After a multi-year pause, UCR Business returned to Vietnam July 21–26, with 10 business students in an unforgettable immersion into one of the fastest-growing economies on the planet. The journey began in Ho Chi Minh City, where the scent of street food and the symphony of motorbikes set the stage for a deep dive into Saigon’s entrepreneurial heart. Highlights included visits to Acecook—Vietnam’s leading noodle manufacturer—and a bamboo/silk garment factory, where students saw firsthand how traditional craftsmanship meets modern export markets. Cultural stops brought history and context: the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and a boat ride through the Mekong River Delta—all providing perspective on Vietnam’s resilience and transformation.

The program continued north to Hanoi, Vietnam’s political capital, where the scale and speed of development were on full display. Students explored Parosy, a high-capacity garment operation in the city’s industrial district, and toured cultural landmarks like the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology, the Opera House, and the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace.

Through it all, students experienced not just economic growth—but human connection. Vietnam offered an inspiring glimpse into a future shaped by innovation, tradition, and fierce determination.