The World Endeavors Volunteer in Vietnam Program takes place in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Located on the South China Sea, Vietnam is a country rich with history, welcoming people, and stunning landscapes. After years spent ruled as a French colony, this unique nation has developed its independence over the second half of the twentieth century, allowing the culture to flourish.
Yet despite this growth, there are still issues affecting the Vietnamese people. Changing traditions and roles within communities in Vietnam have resulted in fewer care resources for some of this country’s most vulnerable citizens. World Endeavors volunteers in Vietnam contribute to the further development of the country as they work alongside local organizations focused on eldercare, childcare, special education, and teaching projects within local communities.
ABOUT HO CHI MINH CITY
World Endeavors volunteers in Vietnam live and work in Ho Chi Minh City, which lies along the Saigon River. Originally a French Colony, the city has a unique fusion of European and Asian influences, which can be seen through the cuisine and architecture. Volunteers can explore the museums, temples, and pagodas within Ho Chi Minh City to learn more about the ancient and recent history of this unique country. If participants are feeling more adventurous, they can go further and explore the lush Mekong Delta, the capital city of Hanoi, or one of the many limestone islands in Hạ Long Bay. Volunteers have numerous opportunities to experience the sites and culture of Vietnam.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in the culture. Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
World Endeavors volunteers in Ho Chi Minh can contribute to the following projects:
Volunteers interested in Childcare Assistance can participate in the following project:
Kindergarten
This local kindergarten can really use your help with the day to day tasks required to service local children from ages 3 to 6 years old. You will be able to work in one of the 4 classrooms available and assist the teaching staff. Most classes have between 10-15 children.
In the morning you will pick the kids up, play some games and maybe sing some songs in the school yard and then you will lead them to their classroom. Once they are settled in, you can engage with the children with different learning activities that may include teaching English and helping them practice writing in their notebooks. You can even use other creative and fun ways to help them learn basic tasks through songs, dance or games.
At lunchtime you will help with bringing out the food, helping the children and cleaning up the eating area. After the meal is complete, you will help put the children down for a nap.
The afternoon activities of fun and learning will begin at 14:00 once the children have awakened and will continue until the day is over at 17:00 when they are returned to their parents. Weather permitting, some of these activities may take place outside, so children have space to run and play.
Volunteers interested in Community Development can participate in the following project:
Food Shop
You will be contributing your efforts at The Smile Food Shop, where your task may include food preparation, serving and clean-up, as you bring smiles and affordable hot meals for all who need it.
Established in 2012, The Smile Food shop was opened to help people by providing low cost lunches for only 2000 VND per meal (about 10 cents). The shop is run by a NGO together with passionate locals and your efforts will be greatly appreciated as well.
In this program you will help to prepare lunches and serve these meals to a group of around 500 people (elderly, local workers, person with disabilities, students and children) who come for low cost, good quality and well prepared meals each day!
This program is likely to be one of the most challenging, engaging and, at times, one of the most exhausting things you have ever done, where you loved every minute of it!
Please be advised that the Food Shop program continues to function even when the NGO run facility is closed (including a month long closure around the Tet Holiday). During those periods, Food Shop participants will prepare food on-site at our accommodation kitchen and those free meals will be distributed at a local hospital to patients and local workers.
Volunteers interested in Healthcare can participate in the following project:
Medical Placement
This program is based in a government-operated hospital, serving the community of Ho Chi Minh. Observation, recording and analysing will be a key part of this project, as it is a hands-off experience.
It’s important to note that these institutions are bound by government regulations and cannot allow international participants to perform tasks independently. For this reason, this project is best suited to pre-medical or medical students hoping to gain more insight into the Vietnamese healthcare system.
You will have the opportunity to shadow nurses, doctors, and therapists. Depending on your choice and availability, your daily tasks may consist of medication preparation, blood pressure measurement, basic triage and wound care.
The hospital has an x-ray room, a children’s ward, an adult ward, a physiotherapy department, as well as an operating theatre, all of which participants may be actively involved in. You may also have an opportunity to observe staff in the acupuncture and occupational/physical therapy departments.
It is important to keep in mind that the English level of the placement staff does differ, however you will always be supported by an English-speaking coordinator from the local team. Participants are allowed to be involved with medical issues and ask the staff questions.
After completing your observational experience, you will be awarded a certificate to reflect your learning accomplishments!
This project is an additional $110 per week.
Volunteers interested in Special Education can participate in the following project:
Working with Disabled Children
This childcare home cares for 20-25 Vietnamese children with a mixture of disabilities daily. The main role participants will play at this project is caring for the children. This will be in the form of comforting them, playing games, and socialising with them. Previous experience in this field would be helpful but not essential.
The key area for improving the quality of the children's lives is enhancing their speech and muscular capacity. Daily regimes are carried out for the children, in which you too can play a part.
Other activities encouraged and greatly enjoyed by the children include playing games, dancing and singing. Painting, art and other means of creativity is encouraged by the hospital for the children.
Volunteers interested in Teaching can participate in the following project:
Campus Life Teaching
You will be playing the role of a mentor inside the Bach Viet College (Nursing and Business Administration being the main majors of this school).This is often in the form of re-enactments, real-life scenes and communication. Your advanced level English or Native Speaker level will be just what your peers need to move their language skills forward.
Each class runs a total of 2 hours and will be led by a head participant mentor (everyone will get a chance to lead the lesson). During each session, the lead mentor will spend 30 minutes at the beginning of every class reviewing old lessons and previewing the lesson of the day. Thereafter, students will be divided into small groups, whereby each participant will mentor 1 group.
In order for this to be successful, you will be required to prepare a teaching plan using the teaching manual provided in collaboration with other participants.
You will regularly attend the classes and have maximum interaction with the students throughout the day. You will be able to spend your free time during the evenings and weekends with the friends you make throughout your stay.
The students here are always keen to improve their English, and they welcome foreigners into their culture and are eager to show you their way of life!
Volunteers stay on a college campus, where volunteers will shared dorm style rooms by gender. Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. Basic Vietnamese meals are provided on campus. Food include some western dishes such as sandwiches, spaghetti and bread.
The World Endeavors Volunteer in Vietnam program is flexible in duration and can be tailored to last between 1 to 12 weeks. If you have the time, we recommend a stay of at least 4 weeks. Admissions are rolling, and programs can begin on any of the following days.
Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer at a specific location or in a specific project.
When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to Vietnam, contact us. Our experienced advisors will help you sort through any timing considerations unique to your destination or your volunteer project.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight.
| Program Name | First Week | Each Additional Week |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer In Vietnam | $2,085 | $300 |
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Program Advisor: dedicated, experienced, and accessible for one-on-one guidance
- Local Onsite Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Visa guidance and support
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- Travel Protection with 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Re-entry Support
- Airport reception
- Shared, single gender dorm style rooms
- 3 meals per weekday and 2 meals per weekend provided
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to Vietnam
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Personal expenses
Congratulations on your decision to embark on a life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip a memorable, meaningful one. We can accommodate applications received 4 weeks prior to the intended start date up to a year in advance. If your intended start date is less than 4 weeks away, contact World Endeavors for more information.
