Teaching English in Ho Chi Minh

I went to HCMC for 10 days to volunteer teaching English to young adults. The entire program was executed with precision and accuracy; from transport from airport to hotel via private bus, to tours, to teaching in an English school.
I was with a group of 12 in total, 10 Tafe students and 2 tutors. We all supported one another and stuck together everywhere we went. The area we stayed in was an hour from the city centre, and being the only obvious looking foreigners, the locals soon got used to talking to us.
This trip was unique because it was full of many 'firsts' - first time to an Asian country, first time teaching, first time traveling with people I did not know.
Ho Chi Minh is extremely humid and hot. However, if you feel the cold like me, bring something to keep you warm when you are in air conditioned buildings or buses. Crossing the road is definitely something you need to prepare for ahead of time, it can be scary otherwise. According to our local coordinator, wearing a backpack on your back or front is safer than wearing an over the shoulder bag. Things to do when you get free time; water puppet show, cu chi tunnels, war museum, mekong river delta, vietnamese cooking class, Back of The Bike Tour, Markets, river cruise. We did not encounter many mosquitos, surprisingly, nor did we get sunburnt, but never underestimate the need for sunblock and repellent. I didn't bother taking an umbrella, because you can get ponchos everywhere. Bottled water is also everywhere, and its cheaper to dine out than cook your own food. You just need millions of VND because A $1 is approximately 17,400 VND, and you will find yourself running out of cash quickly because you will have millions of dong, but it will only amount to about A$100. There are lots of ATM's that give you VND for a small fee. Check out the Vietnamese candy/chocolates in the snack aisles of the supermarket. There are Vietnamese and Western toilets in HCM, but we were encouraged (told) not to put the toilet paper in the toilet, because the sewerage system is not adequate. There are bins for the paper. (Always carry tissues with you).
The entire experience left me feeling like staying a few more days and not being ready to leave when we did. We met so many smiling and kind people, and made many new friends in the students we interacted with. I did get better at crossing the road, even by myself at night. Teaching English took me beyond my comfort zone, but I soon forgot about that and went with the flow of interacting with the students. The biggest impact this has had is that I want to see more of the world and experience more cultural differences. I've learned how to show respect and humble myself, in another culture, yes, but also here in Australia too.
Thank you IVHG for this opportunity <3