Vietnam Volunteering Program

Why a Volunteer Program?

Volunteering is a beautiful way to travel with numerous benefits that are being enjoyed by tens of thousands of people from all over the world each year.

f you are looking to have fun, make a difference and do it safely then you can look forward to making a volunteering trip for the following reasons:

Experience the real culture of your destination – unmatchable by any other type of travel.
Make a difference to a community or environmental project.
Travel safely in a well-organised packaged program
Pay fair prices for trips that offer a lot of great experiences.
Visit famous highlights and nature reserves or have soft adventures.
Be a proud, 21st -century global citizen, travelling responsibly.

Why Vietnam?

Reasons Vietnam Should Be Your Next Trip

If you visit Vietnam, you are guaranteed to have an adventure. Vietnam is wild, and it's easy to get out of your comfort zone- if you go a few blocks away from the backpacker's street in Hanoi, you will find that no one speaks English. The traffic is unlike any place else, the cities are bursting with life, and once you let go and ease into the rhythm, you'll find Vietnam offers an experience unlike any other. Here’s why you must visit Vietnam:

Lots of backpackers visit Vietnam hoping to motorbike along the countryside and for a good reason. Vietnam offers stunning views of mountains, fields and beaches. You can rent a motorbike, or if you are planning a long-term trip, buy one and sell it at the end. There are plenty of mechanics nearby for an unexpected breakdown, and if you aren't sure where to go, you can find plenty of well-worn paths through the country. There's nothing like exploring a country with the wind rushing through your hair as you pass through towns you would never see otherwise.

It's not just delicious coffee, it's the variety of specialities and the uniqueness of recipes. You can stick to the classic black coffee, but you can also find coffee with coconut milk, coffee with yoghurt, or even coffee with egg yolk for a rich, creamy finish. Each café will offer a different, and by the time you leave, you'll probably have a new favourite drink.

Natural wonders might not be the first thing you think of when Vietnam comes to mind, but there are many spectacular spots to visit. Hạ Long Bay located in North Vietnam features endless, lofty limestone islands topped with rainforests. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park offers forests, caves, underground rivers but is known for its ancient limestones karsts. Merely taking a ride through the countryside will provide stunning views of sometimes mystical scenery. The deeper you delve into the country, the more beauty you will uncover.

Vietnam has festivals scheduled for the entire year- you could plan your trip based off them. You might learn how families celebrate their love for each other at the Tet festival when people stay over each other's homes and make Chung cake over a bonfire. You might run into the famous buffalo fighting festival, where the win- ning buffalo is killed and present to a god. Even public holidays create a spectacle if you happen to be in Vietnam on the second of September the streets are lit with red flags everywhere you wander.

The government does a great job of providing security anywhere you travel in the country. There hasn’t been a crime against tourists for a decade. Vietnam goes a step further than this with its welcoming locals. Locals are smiling and kind, willing to offer directions or lend a helping hand whenever it’s needed. There are even characteristics attached to specific places. People from Hue are known for their elegance and charm. If you’re from Hoi Ann, you’re known to be honest. The people of Vietnam offer something for every local to learn after a visit. Vietnam is a beautiful wild country that offers a variety of experiences for everyone who ventures into this country. It provides a rich history, beautiful landscapes, delicious coffee and most importantly, hospitable locals who make you feel like you are welcome in their country.

Features of the Volunteering Trip

After knowing why you should see yourself making a volunteer trip, as compared to any other type of travel, here are some features that make it a safe, immensely enjoyable and memorable experience.

Safety features

Your safety and well-being is the top priority when you are travelling to another country. For this, we use our experience since the year 2000 to make it one of the safest forms of travel you can undertake:

Everything is pre-organised for you from the time you arrive until the time you complete the program. Journey with complete peace of mind.
Safe, licenced drivers and registered vehicles used for all your road transportation.
We are always with you, during trips, transfers and your project activities.
Hygienic meals of home-like local cuisine (as included in your plan) for proper nutrition.
We prepare you really well for your travel and volunteer experiences from before you start the program until the completion of the program.
With us, your family can feel safe because they can reach you through multiple team members that are with you or looking out for you.

Convenience features

A volunteer program needs to be well designed and organised to make sure that even if you are volunteering or visiting the country for the first time, you can focus on enjoying your time there and make the maximum positive impact possible.

Pre-arranged accommodation throughout the program with other international volunteers.
3 meals per day as per local cuisine (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for the entire duration of the program.
Free wi-fi at the accommodation to stay in touch with family and friends.
The regular presence of our trained staff to help you at your volunteer project guiding you on how to plan and execute your volunteer work.

Volunteering experience features

It is very possible that you are volunteering for the first time or at least volunteering in a new country on your trip. This means that you will do better if we supported you fully during your volunteering activities.

We provide complete details of the project where you would be contributing. You will know why the project exists, it's needs and the role you play as a volunteer to help in that project.
A tailor-made volunteering activity plan for you to get started as quickly as possible and know who you are teaching.
We support you every day in planning activities at your project, the next day.

Care and support features

We will speak with you daily, assist in case you need medical care or help you change plans if something unexpected comes up.

Travel and cultural Experience features

We believe that a good volunteering program should be fun and leave you with memorable experiences. This means that your volunteer program can include trips, adventures, workshops and cultural experiences that are delightful or hard to find.

Optional weekend excursions to top highlights of the country or region ensure that you are getting the best of what tourism in the area offers.
One of the most fun elements of a country's culture is learning the basics of its language, cooking food local style, seeing how local people live and other aspects. For this reason, we include workshops in your volunteer program such as
Visiting local families and having a meal with them.
Learning the local dance or arts.
Trying your hands at local cuisine.
Learning the local language for fun and for practically using during your travels or volunteering.

Vietnam Volunteer Program

Duration : 30 Days

Country : Vietnam

Day 1, Monday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer to accommodation settle down
Day 2, Tuesday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Welcome meeting and orientation start. Orientation includes talks & presentations on: • Nepal & its culture • Social development and the role of volunteers • How to do volunteer work • Project activities • Cultural responsibility • Personal safety & Code of Conducts • Introduction to the allotted project. • Nepalese Language Lessons
Day 3 , Wednesday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project work starts with the daily schedule of volunteering, cultural activities and free time. Afternoon Vietnamese language lesson.
Day 4, Thursday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project continues. Afternoon Vietnamese language class
Day 5, Friday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project in the morning. Afternoon Vietnamese Language class
- Day 6, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Mekong Delta excursion with an overnight stay. (Travel Program)
- Day 7, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend.(Volunteer only Program)
  
  Return from the Mekong Delta Tour and overnight.(Travel Program)
- Day 8, Monday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering project continues. Afternoon Vietnamese cooking demonstration and free time.
- Day 9 , Tuesday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering in the morning. Visit a local family in the evening for learning about day to day life in Vietnam and have a meal with them.
- Day 10, Wednesday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering in the morning and Afternoon free.
- Day 11, Thursday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering during the day and afternoon free.
- Day 12, Friday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue volunteering in the morning and afternoon for personal activities.
- Day 13, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Start Mui Ne Excursion to visit its unique beaches with sand dunes. Stay overnight. (Travel Program)
- Day 14, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Return from Mui Ne Excursion and overnight.(Travel Program)
- Day 15, Monday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue the volunteering project. (a departure for 2-week program participants).
- Day 16 - Day18, Tuesday to Thursday
  
  Continue volunteering project. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Continue volunteering project. Evening transfer to Dong Nai and overnight. (Travel Program)
- Day 19, Friday
  
  Continue volunteering project. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Visit Cat Tien National Park and after-noon transfer to Da Lat. Overnight stay in Da Lat. (Travel Program)
- Day 20, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Full day visit of Da Lat. Overnight transfer to Saigon. (Travel Program)
- Day 21, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Morning arrival in Saigon and free time. (Travel Program)
- Day 22, Monday (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue volunteering project. (Departure for 3-week program participants).
- Day 23 - Day 25, Tuesday to Thursday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue Volunteering project
- Day 26, Friday
  
  Continue Volunteering project (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Continue Volunteering project during the day. Evening flight to Da Nang and overnight stay at hotel. (Travel Program)
- Day 27 , Saturday
  
  Free Weekend (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Visits and sightseeing in Da Nand along with overnight stay. (Travel Program)
- Day 28 , Sunday
  
  Free Weekend (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Morning return flight from Da Nang and overnight in Saigon. (Travel Program)
- Day 29, Monday (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Departure transfer to Tan Son Nhat In- Departure transfer to Tan Son Nhat ternational Airport for the journey back International Airport for the journey home.

*Participants can choose to travel on weekends by purchasing excursions additionally.

Typical Daily Schedule

Monday – Saturday
While the schedule of the day depends on the project, overall, it looks a bit like the following:

Activities Time
Breakfast at accommodation 7:00 - 8:00
Project volunteering work 8:00 - 13:00
Lunch 13:30 - 14:30
Cultural workshops- as per program schedule 15:00 - 16:00
Preparation meeting/lesson planning for the next day 16:00 - 17:00
Tea/coffee at the accommodation 17:00 - 17:30
Dinner at accommodation 19:00 - 20:00

Lunch may be offered a packed lunch or lunch at the project depending on different factors such as distance from accommodation and others. *The scheduled time table mentioned above may change due to the need of the project or any other circumstances.

Available Volunteering projects in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Teaching and education project

Care and supervision to Orphan Children

Helping and caring for Elderly People

Health & Childcare at Disabled centre

Child Care (kindergarten/pre-school)

Specific conditions for this type of project activitie

Formal education or past experience related to the type of project: Not required.
Language Proficiency: Basic English
Open to which gender of volunteers: Male and Female
A criminal Background check is mandatory for volunteers to ensure well being of children at the project.

TEACHING PROJECT

Volunteers engaged in teaching activities make a direct and long term contribution to the development of students for building their confidence, academic performance and future prospects. You work mostly in pairs as teachers or teaching assistants for one or more of the following kind of activities based on the curriculum and academic plans for the educational facility or project:

Teaching English, Math, Computers / IT and creative subjects.
Music Lessons and practice.
Sports instructions and activities.
Helping with homework
Supporting teachers with lesson planning or preparations
Additional classes to students requiring individual attention
Development of teaching learning material for joyful learning and activity-based learning

The project activities of the volunteers are designed in such a way that there is no need for previous teaching experience to participate in a teaching project. Teaching material, everyday lesson/activity planning and day to day support are provided for making the most impact in your time at the project.

HELP AND CARE FOR AGED PEOPLE

With societies becoming increasingly individualistic around the world, the elderly and the infirm are a vulnerable lot. Old age homes are providing care and shelter to those people of the lost generation whose families are either too poor to take care of them or too uncaring. And while it may not seem as exciting or "cute" as volunteering with exotic animals or young children, there are plenty of stories and shared experiences to be created interacting with these wise persons from a foreign culture.

The day to day activities of the volunteers may include one or more of the following:

Assist to the Staff for daily activities on old age home.
Help the old residents do their own activities.
Help the blind or disabled residents move about and get their meals.
Support with education on personal health and hygiene.
Support them clean and organise their personal spaces such as their room.
Feeding of those that are too weak.

Specific conditions for this type of project activitie

Formal education or past experience related to the type of project: Not required.
Language Proficiency: Basic English
Open to which gender of volunteers: Male and Female
A criminal Background check is mandatory for volunteers to ensure wellbeing of children at the project.

Specific conditions for this type of project activitie

Formal education or past experience related to the type of project: Not required.
Language Proficiency: Basic English
Covid-19 Vaccine: Fully vaccinated
Open to which gender of volunteers: Male and Female
A criminal Background check is mandatory for volunteers to ensure wellbeing of children at the project.

CHILD CARE

Daily caring for and help with Basic English of children from underprivileged communities is one of the most satisfying and accessible of volunteering activities. The overall purpose of these projects is to provide a higher standard of care to infant's children in different public and privately-run facilities by providing hands-on support on a day to day basis.

Volunteering activities on these projects include one or more of activities similar to the following:

SUPPORTING ORPHANED CHILDREN

Working at orphanages is a very rewarding and yet sometimes an emotional experience. While it is very satisfying to work with underprivileged children, it's when one meets them to realise that they don't have something very fundamental.

There may be an experience of an intense desire to support these kids with the very best that one can so that they may be ready to face challenges of life. And that is what volunteers help the orphaned children go through several activities, one or more than one may be included in your day to day work at the Orphanage home:

While a one-sided view of western media has somewhat put a negative light on supporting orphanages, make no mistake that the work done by legitimate orphanages and volunteers helping them makes a world of difference in the lives of the kids who don't have almost anything to call as their own.

Specific conditions for this type of project activitie

Formal education or past experience related to the type of project: Not required.
Language Proficiency: Basic English
Open to which gender of volunteers: Male and Female
A criminal Background check is mandatory for volunteers to ensure wellbeing of children at the project.

Specific conditions for this type of project activitie

Formal education or past experience related to the type of project: Not required.
Language Proficiency: Basic English
Covid-19 Vaccine: Fully vaccinated
Open to which gender of volunteers: Male and Female
A criminal Background check is mandatory for volunteers to ensure wellbeing of children at the project.

CARE AND EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Children with special need (mental and physical disabilities) are staring at a challenging future ahead of them. Life is already not a bed of roses for most normal adult, things become even tougher when we become aware of the biases and prejudices that these kids will face when they grow up. Future of kids is a constant source of worry for their parents as the parents think about the time when they will become old and will not be able to support their kids as much as they do now.

And therefore the activities of the projects and volunteers are crucial in providing as much preparation to these kids for what lies ahead in life for them. Volunteers not only serve as hands-on helping teachers and caregivers but also as role models for these kids to remember and draw inspiration from, for the rest of their lives.

Help and support the kids to do some activities.
Help them to eat and walk around.
Feed those children who are not able to eat.
Change their diapers and keep them clean all the time.
Help them to go washroom.
Make some recreational activities with kids, so they feel relaxed and happy.
Teach them health and hygiene.
Teach them some drawing and arts.

Services Included

Accommodation on sharing occupancy basis for the program duration selected.
Airport pickup on arrival#
Drop off at the airport at the end of the program
Daily return transfers between accommodation and volunteer project
All required transfers for cultural workshops and excursions ( as included in the program)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner of local cuisine from the time of arrival till departure during the volunteering days and free weekends.

Activities for experiencing local culture in addition to the volunteering and optional weekend trips include:

Cooking workshop to observe and learn Nepalese cuisine and try your hands at it yourself.
Visit the home of a local, English-speaking middle-income level family to experience their day to day life, its challenges and opportunities. Have a meal with the family for a truly authentic experience.
Have a fun day with henna painting and dressing like locals, a great photo opportunity.
One workshop to practice yoga with a professional instructor.
Learn Nepalese for fun, use during trips and volunteer work .

A pre-selected and organised volunteer project based on your selection and availability including:

Project introduction to get you settled at the project.
Handover session so you may continue the work from where it was left by previous volunteers.
Daily work planning to plan the next day.
Daily accompanying staff to help with translation, organising and general support.
The material used for volunteering such as pens, papers, workbooks, paint, colours or others.

Additional services for participants on the Travel and Volunteer option :-

1 night, 2 day Excursions++ to
Mekong Delta
Mui Ne
Da Nang
Da Lat

Services included during trips :-

Flight on Saigon-Da Nang – Saigon sector ( cabin baggage only)
Entrance fees to monuments and sightseeing as required.
Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing.
Accommodation on twin sharing basis.

# Refer to arrival and departure procedure to know pickup window times and departure schedules. + Meal plan during any trips during weekends may be different. Please refer to detailed information about excursions for all details.

Services not Included

Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry and drinks.
Any extra meals (other than those specifically mentioned).
Personal Travel Insurance, visa etc.
Camera fees (both still and video).
International flight ticket or other flight tickets, unless otherwise mentioned.
Donation to your volunteering project is not included in this program fee and may be taken upon an individual capacity.

Arrival and Departure Procedure

Arriving into and departing from an unfamiliar country can cause stress. Especially if you are visiting the country for the first time. Read these instructions carefully and have them be known to your travel agent because at any scheduled start date we are picking up people arriving from all parts of the world to join the program.

Once we have you on the program, you can just relax because we will pick you up, no matter what time of the day it is. You will also have multiple phone numbers to reach out to, in case your flight is delayed, or you miss the connection altogether. Once you provide us with your flight details, we have you covered.

Arrival Procedure

Please arrive by flights that have their scheduled arrival time from 10 AM on the start date of the pro- gram until 6 AM on the following day ( Day 2) of the program. If the flight is delayed inside a reasonable time, then we will wait for you – else call us, and we will come to pick you up.

Arrival pickups or flights with their scheduled arrival time outside of these hours will be charged extra.

Check in at accommodation is available from 12 noon on Day 1 of the program, even though, we attempt to have you checked in at the accommodation, as early as possible.

Please exit from departure gate and wait outside of exit gate at Cape Town International airport.

Please be advised that you will see a board with the Idex logo instead of your personal name when searching for our airport pickup representative.

Departure transfers outside these times or schedules are available on extra charges.

During departure, check out time from the accommodation is 12 noon on the last day of the program (for ex, Day 15 on a 2-week program).

Departure procedure

Airport transfer on departure is available from 8 PM on the 2nd last day of the program (for ex, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 in case of 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 week programs respectively) until 10 AM on the last day of the program (for ex, Day 15, Day 22, Day 29 in case of 2 week, 3 week or 4 week programs respec- tively).

Departure transfer will be available at gaps of 2 hours, and you will be asked to take the most conven- ient transfer based on your flight's departure time.

Departure transfers outside these times or schedules are available on extra charges.

During departure, check out time from the accommodation is 12 noon on the last day of the program (for ex, Day 15 on a 2-week program).

Important:

all the program and services are available as per schedule only. If any deviation or reschedule occurs, and such would cost extra to organise, then it will be charged extra. We are not able to do any settlement or reimbursement against any unused services.

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