Volunteer in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Community Involvement

This project aims to bring volunteers to some of the most under-funded communities in Ho Chi Minh City. Working with disadvantaged populations, the project offers hope and education for many people that are in great need. Through cultural exchanges, the project gives opportunities to people who can benefit the most.

Program Highlights:

Experience the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s largest city
Contribute to a volunteer program of your choosing
Work with those with special needs, assist in a kindergarten or assist local students
Gain international work experience
Explore outdoor markets, temples and more during free time
You can enhance your Vietnam experience by adding our “Culture Week in Ho Chi Minh” for an additional cost.

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). You will be picked up by the local team and transferred to your accommodations on a college campus in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 1, Monday: Volunteer will receive an introduction to the local team, their program, partake in Vietnamese culture lesson, a language lesson and tour around the local area. Following lunch, volunteers will partake in activities with local students and visit a market.

Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Rewarding volunteer work at your placement of choice.

Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: The weekend is free for volunteers to relax or travel.

Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.

Location of the Project: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Project length: Minimum 2 weeks (13 days) – Maximum 12 weeks

Arrival Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Volunteer Work: Community help, child care and teaching English

Age: 18-70. Age Exceptions: this project accepts volunteers 16-17 years old with a letter of consent from a parent or guardian.

Important Note: This project accepts family volunteers with children as young as five years old. Families must upgrade to private accommodations for an additional fee.

What’s Included

Accommodations: shared rooms on a college campus, up to 8 people per room.

Food: Three meals per day during the week, and 2 meal per day on the weekends.

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is included upon arrival

Orientation: Volunteers will receive an introduction to their program on their first Monday.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, airport drop off, personal expenses

Location

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, and it attracts a large number of tourists annually. When you walk around the city you find various beautiful buildings representing the city’s past through Vietnamese, Chinese and European designs and styles. Modern structures stand next to pagodas and street-food stands create a sizzling energy.

Volunteer Work

Volunteers will be assigned to a specific project that firstly depends on needs and availability and then on personal preferences. These projects include:

Working with Special Needs Children: There is a class for Disabled children with about 15 students and an Autism class with about 20 kids, it is good that the kids can study and be cared during the daytime during their parents going to work at the Daycare center. Your key role will be to comfort and care for children while engaging them in fun activities, arts and crafts, singing, dancing and games. You will also help them improve their speech and muscular capacity with the help of the staff.

Kindergarten: At this project you will work with children between three-six years old. You will assist the staff in teaching English, playing games, singing songs and more. There are four classes at the kindergarten, with 10-15 children per class.

Campus Life: At this project, you will work with college students studying tourism and will be paired with a “buddy,” although you will work with a group of students in the classroom as well. Through cultural exchanges and role playing, you will help these Vietnamese students practice their English, especially speaking and listening skills, and prepare for their careers.

A typical day: You will have breakfast at 7:30 AM and then head to your project around 8:00 AM so that you can begin working by 9″00 AM. You will work until 11:30 AM, at which point you will head back to the residence for lunch. From 2:00-4:30 PM you will work at the project again and dinner will be available at 6:00 PM.

Please note: This schedule is only a guide and things at the project can change at any time. If you are working with children, your schedule will follow the typical school day.

Holidays: Teaching and kindergarten programs will still be available during school holidays, but in the form of a holiday program outside of the normal school system.

School holidays are as follows:
January 29 – February 11, 2021 (only Campus Life is closed)

During public holidays, volunteers can join the local celebrations.
Public holidays are as follows:
January 20-31, 2021
January 13- Feb 18, 202q (only Campus Life closed)
April 2-3, 2021
September 15 – October 31, 2021 (only Campus Life closed)

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: There is WiFi in the rooms as well as Internet cafes nearby.

Laundry icon Laundry: Affordable laundry services are available close to the accommodations.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: You will stay in the dormitories of a college campus. There is an air- conditioner in every room. Rooms are single-gender and shared with up to six people. They are basic but comfortable, with bunk beds. There are eight shared showers – four hot and four cold – and a western-style toilet in each room. There are several common areas, including a terrace overlooking the city, a cafe and a creative corner with paint and guitars. Volunteers are required to follow campus regulations, including an 11:30 PM curfew.

Food icon Food: Three meals a day are included and served at a restaurant on campus. Meals are typically Vietnamese, but also include some Western dishes.

Travel Highlights

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee you can extend your stay for a week, with a program designed to introduce you to Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese culture, as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the week you will visit some of Vietnam’s iconic landmarks, market places and even go to a traditional water puppet show. You’ll take cooking and language lessons, learn about traditional jewelry techniques and get an understanding of Vietnam’s past, present and future.