Welcome to the team!

It is hard to imagine that it has already been four months since I had one of the most epic and rewarding undertakings of my life! Getting to spend a month in Hanoi with the CBT Vietnam project was an amazing adventure that I will never forget. It has been one of the greatest learning opportunities I have had as a part of the Tourism Management Degree Program.

Applicants working hard during the group interview - Photo by Kyle LeGrow

I recently had the opportunity to assist with the application process for selecting the 2016 project volunteers. Sitting through the group interview and watching things unfold from the other side of the room was an interesting experience. Although the interview is challenging and includes components designed to keep the applicants on their toes, it really does showcase different strengths that are important to have when you are working with the CBT Vietnam project. All of the applicants did so well with every challenge they encountered, and I was really impressed with everyone that participated!

On behalf of the whole team, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members: Natalia, Sarah, Cleo, and Justina! Congratulations on making it through the selection process, and welcome to one of the most challenging and fantastic experiences of your time at Capilano University. Trust me, every second of hard work you put into this project will be worth it! There is a talented and diverse team of people ready to support you with whatever initiative you take on. Good luck!

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Viêt Nam Trong Trái Tim Tôi: Vietnam is Always in My Heart

My trip with CBT Vietnam was my first time ever visiting an Eastern Culture, but I knew I was ready to be taken out of my comfort zone and try something new. After months of anticipation, and hours of preparation the day had finally arrived to depart for Hanoi.

While I was in Vietnam one of my largest tasks was to photograph every homestay and homestay owner in the Lao Chai and Ta Phin villages. I thoroughly enjoyed capturing moments from behind a lens, however I made sure to put them down for allotted times to soak in the culture as well.

In Ta Phin, Henry, Chung and I photo documented 12 homestays in one morning. That day I learnt that no matter how much I have to get done, I must stop and eat. Stopping to sharpen your axe could get you through the tree faster than continuing to chop with a blunt axe. The next day we began to document the homestays and small shops, and it would be four days before all 19 units were trekked to and documented.

This was an amazing task to be a part of because not only do I now have over 3,000 photos for my memories, but I also got a small glimpse of over 30 homes and the way 30 different families live their lives.

One of the large aspects to the trip was to prepare 12 of the village members for their trip to Hanoi in August.   My task was to facilitate learning around business development and finance to tie into my partner Marina’s lessons of presentation skills. The first lesson to break the ice I put an assortment of plastic toy animals on the table and got people to explain why they would be such animal. This helped to give me insight into their confident areas and helped to get people comfortable and laughing.

The Black H’mong had a good understanding as to what needed to be done to establish a sustainable homestay, however their main issue was finding the financial means. However, those who have found the financial means to change their homes have seen an improvement in their quality of life and that helps to encourage other families to get started who have a desire to improve their lives as well.

My favorite lesson I did was on the second day when I discussed business financing. To start the lesson off I asked everyone what they would do if they won the lottery for 5 Million Ɖ ($5,000 USD) as the introduction, and the reactions were enlightening. Every purchase was to improve the life of their entire family from a car to safely travel, to sending their kids to post-secondary school.

I had many members of the Lao Chai village come up and personally thank me for the information they received through that lesson which felt very rewarding.

All in all, the CBT Vietnam project is the coolest thing I have experienced in my life, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I learnt so much about myself and my goals. Having an experience like this helped me to reevaluate my life intentions and what my needs as a human are to truly achieve happiness. I left this project feeling I had made some new close friends with the team I came with, and I feel I truly helped to make a difference in the village through the learning I helped to facilitate. On my last night in Hanoi I found an old propaganda poster that spoke to me, and I feel after this trip of a lifetime will remain true and relevant in my life. Viêt Nam Trong Trái Tim Tôi: Vietnam is always in my heart.

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First Day in the Villages

The train from Hanoi to Lao Cai was quite the experience. We all slept like babies from the rocking of the train. However, at one point I was awoken by heavy swaying and I could have sworn we were going to tip off the tracks. Luckily, though, we did not and slowly fell off to sleep again.

At 5:30 am, we hear knocking on the doors all down the train car letting us know that we are arriving! My first thought of the scenery of this region was that of amazement. The expansiveness of the rolling mountain hills covered in rice patties along the winding roads was pretty spectacular, which trust me it only got better.

When we arrived to Sapa it was the beginning of a national holiday in Vietnam. Right away we could tell that this is a hot spot for the local tourists. It was only 7:00 am and the streets were already crowded with Vietnamese vacationers walking below the french style buildings Sapa is famous for. We dropped off our bags at the beautiful, recently renovated Mountainview Backpacker’s Hostel, and headed up the hill for a delicious breakfast.

After, Chris rounded us up with some Xeoms (motorbike taxis) to take us to check out all of the villages that the CBT Vietnam project has worked with over the years. We had wind in our hair, winding down the steep mountainous roads that overlook one of the most beautiful places. Can’t get much better than that!

The group then pulled into Tavan for our first lunch in a village, and do they ever cook amazing food. Usually, the meals in the villages consists of rice, a few different types of protein and some veggies. As well as, the best spring rolls! 

On this first day we opted to save Lao Chai for the following day as we would be there all week. Tonight was all about Ta Phin and checking out how our most recently completed phase of CBT Vietnam’s project is doing. We stayed at the lovely Ly May Lai’s home with her husband, their 3-yr old baby, along with a few other trekkers. Her and husband built a beautiful new home that can be easily recognized by its bright red roof. We were pleased to see that when they planned the construction of their new home they kept it inline with the traditional Red Dao homes. This shows that they understand the importance of their culture and keeping their home authentic if they want to sustain their tourism business. The evening continued with many laughs and jokes were shared over dinner and plenty of rice wine. 

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The stars of the CBT Vietnam project

For nearly a decade I have been fortunate to be a part of a community based tourism project through Capilano University. I have worked on this transformational project in Vietnam in varying capacities and have many people to thank.

Sapa's inspiring terraced landscape.

In northern Vietnam there is a (in)famous tourist destination known as Sapa. Inspiring terraced landscape, cool climate and colourful culture is easily accessible via overnight train. For one hundred years visitors have frequented Sapa. Tourism is here to stay.

The ‘CBT Vietnam’ project emerged from a trip to Sapa by a group from Hanoi Open University (Vietnam), Capilano University(Canada) and North Island College (Canada). Dr. Geoffrey Bird led an initial five-year project supported by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. The project focused on skills-based training in the villages of Tavan and Taphin. Volunteer students and faculty from partner schools developed and delivered training primarily to local women. The goal was to create new opportunities for employment, develop a more sustainable form of tourism, and increase quality of life.

I was a student volunteer on the project who was changed by the experience. In fact, I took a leave from my studies and moved to Vietnam to travel and work in tourism. I was inspired.

Speaking with Khu in Lao Chai.

Two years after the project had completed I visited Taphin village and some of the locals. We discussed the idea of another project. Planning, entrepreneurship, network building, collective marketing and mutually beneficial partnerships were themes that would eventually lead to a series of projects generously supported by the PATA Foundation. The projects continue to bring Vietnamese and Canadian volunteer students together in the delivery of community tourism learning programs.

Some of the stars: Taryn, Stephanie, Jase and Kyle.

My current role as a project lead, and the successes it brings, is the product of the hard work of many. I am thankful for those who have continued to selflessly put forth their time and effort. Instructors and Deans, Stephanie Wells, Jen Reilly, Kim McLeod, Dr. Chris Bottrill, Casey Dorin, Ms. Ngoc Anh and Ms. Que have been instrumental in making these projects happen. The countless students that have been on the CBT Vietnam project are the heroes and heroines. Our stars. In the field they have excelled. They have been the energy and the true grit of the project. 

In a training workshop. Ms. Ly Man May is pictured second from the left. 

But the people that deserve the most appreciation are those from the villages. They have inspired us all. Tearful goodbyes when we depart from a project trip are testament that we are more than partners in the experience. This community development project is not an ‘us’ and ‘them’ case study. People like Ms. Ly Man May in Taphin, Ms. Soi in Tavan and Ms. Mai in Lao Chai are some of the individuals that deserve all the credit. These resilient, thoughtful women have trusted and welcomed us into their homes. 

When you go to Sapa you might have the opportunity to stay with some of these women. Learn from them like we have, and when you leave, be sure to thank them in their language.

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Group Interview for the next CBT Team!

This week  fifteen lucky students who were short-listed took part in the CBT Vietnam group interview. Thanks to all those who came out!

In November of 2010, I had to take part in the same process. I still remember my first interactions with what would be my future CBT team members: Louise, Kyla, and Jase. Louise was a quiet facilitator, Kyla brought charisma and charm, and Jase’s strong leadership qualities were apparent from the start. All turned out to be an incredible group of people to work with and get to know.

Last night, I got to be an observer as new team dynamics develop in these early stages of the application process. To watch the group interview from the other side last night was a great experience for me. I’m really excited about the group of applicants that joined us last night. It’s clear that we will have a strong team to take our project through the next stages.

Good Luck everyone,

Taryn

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