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HCM AGRICULTURE VILLAGE ๐พ
The Farmers Who Shape Us
This morning, our Canberrans visited an agricultural village to learn about the lives of farmers โ and experienced firsthand what "farm to table" really means.
The students harvested mushrooms, papayas, brinjals, starfruit, chillies, and lemongrass โ ingredients that later became part of their lunch.
Then came the real challenge โ rice planting! The task was to plant two straight rows of rice, keeping each seedling 20cm apart. It sounded simple enough until they rolled up their pants, plunged their feet into the thick, oozy mud, and waded through the fields to make it happen. Under the scorching sun, with aching backs and dripping sweat, our Canberrans learnt that success depended on teamwork, initiative, and clear communication.
Through this, they truly learnt that every grain of rice is the fruit of hard work. As they grow to appreciate the farmers who labour tirelessly for our food, they are also reminded to cherish the "farmers" in their own lives โ their parents, teachers, family and loved ones, who sow seeds of care, nurture them patiently, and help them grow each day.
As our Canberrans walked out of the village with their tummies filled from their very own farm-to-table lunch, they carried with them more than just a good meal โ but a lesson in gratitude and perseverance. As our students shared in their reflection, "Anything impossible becomes possible when you look towards the good" and "Once you've overcome the hardest challenge, every other one feels easier".
CU CHI TUNNELS ๐ช
Beneath the Surface โ The Cแปง Chi Tunnels
After a morning of back-breaking work in the fields, our Canberrans continued their journey underground โ quite literally โ into the Cแปง Chi Tunnels, a place that tells a very different story of strength and survival.
As they meandered through the dark, narrow tunnels, they couldn't help but think of the Vietnamese who built and lived in these tunnels for almost 20 years during the Vietnam War. The passageways were less than half some of their heights and barely shoulder-width wide โ and these were already the widened versions for visitors.
Walking through the maze required them to bend their backs and crouch low. They managed only 20 metres at a time, but the actual tunnel network stretches over 250 kilometres across three levels โ complete with living quarters, kitchens, and command centres.
It's hard to imagine the grit, resilience and endurance it took to survive in such conditions. Today reminded our Canberrans never to take peace and freedom for granted โ both are built on the courage and sacrifice of those before us.
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THIEN DUYEN ORPHANAGE ๐ง
The day concluded with a visit to Thien Duyen Orphanage, a home that provides care and shelter for children and young adults, including residents with special needs and school-going students.
While the students were attending school during the visit, our Canberrans met some of the residents who require full-time care. The day before, the group had thoughtfully selected and purchased essential items such as milk, rice, and biscuits at a local supermarket, which they donated to support the home's needs.
The matron, who has devoted the past 40 years to caring for the residents, warmly welcomed the group and expressed her gratitude for the donations. Her dedication and the compassionate work of her staff made a strong impression on our students.
This experience reminded our Canberrans to be grateful for their own circumstances and to approach others with empathy and kindness.
From working in the rice fields to exploring historic tunnels to visiting the orphanage, Day 2 has been rich with learning. Our Canberrans are discovering valuable lessons about hard work, resilience, and compassion.
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