Name of the activity/programme/experience
Real Estate Study Trip to Ho Chi Minh City - 2025
What motivated you to enrol in this course?
I was motivated by two reasons: a desire to experience the tangible side of real estate finance and the exciting stories from my seniors who participated in the previous Japan trip. As real estate investments become increasingly cross-border, gaining a first-hand perspective on a market beyond Singapore offers a significant competitive edge. With the generous subsidy from Mapletree Investments, a free recess week and a passion for the industry, I eagerly packed my bags and joined the SMU Real Estate Track for this immersive study trip.
Please describe your overall experience.
Every moment on the trip was action-packed as we visited 8 major industry players who were also amazing hosts! We were given exclusive site visits to developments that were not open to the public and gained lots of insights from professionals with years of experience in navigating Vietnam’s economic dynamism. Beyond the site visits, I was also able to enjoy incredible local cuisine and did tons of shopping with new friends. Under the care of the SMU Real Estate faculty, we all returned home with healthy stomachs and rich memories.
In what ways did this experience add value to your SMU education and/or professional development?
This trip was a rare opportunity to see real estate theory translated into real-world insights. On a professional level, it was invaluable to network with established industry leaders who exemplify how real estate can create long-term impacts while enhancing community well-being. Furthermore, connecting with fellow undergraduate and postgraduate peers, as well as the SMU faculty, further deepened my understanding of the career paths available in the real estate industry.
Why Asia? What advice would you give to juniors or fellow students who are considering a similar experience?
With Vietnam embarking on an ambitious phase of development and streamlining, the Asian real estate market is a hub of opportunities, growth and returns. If you are considering such an experience, I encourage you to take advantage of the regional connections and thorough planning that SMU provides and simply go for it! Ask as many questions as you can on the trip and get ready to have an unforgettable experience of Asia’s vibrant landscape!
