UBELONG Volunteer Abroad in Vietnam from US$390
UBELONG offers 2-week to 6-month volunteering opportunities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). There are over 20 projects in different fields, including: business development and microfinance, caregiving, education, health and NGO support.
Highlights
- Affordable: Without compromising quality, the world's most affordable international volunteering opportunities.
- Flexibility: Pick from 100+ projects across Africa, Asia and South America. Volunteer 1 week to 6 months. Start any week.
- Support: Work one-on-one with a UBELONG Mentor throughout your volunteer experience.
- Comfort: Housing and meals included, as well as 24/7 field support.
- Network: UBELONG is based in Washington, DC, the capital of international volunteering.
- Impact: UBELONG is a social venture led by international volunteers and university professors driven to make a real impact on local communities.
- Trust: Every year, thousands of individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and from throughout the world, become UBELONG volunteers.
Simply, UBELONG is the world's premier short-term international volunteering program.
Reviews
100%Overall
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100%Overall
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I volunteered in Hanoi with two friends and had an excellent experience. The support from my Ubelong mentor was excellent, he was very easy to reach and knowledgabe. I don't know how mentors are assigned, but if you can ask for Raul I highly recommend him. I thought the briefing meeting on live chat was also key, it made me see I had an organization supporting me and it gave me the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. Once I arrived it was overwhelming with the traffic, language and culture in general, but after about a week I settled in. I was teaching English in a public school and at first how busy and crowded the classes were surprised me. However, the kids were the best part of my trip and made it so enjoyable. I was shocked at how well behaved they were and the respect they showed us, they called us "teacher". I don't think poor schools in the US are like that. Some other volunteers had just started a volunteer book to pass from one to the other as people came and went, and I found this extremely helpful as I could see what others had done and feel I could pass on what I was learning. The housing was better than I expected, altough it was loud some evenings with people staying up. The food was excellent and I very much enjoyed being with volunteers from all over the world. It was a very good experience and one that I miss and hope to have again soon.
80%Overall
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I volunteered for a local NGO in Hanoi, Vietnam for a month this past December and it was undoubtedly the best learning experience of my life thus far! Not only did I get an opportunity to see how NGOs in Asian countries function but I also got the chance to go out into the field - the beautiful Khe Ro forest in the outskirts of Hanoi - and explore this site's ecotourism potential.
I picked UBELONG because of its affordability and the wealth of precise and detailed information that they provide about their programs. Additionally, my volunteer mentor, Raul, was exceptionally helpful and made sure to answer any query and concern that I may have had. The Safety Meeting that Raul conducted over the phone with me made me absolutely sure about my choice of organization! In UBELONG, you can find a support system that is constantly there, no matter which country in the world you may be volunteering in.
Volunteering in Vietnam through UBELONG was the best decision that I have ever made and I look forward to volunteering this summer again... perhaps in South Africa! Thank you, UBELONG, for a fantastic experience!
100%Overall
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Volunteering in Vietnam through UBELONG was a life-changing experience for me. For years I had wanted to participate in some sort of international volunteer work, but none of the programs that I looked at quite matched what I wanted. Some wanted a lengthy time commitment, some were too expensive, and most of them didn't have the types of projects I was looking for - which was anything health or HIV related. Raul solved that problem when he found ME and suggested that I check out his organization.
At first I was skeptical of the complete stranger suggesting that I should send him money and then fly to a foreign country, but I decided to start by looking at the website, and I became progressively more and more secure about what UBELONG was offering. Each of my concerns about other organizations were addressed quickly by the website - great flexibility for length of stay, the most affordable option for volunteering that I've found, and most importantly, a wide variety of projects, with details up front about what was expected by the organization and what could be expected by the volunteers.
I quickly found a project that I found incredibly appealing - public health volunteering in Hanoi, Vietnam. I had just applied to Master of Public Health programs for the following fall, and I was looking for an opportunity to get some experience in my new field before diving into my studies. I applied to the UBELONG program called "Promoting HIV/AIDS Awareness", but my application went in right around the time of Tet in Vietnam and UBELONG was having trouble getting through to the host organization. UBELONG responded by preemptively talking to the organization hosting the other public health project in Hanoi and finding a place for me there, and when they called me a couple days later, I was given the option to keep waiting for the HIV project or accept the one that was already happy to take me on, and I chose to do just that.
Over the next couple months, while I was making all of the necessary preparations for the trip, I was in regular contact with Raul. UBELONG has a set of several standard emails and skype conversations that they have with every volunteer, but Raul quickly responded to all of my additional emails, answering in detail every question I could think to ask. He even found time to meet with me in Washington, DC while I was there for an unrelated trip. By the time I left for Vietnam, although I was still nervous, I felt like Raul had prepared me incredibly well.
Throughout the trip, Raul was in contact with me to see how things were going. I received check-in emails from him immediately before and after my flight to Vietnam and approximately every two weeks after that. We also had a phone/Skype conversation while I was there and he has listened to all of my concerns and suggestions and has quickly made appropriate changes, as necessary. I am incredibly grateful for his work as my mentor, and his support made the experience of traveling to a completely foreign country where I didn't know the language at all much easier. I would highly recommend UBELONG to anyone else considering international volunteering (and I have suggested it for a few friends already).
90%Overall
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I volunteered for three weeks as an English teacher in Hanoi, Vietnam through UBELONG. What initially attracted me to UBELONG was the organization's genuine philosophy and passion regarding international volunteering and the outstanding affordability of their programs. I continued to be impressed by how thoroughly they prepare volunteers beforehand and how quickly Raul (co-founder and my volunteer mentor) responded to all of my questions and concerns.
The pre-departure Skype interview with Raul also provided a wonderful opportunity to better familiarize myself with UBELONG and the people behind the organization. I felt like I really got to know Raul and he took a genuine interest in getting to know me and my motivations for volunteering in Vietnam. The entire process confirmed to me that I had definitely chosen the BEST organization and program for my international volunteering experience.
Overall, I had am amazing time in Hanoi and I can't say enough about how pleased I am with UBELONG. If you are looking into volunteering abroad, my advice would be to take this opportunity right now in your life and DO IT! You will gain friends, memories, and skills that will last you a lifetime. And in choosing a program through UBELONG, you definitely will not be disappointed with the quality of their organization and the support you will have along the way!
100%Overall
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My summer volunteer experience in Vietnam was one full of great insight. I learned the ins and outs of living in a South East Asian country. My volunteer work allowed me to interact with the local people and learn about the problems that face that country now, and problems they foresee in the future. If I wasn't at work or exploring the unique beauties of Hanoi, I was travel around the country. I saw sights that could only be explained through picture. I was lucky enough to meet a great friend while I was there. We still talk to this day. Even Though we are thousands of miles apart, we pick up our conversation right where we left off. I own a large amount of my enjoyment to Ubelong. They allowed me to relax and enjoy my time while it lasted. They took great care of me, my happiness was their first priority and I never felt like I was abandoned. I would recommend Ubelong to anyone looking for unique summer experience.
100%Overall
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Vietnam, however far you live from it, is worth the trip. Its beauty is often underestimated, as its gorgeous beaches, vibrant markets, and friendly people make for a whirlwind of an adventure.
Surviving Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the tropically humid rainy season may be a challenge to some, but the fast-paced city life will definitely keep you on your toes. The crazy motorbike traffic, people sitting on the side of the street, and the street vendors offering sugar cane juice and lychee contribute to the excitement of the city. In general, the Vietnamese are incredibly welcoming to foreigners, which facilitated my transition to the new environment and thus lessened the impact of culture shock.
As nervous as I was for my trip, UBELONG was completely supportive and helpful from day one. They made sure to give me all of the knowledge and skills that I needed to succeed in my teaching and living experiences there. I am so thankful to have chosen such an outstanding program with which to volunteer abroad!
Alumni Interviews
Meet Robert Enberg, UBELONG-Vietnam alum
Robert Engberg volunteered from December 15th to the 31st 2012. He is from Goodyear, Arizona and is currently in his final semester at Northern Arizona University where he is studying International Affairs and French. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, working out, trying foods from all over the world, and outdoor adventuring.
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with UBELONG in Vietnam?
Robert: I chose UBELONG because of how affordable its immersion programs are and the fact that individuals from any background can participate in their programs. I have always wanted to do volunteer work abroad, but the cost of programs offered by other organizations always turned me off. I felt that volunteering shouldn't have to be so expensive. UBELONG makes volunteering accessible to almost anyone by offering programs that vary in cost depending on how long you want to volunteer overseas. The profiles of founders Raul Roman and Cedric Hodgeman convinced me that UBELONG was an organization truly committed to international development.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Robert: My project was at a Buddhist monastery called Chua La, where the monks provided housing for fourteen orphaned children. Only one woman cared for all fourteen children. The immense amount of work she had in caring for the children made our work as volunteers very important. We arrived at our project in the morning where we were greeted by the children that were always so happy to see us. The mornings consisted of us playing with the children and keeping them occupied on projects like coloring or singing and dancing. I would also do some renovation work on the orphanage, such as painting it and putting screens on its windows.
I also spent many hours in the hot sun planting a garden. Every day before noon the monks would ring a bell to indicate it was time for lunch. We would go inside the monastery and eat alongside the monks, orphans, and other guests. Afterwards we would nap for a few hours since it was the hottest time of the day. In the afternoon, we would finish whatever renovation projects we had for the day and spend more time with the kids. We left usually around 4:00PM.
GO: What made this experience unique and special?
Robert: The opportunity to travel and do work in Vietnam is one I will always remember and cherish. The most unique part about my trip was working among Buddhist monks at the orphanage. Passive monks in their saffron robes are one of the most distinctive images people imagine when they think of Southeast Asia. Working and eating with them was something I never imagined I'd be doing!
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Robert: Volunteering abroad tests what you are truly capable of by placing you in an environment that is completely foreign to you. My experience helped me learn more about myself and has given me more courage to step outside of my comfort zone. Career wise, my goal is to work in the field of international development, so having experience travelling and doing work in developing nations is important to my own career development.
Meet Spencer Willman, UBELONG volunteer Vietnam
GO: Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with UBELONG in Vietnam?
Spencer: My decision to go to Vietnam was made around this time last year. I was chatting with a good friend of mine, and he mentioned that he would be going to Spain to volunteer with a renewable energy company. As he started to explain it further, I became more and more intrigued. I found myself yearning for a unique summer internship experience that would match that of my good friend. I started to do a little research on the topic and found a host of great places I could go. When I was at a crossroads of companies to go abroad with, the name UBELONG came up. I looked into them more and more and their projects in Hanoi started to look extremely attractive. They offered a project that suited my needs and Hanoi seemed to offer a host of great entertainment. After weighting all the pros and cons of Hanoi, I was certain that this was the city I would be traveling to. I emailed UBELONG's founder and he extinguished any trepidation that I had up to that point. He was thorough in all his explanations of what I would be doing and what to expect when I arrived. This was very reassuring for I knew very little about the city further than what I read on the internet. His commitment to my enjoyment of my experience was unwavering even after I arrived. Any situation that I felt was not to my satisfaction was resolved immediately. Many of the other volunteers were very surprised with the promptness of UBELONG compared to their sending organizations. In my opinion, UBELONG is the gold standard when volunteering abroad.
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Spencer: My day to day activities varied depending on the day, but my average day was a refreshing mix of exciting bus rides, intriguing work, and fantastic street food. I would start the day with a bowl of pho (Vietnamese soup) from a restaurant right outside my dorm style apartment. I would then stroll to the bus stop and wait side by side with locals for the bus to arrive. When I finally got to my office, I would cool off and prepare for the day. I would be sent a list of documents that needed editing from different people within the organization. After I finished that task, I would read business literature and write short summaries to help my co-workers make recommendations to possible social entrepreneurs. Between these two main tasks, I would make time to enjoy local street food with my coworkers. The food was fantastic and an aspect of my trip that I still miss to this day. In the evening, I would sit with my fellow volunteers and enjoy an ice chilled beer as we discussed our days and different life experiences. When I had time off, I travel to different regions of the country with other volunteers. I found these trips to be the highlights of my whole experience. Vietnam is a very scenic country and offers experiences that range from hiking in the jungle to sitting on a beach sipping a fruit cocktail.
GO: How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Spencer: My trip to Vietnam has had a substantial impact on my life - and one that has inspired me to teach English in China upon my graduation in May. I found myself seeing life through a much broader looking glass. Making it clear that getting a regular desk job was not an option quite yet. There is so much more of this world I want to experience and learn about. Teaching English in China will both benefit me professionally as well as metaphysically. My experience in Vietnam showed me these beauties, and made it impossible to ignore this desire.
At my young age, I was afforded an opportunity that most people don't have. Growing up in a country like the United States allows its citizens options few people have. Most people allow these opportunities to fall by the wayside, which is disappointing. If I had one piece of advice for students, I would encourage them to explore the option of using a volunteer related job experience as an alternative to a typical summer internship program. The reward will be much greater than any monetary return they will receive otherwise.
Meet Ai Yamasaki, UBELONG Vietnam volunteer alum
GO:Why did you decide to volunteer with UBELONG in Vietnam?
Ai: I heard about UBELONG through a friend of a friend (essentially a stranger), which is not always a reliable source, but I decided to go for it and apply to the program in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the very first email that UBELONG sent me, I could tell that I had made a good choice. They were so helpful, attentive, and supportive, even connecting with me on Skype to make sure that I was adequately prepared to embark on my journey. They talked to my parents, answered all my questions, and calmed some of my fears before I left to immerse myself in a new culture. I could not have been more satisfied with the way UBELONG guided me through!
GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Ai: In Ho Chi Minh City, my day-to-day activities included: grabbing a home-cooked breakfast, catching the bus, teaching an English class at a local elementary school in the city, eating lunch, going to another site to teach English to local volunteers, then coming back home and taking a rest. Some days I would also have a Vietnamese lesson, where the same volunteers would teach me common phrases in their language. Usually I would have one day off per week, and I used the weekends to travel out of Saigon to the Mekong Delta, to Da Lat, etc. It was very easy and cheap to plan such tours, which were typically bus tours with food and hotels booked in. During the evening hours, I often met up with my fellow volunteer teachers at a nearby cafe to relax while brainstorming ideas for the next day's lesson.
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Ai: In high school, I had dreamed of volunteering abroad, but I never thought that I would be able to do so. I love kids, I love to volunteer, I love to teach, and most of all, to travel. Being a bilingual first generation Asian American, I have always been fascinated by new languages and cultures. On this trip, not only did I have the chance to learn about Vietnamese culture, I also made friends with the other international volunteers from Britain, France, Ireland, and Australia. I was proud because I even had several chances to correct European stereotypes about Americans.
The month I spent in Vietnam was not only an eye-opening experience, but it was also a push for me to grow as a person. At home amongst my peers, I was relatively shy and reserved, keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself. Being a role model to the children and a cultural ambassador with the volunteers, I found myself becoming more confident and outwardly compassionate. I learned how important it was to express yourself, to have an open mind, and to love! What makes us fundamentally human is our ability to think, share, create, and of course, to change; although I feel as though I am still in the process of self-discovery, my experience in Vietnam definitely put a whole new perspective on my true self. I am eternally grateful for UBELONG and all of the people I met in Ho Chi Minh City for such an incredible trip!
Further Info
About UBELONG
UBELONG is the most affordable, professional and supportive international volunteering organization in the world.
Volunteer abroad in Africa, Asia and Latin America from 1 week to 6 months.
We are based in Washington, DC and led by volunteers and leading university professors.
WHAT can you do?
Through our Volunteer Abroad program, for periods of one week to six months live in a community and volunteer on a community or environmental project.
WHERE can you go?
Asia: Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos
Latin America: Ecuador and Peru
Africa: Ghana, Morocco and South Africa
WHEN can you go?
Projects run year-round and you can join from one week to six months.
HOW much do you pay?
Costs start as low as US$350 for a 1 week placement.
Among other world-class services, you work 1 on 1 with a UBELONG Mentor and receive a Preparation Briefing, in-country orientation, housing, meals, project supervision and 24/7 support.
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I have Ubelong and my mentor Raul Roman to thank for making my experience in Ho Chi Minh City possible. I am so grateful for Raul's help and guidance over the past few months in making my trip happen. The professionalism and level of ease in working with Ubelong was superb.
During my time in Ho Chi Minh City, the local NGO that Ubelong connected me with was Volunteers for Peace Vietnam. They assigned me to an orphanage called "Chua La" for abandoned kids that had been taken in by Buddhist monks. The monks fed us everyday at their pagoda and I felt very welcome among them. We were among the first group of volunteers that had ever been allowed to work there. The other volunteers I worked with were a wonderful group of people. Fourteen children and a baby were all cared for by one 56 year old women. The amount of work she had in order to care for so many children was overwhelming and it made our work very valuable and necessary.
While helping to provide care for the kids, I also helped renovate the house that the children lived in. Alongside the renovations, me and another volunteer initiated the construction of a garden in front of the orphanage. I spent many hours in the hot sun turning up the soil! After many days and with the help of local and other international volunteers, we planted several flowers, a mango tree, and a squash plant. This garden will improve the image of the orphanage and also help them become more self-sustaining.I hope to see more planting done by future volunteers.
There is still much more work to be done at the Chua La orphanage/pagoda and I hope that things continue to improve as more volunteers are assigned to that particular project. I truly hope that one day I can return to Chua La and see the progress that has been made. I definitely see myself doing more volunteering through Ubelong in my future!