Written by Ryan Damian and Maryann Maracius from Architecture Programme, Faculty of Built Environment
Edited by Nadzirah Jausus
Xin chào! (That’s ‘hello’ in Vietnamese).
Picture this, bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), sampling unique street food and forming global friendships, all while earning academic credits. This was the experience for 25 UNIMAS students from various faculties who participated in the exchange program to Vietnam’s vibrant southern city.
Our journey began on May 5th 2024, coinciding with the semester break. The ‘Hello Vietnam 2.0’ Exchange Program, facilitated by UNIMAS Global in collaboration with HUTECH University, aims to foster academic collaboration and cultural exchange. Upon arrival in the afternoon, after a journey from KCH to KUL to SGN, we checked into our hotel and we had the free time to explore the city on our own.
Along the way to our hotel, the façade of the shophouses really caught our attention. These buildings tell us the history of HCMC’s, shaped by six decades of French involvement with Vietnam. Consequently, many of Vietnam’s older buildings, particularly the shophouse architecture, bear distinct traces of French influence. All these buildings can be found lining up along the streets of HCMC.
Our first official day started with an engaging Opening Ceremony at HUTECH University, featuring performances by local students. After that, we attended a talk on Vietnamese culture by Ms. Nguyen Vu Thanh Phuong, where we even picked up some basic Vietnamese phrases. It was an interactive lecture and so much fun! Trust me, Vietnamese people are incredibly friendly.
After lunch, we attended another lecture on sustainable design and were given an assignment to be presented on the last day of the program. The assignment required students to identify challenges in HCMC and propose innovative solutions based on the theme of a Green City.
On day two, we attended a lecture about Vietnam’s economy, politics and laws with Dr. Nguyen Chi Thang, followed by a visit to the iconic Ben Thanh Market. Ben Thanh Market holds as much history as other notable buildings. Here, amid the bustling stalls, we immersed ourselves in Vietnamese commerce and culture, all while savoring traditional Vietnamese coffee. It was the ideal combination of retail therapy and cultural discovery!
On the third day of our program, we visited the Malaysia General Consulate in HCMC for our next lecture, “Bridging Horizons: Exploring Malaysia-Vietnam Relations,” with Dr. Aizey Mazlan. He demonstrated the dynamic relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam, examining diplomatic relations, economic collaboration and cultural exchange to foster understanding and regional stability. It was a great opportunity to learn about our country’s relationships with other countries, especially within ASEAN.
Next, we went to the Museum of History and the Independence Palace. The Independence Palace or known as Reunification Palace, is widely known as HCMC’s landmark and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. It was the site of the Fall of Saigon on 30th of April 1975 that ended the Vietnam War.
Next, we visited the Museum of History, where we had the opportunity to delve deeply into Vietnam’s history, covering the Cham, Norodom and modern periods. The museum’s amazing collection of relics brought history to life for us.
On the fourth day, we visited local companies, including Bui Van Ngo Ltd. Co. and Unilever Food Solutions, where we learned about agricultural practices and food production in Vietnam. The following day, we took a trip to the famous Cu Chi Tunnel, the underground defense system in Ho Chi Minh City used during the Indochina War and Vietnam War. This tunnel system includes toilets, kitchens, storage, and more. It was a humbling experience to understand the complexities of wartime survival and to venture into the tunnels ourselves.
Final day, final presentation. Feels familiar? Yes, it’s our routine as architecture students in FBE. The Project Design Presentation was the highlight of our final day at HUTECH. But before that, we had a blast painting and playing fun games with our HUTECH buddies for the last time! A week of studying when we were supposed to be on break from the semester and continuing to go to class as usual can be overwhelming, but this golden experience only happens once in a lifetime. We made sure to seize the opportunity so we would have unforgettable memories for the future.
We really enjoyed this trip because we enjoy learning about other countries’ cultures and expanding our networking opportunities. Aside from that, as architecture students, we appreciate the architecture in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly the part where they preserve the historical value of the buildings, it is very pleasing to look at. We also appreciate the efforts made by the local authorities to plan for the city’s growth while preserving its cultural value. It demonstrates that the people love their country with all their hearts and will not abandon those who fought for it.
We’re excited to see how things develop not only in Ho Chi Minh City, but throughout the country. Until we meet again, Vietnam!
Cảm ơn!
This article is related with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) – Quality Education.