Intern flourishes in humming Ho Chi Minh City
A three-month internship in Vietnam’s largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City, gave Asia New Zealand Foundation intern Duncan Mutch a crash course in local culture and working life, as well as a springboard into the professional world. A graduate of the University of Canterbury Business School, Duncan interned in the Complex Transactions Group at professional services firm KPMG Vietnam, where he gained insight into how business is conducted in the Southeast Asian context and applied his university studies in practice. This year, Duncan will take up a graduate position with KPMG in Wellington. In this article, he reflects on his experiences in Vietnam, both in the office and while exploring the city and beyond.
Duncan: "It is fair to say I returned to New Zealand with lots of fond memories and lasting connections"
After an incredible mid-year trip to Thailand with a few friends, discovering this opportunity on the Asia New Zealand website felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance that I couldn't miss. The prospect of spending my summer immersed in Vietnamese culture while gaining insight into local business practices and the financial sector was simply too good to pass up.
Prior to 2025, I had never visited Asia, so leading into this internship I knew I would be in for a culture shock.
Ho Chi Minh City has a population of over 10 million and almost seven-million motorbikes, making it huge (an noisy) compared to the likes of my hometown, Wellington.
Within minutes of stepping outside of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I was met with sweltering heat, traffic flooding the street, food vendors on every corner, and a crazy sense of energy. Despite this, I remember being impressed at how everything seemed to flow in a form of ‘organised chaos’.
The first challenge I faced was the language barrier. Vietnamese is an inherently difficult language to pick up, as it is a tonal language with six different tones, meaning small changes in pronunciation matter a lot. Thankfully, all of my work at KMPG Vietnam was in English, with my work buddy, Thu, even having studied in New Zealand at New Plymouth Girls High School.
My internship was with KPMG Vietnam’s Complex Transactions Group (CTG) within the Deals Advisory service line. The CTG team provides support for large-scale cross-border projects, with a focus on M&A and due diligence.
Duncan running the Ho Chi Minh City Half Marathon
Throughout my internship, my team was very supportive and made me feel at home. It was also great to connect with fellow interns from all around the world including Australia, America and the Netherlands.
As an intern, my work involved conducting market and industry research to support sell-side opportunities across the Vietnamese market. I also assisted in preparing slide decks, teasers and company profiles for upcoming deals primarily within the healthcare and technology sectors.
A highlight of my work was researching the UAV/drone industry. This research was unlike anything I’d ever done before and in my opinion it highlighted the broader technological development currently taking place in Vietnam.
All in all, I found my work interesting and enjoyed applying my university knowledge in a practical way.
The unique mix of cultural immersion and technical challenge this internship provided was second to none.
Duncan
On the final day of my Internship, I had the privilege of meeting up with Warrick Cleine, the CEO of KPMG Vietnam and Cambodia.
Warrick is also Kiwi, originally from Westport. Together we discussed the Vietnamese business environment and how rapidly the economy is growing. I was particularly intrigued by Warrick’s career pathway; Warrick, having moved to Ho Chi Minh in the mid-1990s, has witnessed drastic change and growth throughout the city. It was inspiring to hear how long-term international experience can shape a career in professional services
Warrick also spoke highly about the strong work ethic of his colleagues, noting that people often stay on late and go above and beyond. Hearing this really reinforced how competitive and fast-paced the professional environment in Vietnam is and made me even more grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. Our discussion made me reflect on how much New Zealand could learn from Asia’s levels of ambition and drive in the workplace.
Duncan: " Food is a huge part of Vietnamese culture, and it did not disappoint."
Most days after work, I would take time to explore the city and find dinner. Food is a huge part of Vietnamese culture, and it did not disappoint. Our team often went out for lunch together, which gave me insight into the best local spots. My favourite dishes were Bún chả (grilled pork and rice noodles) and Bò né (sizzling beef with egg).
Outside of the office, Ho Chi Minh City had so much to offer. My personal highlights would be visits to the Mekong Delta, Cu Chi tunnels and Ben Thanh market.
In early January, I ran the Ho Chi Minh City Half Marathon which, in hindsight, without proper shoes or training was probably a bad idea.
I also used weekends to venture around Vietnam. This included trips to Hanoi, Da Nang/Hoi An, Phu Quoc and even Christmas in Hong Kong with fellow Asia New Zealand intern Gavin.
One observation I found fascinating was how different each of these places were from one another—different vibes, cuisine and history.
In Hanoi I even got to try the famous Michelin-recommended Obama Bún chả (a traditional Vietnamese dish from Hanoi featuring grilled pork, rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce).
Duncan and fellow KMPG Vietnam intern Gavin Yang exploring what Vietnam had to offer outside of Ho Chi Minh City
The unique mix of cultural immersion and technical challenge this internship provided was second to none. It is fair to say, I returned to New Zealand with lots of fond memories and lasting connections. To anyone considering applying for an internship through Asia New Zealand, I would 100 percent recommend them to take a step outside their comfort zone and give it a shot.
Working in a different professional environment improved my adaptability and communication skills significantly. It has also increased my confidence in working in international environments, which I'm sure will be highly valuable as I begin my graduate role at KPMG Wellington and throughout my career in general.
I would like to say a massive thank you to both the Asia New Zealand foundation and KPMG Vietnam for providing me with this opportunity. Particularly Tuan, Thu, Dung, Tam, Thao and Nhung from the CTG team for taking me in and showing me everything that Vietnam has to offer. I am already planning a return trip to Asia for later in the year.
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 internship programme helps interns build a better understanding of the people, place and culture of their Asian host country, while developing industry-specific skills that will benefit them as they progress in their careers.
