Volunteer in Vietnam

Our programs are situated in either bustling cultural Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) or the laid back beachy small town of Phan Thiet Vietnam. 

All accommodation and meals are included in the cost of the programs.  All volunteers are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organized.

Ho Chi Minh City Accommodation

In Ho Chi Minh City, the accommodation is in a volunteer centre which is located on a college campus. You will share the rooms with fellow participants, but be in close proximity with local students. This allows a really nice cultural exchange and bonding. Rooms are dorm-style with 4-6 people per room. Rooms are well equipped with air conditioning, and fans and good sized single gender bathrooms, clean and functional. Internet access is available at the accommodation and there are various internet cafe’s nearby. 

Phan Thiet Accommodation

In Phan Thiet, the accommodation is comfortable and clean and situated on a university campus and also very close to the beach!   The large rooms sleep up to 6 volunteers per room and with air conditioning, fans, hot water, bed linen, laundry facilities and private separate gender bathrooms & showers.   WIFI is included in the cost but please note the quality can depend on local weather conditions.   Many volunteers opt to buy a local data SIM for use in their devices.  It is also located close to a local supermarket, restaurants and beaches.

3 good meals are provided every day on every program.  Meals are served at the volunteer center during the week.   Breakfast and dinner only are served during the weekends. Bottled water is readily available in Vietnam and volunteers should budget approximately US$1 per day.  There is also filtered water available at the accommodation. 

Rice is the staple food in the Vietnamese diet, present at all main meals, closely followed by the condiment added to most dishes: ‘nuoc mam’. This is made from salt and well fermented fish. 

You will be eating the local Vietnamese dishes which is known for it’s lively, fresh flavors and artfully composed meals.  Vietnamese food and cooking is the true ‘light cuisine’ of Asia.   Abundant fresh herbs and greens, delicate soups and stir-fries, and well-seasoned grilled food.

Throughout your stay, you will have the support and guidance of our dedicated ground operators & coordinators in Vietnam who have been hosting volunteers for over 15 years.   They will provide you with competent assistance and in depth knowledge about Vietnam, the local challenges and how you can make the most from your volunteering experience.   There goal is to ensure you’ve had an unforgettable trip and been able to make a difference.   We will also provide you with a 24 hour emergency telephone number so that you can always reach a member of our ground operator team in the event of an emergency.

In Ho Chi Minh, volunteers are encouraged to take up the 1 week introduction to Vietnam to ease you into the lifestyle and get to know the city and it’s facilities and everything required to make your stay comfortable.  These start on every 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.  You may choose after the first few days to move straight into your chosen volunteer placement.

If you prefer to move straight into your volunteer without the orientation week, you’ll still have plenty of support.  When you first arrive you may have to spend one or two days with the program coordinator aligning you strengths and interests within your chosen program.  From there, you will need to ensure you are taking into account factors such as local customs, business practices and resources available and to keep an open and positive mind.

A free arrival airport transfer is provided only on the Saturday and Sunday before your program begins. A transfer coordinator will meet you at the airport upon your arrival and arrange your transfer from the airport. He will be awaiting you at the arrival section with you name.  From here he will take you to your accommodation.

Volunteers arriving before the weekend or by land, are required to meet at our meeting point.  All this information will be provided in the program pack prior to departure. 

You are welcome to come with a group, with a friend, with family or own your own. If you are coming on your own don’t worry you will make lots of great friends!  Vietnam is a popular destination and you can expect to meet many like minded volunteers.  Generally, volunteers must be 18 years of age, however we can cater to as young as 16 years old depending on the application  There is no upper age limit. Volunteering is becoming increasingly popular with many mature guests, some of retirement age looking to give back to developing communities.

Vietnam volunteers have to be resourceful, have a lot of initiative and be able to provide their own direction. Our programs are designed for proactive individuals with a mindset of supporting the less fortunate.  When volunteering in Vietnam, the more you put in, the more you will get out.  A high degree of patience and understanding is also necessary as it’s likely that in Vietnam conditions will be very different to your home country. 

The volunteer working week is generally Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm with weekends free to relax and explore your local surrounds.  Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.  

Here are a few suggestions for things to do during the weekend;

• Coco Beach – 8 kms outside of La Gi by taxi, is a local hangout for young adults with beach parties in the evenings, bonfires and camping or simply relaxing on the beach.
• Mui Ne –  80 kilometers from La Gi, it is a famous town known for its beaches and endless sand dunes. Mui Ne is on every traveler’s bucket list while in Vietnam for its vibe, its incredible landscapes and its sandboarding opportunities.
• Dalat – A bit further afield than the rest but still reachable from La Gi (213 kilometers away). Dalat is another must in Vietnam. Known as “the city of love”. It is so beautiful that, during the Colonial times, the French dubbed it their favorite destination in the country. The town is filled with pagodas, French architecture, flower gardens and even a “Crazy House”, a gallery, hostel and coffee shop that was built to look like a tree. Aside from enjoying the city, you can also head out of town to numerous waterfalls and stunning nature.

*One off application fee of AUS$375 applies in addition to the above program fees + 1% credit card fee
*Application fee covers unlimited placements or countries at time of booking!! (maximum 12 week period)

What’s Included

Arrival Airport Transfer

3 meals p/day (Authentic Vietnamese cuisine)

Accommodation (Volunteer Centre – modern western style facilities with shared rooms)

Training & Supervision as required

Use of necessary equipment incl program materials

24/7 emergency assistance, volunteer support, local guiding and advice

Certificate of Completion

Comprehensive project guide

Discounted travel deals & flight layby options!

What’s Not Included

Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

Airfares & Visa fees

Tours, Souvenirs, Spending Money

Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day