Joining my wife for our 13th volunteer gig with IVHQ, once again we were not disappointed. As seasoned travelers and retirees, we have built volunteering into most of our travel plans. HCMC was no exception. New campus, different location for project but consistent good support from IVHQ/Green Lion local teams and a great opportunity to help at the Food store preparing food, serving the homeless community as well as other local clients and interacting with the local staff were highlights. I am always pleased to see young people getting out of their comfort zone to experience different cultures in different places as well as this time, to meet more senior folks doing the same. The exchange of information and experiences is always rewarding. This year, we took a weekend trip, arranged by the local Green Lion team to Mui Ne. The very affordable trip ($21 USD per person for car, hotel and meals) came with a catch. We were to teach English at a local school on Saturday night and Sunday morning to students who don't see many Westerners come through their small village. With the support of my wife and our local contact in Mui Ne, I had the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and help teach for the first time. Guess you are never too old to give it a try....Fortunately, for my wife, the internet helped us find pictures to go with our assignment of teaching about Australian wildlife and sea animals to kids in Vietnam. Gotta admit, it was fun but know I'm happy to stick with Food Outreach and Construction programs as I have in the past. One of the plusses of IVHQ, there are several program options.

We didn't think it could get better!!! My husband and I volunteered in 2019 for the same program. This year, though a different campus, and different food shop, the experience was even better than expected. The IVHQ coordinator and food shop team were great to work with. There was plenty to do each day from prep (setting up, cutting vegetables, raking rice) to serving (soup, rice, helping with takeaway) to clean up, with opportunities to interact with both staff and clients on a daily basis. Whether through pointing, smiling, show and tell or having the Coordinator translate for us, communication was easy and fruitful. We left with a humbling sense of contributing to a much-needed service to the community while having the good fortune to be able to travel, spend time with other volunteers and experience working and visiting this wonderful country. Weekend to Mui Ne coordinated by local IVHQ statf, was a treat as well, including visit to sand dunes and chance to volunteer and teach English in small remote village.

This is the best way to experience Vietnam. You get to help locals and make friends with other volunteers and travel. Everything is organised well and accommodation and food is great. Certainly recommend. If you are on the fence, I would say go for it. I was able to learn and apply basic Vietnamese language and make some good friends. It’s also fairly well located so getting around the city is easy. The food outreach program felt impactful because you saw first hand how you were helping the community.

This Christmas I had the chance to Volunteer in The Special Needs program in Ho Chi Minh City. This program changed my vision of everything, made me feel grateful and helped me realized how much I love to help the people that need it the most. Working with this incredible kids was unbelievable. They thought me so many things that I would carry with me for ever. They are filled with love and good hearts, I went to teach them things but they ended up teaching me. I hope everyone in this life has the opportunity to volunteer and to give back.

It was my first time volunteering abroad and I have to say that I was so nervous that I kept pushing the dates. After going through the experience I feel silly I did that. It was the most memorable experience and I had support along the way. This trip made me more confident in myself, empowered me to help others, and helped me get out of my shell. The memories I made will last forever. The accommodation was in a safe location and close to many markets and shops, the beds were comfortable and the food was delicious. The staff was welcoming and friendly.

As a young Canadian university graduate, I aspired to visit a faraway country to volunteer as an English teacher. Forty years passed quickly, four lively children grew to become independent adults and after twenty-five years, I retired from a successful career of teaching.

My youthful and idealistic dream was reignited and I applied to volunteer as an English teacher in Vietnam. As a 64-year-old grandmother, I definitely had some reservations about communication, safety and cultural sensitivity. And of course, whether age might pose some barriers.

On November 15, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to begin an incredible journey with the Green Lion team. I could not have been prepared for how welcoming, engaging and supportive of this group would be. With unsurpassed skill, they fostered team building among a very diverse group of volunteers. Staff at the Tourism and Hospitality College were filled with a desire to share strategies, to open their doors and share ideas. Students were highly motivated by their desire to practice English, to share their love of Vietnam and to elicit information about my life in Canada.
It is difficult to express the gift that I received when my intention had been to give as a volunteer.
I found a country filled with people full of hope, determination, strong work ethic and gratitude for all of the gifts that life offers. I would strongly encourage anybody who has a simple gift to give and desire to share, to embrace the opportunity that volunteering in Vietnam offers.

The whole trip carries and injects positive energies to help and love people.
It ranges from IVHQ regional team's comprehensive arrangement, to local team - The Green Lion's hospitality in support plus food outreach station team's devoted contribution to needing people.
And of course there are the volunteers and their golden hearts, whom have travelled from different parts of planet, just to offer their helping hands from single week to several months.
Every second I can feel my fast pulses of excitement plus positive desire to do my contribution and do more. Every moment I am well confident my safety and well being in foreign land are properly taken care of by local team.
On my last 2 service days I was given opportunity to company disabled kids at hospital in afternoon, after food outreach event. This is broke my beliefs on the limited contribution I can offer. It opens me to new heights to understand there are actually more I am capable of to offer.
During the 5 days, priceless vitality and passion emit from everyone's eyes regardless of individual's status and wealth. There is no asking for any return or compensation. All there is are just unlimited flows of love and care to whoever need help.
As a corporate worker for years, this volunteering has woke me up to realize the 3 essentials to achieve harmony and peace in humanity. They are help, love and care.
I praised and salute to every single soul I met in this journey. You all are beautiful and handsome.
There are lot more for me to improve on volunteering but I am committed to join you all to make a better world, for many years ahead.
Thank you so much.

This was my second volunteer trip with IVHQ, and I’m glad I chose to do this one for longer this year. As a pre-med student, the medical program helped me to experience medicine in a different culture while shadowing healthcare professionals. The people you meet will become some of your best friends, and the adventures you go on provide you with the best memories! I traveled on the IVHQ Peru trip last summer, and I did not think any other trip could top that, but IVHQ Vietnam had such an immense impact on me. I’m already planning for my next trip!