Visiting Vietnam British English Teacher

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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
VISITING
VIETNAM
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1 Warm up
Look at the questions about Vietnam and select the correct answer.
1. What is the capital city of Vietnam?
a. Hanoi b. Bangkok c. Da Nang
2. What currency is used in Vietnam?
a. Dong b. Dollar c. Franc
3. What is the population of Vietnam?
a. 77 million b. 87 million c. 97 million
4. How many official languages and dialects exist in Vietnam?
a. 110 b. 90 c. 50
5. Roughly, how many registered motorbikes are there in Vietnam?
a. 37 million b. 17 million c. 7 million
6. Vietnam is the largest exporter of what kind of nuts?
a. pistachio b. peanut c. cashew
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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
VISITING VIETNAM
2 Visual guide
Look at the list below and tell your partner if you have heard of any of these things, then listen to the
recording and put them in the order that you hear them (1-first, 2-second etc.)
Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem lake
Little Sister Thuy
Bun oc
National Fine Arts Museum
Jade Island
Huc bridge
Hanoi style barbecue
Noi Bai International Airport
Hanoi Old Quarter
Street artists
Hanoi’s street food
Have a quick chat with your partner about Vietnam.
1. Do you know anything else about Vietnam? Tell your partner.

2. Are there any similarities between Vietnam and where you come from?
3. Would you like to travel to or live in Vietnam in the future?
3 Vocabulary
You are going to listen to the recording about Vietnam again. Before listening to it, match the words
taken from the audio to the definitions.
1. remains (v) a. continues to be something or to stay
2. skewers (n) b. long, thin pieces of metal that are stuck through small pieces of
meat
3. sophisticated (adj) c. having a lot of life experience and knowing what things are
socially important
4. delight (n) d. power of pleasing or attracting people
5. charm (n) e. feeling of great pleasure
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VISITING VIETNAM
4 Listening for details

Listen to the recording and answer these questions.
1. How was the speaker feeling after their long flight?
2. Who cooked the skewers?
3. What can the speaker remember from the National Fine Arts Museum?
4. How did the speaker feel about the street artists?
5 Vocabulary for conversation 1

Look at the expressions from the recording with your partner and using their context, try to guess
the meaning of each one. Then, to help you remember the language, have a chat with your partner,
and use them to talk about your life.
• ... one location that remains stuck in my mind is Hanoi in Vietnam.

• ...gave me a moment to catch my breath and observe...
• ... I then stumbled across the Huc bridge...
Let’s chat
1. Can you think of one holiday that was stuck in your mind for a long time?
2. Do you find that you have to catch your breath a lot when you exercise?
3. Have you ever stumbled across any cool, unknown places in your city?

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VISITING VIETNAM
6 Pre-reading: vocabulary
Part A: Match the following vocabulary to the definitions.
Group 1:
1. reunified (v) a. designed for or used by people who have a lot of money
2. evident (adj.) b. a place or organisation that is strong in a particular area
3. powerhouse (n) c. joined together regions of a country that had been separated
4. focal point (n) d. person or thing who is the centre of interest or activity
5. upmarket (adj.) e. clear and easily seen
Group 2:
1. boasts (v) a. saying something officially or publicly
2. declaring (v) b. any drink except water
3. beverage (n) c. tea, a cup of tea (British English, informal)
4. purity(n) d. the state of being pure, clean and natural
5. brew (n) e. has something that is impressive

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VISITING VIETNAM
Part B: Now fill in the gaps using a word from Part A.
1. I’m not a big drinker so I would say that some sort of soft drink would be my
of choice.
2. He had moved into a more area of the city and bought himself a
Porsche.
3. Detroit was a of the motor industry in the 20th century.
4. Would you like a biscuit with your or maybe a piece of cake?
5. The east and west were after decades apart.
6. These new homes many modern features such as a Bluetooth heating

system.
7. They will be the result of the vote within the next two hours.
8. The main of the investigation was a suspect that had been seen
by a witness on the night of the murder.
9. I think white is the best choice as it has always been used to represent .
10. The damage only became when we woke up the next day and looked
out the window.
7 Skimming for general understanding
You are going to read about a trip around Vietnam. Match the following paragraph titles (A-H) to the
article on page six.
• Active in the north

• A mix of architecture
• Up-to-date location
• Hot drinks on the streets
• Highland drinks
• Together but different
• Sand and tropical fruit
• A country for active minds

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VISITING VIETNAM
The amazing contrasts of Vietnam

A trip to the north and south is well worth your while
1.
Despite being officially reunified for decades, Vietnam is still a country in which the differences between north
and south are quite evident to see. These contrasts can range from the history to the climate and from the dialects
to the coffee, and to truly experience Vietnam, a trip which takes in the north and the south is ideal.
2.
There are many differences between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the north. Ho Chi Minh City is
the economic powerhouse of the country, packed with ultra-modern skyscrapers and plenty of trendy bars and
restaurants to keep you busy. Make sure you check out Landmark 81, the tallest building in Vietnam. Completed
in 2018, the building is the focal point of the upmarket Vinhomes Central Park area.
3.
In contrast, the architecture of Hanoi almost feels like it comes from another world. It is a city in which many
styles sit side-by-side and unique examples of French and Indochinese buildings are present for all to see. One
of the best examples is The State Bank of Vietnam which was built in 1930 and impressively shows the French
art-deco style which is loved by so many.
4.
The weather in the north of Vietnam can often be cooler, especially in winter when the temperature can fall as
low as 10°C whereas in the south the temperature averages out at around 30°C. This can often influence what
kind of activities you can enjoy in the great outdoors. Trekking in the northern part of the country can present you
with an unbelievable experience, and the views you can witness from places like Fansipan Mountain are second
to none.
5.
If that all sounds a bit too much like hard work, then how about chilling out on a beautiful beach down in the
south. Nha Trang is a south coast city which boasts six kilometres of golden sands for you to kick back and relax
on. Fresh pineapple is regularly on sale as are boat trips which give you a first-class view of the beautiful southern
coastline.
6.
Coffee is a huge thing in Vietnam with many visitors declaring the country as being home to the best coffee in the
world. It is the third largest producer of coffee so it maybe shouldn’t be such a surprise that the Vietnamese love
it as much as they do. In the south, -perhaps due to the high temperatures- iced coffee is preferred and enjoying
"street coffee" is a popular morning pastime in Ho Chi Minh city.
7.
In the north, it is in fact tea that is the drink of choice for many residents. The Vietnamese tend to value simple,
lightly-flavoured teas as they see tea as a beverage of purity. Green tea is clearly the most popular kind although
flowery teas are also enjoyed frequently. To experience the culture fully, then head for the northern highland
regions like Yen Bai which are renowned for their ancient tea forests which you can explore at your own leisure
before sitting down for a yummy brew.
8.
Vietnam is a country with a complex but ultimately intriguing past. It offers the visitor a variety that is perhaps
not able to be experienced anywhere else on Earth. So, if you are the kind of person that gets bored easily, maybe
Vietnam is the place for you.
Sources: Wikipedia, theculturetrip.com, inspiringvacations.com

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VISITING VIETNAM
8 Reading comprehension
Read the questions below and choose the right answer. Give reasons for your answers.
1. Where can you find Landmark 81?
a. Hyde Park area b. Central Park area c. Park Central area
2. When was the State Bank of Vietnam built?
a. 1915 b. 1924 c. 1930
3. How low can the temperature be in in the north in winter?
a. -10°C b. 10°C c. 5°C
4. Where can you find some unbelievable views?
a. Fire Mountain b. Fancy mountain c. Fansipan Mountain
5. How long are the beaches in Nha Trang?
a. 3 km b. 6 km c. 9 km
6. What is a popular morning activity in Ho Chi Minh city?
a. street coffee b. street football c. street dancing
7. What kind of tea do Vietnamese people like?
a. dark, strong flavours b. simple lightly flavoured c. milky
8. Where can you see ancient tea forests?
a. Yen To b. Yen sell c. Yen Bai
9 Talking point
Look at the questions and discuss them with your partner.
1. Do you know anybody who has been to Vietnam? If not, would you like to go there in the future?
2. What was the most interesting thing that you read in the article?
3. Which of the places would you most like to visit? Why?
4. Would you prefer to stay in one of the big cities or travel up and down the country?
5. Now you have learnt more about Vietnam, what would you say are the main similarities and
differences between it and your own country?

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VISITING VIETNAM
10 Vocabulary for conversation 2
Look at the examples of natural language from the article with your partner and from the context,
try to guess the meaning of each one. To help you remember the expressions, have a chat with your
partner and use them to talk about your life.
• It is a city in which many styles sit side-by-side ...

• ... what kind of activities you can enjoy in the great outdoors ...
• ...six kilometres of golden sands for you to kick back...
Let’s chat
1. Which two colours look best sitting side-by-side?

2. Do you think spending time in the great outdoors can be good for your health?
3. How do you like to kick back at the weekend?
11 Optional extension / homework
Look at the two texts below, each one is about a historical period in Vietnam’s history. Try to complete
each one with the vocabulary in the box. Once you have read your text, you must then summarise
your paragraph for your partner and try and use different vocabulary, as this will develop your ability
to paraphrase.
ceasefire / territories / colonised / separation / share / defeated
A) Vietnam independence
On the 17th of October 1877, French Indochina was formed. It was an area of Asia which
1
was by the French and included much of Vietnam. The decision to
invade Vietnam was originally made by Napoleon who felt that his country needed a greater
2 3
of the Asian . The colonisation
4
of Vietnam by France lasted until 1954 when a France was
5
kicked out of the country. A was negotiated and a temporary
6
of the country into two militarised zones was ordered. It is
believed that these decisions are what primarily led to the awful war that was due to follow.

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VISITING VIETNAM
ongoing / estimated / decades / communist / conflict / distress
B) Vietnam War
1
The Vietnam War was fought over a period of almost two from
2
1955 to 1975. The involved a number of countries including
the USA, Laos, France, Cambodia, the Soviet Union and China. The war was fought between
3
the north and the south. South Vietnam had made strong links
between itself and the United States. It was felt that the conflict grew more serious due to
4
the Cold War between America and Russia, and this intensification
5
brought with it horrific for many. When the war finally ended,
6
it was that over one million people had lost their lives.
Look at the questions below and talk to your partner
1. Does your country celebrate an Independence Day? Why is independence an important thing?
2. What do you know about the war in Vietnam? Why is it important for people to learn about wars
at school?

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TEACHER MATERIALS · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)
VISITING VIETNAM
Transcripts
4. Listening for details
Speaker: A couple of summers ago, I was lucky enough to get the chance to go backpacking around
southeast Asia, and while I visited many wonderful places, the one location that remains
stuck in my mind is Hanoi in Vietnam.
Speaker: When I arrived at Noi Bai International Airport after an exhausting long-haul flight, I was
absolutely starving. I had heard so many great reviews about Hanoi’s street food so I was
excited to get stuck in. I started with a bowl of Bun oc or snail noodle soup, it is common
comfort food here and it warmed my belly nicely. I then got my fill of Hanoi-style barbecue;
I was able to choose my own kebabs and skewers and then sat on the street happily grilling
them all by myself.
Speaker: With my stomach nice and full, I set out to see what Vietnam’s art capital had to offer.
The sophisticated National Fine Arts Museum was an absolute delight and it included nine
National Treasures of which the image of the painting, Little Sister Thuy has really stayed
with me.
Speaker: Someone told me that Hanoi was full of old-school charm, and I really felt that for myself
when I visited the Hanoi Old Quarter. Walking around Hoan Kiem lake gave me a moment
to catch my breath and observe the cool street artists who set up shop there.
Speaker: I then stumbled across the Huc bridge which took me onto Jade Island where an awesome
example of traditional Vietnamese architecture is preserved. Built in the 19th century Ngoc
Son Temple offered me a fascinating view of what the Hanoi of the past used to look like.
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VISITING VIETNAM
Key
1. Warm up
5 mins.
This gives the teacher an opportunity to set the context and allows the students time to talk about their previous
knowledge in relation to Vietnam.
1. a. 2. a. 3. c. 4. a. 5. a. 6. c.
2. Visual guide
10 mins.
In this stage, students will be able to listen to the recording that covers different aspects of Vietnam. Ask the
students to first discuss if they know anything about the items below and then ask them to listen to the recording
and put them in the correct order. Students compare answers with a partner and then discuss Vietnam.
Vietnam Quick Facts:
Population - Roughly 97 million.
Weather - Climate is split by region - South is hot and humid, north is more seasonal.
Vietnam is bordered by three countries (China, Laos and Cambodia).
Important places - Hanoi (Capital), Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang).
Vietnamese wildlife: elephants, tigers, black bears, monkeys, water buffalos.
Vietnamese food: pho Noodle soup, bun cha, goi cuon (South) or nem cuon (North) Fresh Spring Rolls.
The currency is the dong.
Noi Bai International Airport

Hanoi’s street food
Bun oc
Hanoi style barbecue
National Fine Arts Museum
Little Sister Thuy
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hoan Kiem lake
Street artists
Huc bridge
Jade Island
Ngoc Son Temple
3. Vocabulary
5 mins.
Ensure students can correctly pronounce the target vocabulary. Ask them to complete the task by themselves
first and then compare answers with a partner.
1. → a. 2. → b. 3. → c. 4. → e. 5. → d.
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4. Listening for details
5 mins.
Tell students to read through the questions, listen to the recording and then answer the four questions, comparing
their answers with their partners afterwards.
1. "I was absolutely starving..." 2. "...happily grilling them all by myself..."

3. "... the painting, Little Sister Thuy..." 4. "...observe the cool street artists ..."
5. Vocabulary for conversation 1
10 mins.
Ask students to look through the sentences together and try to guess the meaning, monitor to support and then
allow them to personalise the vocabulary with a quick discussion.
stuck in my mind - very hard to forget
catch my breath - have a short period to rest
stumbled across - found or learned something unexpectedly
6. Pre-reading: vocabulary
Part A:
5 mins.
Ensure students can correctly pronounce the target vocabulary. Ask them to complete the task by themselves
first and then compare answers with a partner.
Group 1:
1. → c. 2. → e. 3. → b. 4. → d. 5. → a.
Group 2:
1. → e. 2. → a. 3. → b. 4. → d. 5. → c.
Part B:
5 mins.
1. beverage 2. upmarket 3. powerhouse 4. brew 5. reunified

6. boast 7. declaring 8. focal point 9. purity 10. evident
7. Skimming for general understanding
5 mins.
Students should be encouraged to skim through the article and not to spend too much time reading, perhaps set
a time limit if your group of learners are comfortable with it.
1. Together but different 2. Up-to-date location

3. A mix of architecture 4. Active in the north
5. Sand and tropical fruit 6. Hot drinks on the streets
7. Highland drinks 8. A country for active minds
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Sources:
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vietnam/articles/15-reasons-why-north-and-south-vietnam-are-completely-different/
https://www.inspiringvacations.com/au/vietnam-tours/insight-articles/the-north-south-divide-a-tale-of-two-countries/127#
https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/tin-tuc/charming-architecture-of-hanoi-17856.html#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Bank_of_Vietnam
https://www.bestpricetravel.com/travel-guide/top-5-outdoor-activities-in-northern-vietnam-474.html
https://www.roughguides.com/articles/best-beaches-vietnam/
https://helenacoffee.vn/vietnam-coffee-culture/#Coffee_from_Saigon_is_unique
https://www.kuoni.co.uk/vietnam/tea-culture-in-vietnam
8. Reading comprehension
10 mins.
Students now read the article in more detail and answer the questions individually. They can then check in pairs
before the whole class feedback
1. b. 2. c. 3. b. 4. c. 5. b. 6. a. 7. b. 8. c.
9. Talking point
10 mins.
Students discuss subjects from the article and video and share their opinions with each other about Vietnam, they
also link it to their own country.
10. Vocabulary for conversation 2
10 mins.
Ask students to look through the sentences together and try to guess the meaning, monitor to support and then
allow them to personalise the vocabulary with a quick discussion.
Sit side-by-side - are right next to each other
The great outdoors - the countryside, nature
Kick back - relax
11. Optional extension / homework
15- 20 mins.
The task below can be done in class or set for homework.
First, ask the students to complete the text using the words from the word bank. Then put students into pairs and
provide each student with either text, A or B. The students read through their own text and then tell their partner
what their paragraph was about.
Try and make sure the students use their own words when they are telling their classmates about their paragraph.
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Text A:
1. colonised
2. share
3. territories
4. defeated
5. ceasefire
6. separation
Text B:
1. decades
2. conflict
3. communist
4. ongoing
5. distress
6. estimated
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

1. What is the capital city of Vietnam?

a. Hanoi b. Bangkok c. Da Nang

2. What currency is used in Vietnam?

a. Dong b. Dollar c. Franc

3. What is the population of Vietnam?

a. 77 million b. 87 million c. 97 million

4. How many oﬃcial languages and dialects exist in Vietnam?

5. Roughly, how many registered motorbikes are there in Vietnam?

a. 37 million b. 17 million c. 7 million

6. Vietnam is the largest exporter of what kind of nuts?

a. pistachio b. peanut c. cashew

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/9

Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem lake

Little Sister Thuy

National Fine Arts Museum

Hanoi style barbecue

Noi Bai International Airport

Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi’s street food

Have a quick chat with your partner about Vietnam.

1. Do you know anything else about Vietnam? Tell your partner.

1. remains (v) a. continues to be something or to stay

5. charm (n) e. feeling of great pleasure

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/9

4 Listening for details

1. How was the speaker feeling after their long ﬂight?

2. Who cooked the skewers?

4. How did the speaker feel about the street artists?

5 Vocabulary for conversation 1

• ... one location that remains stuck in my mind is Hanoi in Vietnam.

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Part A: Match the following vocabulary to the deﬁnitions.

2. evident (adj.) b. a place or organisation that is strong in a particular area

5. upmarket (adj.) e. clear and easily seen

1. boasts (v) a. saying something oﬃcially or publicly

2. declaring (v) b. any drink except water

3. beverage (n) c. tea, a cup of tea (British English, informal)

4. purity(n) d. the state of being pure, clean and natural

5. brew (n) e. has something that is impressive

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Part B: Now ﬁll in the gaps using a word from Part A.

3. Detroit was a of the motor industry in the 20th century.

4. Would you like a biscuit with your or maybe a piece of cake?

5. The east and west were after decades apart.

6. These new homes many modern features such as a Bluetooth heating

7 Skimming for general understanding

• Active in the north

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The amazing contrasts of Vietnam

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1. Where can you ﬁnd Landmark 81?

a. Hyde Park area b. Central Park area c. Park Central area

2. When was the State Bank of Vietnam built?

a. 1915 b. 1924 c. 1930