Students of Malaysia's Management & Science University (MSU) recently organised an educational trip to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam.

The programme called “Eclipse of Wisdom: A Global Challenge” was organised by students of the faculty of business management and professional studies (FBMP). It was the ninth involving destinations within the Asean region. The programme aimed at developing students’ personal skills and provide them with international exposure.

It also created awareness on the strong relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam. Thirty eight students and two lecturers took part in the programme.

The three-day trip took the troupe to areas on the fringes of Ho Chi Minh City. They also visited Notre Dame de Saigon, a cathedral built during the French colonial era, the statue of Ho Chi Minh, Phuong Nam Lacquer War factory and Cu Chi Tunnels, the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War and the Viet Cong’s base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968.

While visiting the Muslim community in the area, a donation was also given to the Ho Chi Minh City Jamek Mosque, built in 1935, an orphanage and the Madrasah Al-Nur.

“The trip brought us closer to the community in Vietnam particularly and we learnt to appreciate the social and economic issues experienced by the people,” said Danisha Kaur Delip, the project director.

“This programme provides me the knowledge I need academically and also soft skills which will be handy for my career,” said Nik Nur ‘Atiqah Nik Muhamad Ghazali.