Day 2 - 25th October

Day 2 began bright and early as our students fueled up with breakfast before heading to the HCM Cooking School for the much-anticipated Master Chef program.

Here, they harvested ingredients like chili padi and laksa leaves, gaining firsthand experience with the essentials of Vietnamese cooking. The chefs then prepared a beautiful meal from the students’ harvest, which everyone enjoyed together—a moment of pride and a deeper appreciation for the farm-to-table journey.

In a video capturing their thoughts below, students shared insights on how the experience reshaped their view of food, highlighting a newfound respect for farm-to-table cooking.

After lunch, the students visited the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, where they participated in a powerful sharing session with a Vietnamese war veteran. The veteran’s stories provided a personal perspective on the impact of war on Vietnam, and many students seized the chance to ask questions, diving into discussions about resilience, sacrifice, and the country’s journey of recovery.

We ended the day with a delicious dinner back in the city center, followed by a debrief back at the hotel to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure. It was a fulfilling day of flavours, history, and reflection, leaving everyone with memories and lessons that went beyond the surface.