Description:

When we think of South Korea, most of us are likely familiar with K-pop idols and songs, legendary K-dramas, and the Korean Wave (Hallyu), which has spread Korean culture, cuisine, lifestyles, and even martial arts such as Taekwondo around the world. Its influence is so widespread that even among young people in remote Himalayan villages such as Ladakh, or as far away as North Africa, one can find a considerable number of BTS and Blackpink fans. While BTS has repeatedly broken global records on YouTube and music charts, earned numerous international awards, and was named among the world’s 100 most influential people in 2019, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” became the first YouTube video to surpass one billion views in 2012.

South Korea is also renowned for its esports industry, major automobile brands, and world-leading electronics conglomerates—the chaebols—such as Hyundai, Samsung, LG, SK, and Lotte. Today, South Korea is one of the world’s leading developed countries, with the fourth-largest economy in Asia and the tenth-largest globally by GDP, and a per-capita income of approximately USD 34,757 in 2021. With these achievements, South Korea has become a development model—an “ideal example” for other countries—having transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations in the 1950s, dependent on foreign aid for survival, into an industrial and service powerhouse in a relatively short period. This remarkable and rapid growth is known as the “Miracle on the Han River.”

However, alongside these material achievements, South Korea’s economic development and growth model have also brought many challenges and contradictions: an ageing population, high suicide rates, a low birth rate while also having one of the highest abortion rates among OECD countries, high unemployment alongside labour shortages, depopulated rural areas, and severe social inequality. A strong and growing economy does not necessarily mean prosperity for all citizens: the country’s 64 largest corporations account for 84% of GDP—Samsung alone accounts for more than 19%—while creating only around 10% of jobs. Another long-standing and complex issue South Korea has faced for many years is rising tension and the risk of war between South Korea and North Korea.

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One fascinating aspect of South Korea is that it is a country of contrasts. In response to these challenges, many grassroots movements, organisations, and projects have emerged to address the issues facing the country and its society. These include religious reform movements, collective and solidarity-economy models, alternative education, and village revitalisation initiatives. What is especially notable is that these movements originate from ordinary people, who come together and use community and social resources effectively. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for community organisations and social initiatives not only in South Korea, but also in other countries across the region.

What, then, created the Miracle on the Han River? What lies behind the success of the Korean Wave? What has South Korea had to trade off in order to achieve these accomplishments? What solutions and future are possible for peace on the Korean Peninsula? And how have organisations, individuals, communities, and businesses in South Korea developed grassroots social solutions and initiatives to address the country’s challenges? What can we learn from the Korean people for our own development journeys?

“Vcil Travel School 2026 – South Korea IV: From the Miracle on the Han River to Alternative Pathways” was created to explore these questions together.

Taking place from 14–26 October 2026, the programme is an engaging learning journey that enables participants to immerse themselves deeply in Korean society, culture, and everyday life while seeking answers through field visits, workshops, exchanges and discussions with experts and researchers, and interactions with local communities and residents—including young people, social activists, and entrepreneurs.

The programme is not only an opportunity to explore South Korea during the romantic autumn season in the Seoul metropolitan area, rural Ulsan, and the coastal city of Busan. It is also a chance for participants to connect with one another, build relationships with Korean organisations and individuals, and experience life as a local and community member: eating, living, working, sharing stories, learning, and engaging in cultural exchange together.

Accordingly, this will not be an ordinary “tourist trip,” nor a dull “classroom.” Learning will take place in context, across different locations, with all travel conducted by public transportation. Participants will visit cultural and historical sites, architecture, and museums in the Seoul metropolitan area; visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea to gain a direct sense of the division between the two countries, discuss peace, learn about the history of the Korean Peninsula’s division, and see North Korea across the border.

Participants will also explore Gangnam—the “wealthy district” featured in PSY’s “Gangnam Style”—with a young local guide, hearing about the lives and challenges of young people in South Korea and the country’s cosmetic-surgery culture. Other activities include visiting a community library, learning to make kimchi and Korean dishes, and, most notably, living, practising, and volunteering together in rural Ulsan with the Jungto Society community.

Jungto Society is a community of engaged Buddhist practitioners committed to a simple and environmentally sustainable way of life. It works to address social and environmental crises, end global poverty and illiteracy, and advocate for peace on the Korean Peninsula based on Buddhist principles.

Operating entirely through volunteers, Jungto Society was founded by the respected Venerable Pomnyun Sunim—a renowned writer, Buddhist leader, and peace activist with significant influence in South Korea. At Jungto Society, participants will have the opportunity to learn about its operating model and its experience in successfully running an organisation of more than 15,000 members entirely through volunteer efforts. They will also be able to exchange ideas with, ask questions of, and receive guidance from Venerable Pomnyun Sunim.

Co-organised by Vcil Community and Jungto Society Korea, Vcil Travel School 2026 in South Korea promises not only memorable experiences, practical knowledge, and applicable lessons, but also opportunities to connect, expand relationships, and foster collaboration among participants and between Vietnamese and Korean organisations.

The Vcil Travel School South Korea programme also includes contributions from The Peace Foundation, consumer cooperatives, and socio-economic researchers.

Welcome to Vcil Travel School 2026 in South Korea!

The learning journey will explore the following themes:

1. Socio-economic context research
   Examining the historical, cultural, and socio-political factors that have shaped Korean society, including the influence of Confucianism, the division of the Korean Peninsula, the East Asian development model, migrant labour, and rapid urbanisation.
2. South Korea’s remarkable economic development
   Exploring the factors behind South Korea’s rapid economic growth, including industrialisation, technological advancement, and export-oriented policies. Participants will examine the country’s transformation from an aid-dependent nation into a global economic power, as well as the contradictions within this development model.
3. Religious renewal
   Analysing Buddhist and Christian reform movements and the application of spiritual principles to address complex social issues such as consumerism, environmental degradation, and mental-health challenges. Topics include volunteering, alternative democratic decision-making, mobilising financial resources for the common good, and leadership in social change.
4. Cooperatives and the solidarity economy
   Exploring the principles of the solidarity economy, which promotes democratic decision-making, social equity, and community empowerment. Participants will engage with South Korea’s cooperative ecosystem and its impact on local communities, sustainability, and fair wealth distribution.

Participation notes:

This is an experiential learning programme designed to enable the deepest possible engagement with local contexts. The schedule will be intensive, involve considerable walking, and provide simple living conditions. Please consider carefully before registering.

Visa:

Participants may independently apply for a C-3-9 tourist visa.

Alternatively, the programme can provide an invitation letter and procedural support for Vcil Community members of at least six months or Vcil Community alumni applying for a C-3-1 short-term exchange/conference visa (general short-term entry visa).

Participants are responsible for their own visa fees.

Accommodation:

Accommodation will be simple. Participants may stay in dormitories in Seoul and share communal living arrangements with the community at Jungto Dubuk Center in Ulsan.

Meals:

The programme will provide lunch each day. Participants are responsible for their own breakfasts and dinners during the Seoul and Busan portions of the programme.

Transportation:

Most travel will be by public transportation.

The programme will only proceed once the minimum number of participants and an appropriate level of financial contribution have been secured.

Tentative itinerary
(subject to change depending on actual conditions)

Day 1: Understanding Korea’s cultural and historical context

Morning:
Travel to Seoul

Afternoon:
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
Visit the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

Day 2: Modern Korean history, the Korean development model, and the “dark sides” of modern society

Morning:
Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Hear a sharing session from The Peace Foundation on the history of division on the Korean Peninsula and peacebuilding efforts.

Afternoon:
A lecture by an economist on South Korea’s rapid economic-development model.

Evening:
A guided tour of the Gangnam district led by a local-history researcher.

Why does South Korea have one of the world’s highest suicide rates and the lowest birth rate?
Why are students under such intense pressure from study and examinations?
Why are so many people dissatisfied despite economic achievements?
Why is cosmetic surgery so prevalent?

Day 3: Solidarity economy

Learn about and visit the Hansalim consumer cooperative complex.

Day 4: Rural revitalisation efforts with policymakers

Day 5: Buddhist renewal movement

Visit the Jungto Society Centre.
Learn about initiatives by The Peace Foundation, JTS, and EcoBuddha.
Travel to Dubuk.

Days 6–9: Engaged Buddhism with Jungto Society at the Dubuk meditation-practice centre

Workshops during this period include:

A conversation with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim on applying Buddhism to address socio-economic issues.
Understanding the reality of depopulated rural villages.
A visit to the ancient capital of Gyeongju.

A typical daily schedule:

Morning:
Morning rituals/practice with Jungto members.
Volunteering at the farm and centre: cooking, gardening, recycling, etc.
Balwoo Gongyang (Buddhist monastic meal practice).

Afternoon:
Conversations with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, or Jungto members, on topics such as Buddhist renewal; volunteer-based and democratic organisational management; sustainable financial structures for social organisations; genuine happiness; major challenges facing South Korea; and ideas for addressing them.
Volunteering at the farm and centre: cooking, recycling, etc.

Evening:
Evening chanting.
Dialogue with Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, or Jungto members.

Day 10

Morning:
Travel to Busan.

Afternoon:
Programme reflection and wrap-up.

Day 11: Depart from Busan

Organisers: Vcil Community (Vietnam) and Jungto Society (South Korea)

Time: 14–24 October 2026

Expected group size: 10–15 participants

Programme fee:

For the general public: USD 1,100 (approximately VND 29,000,000)
For Vcil Community members: USD 900 (approximately VND 23,727,600)

Financial support, if needed: instalment payments for up to six months and scholarships of up to 70%.

Early-bird offer: USD 750 (approximately VND 19,773,000), applicable when the full programme fee is paid by 3 August 2026.

The fee includes:

1. Accommodation
2. Lunches in Seoul and Busan
3. Learning materials and logistics
4. Transportation within South Korea
5. Travel insurance
6. Programme organisation and design costs
7. Fees for facilitators and guest speakers

The fee does not include:

1. South Korean visa fees
2. Round-trip flights to South Korea
3. Breakfasts and dinners in Seoul and Busan

Contact information:

Fanpage: Vcil Community
Phone / WhatsApp / Zalo: +84.836243541 (Huy) or +84.989346092 (Trinh)
Email: vcil.group@gmail.com