Glow-worm recently took a group of its top installers to Vietnam. Stuart Duff reports from Saigon on the magic of the Mystery Trip, and the ethos behind it.
“It was a very simple decision… we should bring it back.”
Spencer Clark, Glow-worm’s Commercial Director and the voice behind the quote above, is in no doubt that the return of the iconic Mystery Trip was warranted, and explains the thinking behind it: “We’ve been through a journey over the last few years. The reason [behind choosing Vietnam] was to show the contrast between the old and the new.
“We have two distinct parts to Glow-worm – the historical Glow-worm and the Glow-worm going forward. The Glow-worm going forward is an enthusiastic, energetic, young brand. The Glow-worm of the past was a fantastic brand but we’ve had to leave that behind. Vietnam, and Saigon in particular, represents those two things very clearly.”
Those qualities of enthusiasm and energy were evident throughout the trip, whether it was navigating the Saigon river by speedboat or the city streets by Vespa. And there’s no better place to see the future taking shape than from one of the many rooftop bars that look out across the skyline.
But what of the old? We’re only 45 years on from the end of the Vietnam War, and the scars – both mental and physical – are still very much in evidence. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Agent Orange room at the War Remnants Museum. It was a truly sobering experience that left many among the group moved to tears.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Mekong Delta offered the chance to enjoy life at a more relaxed pace. From making coconut candy the old-fashioned way to sampling traditional folk music, it gave an insight into a world largely unspoiled by modern living.
“They make you feel like family. If I need any support, it’s only a phone call away.”
– Craig Shaw, Precise Plumbing Services
“You think when you’re taken somewhere that they’re going to look after you but this time they’ve gone above and beyond all expectations. Everybody I’ve talked to has said the same.”
– Dave Staniland, Jubilee Gas Services
You can read the full story of the trip here
The 2021 Mystery Trip
The destination for next year’s Mystery Trip is indeed still a mystery – but wherever it may be, it’s sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And because the qualification requirements for installers are tailored to the size and type of your business, you’ll receive a personalised target that reflects what you do.
To be eligible, you’ll need to register on Club Energy.
Find out more at www.glow-worm.co.uk/mysterytrip
