Carlene M. ILR'24, Cultural and Group Work at Tôn Đức Thắng University (TDTU)

Hello Everyone! My name is Carlene Mwaura and I am a Senior in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations who traveled to Ho Chi Minh City over the past winter break to study and learn at TDTU University in a cultural exchange and engaged learning collaboration program. The cultural exchange aspect of our trip is something that I valued the most from our trip. I loved how we were able to learn so much about Vietnamese culture and history in both the socioeconomic and labor aspects of Vietnam such as the Vietnamese workplace and classroom environment cultural norms, both labor history and labor law in a Vietnamese and East Asian context. We also learned more about cross-cultural teamwork collaboration as we partnered with the TDTU students to complete presentations, class projects, and simulations. We learned how to communicate beyond language barriers and grew deeper friendships and connections with the students that we worked with. We discussed the cultural and pop cultural similarities and differences between Vietnam and the United States, and I felt that I created lasting close friendships with everyone I met it was such a beautiful experience that I will never forget and am so thankful for!

Song L. ILR'26, Trip to Nha Trang

After a morning of classes, we packed into a train to the Nha Trang campus, armed with bags of 7/11 snacks. We spent the whole ride playing charades games and trying Hot Pot flavored chips together. Once the train arrived at midnight, we found our spacious rooms and passed out almost immediately.

Bright and early at 8:30 in the morning the next day, a group of us met outside to get some breakfast nearby. We then walked over to the beautiful Hon Chong beach, capturing picture- perfect glimpses of the verdant landscape, each more magnificent than the last. With endless blue skies sweeping overhead and white sand under our footsteps, we admired the great mountains and urban sprawl that lay ahead of us. Once we put our towels down, we sprinted straight into the water and spent the morning splashing in the water, enjoying the daylight.

Once we returned to the TDTU campus, we were able to see the campus in all its glory for the first time. We found a hidden nook by the rocks while exploring, so we lounged there for a moment and enjoyed the incredible view.

At noon, I had seafood noodles, probably one of my top meals on the whole trip. Spent yet satisfied, we devoured the warm food quickly. After lunch, we drove to the Po Nagar Cham Tower to see the beautiful archaic temple. We joined the hordes of tourists crowding to see a group of women in traditional clothing dancing, and a few of us bought hats at the gift store.

Afterward, we spent a few hours at the bustling local market, filled with vendors clamoring and bargaining. Navigating the lively crowds, I bought a few bracelets to bring back home for my friends and family. The rest of the day flew by in a blur of food, music, and energetic conversations.

The next morning, we woke up bright and early to visit the resort. We had no idea what to expect on the ride there, as none of us had been to a mud bath before. After crowding into one and relaxing in the sun, we had free time to explore countless pools of crystal blue water. We ate a delicious meal one last time, and took a one way sleeping train back to the Ho Chi Minh City campus.

The Nha Trang was truly one of the best parts of the entire trip to Vietnam, and I was so grateful to be a part of the the 10th anniversary cohort!

Danielle D. ILR'25, Field Visit: Đầm Sen Water Park

Today we visited Dam Sen Waterpark, where we met with representatives of the Vietnamese General Confederation of Labor who represent the hospitality workers at the waterpark. They are part of the grassroots VGCL, which is similar to a local union in the US. The VGCL’s main roles are to handle grievances and bargain new collective bargaining agreements with the employer. The representative told us that they typically take an integrative approach to dealing with management, meaning they work together to find common goals and a mutually desirable resolution, rather than being at odds with one another. After talking to the representative for about an hour, they graciously invited us to spend the afternoon swimming at the waterpark! We formed small groups with our Vietnamese friends and went on every slide in the park that afternoon. On the bus back to TDTU we still had a lot of energy— we had a sing-a-long on the bus where we taught the TDTU students some fun American songs like Call Me Maybe, and the TDTU students taught us their favorite songs like Áo Dài Ơi.

Eva E. ILR'26, Field Visit: International Labour Organization (ILO) Office

On January 11, we ventured to the BetterWork Vietnam Office in Ho Chi Minh City. BetterWork is an offshoot of the International Labour Organization that investigates and works to improve garment sector working conditions. BetterWork Vietnam plays an important role in Vietnam because of the prevalence of garment factories and production sites. The organization conducts inspections of different work sites and overall, works to improve compliance with labor rights guidelines. Something that I found interesting was the presentation on non-compliance levels across different regulations. The most common subject of noncompliance was overtime payments, followed by personal protective equipment provisions and fire safety. Learning about the specific challenges that face Vietnamese garment workers really put into perspective the importance of international labor rights advocacy and worker voice. 

One of the things I was surprised by during our trip to the BetterWork office was our discussion about how the ILO can promote changes in brand behavior. When we asked about the brands with the highest compliance levels, Ms. Ha said the name of a company that I would not expect to be compliant. I won’t name names, but it’s pretty infamous on Cornell’s campus. Anyway, they explained that the outcry about this brand’s poor labor practices in the past actually led the company to make significant changes. The increased spotlight shone by labor rights organizations and the general public revealed significant failures, but also pressured the company to provide solutions. This was an inspiring example of how advocacy and organizing can enact real change, even at the corporate level. I hope that more companies will follow this example and bolster their labor rights compliance in Vietnam. 

After the ILO, we walked around the city area and found some delicious Banh Mi. The two girls working at the store were very nice, and they gave me some free yogurt! We took selfies with them and followed each other on Instagram, which was a really fun and unexpected moment of connection. After we got our sandwiches, we sat and reflected on our visit at a coffee shop while waiting for the bus to take us to the Waterpark for the union visit. Learning from the ILO and BetterWork was an invaluable experience, but it is this time that I remember the most– thoughtful conversations with my amazing cohort, sharing a meal, and feeling inspired to keep up the work.

Sri R. ILR ‘25, Session with Ha Dang (Founder of Respect Vietnam)

On January 9th, we had an opportunity to hear from Ha Dang, the founder of Respect Vietnam, a non-profit organization dedicated to driving organizational transformation in Vietnam and other global settings. Respect Vietnam specializes in addressing inter-organizational conflicts and providing sustainable workplace solutions. One of the ways they achieve this is by providing strategic consulting and creative training, supported by informative infographics that address themes such as conflict resolution, organizational learning, and aligning workplace goals, to name a few. It was truly compelling to see how different visual designs and comics were able to effectively convey messages around labor rights, social change, and workplace inclusion. 

During the second-half of the session, Ha Dang also guided us through an interactive activity focused on the Business Model Canvas. This strategic management tool visually represents nine fundamental building blocks or core aspects of a business: key partners, key activities, key resources, value proposition, customer segments, customer relationships, channels, revenue streams, and cost structure (see infographic below). The activity was highly informative because we saw how the Business Model Canvas illustrates how bad labor relations impact the bottom line—enabling a human resources (HR) professional to better understand business operations. In short, this versatile management tool, which encourages a holistic and systematic approach to the business model design, provided a new perspective into effective HR and labor relations management. 

Overall, the session with Ha Dang was inspiring, to say the least. From hearing her passion for helping organizations recognize that human capital is the highest return on investment to working on an activity unpacking the Business Model Canvas, we learned about the importance of fostering people-centric strategies to drive sustainable growth.

Di T. ILR'25, Hồ Chí Minh City Tour

I'm still catching my breath from this whirlwind tour of Ho Chi Minh City! It's unlike anywhere I've ever been before. As part of the Vietnam Engaged Learning Group, I've been immersed in the history and culture of the country, and Ho Chi Minh City has become a living, breathing representation of all that we've learned. 

One of the hardest things to grasp beforehand was the complexity of the Vietnam War. The War Remnants Museum certainly left a lasting impact. Seeing artifacts, weaponry, and graphic reminders of the conflict made the weight of it all very real. It's been a sobering, but necessary experience for understanding the history of this place. 

After that emotional start, we went to a classic French-style cafe nearby – a reminder of the colonial era here. It felt like a strange juxtaposition: sipping a latte, surrounded by beautiful old-world architecture, knowing how much conflict Vietnam has faced.

Later, there was a visit to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office. It's remarkable! Designed by the same architect who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it has this grand, open feel with beautiful arched ceilings. Here, the past and present really blend – you see locals sending postcards and foreign tourists snapping photos alongside Vietnamese people in traditional clothes on their phones.

But HCMC isn't just about the past. We hopped on a boat cruise on the Saigon River, watching the modern skyline shimmer in the golden sunset. Skyscrapers reflected in the water, traditional fishing boats bobbed nearby, and the city buzzed with life. It was a beautiful blend of old and new, a vibrant snapshot of Vietnam's dynamic present. And witnessing the bustle of activity on the water while the sun dipped below the horizon was unforgettable.

This trip wasn't just about sightseeing; it was about experiencing Vietnamese culture firsthand. Haggling at Ben Thanh Market for silk scarves, slurping down bowls of pho on plastic stools, and learning a few basic Vietnamese phrases – all these everyday moments painted a richer picture of the city than any guidebook could. 

I hope this gives you a taste of the incredible experience Ho Chi Minh City can offer. I urge everyone to visit this charming and dynamic city in Asia.

Zohar G. ILR'25, Trip to Mekong Delta

It’s 6 am in Ho Chi Minh City when you wake up in your dorm. Your bag is packed from the night before- water, phone, charger, sunscreen, and bug spray. Bug spray bug spray bug spray. You remind yourself that Dengue Fever is significantly worse than your phone dying and leave the portable charger behind. 

Don’t be late to the bus, or you’ll get left behind! You race down the elevator with your roommate, stop at the conveniently located 7/11 for a quick morning snack and tea, and then you’re on the bus on your way! 

A few hours later, breakfast is the best Pho you’ve ever had in your life at a roadside canteen. You literally drink the peppercorns at the bottom because the broth is so good and you’ve never had such delicious (definitely hand-pulled) rice noodles. This is your first Pho of the trip. You could eat another two bowls right then and there. 

Back on the bus for a short while, you end up at the mouth of a massive river and are guided onto a boat. 

Cruising on the river, you see massive shipping and fishing boats- the wind blowing past you makes for a nice reprieve from the heat. 

You’re now on one of many islands in the Mekong Delta. You dock, hop onto the back of a golf cart, and go. Sandwiched between your friends, it’s a bumpy ride! You pass people smoking in hammocks, playing cards, pushing carts, riding bikes, and even a few chickens and horses. 

It’s hot and sticky in the South, but you’re down for an adventure. 

Your first stop is for honey tasting. You down some honey, pollen, and a citrus juice you can’t recognize (you’ll regret not buying the pollen later) and then you’re handed a beehive frame to hold. Thankfully, the bees are a lot more relaxed than you are feeling.

Off you go onto the cart again to eat fruits and hear some music and then it’s what you’ve been waiting for- a boat ride on the Delta! You cruise on just a few inches from the water and pretend to row. 

Lunch, an entire fried fish is put on the table. Luckily, the break it into pieces. Rice paper, spring rolls, cooked vegetables are passed around the table as you talk and laugh with your friends. Some barely slept the night before because they were so excited! 

Just when you think you can’t eat anymore, your guide takes you to a coconut candy factory. You finish the day’s meals with the freshest coconut ice cream you’ve ever had and sample some candies. On the boat ride back, there are fresh coconuts from your guide are served. 

The bus ride back is significantly quieter as the heat and activities of the day have put everyone to sleep. You’re happy, and ready to rest. 

Go home, sleep, and get ready for another day in Vietnam- where you have no idea what may come your way!