paced sort of activity was intentionally designed to make the first day more palatable and to keep with the spirit of acclimation. Tomorrow morning, however, we begin a very full and active day, so it is a good thing to note that we are all safely in the comfort of our rooms and resting for what promises to be a joy of a day! Thank you for your support and positive encouragement thus far. We can’t wait to really begin to dig in when the sun rises.

Until tomorrow,