When 240 people from a global finance team gathered in Ho Chi Minh City for their annual offsite, they weren’t just looking for sunshine or sightseeing. They were searching for something more meaningful. After months of high-pressure deadlines and mostly remote collaboration, they needed a way to reconnect.
What followed was a customized team building experience in Ho Chi Minh City that combined cultural discovery, problem-solving, and community impact. Designed to bring people closer in both purpose and practice, the program turned a day off the clock into something far more powerful.
1. The challenge
After months of intense project cycles and remote collaboration, 240 team members from across regions came together in one place. They had been working efficiently, but something important was missing. Communication had become purely functional. New hires felt disconnected, and long-time colleagues had little opportunity to bond beyond their roles.
They were not looking for entertainment or quick activities. They were looking for a meaningful reset. A shared experience that could rebuild personal connection, encourage real teamwork, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
With that goal in mind, they reached out to us to design a team building experience that felt intentional, culturally rooted, and truly impactful. The final program combined elements from Jackfruit’s Saigon City Quest and Impact Race. It became a full-day journey through Ho Chi Minh City filled with exploration, community engagement, and authentic connection.
2. How we helped
To bring the team’s goals to life, we created a customized team building experience that combined two of Jackfruit’s most meaningful formats. From Saigon City Quest, we brought cultural discovery, storytelling, and local exploration. From Impact Race, we introduced social impact, hands-on giving, and community connection.
The result was a full-day corporate team building experience built on movement, collaboration, and purpose.
The adventure begins
A total of 240 participants from a Big 4 finance company were divided into 24 teams. Each group received a mission kit with hand-drawn maps, clue cards, and prompts that guided them through historical landmarks, hidden alleys, and local markets across Ho Chi Minh City.
This finance team building in Ho Chi Minh City was not about speed. It was about slowing down together, solving challenges with intention, and seeing the city through a different lens. For many, it was their first time experiencing Ho Chi Minh City outside of a conference room.
Cultural game stations
To deepen the experience, teams visited interactive stations where they:
- Learned simple and fun Vietnamese phrases through mini language challenges
- Played folk games inspired by traditional Vietnamese childhood activities
- Completed a market mission, where they purchased hygiene products and household items. These items were later packed and donated to Minh Tam Orphanage, turning a shopping task into a meaningful contribution
The finale: Indoor innovation and Fundraising
The day ended with the ultimate team craft-off, a creative challenge where teams were given a mystery box of materials and asked to design and build a working device. With limited time and supplies, teams had to think fast, collaborate well, and present their creation to a judging panel.
After the activity, everyone came together for a fundraising auction. On display were handmade items crafted by the children of Minh Tam Orphanage during a DIY workshop led by a local artist. These included notebooks, coasters, and small animal toys, each filled with care and creativity. The auction reminded everyone that their efforts had real impact.
3. The results
The results of this full-day experience went far beyond what a typical team outing could offer. Colleagues who had barely interacted outside of work were now sharing quiet conversations, spontaneous laughter, and lasting memories. This wasn’t just a bonding session. It became a powerful finance team building experience that reminded people of their shared purpose.
This team building in Ho Chi Minh City also delivered real community impact:
- $1,200 USD worth of essential supplies were donated to Minh Tam Orphanage
- An additional $978 USD was raised through the fundraising auction
- Over 50 care kits were delivered, including food, books, and hygiene items
- The team helped fund a DIY workshop for the children, creating crafts for future fundraising
- Essential equipment like bookshelves, play mats, and kitchenware were purchased with the remaining funds
“Sometimes, the children feel like they’re forgotten. Deep down, we are very thankful for your love and help for our little place. The children will feel happy because they know people care about them.”
— Minh Tam Orphanage
For this Big 4 group, the day redefined what corporate team building in Vietnam could look like. It was collaborative, hands-on, and heart-led. It showed that even within a structured, high-performing finance team, there is space for empathy, cultural discovery, and collective impact.
