Vietnam Service Learning Trip (Jun 2026)

In June 2026, a team of 16 HKUST students and staff traveled to Tra Vinh province in Vietnam for a service learning trip in partnership with ECO Vietnam Group (EVG). The trip aimed to support education and development in rural communities where children have limited access to learning opportunities.

Before the trip, the volunteers attended workshops, conducted research, and shared their findings together to better understand Vietnamese culture and the challenges faced by local communities. Using these new perspectives and design thinking skills, they developed and tested educational activities tailored for the children in Tra Vinh.

After a four-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, the team arrived in Tra Vinh. They quickly settled in and visited the local community to better understand the families' daily realities and challenges.

Over four days, the volunteers taught morning classes at An Phu Tan B Primary School and afternoon classes at Hoa Tan Secondary School. They covered topics including English, STEM, Art and Culture, Health and Hygiene, and Environmental Protection. Through hands-on experiments and interactive games, the volunteers helped broaden the children’s knowledge while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning.

In addition to classroom teaching, the volunteers organized a carnival for the children at An Phu Tan A Primary School on the island — making the first time the school had hosted foreign teachers. They also visited a social enterprise and participated in traditional Vietnamese activities. These experiences deepened their cultural understanding and strengthened their connection with the community. At the end of the program, the children expressed their gratitude and hoped the volunteers would return.

Throughout the trip and upon their return, the volunteers took time to reflect on what they experienced. They realized how service learning mutually benefits both the local children and themselves. This journey motivated them to bring these insights back to HKUST to promote care, empathy, and social responsibility, making the program a valuable experience for everyone involved.