Before planning school trips to Vietnam, you may wish to ask yourself what images the word Vietnam creates in your mind.
If you are in your thirties or forties, perhaps the images that come to mind are those of the fighting between Vietnam and China. If you are in your fifties or above, perhaps you have similar images dating back to the 1960s or early seventies and the war between the USA and what was called North Vietnam. For an earlier generation, perhaps those in their sixties and above, the images may be of French colonial troops fighting a war against the Vietnamese seeking their independence.
Although these images reflect the turbulent history of this beautiful country over many decades, they may also be deeply misleading because Vietnam is about so much more than this history of conflict.
Vietnamese culture and cuisine
Vietnam has one of the world's truly great cuisines. It is, of course, predominantly South East Asian in origin and style, but with French influences. It is unique and truly delicious and something that students on school trips from the West typically find very appealing. Although Vietnamese restaurants are to be found in various European countries, in practice, there may be no substitute for eating the authentic cuisine in Vietnam itself.
It may also be surprising for visitors to discover that, in spite of their relatively recent martial history, the Vietnamese people are some of the kindest and most hospitable around. Many are desperately keen to try and show that their country is not defined by recent wars and that it has a wealth of archaeology, architecture, culture and arts to share with the world.
School trips and locations
Vietnam has been referred to, at times in the past, as being two countries in one. This is slightly misleading and may well have some of its origin in views from the mid 20th century, which tried to suggest that the country should logically be split into two (arguably, one factor behind the Vietnam war). In the north lies the country's capital of Hanoi. Large areas remain rural and present an opportunity to see South East Asian life that may, in some cases, have been comparatively little affected by western influences. In the south, the major city is Ho Chi Minh City (ex Saigon), which is, in fact, the largest city and commercial complex in the country.
School trips to the north or south of Vietnam will give students the opportunity to discover fantastic temples - such as the one pillar Buddhist temple - or to cruise along the perfume river in the ancient city and imperial capital of Hue. You might also think of taking a boat trip and exploring Halong Bay, with its myriad islands and spectacular caves.
What modern school trips to Vietnam may show to pupils is that it is possible for countries to put bloodshed and war behind them and to move forward into a new and brighter future. The past is respected, and in some cases even revered, but the Vietnamese people do not let it set their path for their future development.
If you are in your thirties or forties, perhaps the images that come to mind are those of the fighting between Vietnam and China. If you are in your fifties or above, perhaps you have similar images dating back to the 1960s or early seventies and the war between the USA and what was called North Vietnam. For an earlier generation, perhaps those in their sixties and above, the images may be of French colonial troops fighting a war against the Vietnamese seeking their independence.
Although these images reflect the turbulent history of this beautiful country over many decades, they may also be deeply misleading because Vietnam is about so much more than this history of conflict.
Vietnamese culture and cuisine
Vietnam has one of the world's truly great cuisines. It is, of course, predominantly South East Asian in origin and style, but with French influences. It is unique and truly delicious and something that students on school trips from the West typically find very appealing. Although Vietnamese restaurants are to be found in various European countries, in practice, there may be no substitute for eating the authentic cuisine in Vietnam itself.
It may also be surprising for visitors to discover that, in spite of their relatively recent martial history, the Vietnamese people are some of the kindest and most hospitable around. Many are desperately keen to try and show that their country is not defined by recent wars and that it has a wealth of archaeology, architecture, culture and arts to share with the world.
School trips and locations
Vietnam has been referred to, at times in the past, as being two countries in one. This is slightly misleading and may well have some of its origin in views from the mid 20th century, which tried to suggest that the country should logically be split into two (arguably, one factor behind the Vietnam war). In the north lies the country's capital of Hanoi. Large areas remain rural and present an opportunity to see South East Asian life that may, in some cases, have been comparatively little affected by western influences. In the south, the major city is Ho Chi Minh City (ex Saigon), which is, in fact, the largest city and commercial complex in the country.
School trips to the north or south of Vietnam will give students the opportunity to discover fantastic temples - such as the one pillar Buddhist temple - or to cruise along the perfume river in the ancient city and imperial capital of Hue. You might also think of taking a boat trip and exploring Halong Bay, with its myriad islands and spectacular caves.
What modern school trips to Vietnam may show to pupils is that it is possible for countries to put bloodshed and war behind them and to move forward into a new and brighter future. The past is respected, and in some cases even revered, but the Vietnamese people do not let it set their path for their future development.