Team 1 Student Reflection
Darcy May Riley (Y11 TI8); Amelie Ellen Kramer (Y11 TI3); Ellen Bassingthwaighte (Y11 AD7)
Our Vietnam trip started off with a visit to Hanoi which had a few culture shocks. The first thing we noticed was the loud, bustling traffic, filled with constant honking, motorbikes as the most common form of transport, and streets lined with stores selling souvenirs. We also visited the night markets, where we practised our negotiating skills, managed to bring prices down, and experienced food that was completely different from Australian cuisine. I think our favourite place was Train Street. It was a little alley way lined with many cafes and a massive train that would pass through. It would come so close that you could reach out and touch it. We did a lot of sightseeing, such as seeing Hochi Min’s preserved body as well a puppet show, another great cultural experience and got some good laughs throughout.
It was then off to the village of Khaii Cai, where we were immediately greeted by adorable little kids handing us flowers. The whole time in the village they showed us immense kindness and didn’t hesitate to help us in any situation. The project was defiantly a lot of work, but it was rewarding work. We spent the days shovelling gravel and sand into a mixer and then placing and levelling the cement. By the end we had made 30m of road. The kids from the village would also come and see us working, after school, often playing with us during breaks. We then also installed 10 solar power lights in their football field. It was cool to see the immediate effect it had when we then used the area later that night. Something that can’t go unmentioned was the delicious food. The cooks went above and beyond every single time. We ate things like rice, roasted and salted peanuts, noodle salads, eggs, fried chicken and beef and a wide selection of fruit. We also participated in a home cooking class which was awesome because we got to learn how everything was made.
Out of everything that we saw and did in the village, the kids were by far everyone’s favourite. We thought that having a language barrier would make it awkward to interact, but it was the opposite. We would play games like tag, scissor paper rock and communicate through hand actions. This, I believe, made our connection with them stronger which made it difficult to leave in the end. It’s safe to say that everyone’s favourite was probably this little boy named Duan. He was 9 years old, had a little brother name Triet and loved playing volleyball with his friends.
Next was the trek on days 7–10 where we completed the Quynh Son trek in the remote Lang Son region of Vietnam. On the first day, we travelled northeast for around 4.5 hours on a bus to reach Quynh Son village. During the journey, we were able to play music which helped pass the time and lifted everyone’s spirits. When we arrived at Quynh Son village we had some quick lunch, which was a range of meats, vegetables and spring rolls. Here we repacked our gear and packed only what we needed in our hiking pack and left the rest of our belongings in the community-hosted accommodation.
We then started the trek, walking for a couple of hours through a range of different areas and terrain. The track changed often, moving between paths, hills and open areas, which kept the walk interesting. We had to walk on rocky paths and thin metal bridges to get across rivers. We talked our way through the hike observing beautiful hills and mountains to the community house set in the middle of the mountains. That night we stayed together in one large room, shared a dinner, a chat and played many card games. The second day was rainy and very wet, but we all loved it. It was a longer day as we walked from around 8-4pm. We walked uphill for much of the day, surrounded by dense nature and thick greenery. Most of us had never seen anything so beautiful and lush, everyone on the hike was constantly stopping to look around and take photos (on our digital cameras). The rain made everything slippery, so we had to be cautious where we stepped, however the rain made the walk feel quiet and peaceful. We stopped for lunch halfway through and then finished out walk along a flat path to a new accommodation, which was much more spacious. Once we got settled, we had free time to relax, playing card games, reading, and watching the rain fall across the mountains.
We woke up on the third day excited to have another day of walking and talking, however this day was much hotter, but Ms Nelson made sure we were all being sun safe throughout the day. Most of the walking was along roads and through small villages, with two climbs up mountains which became hard. Along the way, we watched locals catching fish in the mud, which was something none of us had seen before. After a long walk, we returned for one final night at the accommodation.
Finally, day 4 of the trek was the hardest even though it was only 3 hours. This day we walked straight up a mountain to reach a peak. The climb was very steep and rocky, and at times we had to use our hands to keep moving forward. We needed frequent stops, but we all helped each other to reach the top which was so worth it. The view was incredible, endless mountains stretching in every direction. After taking it all in we made our way exhausted and packed up and travelled back to Hanoi to rest and reset.
Towards the end of our trip, we travelled on bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, stopping along the way at a pearl factory where we got to see close how they are made. The next day was very busy trying to fit all the excitement of Ha Long Bay into one day. We started by, exploring the bay and its caves on a cruise. Inside the caves we learned about the fascinating history of them and the formation of the stalactites and stalagmites. After that the cruise then took us around the bay, offering stunning views of the limestone karsts rising from the ocean, which was a good ending to the trip.
Team 2 Student Reflection
Zoe Ball (Y11 MC2)
On December 6th, 40 AHS girls travelled to Vietnam with World Challenge, a company that supports schools in running international experiences, and it was truly an experience like no other. We hiked through incredible landscapes and explored so much of Vietnam, from local markets and karaoke nights to oyster farms, water puppet shows, and Thiên Cung (Heavenly Palace) Cave, one of Vietnam’s natural wonders.
One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was visiting one of the lowest-income villages, where we spent time fully immersed in the community. We visited locals’ homes for cooking classes, played soccer with the community, planted rice, took part in a cultural exchange, and worked together to install solar lights along the roads and in homes. Experiencing how much connection, joy, and impact could come from such simple moments was eye-opening and made me appreciate how much we often take for granted.
Throughout the trip, we were supported by two World Challenge leaders, Michelle and Sabrina, who challenged us to step outside our comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and grow as leaders. We were also guided by Thiep and Te, our amazing on-ground team in Vietnam, who helped us navigate the 3-day trek while educating us about Vietnamese culture and traditions.
World Challenge wasn’t just about travel, it was about learning resilience, teamwork, and leadership. I came home with stronger friendships, a deeper appreciation for different ways of life, and memories I’ll carry with me long after the trip ended.
Emily Davis (Y11 TI1)
I am so grateful for this trip, and the opportunities world challenge provided us with. At the start I was quite nervous, being away from family and life for 2 weeks but I quickly felt very comfortable with the group and the team leaders. Michelle and Sabrina were so welcoming and positive through every day of the trip. Although the sections of the trip were quite different from each other all were equally enjoyed. Being in Hanoi was eye opening and the control world challenge gave us to lead our own experience was really cool. It showed me that we could really be independent and lead our selves.
The trek was another highlight of the trip. The constant support from the whole group and leaders made it a lot easier than expected and the home stays were one of my favourite parts. The walks world challenge chose were amazing and really showed an aspect of Vietnamese culture we wouldn’t have seen in the city. The community initiative was so eye opening, seeing how different their communities are, but how that difference is not necessarily them struggling or being worse. It’s just different. It was also how a little bit of work from us truly made a difference in their life.
Overall, the trip and how world challenge led it taught me a lot about myself, the Vietnamese culture, and the world in general. I am so grateful for the experience.
