The 2025 Opening Retreat in Hue, Viet Nam was more than just an orientation—It was a chance for Fellows to pause, reflect, and step into a space of learning and connection. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Vedana Lagoon, they left behind daily distractions and embraced a journey that would challenge their perspectives and lay the foundation for lasting collaboration.

From the moment participants arrived, bonds began to form. A Welcome Dinner set the stage for openness and friendship, fostering conversations that would deepen over the course of the retreat.

“The moments in between sessions—over lunch, over dinner—those were when I heard the most powerful stories.” – Christian Edward Lim Nuevo (Philippines)

The energy continued the next day as Fellows explored Hue’s rich history in a cultural visit of the Hue Historic Citadel. Using history as a canvas to reflect on leadership vs authority, and community, embedded within its cultural heritage, and drawing inspiration for their own work in social change and leadership.

Throughout the retreat, sessions were designed to strengthen leadership skills and cultivate personal growth. The Peer Coaching workshop introduced essential techniques for guiding and supporting one another. The River of Life exercise encouraged Fellows to share their stories, uncovering common threads that wove them together, visually represented in the form of a river.

“Trying to put 20, 30, 40 years of your life into a seven-minute presentation in front of people you just met? That’s daunting. But when you do it with honesty and love, you get more than what you put in.”
– Zhang Cheng (China)

These activities created a meaningful open environment for Fellows to forge trust and mutual understanding.  A key factor in this openness was the intentional creation of a safe space, where honesty was encouraged to truly foster vulnerability and openness among the Fellows.

Building on the previous day’s exploration of Hue’s history, Fellows continued their cultural immersion with a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town. This experience blended historical reflection with hands-on learning and team-building activities, reinforcing connections among participants. Through an insightful session, Fellows learned about Southeast Asia’s diverse sociopolitical landscape facilitated by Gideon Lasco (2019, Philippines), gaining new perspectives on the region's history, and factors shaping health equity in the region. Fellows also participated in ‘Empathy Box’, a structured conversation tool that deepened their ability to listen, share, and connect through meaningful dialogue—an essential skill for leaders striving to build trust and foster collaboration.

The retreat culminated in thought-provoking sessions on Leadership, Personal Values, and Health Equity Frameworks and Concepts. These discussions challenged participants to think critically about their roles as diverse, yet interconnected health equity changemakers. 

“I was surprised by how much self-reflection, introspection, and sharing we did this week. I expected something technical, but it had a lot of heart.” – Apple Charm Alejandro Agulto (Philippines)

As the retreat drew to a close, the air buzzed with possibility. Over a heartfelt Farewell Dinner, Fellows shared reflections, laughter, and the quiet understanding that something transformative had begun. They knew they were leaving with the momentum to carry their work forward and a shared commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable world.

Though their time in Viet Nam had ended, the journey ahead was just beginning.