Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get painting! Pick a particular location you’ll visit on your trip and compare your artwork to photos of the location when you return. Consider painting the Marble Mountains, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Halong Bay, or even a famous water puppet show.
Not a painter? Check out this video showcasing some of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes and cities.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Vietnam include:
- We Were Soldiers (2002)*
- Hamburger Hill (1987)*
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)*
- Indochine (1992)
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Study the imperial dynasties of the past, as well as much more recent events like the Vietnam War (or as the Vietnamese refer to it, the American War). Then, tour some of Vietnam’s ancient history and modern marvels with this video featuring the ten best places to visit in Vietnam.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- A Dragon Apparent by Norman Lewis
- The Quiet American by Graham Greene
- Mad About the Mekong by John Keay
- Vietnam – Rising Dragon by Bill Hayton
- At Home in the World by Tich Nhat Hanh
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a cooking class with your travel group, or consider a group outing to a restaurant that offers your destination’s cuisine. Try pho (chicken or beef noodle soup), fresh summer rolls or fried spring rolls, banh mi (baguette sandwiches), or beef on rice noodles.
Learn the language
Call up a friend and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashew nuts and black pepper in the world, with one-third of global production coming from the country.