CHOCOLATE-TASTING WORKSHOP @ MAISON MAROU 🍫

From Bean to Bar — A sweet finish

On our final day, we visited Maison Marou to learn about the art of chocolate-making — from cacao pod to bar. We discovered that it takes about 11 kg of cacao pods to produce 1 kg of cacao beans! We saw the raw beans, roasted beans, and even got to taste freshly roasted cacao nibs.

Every bar at Maison Marou is made simply from cacao nibs, sugar, and butter — yet each one tastes different. Cacao trees grown in different provinces produce beans with distinct flavour notes, from floral to nutty to earthy.

We learnt how to taste chocolate like the professionals: first, smell it; next, rub it gently between your fingertips to release the aroma; then, let it melt slowly on your tongue. It was a real test of our senses — not quite connoisseurs yet, but definitely with a new appreciation for chocolate.

A sweet ending to a rich week — in every sense of the word.

HOME SWEET HOME 🇸🇬

Heading Home

As our Canberrans wait at the airport to board their flight back to Singapore, it's the perfect moment to reflect on an incredible five days in Vietnam.

From the moment we arrived, we immersed ourselves in Vietnamese culture — tasting pho, exploring historic sites like the Reunification Palace and Cu Chi Tunnels, and learning about the resilience and strength that shaped this nation. We planted rice in muddy fields under the hot sun, crawled through wartime tunnels, and thoughtfully selected essential items to donate to Thien Duyen Orphanage.

We connected with peers at Hong Duc School through games, laughter, and the universal language of sports. We shaped clay with our own hands, bargained in bustling markets, and watched stories unfold through water puppets and live music. We discovered the science behind Yakult and the art of Vietnamese chocolate-making.

But beyond the activities and visits, we have grown. We've learnt about gratitude, resilience, empathy, and what it means to step outside our comfort zones. We've discovered that every grain of rice represents hard work, that peace must never be taken for granted, and that connection transcends language and borders.

Vietnam has taught us to be thankful, to be curious, and to approach the world with open hearts and minds. As we return home with suitcases full of souvenirs and hearts full of memories, we bring back something far more valuable — a broader perspective, deeper appreciation, and the understanding that learning happens not just in classrooms, but through experiences, connections, and stepping into the unknown.

Thank you to Hong Duc School for your warm hospitality, to all the guides and hosts who shared their knowledge and culture, and to the parents for entrusting us with this journey.

Home sweet home awaits — but the lessons from Vietnam will stay with us for years to come. 🇻🇳✈️🇸🇬