Pre-Departure Briefing
Chan Hui Ling
Office of Global Education & Mobility
Duration
20 July – 2 August 2014
Meeting Point
Meet at Burger King after International Exit.
Estimated time: 11.30am.
Insurance
Health and Travel Insurance
Visa
Not required for Singapore passport holders
Accommodation
Nhà Khách Trường Cán Bộ Quản Lý Nông Nghiệp
45 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Quận 1, TP HCMC
Group Size
22
Accompanying Staff
Ms Chan Hui Ling (NTU), Ms Karen Yee (SMU)
Singapore Contact
Email: [email protected]
Payment
 Amount of $735 to be paid by Friday, 25 April 2014.
 Payment by cheque/ NETS at ONE–STOP @ SAC
 The cheque should be made payable to “NANYANG
TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY”
 SMU Students, please submit your cheque to Karen, Office of
Global Learning, SMU
AU Allocation
3 AUs toward GER-PE (AHSS) or GER-UE
Vietnamese cafe on
Level 3, Tan Son Nhat Airport
• Bring travel adapters
as the power socket is
different from
Singapore;
• Voltage = 230V
• Double or triple room sharing
• Complimentary WiFi in hotel rooms
• Meals not included
• 5 minutes walking distance to VNU
(*1*) Get to know
the history of
Vietnam’s traditional
medicine.
Final Test
• Assessment Method: Multiple-choice Questions (there may be
slight changes to the format)
• Indication of AU allocation and crediting of AUs will be done after
you have successfully completed the programme
Address of Host University
Faculty of Vietnamese Studies (VNS)
University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH)
Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City (VNU)
Address: 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Cruise along the canals; sightseeing the rural scenery.
• Visit various local workplaces – brickworks workshop, coconut
processing workshop, mat weaving house
• Board xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw), traveling
through the forest and visit fruit orchards
• Visit local people and even go fishing with them
• Experience food culture and taste local cuisine
• Camp fire – learn traditional folk songs and traditional
games; bake sweet potatoes…
• Visit the local market and learn how they make rice paper
• Visit to Vinh Trang Pagoda – appreciate the harmonious blend of
Asian and European architecture
• Please ensure you have the proper travel documents for entry to
Vietnam. The passport must have at least 6 months validity from
the programme end date.
• You are advised to make a photocopy of the personal particulars
page of your Passport and IC, and bring them along. If asked to
present your identification documents, the photocopy should suffice.
• Fill in travel form on the plane before arrival in Vietnam.
• Singaporean males are reminded to log on to the NS Portal at
www.ng.sg to give notification of overseas trips.
• Time Difference: Vietnam is behind Singapore by 1 hour.
• Submission of NTU Online Indemnity Form. Instructions on
submission will be sent separately by email.
• Embassy of the Republic of Singapore
Website:
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/
ho_chi_minh_city.html
Tel: +84-8-38225174
Email: [email protected]
• You are encouraged to register on-line with MFA via
eRegister system at https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/
• Download app: MFA@SG
• Download mobile app from
app.internationalsos.com
• Website:
https://www.internationalsos.com
NTU Membership: 02AYCA089601
Important Numbers to Note
• Calling to Singapore (Request for call collect if using a land line)
Tel: +65 6338 7800
• 24-hour Assistance Centre (Ho Chi Minh City)
Tel: +84-8-3829 8520
• Authorised Personnel: Mr Johnie Goh
Self-Learning
https://www.internationalsos.com/eLearning/Comprehensive/
• Exchange rate: S$100 for 1,690,000 VND (Rate as of 6 November 2013)
• US dollars are accepted in Vietnam (Please change your USD in Singapore)
• Please ensure that you bring along some money in local currency (Vietnamese
Dong)
• Do not keep all your money in one place
• Beware of counterfeit notes
• Keep receipts of all your credit card transactions
•
Best exchange rate found at Goldsmith
and Jewellery Shops around Ben
Thanh Market
•
There are many money changers but
the easiest to spot is the first gold shop
at the corner of Nguyen An Ninh and
Phan Chu Trinh Street, just opposite
Ben Thanh Market
•
If you are travelling around, it is highly
recommended that you carry some
USD. It always cheaper to pay your
hotel or your tour package by USD.
• Make sure you know the “Rules of the Road” in Vietnam.
• Be aware that motorists, bicyclists and motorcyclists will most
likely not stop for you.
• Keep a safe distance from the kerb and look out for bus mirrors
as drivers tend to turn too widely.
• Be on the alert for petty crimes; snatch thefts and
pickpocketing are prevalent. Keep your belongings and
valuables in a safe place.
• Stay in touch with your family in Singapore and inform them of
any changes in your itinerary or contact details.
• Activate international roaming services with your service
providers at least 2 days prior to your departure.
• Obey the laws and respect the local customs of the country
you are visiting.
Do not use your smartphone while
walking along the road; snatch
thieves on motorbikes could snatch
it from you. Go into the shops to
answer phone calls.
• Get a Mobifone prepaid card for about 100,000 VND. The card has a
value of 50,000 VND. You can buy from K-Mart
• After that, you can buy another top up card of 50,000 VND. Do let
them know you need the 3G service. There is some configuration to
be done.
• Please seek help from the local Vietnamese students or shop
assistants.
• To check your phone balance, dial *101#.
• Send a SMS to 999 with the text message, <Dk data m50>.
Please remain contactable by
your family members and
OGEM using international
roaming services.
Taxi fare from hotel to
• Use only VINASUN or MAILINH
Saigon Square will cost
• Taxi drivers generally do not speak English,
you about VND50,000 to
VND55,000
bring along the hotel business card
5 - Seater
7 - Seater
• If you’ve health problems, bring your personal medication
and inform OGEM & appointed student leader.
• Drugs and controlled drugs. Bring doctor’s prescription.
• Bring along medication for common ailments.
• Beware of the food and drinks you consume in areas
where hygiene standards are low. Wash hands regularly.
• Weather is hot and humid, and it rains quite heavily usually in the
afternoon but rain is short and clears up quickly.
• Apply sunblock regularly.
• Please remember to bring cap, sunglasses, umbrella and
raincoat.
• Short sleeve T-shirts or shirts and jeans are recommended. And
one light sweater for travelling in the planes.
• Good walking shoes are a must for sightseeing days.
• Bring a few old T-shirts for the trips to Cu Chi Tunnels/ Mekong
Delta.
• Be prepared to get “dirty and uncomfortable” as you crawl
through the Cu Chi Tunnels and relive the wartimes.
• Be punctual and stay united
• Exhibit ambassadorial qualities as you represent
NTU and Singapore to our Vietnamese
counterparts
• Participate in official activities and travel as a
group
• Student leaders, please
watch out for your team
members. Report potential
crisis to OGEM staff or host
university representative
• Ensure that your team is
punctual, united and travel
together during official
activities.
• Encourage your team
members to participate in
official activities.
Financial Aid Scheme
Award
Value
(in SGD)
GEM-D Award
$500
GEM-D Grant
$300
Ng Bok Eng Scholarship
$500
Requirements
Promote GEM Discoverer Programmes
Before the programme,
• Complete and submit application form
• Collect Letter of Offer
• Return the Letter of Acceptance to OGEM, duly
signed
YTP – Market Immersion
$200
As required by donor organisation, IE Singapore
After the completion of programme,
• Submit an online report outlining your overseas
experience in the GEM Discoverer Programme
• Submit your CV
• It works on reimbursement basis.
• Please visit OAFA website and read the instructions on
application.
http://admissions.ntu.edu.sg/UndergraduateAdmissions/Financial
Assistance/Pages/PSEA.aspx
• Do note that OAFA has been updated on your participation in
Prelude so you need not submit proof on participation. However, if
you have other items (airfare, travel insurance and influenza jab)
that you like to claim for, please submit the receipts to OAFA for
processing.
• If you have further queries, you may write to [email protected]
for clarification.