Crestbrick’s team gathered in Ho Chi Minh City expecting an afternoon of structured team building. The plan was simple: reconnect across departments, share a few light challenges, and recharge after a period of hybrid work. But what unfolded surprised many. The experience brought teams closer in ways that felt authentic, while also creating a visible and lasting impact beyond the walls of the event.
The challenge
As a fast-growing real estate consultancy with team members spread across Southeast Asia, Crestbrick wanted to invest in more than just another offsite. They were searching for a team building experience that would bring people together in a meaningful way, beyond socializing or surface-level games. Their leadership team was specifically interested in hosting their activity in Vietnam and was looking for purposeful team building activities in Ho Chi Minh City that could combine collaboration with community engagement. The goal was clear: strengthen internal culture while contributing something tangible to the local community.
How we helped
Jackfruit Adventure designed a customized team building experience in Ho Chi Minh City that blended teamwork, purpose, and community engagement. The session began with a series of interactive team games that encouraged collaboration and helped break the ice between colleagues from different departments and regions. These activities set the tone for open communication and strengthened group dynamics in a relaxed and playful environment.
Then came the main challenge: Bike Build Showdown. Crestbrick’s 50 participants were divided into six teams, each assigned the task of assembling a bicycle from locally sourced parts. With guidance from experienced facilitators, teams worked together to complete their builds within a set timeframe. The activity focused on practical problem solving and clear communication, with the added motivation of knowing their work would go toward a meaningful cause.
After the build, all six bicycles were donated to students selected by a nonprofit partner based on family income and transportation needs. The students live in working-class areas of Binh Thanh District, where school attendance is often affected by long walking distances and limited access to public transport. While Binh Thanh is a growing urban district, financial barriers remain for many families. Each recipient was confirmed by the local partner through existing support programs.
The results
The team building experience left a strong impression on Crestbrick employees. Participants said the mix of fun and purpose made it one of the most memorable offsite activities they had ever joined. Several team members who usually did not work together were able to connect more easily through the hands-on challenge and team games.
On a practical level, the initiative resulted in six new bicycles being delivered and used within the week. Crestbrick contributed a total of 29,400,000 VND (approximately 1,176 USD), covering the cost of the bikes and all logistics involved. For the students, the gift was immediate. Each bike shortened the daily journey to school and reduced their reliance on uncertain public transport or long walks in the rain.
Following the event, Crestbrick’s leadership expressed interest in exploring similar purpose-led activities in other locations across their network. The experience proved that meaningful connection can begin with something as simple as building a bicycle for someone in need.
