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The Malaysian portion of Borneo comprises two states: Sarawak in the west and Sabah in the east. Sabah offers a wide range of engaging, curriculum-linked content that may appeal to school groups considering educational travel to Malaysia.

Edventure Travel staff have recently returned from setting up new student programs in Sabah and have provided the latest updates and captioned photos, see below:

Kota Kinabalu – The State capital

• Mosques, Buddhist temples, and churches – Showcasing the religious diversity of the state and harmonious cohabitation.
• Monsopiad Cultural Village – Features tribal practices, dances, jungle food, and head-hunting rituals from the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Manukan Island – A stunning nearby island ideal for snorkelling, swimming, and exploring on foot.
• Sabah State Museum – Displays include tribal house styles, steam train technology, and the history of the state.
• Tun Mustapha Tower – A 30-storey building constructed using a unique hanging structure, one of only four in the world.
• Stilt villages – Unique wooden communities elevated above the water, interconnected by walkways that resemble a maze. Life centres around fishing and water transport. 

Mt Kinabalu National Park

• Kinabalu – Home to Southeast Asia’s highest mountain at 4,095 metres.
• Nabalu Village – Offers local food, crafts, and scenic views of Mount Kinabalu.
• Botanical Gardens – Walk the Silau-Silau Trail and observe insect-catching plants.

Kunsdasang

• Kundasang War Memorial – Features memorial gardens and a small museum dedicated to Australian and British soldiers who died during the Sandakan to Ranau Death March. Includes an excellent 25-minute video of one of only six survivors from the 1945 march.

Ranau

• Ranau Tea Plantation – Tour the factory to see how tea is grown, processed and packaged.
• Sandakan–Ranau Death March & Mini Death March – Walk 1-hour or 4-hour sections of the route along riverbeds, learning about the hardships endured by Australia and British POWs.
• Ranau Camps I & II – Visit the sites of the final two Death March camps. One camp includes a small museum with photos and exhibits from Japanese, Australian, and British forces. The marches are weather dependent and require suitable footwear.
• Poring Hot Springs – Located 21 km from Ranau. Explore nature trails and walk across five treetop suspension bridges set amongst a pristine forest.
• Quailey’s Hill – A historic site marking where Private Allan Quailey, an Australian prisoner, could no longer march and was executed on 16 February 1945.

Kinabatangan River (Sukau Village)

• Sunrise and sunset boat safaris – Cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, orangutans, and exotic birdlife.
• Gomantong Cave – Explore a large cave inhabited by bats and swallows and possibly glimpse wild orangutans nearby. Located a one-hour drive from Sukau Village.
• KOPEL – A local NGO specialising in forest protection and eco-tourism. Learn about their conservation programs and group engagement opportunities.

Sepilok

• Rainforest Discovery Centre – Walk the virgin forest canopy loop and observe orangutans, wild monkeys, and rhinoceros hornbills.
• Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre – View recovering sun bears from raised platforms and learn about breeding efforts and human–wildlife conflict zone issues.
• Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary – See orangutans being nurtured in preparation for reintroduction into the wild.

Sandakan

• Stilt villages – Unique wooden settlements built above water and connected by maze-like walkways. Life is centred around fishing and boat transport.
• St Michael’s and All Angels Church – Built in 1883. Site of the founding of the Scouts movement by Rev. Thomas Cecil Alexander in 1913, and later used to house prisoners of war during WWII.
• Agnes Keith House – A fully restored early British colonial-style residence.
• Sandakan Memorial Park – Site of the former POW camp that held prisoners transported from Singapore in 1942–43. In 1945, all fit prisoners were forced on the Death March to Ranau. Only six soldiers out of approximately 2,000 survived. A new museum on-site tells the full tragic story.

 Selingan Island (Turtle Island)

• Turtle Nesting – Around 8–10 pm, observe turtles coming ashore to dig nests and lay eggs. Local guides explain the egg-laying process, incubation, and release of hatchlings.
• Turtle education – Watch a short video and visit the evening museum. Learn about the nearby Philippine islands visible from Selingan Island.

A 12-day educational tour of Sabah can incorporate some or all of the sites and attractions listed above. Talk to us to discuss your interests and preferences, which will enable us to design a tour that meets all your expectations, curriculum relevance, timeframe, and budget.

Singapore is internationally renowned for its impressive development, dynamic business and finance sectors, and iconic tourist destinations such as Sentosa Island and the Singapore Zoo. However, beyond its reputation as a global hub, Singapore presents a diverse range of educational experiences that make it an ideal location for school tours—particularly for schools considering their first visit to Asia.

The following information highlights a selection of lesser-known educational sites and experiences that can be incorporated into a customised tour, aligned with each school’s specific learning objectives, subject areas, and curriculum outcomes.

Cultural Studies – Singapore’s multicultural identity is best explored through its distinctive ethnic districts. Kampong Glam (the Muslim Quarter), Chinatown, and Little India each offer insight into the country’s diverse communities. Students can explore bustling laneways, vibrant marketplaces, religious landmarks, and historic architecture on guided walking tours that bring these cultural precincts to life.

Transport – Students can experience and learn about Singapore’s extensive and efficient public transport system, including the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network that spans the island. Activities such as cycling around Marina Bay on dedicated bike tracks can also be enjoyed. Educational discussions may focus on the significance of Singapore’s Changi Airport and the Port of Singapore, the second busiest in the world, which handles over 37 million containers annually.

Museums – Singapore offers a wide range of museums that support inquiry-based and cross-curricular learning. Recommended sites include:

• National Museum of Singapore
• Art-Science Museum
• Asian Civilisations Museum
• National Gallery Singapore
• Indian Heritage Centre
• Museum of Ice Cream

World War II History – Singapore’s WWII history provides a compelling case study of the Pacific War. Sites that explore this period include:

• Changi Chapel and Museum
• The Battlebox (former British underground command centre)
• Fort Siloso, Fort Canning, and Labrador Battery
• Kranji War Cemetery
• Locations of Japanese landings and defensive installations

These sites offer valuable insight into the Japanese occupation (1942–1945) and the experiences of Allied prisoners of war, including Australians. Some prisoners were transported to Sandakan on the island of Borneo, while others were sent by train to Kanchanaburi to work on the Burmese-Thai railway as slave labourers.

Urban Planning and Sustainability – As a densely populated island nation of nearly six million people, Singapore has become a leader in urban design and resource management. Educational visits may include:

• Marina Barrage – showcasing water catchment, flood control, and desalination
• Housing Development Board (HDB) – exploring public housing, urban zoning, and sustainable design
• Living Space – an interactive exhibition about architecture and liveability

Nature & Conservation – Singapore integrates nature into its urban environment through carefully managed green spaces. Recommended sites include:

• Night Safari – nocturnal animal park
• Bird Paradise – home to over 3,500 birds across various ecosystems
• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – a protected mangrove habitat
• Sarimbun Beach – for outdoor learning and recreation

Culinary Education – Singapore’s multicultural cuisine is simply delicious. Options include:

• Cooking classes led by local chefs (Chinese, Malay, Indian cuisines)
• Guided food walks with tastings across various districts
• Visits to authentic hawker markets for traditional street food experiences

Special Interest Programs – Edventure Travel can organise unique learning opportunities tailored to school requirements, including:

• A visit to the Australian High Commission to explore diplomacy and international relations
• Attendance at the ANZAC Day commemorative service at Kranji War Cemetery
• A session at Dignity Kitchen, a social enterprise supporting people with disabilities

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

In April 2025, a group of students and staff took part in a service tour across Vietnam. In this highlights video, one teacher and two students reflect on their experiences and the meaningful activities they participated in throughout the journey. They share how the tour shaped their understanding of Vietnam and left a lasting impression. The itinerary included Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, and concluded in Hanoi. We invite you to watch the video.

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

In 2024, a group of students and staff embarked on a service tour to Hanoi and Mai Châu. In this highlights video, three participants share their experiences and the engaging activities they undertook during the trip. They reveal the profound impact the journey had on them and their new perspective of Vietnam. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

Huế, a city in central Vietnam, is renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage as the former imperial capital of the Nguyễn dynasty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Huế is home to a vast complex of palaces, temples, and pavilions surrounded by thick stone walls and a moat. Key attractions include the ancient Forbidden Purple City, the grand tombs of the emperors, and the Thiên Mụ Pagoda, which offers panoramic views of the Perfume River. The city also showcases traditional Vietnamese art and architecture. Our tours can include traditional crafts such as conical hat making in Phú Cam village and incense production in Thủy Xuân village. Additionally, Huế is known for its traditional music performances, including Nhã nhạc, the elegant royal court music. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

In December 2024, several members of the Edventure team, revisited Along Veng historical town situated 130km north of Siem Reap, in Cambodia. This town was the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge until its collapse in 1998/1999.  Today, Anlong Veng is home to former soldiers and their families, who serve as living witnesses to the downfall of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime. 

The Demise of the Khmer Rouge 

In the mid-1990s, as the confrontation between the Cambodian Government and the Khmer Rouge was drawing to a close, prominent leaders like Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, Son Sen, and thousands of soldiers fortified themselves in Anlong Veng and the Dangrek Mountain Range.  In the months leading up to the Khmer Rouge’s final surrender, Pol Pot was arrested by the formidable one-legged General Ta Mok.  Following a show trial in July 1997, Pol Pot was found guilty of multiple crimes, placed under house arrest in a humble hut, and died on 15 April 1998.  Various Khmer and Thai officials and two Western journalists confirmed his death, and he was cremated a few days later.  These events precipitated the rapid disintegration of the Khmer Rouge.  Ta Mok, the last of the Khmer Rouge generals, was captured by Cambodian forces in March 1999. Shortly afterwards, reintegration ceremonies were conducted in Anlong Veng to disarm and reintegrate former Khmer Rouge soldiers into society or the Cambodian Army, concluding the conflict amidst controversy. 

What to See in Anlong Veng 

Our specialist Edventure Travel guides reveal the history of the Khmer Rouge, focusing on the severe human rights abuses during their control and their ultimate downfall.  We visit the ruins of the building where Pol Pot was tried, the sites of his death and cremation, and General Ta Mok’s residence, which was also the last command centre of the Khmer Rouge military.  Visits to the secret residential complex of Pol Pot and Khieu Samphan are also a must-see.  Meetings with former Khmer Rouge soldiers or army generals can be arranged, providing profound insights into life under the regime and a chance to ask questions.  Our guides present rare photographs from former soldiers to enhance the historical context, depicting prominent high-ranking figures and key moments from the regime’s final turbulent months. 

A day trip to Anlong Veng offers a highly educational experience, particularly for those interested in communism, revolutions, Pol Pot, Asian conflicts, global politics, genocide studies, the Khmer Rouge regime, and themes of generational trauma, justice, and reconciliation. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

Wat Tepothivong, also known as Wat Thmey, is located on the outskirts of Siem Reap. It served as a prison and killing field during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. During this period, approximately 8,000 prisoners were detained, murdered, and thrown into mass burial pits or water wells. Today, the complex houses a collection of Khmer Rouge photos, paintings, and instruments of torture. It also features a memorial stupa containing over 800 skulls. The extreme brutality of the communist Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot, is starkly contrasted with the Buddhist pagoda architecture and murals.  

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) in Vietnam was established following the 1954 Geneva Accords, marking the temporary division between North and South Vietnam along the 17th parallel. This buffer zone, intended to prevent military engagement between the communist North and the anti-communist South, extended approximately 5 kilometres on either side of the Ben Hai River. However, despite its intended purpose, the DMZ became a hotspot for intense conflict during the Vietnam War, particularly throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as both sides fought for control of key strategic positions. 

We offer student groups the opportunity to explore the former DMZ and its significant historical sites. Highlights include the Vinh Moc Tunnels, an extensive underground network that provided shelter for entire villages during heavy bombings; the Khe Sanh Combat Base, a former US Marine outpost that was the scene of fierce battles; and the remains of Quang Tri Ancient Citadel. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

In September 2024, students and staff from Emmaus Christian College embarked on a two-week educational tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. The tour aimed to deepen their understanding of the contrasting cultures of both countries while examining social initiatives that empower disadvantaged youth. Social interaction and engagement were central to their learning experience. The students also explored key sites of Australian involvement during the Vietnam War, gained insights into the Mekong Delta and its ongoing water resource challenges, and delved into the history of the Khmer Empire, which constructed the magnificent temples of Angkor. Watch our short video to hear teachers and students share their experiences and most memorable moments. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand. 

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought from 13 March to 7 May 1954, was a pivotal Vietnamese military victory that ended French colonial rule in Vietnam. This battle led to the division of the country into North Vietnam and South Vietnam, setting the stage for further conflict and, ultimately, the Vietnam War involving America and its allies. Located in the northwest of Vietnam, this epic battle saw nearly 15,000 French Union troops face off against 50,000 North Vietnamese soldiers (Viet Minh) and almost 100,000 civilians who supported logistics efforts, transporting supplies to the front lines on foot and by bicycle. 

The battle required huge logistical efforts from both sides. After securing the valley floor of Dien Bien Phu in November 1953, the French fortified their position, relying on parachute drops and cargo aircraft for supplies, delivered via two runways. Ten tanks were parachuted in parts and assembled by Foreign Legionnaires, while 105mm and 155mm cannons, jeeps, bulldozers, ammunition, and other essential supplies were brought in. An underground hospital was built near the French command post. Key to their defence of the French fortress were several strongpoints, heavily fortified centres of resistance with artillery, machine guns, and trenches manned by various French, Colonial, and Foreign Legion battalions. 

The Viet Minh, confronted with substantial logistical obstacles, lacked aircraft and had restricted road access for transporting supplies to the distant French fortress encircled by mountains, 325 kilometres from Hanoi. Instead, their soldiers and labourers carried most of the heavy artillery pieces through jungles and over mountains to the surrounding hills, evading detection by French reconnaissance planes. Despite exposure to harsh conditions and a scarcity of medical supplies, the Viet Minh successfully positioned sufficient weaponry, soldiers, and supplies to ready themselves for an assault on the French fortress. 

The battle began on 13 March 1954, with Viet Minh cannon fire raining down on the French positions. The fight lasted for 56 days, featuring heroics on both sides. Viet Minh soldiers exhibited extraordinary bravery, sacrificing themselves to form human bridges over barbed wire or block French machine gun fire. They fought hand-to-hand against the French at several strongpoints. Meanwhile, French troops, vastly outnumbered and under constant fire, showed remarkable resilience, counterattacking and regaining lost ground, despite dwindling supplies and ammunition. Wounded French soldiers returned to battle, some with severe injuries, to hold off the Viet Minh. 

On 7 May 1954, the Viet Minh had destroyed most of the French strongpoints, incapacitated the airfield, and destroyed French artillery pieces and several tanks. By afternoon, the French command ordered a ceasefire, and General Christian De Castries’s command post was surrendered, marking a decisive victory for the Viet Minh. Thousands of French supporting troops were marched to jungle prison camps, with many perishing during the march or in captivity. 

The Viet Minh’s victory occurred just one day before the Geneva Conference in Switzerland was set to discuss the withdrawal of French forces from Vietnam, providing Ho Chi Minh and General Giap with a strong negotiating position. The Geneva Accords, finalised on 20 July 1954, outlined the process for the French withdrawal from Vietnam, ending nearly a century of French rule in Indochina. This agreement also led to the partition of Vietnam, setting the stage for future American (and Australian) involvement. 

The Dien Bien Phu battlefield is the most preserved battlefield in Vietnam, offering numerous sites to explore. For schools and special interest groups studying the French colonial period, the Cold War, revolutions, conflict in Indochina, Ho Chi Minh, reconciliation and reunification, and the precursor to the Vietnam War, this battlefield is a must-see destination. Key sites to visit include: 

• Dien Bien Phu Museum: Featuring hundreds of relics from both sides of the battle 

• French Command Post 

• General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Command Centre (Muong Phang to the Vietnamese) 

• Strongpoint Elaine II (Hill A1 to the Vietnamese):  Fortifications, bunkers, and a small command post 

• Colonel Piroth’s bunker site (artillery commander) 

• Outdoor collection of French tanks, artillery, and aircraft pieces 

• Strongpoint Dominique and the Victory Monument (Hill D1 to the Vietnamese) 

• Dien Bien Phu Military Cemetery 

• Strongpoint Beatrice (Him Lam to the Vietnamese): Fortifications, trenches, and a small command post 

• Strongpoint Isabelle (Hong Cum to the Vietnamese): The last French strongpoint to surrender 

• The French Memorial (one of only two foreign memorials dedicated to fallen soldiers in Vietnam) 

• The French-Built Bailey Bridge (Muong Thanh Bridge to the Vietnamese): Leading to the French command post bunker 

Vietnam commemorates the anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory on 7 May each year. Every decade, the Vietnamese government organises a grand celebration and commemoration service at Dien Bien Phu to honour their battle heroes. On the 70th anniversary of the battle (7 May 2024), our director, Billy Penfold, and two staff members attended the two-day event to film the occasion and revisit the battlefield, highlighting the significance of this battle and the commemoration services to the Vietnamese and French people. They met Vietnamese veterans and listened to their vivid stories. They also attended the French memorial service, where they met the official French delegation, including Patricia Miralles, the French Secretary of State for War Veterans and Memory, and Andre Mayer, one of only three French Dien Bien Phu veterans who travelled from France for the occasion. 

We invite you to watch the captioned pictorial below and the short video we produced showcasing this unique event. 

For further information on incorporating a visit to Dien Bien Phu into an educational tour of Vietnam, please contact our office: Tel +61 3 9876 5058 or email us at info@edventuretravel.com.au 

In April-May 2024, students and staff from Kinross Wolaroi School undertook a two-week educational tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. The journey presented challenges, including confronting the Khmer Rouge Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, participating in a Great Race activity around Hoi An, and experiencing the realities of rural living by helping build a brick house alongside a local building team for an impoverished family. 

 The group participated in various activities, such as biking around the temples of Angkor, kayaking in Ha Long Bay, and enjoying a hands-on cooking class. Watch our short video to hear teachers and students share their experiences and most memorable moments. 

Ready to plan your next trip? Be in touch to discuss your school’s future travel program to Asia or New Zealand.