Three months of Vietnam adventure for KPMG intern

Sarah (far left): "This experience has been transformative, offering profound insights into both Vietnam and myself."

Prior to beginning our internships at KMPG, my fellow KMPG intern, Josie Greenwood, and I had spent two weeks travelling through South Korea and Japan, but it hadn’t prepared us for the culture shock we felt on stepping out of the airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

We were immediately greeted by a legion of taxi drivers shouting "Taxi?" with minimal English signage. The traffic and road rules that were familiar to us no longer applied, sidewalks were no longer just for pedestrians, and traffic lights seemed irrelevant unless police were present. To cross the road, we quickly learned to step confidently into the oncoming traffic, trusting that drivers would manoeuvre around us without incident. 

Josie and I lived in an apartment complex located in District 4, approximately a 20-minute walk from our office in District 1, and conveniently situated near the popular Apartment Cafes.

Getting used to the traffic and the seeming lack of road rules took some getting used to

Initially, we intended to walk to work, but soon discovered that taking a quick three-minute Grab ride was both more practical and more fun, especially in the sweltering 30-degree heat! 

My first day of work started with a quick IT onboarding and meeting my buddy/mentor, Thu. We quickly bonded over our shared experiences — she had completed her secondary education in New Zealand and we discovered common favourites like meat pies, sticky date pudding, and Whittaker’s chocolate, which sparked an instant connection.  

Later, my team treated me to a welcoming lunch at a local restaurant called Rice Field, where I sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Ốc Bươu Nhồi Thịt (meat stuffed snails) and Sườn Ram Mặn (braised pork ribs). Every dish was bursting with fresh flavours, enhanced by the abundant use of herbs typical in Vietnamese cuisine. 

Following lunch, I experienced trà sữa (traditional Vietnamese milk tea) for the first time and learned about Vietnam's unique midday-nap tradition, a response to the sweltering heat. 

Experiencing the incredible local cuisine was a highlight of Sarah's time in Ho Chi Minh City

I joined KMPG’s turnaround and restructuring (T&R) team within the deals advisory division, focusing on implementing solutions to enhance cashflow, profitability, and balance sheets for clients.

I also contributed to projects within the strategy team, providing strategic counsel on financial, business and operational models to diverse clients in corporate, public, and private equity sectors. 

In the T&R team, I contributed to developing a data model for one of Vietnam's largest coffee chains.

In the strategy team, I was involved in conducting environmental due diligence for a global beverage company that was considering expanding its manufacturing operations in Vietnam. 

Working across two teams as an intern was a unique opportunity that allowed me to enhance a wide array of technical, problem-solving, research, and communication skills acquired during my undergraduate studies. 

Sarah holding a lantern she had made (left) and dining out with friends

​​Throughout my time in Vietnam, my team consistently showed me warmth and a genuine interest in learning about me and New Zealand culture.

They eagerly shared Vietnamese customs and traditions, often taking me to lunch to introduce me to lesser-known local delicacies. They were also exceptionally supportive whenever I faced challenges, such as when I fell ill with a severe throat infection during my second week in Vietnam.

A fellow intern, Erik, who grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, became our local city guide for the first three weeks, directing us to the top attractions, bars, and lunch spots.

Bun thit nhung (grilled pork noodle bowls) or hu tieu (pork and seafood noodle soup) quickly became the intern cohort’s favourite lunch choices, usually enjoyed around a low plastic table under the scorching sun.

Ben Thanh Markets where Sarah would visit to practice speaking Vietnamese and bartering

After work, we would either escape the heat by swimming in our apartment complex’s pool, practice our bartering skills and basic Vietnamese language at the local Ben Thanh Markets, or immerse ourselves in the city’s vibrant streetwear and coffee scene. Vietnamese coffee certainly blows NZ’s out of the park.  

At night, we would often head out to a rooftop bar to appreciate the skyline views or grab dinner from a local place in District 4.

One standout place to eat was a renowned Com Tam (broken rice) joint near our apartment, recommended by colleagues. It quickly became our favourite.

Josie and I took one of last year’s interns, Harriet Yeoman, and her friend to dinner here when they visited Ho Chi Minh City in January. Surprisingly, we discovered that this friend was my second cousin, a poignant reminder of how interconnected our world can be.

On the weekends, Josie and I made the most of our free time by exploring Ho Chi Minh’s nearby regions. This included visiting the Sunrise Markets and Mekong Delta in Can Tho, cycling around Cat Tien National Park, quad-biking on the sand dunes in Mui Ne with another fellow intern Jill, lantern making in Hoi An, and partying in Da Nang to bring in 2024.

On weekends, Sarah and Josie would explore Ho Chi Minh's surrounding regions, including visiting the Sunrise Market in Can Tho

We spent a few weekends touring Ho Chi Minh City’s own attractions such as the sobering War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels, splurging on a custom-made suit, and trying dim sum in District 5.  

As our time in Vietnam drew to a close, we participated in a strategy-team workshop in Ho Tram, a popular beach destination two hours away from Ho Chi Minh. While we missed experiencing Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, we did witness the lively lead-up to the holiday and its preparations, leaving me eager to return and celebrate Tet properly someday in the near future.  

Completing this internship has significantly enhanced my cultural competency of Asia and emphasised its importance in fostering effective communication, collaboration and connection between New Zealand and Asian entities and business leaders.

I am honoured to have been given the opportunity by the Asia New Zraland Foundation and KPMG Vietnam to expand my understanding of the Vietnamese business and cultural landscape, and I hope to utilise my learnings to expand others’.  

Following lunch on her first day as an intern, Sarah learned that to escape the heat midday naps were part of the Vietnamese culture

From this experience, I have become motivated to seek study and employment opportunities across Asia in the near future. I can’t wait to be back! My confidence, independence, adaptability, self-awareness, and understanding of Vietnam have grown immensely.

This experience has been transformative, offering profound insights into both Vietnam and myself. If you're chosen for this opportunity, embrace it wholeheartedly and be ready to step outside your comfort zone—you won't regret it! 

The Foundation's Business Programme supports New Zealand companies to better understand Asia so they can make the most of opportunities in the region. It also supports to grow the next generation of Asia-savvy business leaders.

Our business internship programme provides opportunities for young New Zealanders to intern with companies in Asia and New Zealand companies and organisations working extensively in the region.