Make a REAL difference in Vietnam with Love Volunteers!

Name: Make a REAL difference in Vietnam with Love Volunteers!
Brand: Love Volunteers
SKU: 21346
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

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4.50 Rating

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Location

Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City

Length

2 to 12 weeks

Project Types

Childcare Street Children Community Development Service Learning Environmental Conservation Education Teaching Health Medical Disabled Care Human Rights Women's Rights +2

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Program Details

Language

English

Age Min.

Timeframe

Year Round

Housing

Host Family Hostel

Groups

Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Pricing

Starting Price

719

Price Details

Love Volunteers registration fee, plus program fees
Program fees cover airport pickup, orientation, accommodation and food (see website for specific program details).
The Love Volunteers registration fee covers lifetime alumni membership

Last Updated: Sep 26, 2024

Last Reviewed: Aug 03, 2015

Wish List

2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Join Love Volunteers on a variety of programs in Vietnam. Participants have the opportunity to volunteer anywhere from 2 weeks to three months. Programs are available in Ho Chi Minh and volunteers typically stay in dedicated volunteer houses.

Current Love Volunteers Programs in Vietnam:
- Teaching English
- Childcare and Development
- Travel and Volunteering

Don't just be a volunteer...join us in Vietnam and become a LOVE VOLUNTEER!

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Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here. Learn more about how Love Volunteers is promoting ethical volunteering.

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Program Highlights

Volunteer in Vietnam to support communities still recovering from the long-term effects of war, including poverty, healthcare, and social challenges.
Engage in meaningful projects such as teaching, working with children, and conservation efforts in national parks.
Benefit from full support and guidance from dedicated local staff, ensuring your volunteer work makes a lasting impact.
Immerse yourself in the rich Vietnamese culture, exploring its traditions, cuisine, and vibrant local markets.

Popular Programs

Childcare and Development

This amazing program will warm the heart of any international volunteer with a love for working with children and helping those in true need. Volunteers on this project will be based in the largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, a bustling metropolis jam-packed with culture and sights. Volunteers assist local caregivers and supply much-needed labor to support these children and provide the attention they deserve.

Teaching English

The aim of this fantastic teaching program in Vietnam is to provide an English language speaking environment for disadvantaged youth in order to develop their English communicative skills. Many of the students have moved to Ho Chi Minh City from the provinces. The teaching programs are based in either a Vietnamese school, community center, shelter for children living on the street, or center for vocational training.

Volunteer & Travel

For intrepid travelers with a desire to ‘do good’, this volunteering travel program promises to deliver. Based in action-packed Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, this will be an experience of a life time! The two-week program (which can be extended if you desire) spends weekdays helping others, while weekends are spent exploring this cultural and scenic wonderland! Participants can choose from a variety of volunteering activities that all share the same mission – to help enrich the lives of others.

Program Reviews

4.50 Rating

based on 2 reviews

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5 rating 50%
4 rating 50%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4
Support 4
Fun 4.5
Value 4.5
Safety 4

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

It was a childhood dream of mine to volunteer overseas one day. I've been working as a nurse for five years. As I was bonded, I had no choice but to complete the bond first in order to achieve my dream. As I wanted to do something new and go out of my comfort zone, I chose to be involved in the Working With Children Program in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I was posted to the Ky Quang Pagoda Orphanage to help out with the care of disabled children. I learned from the local team that most of the children suffers as a result of the Vietnamese war that can still be seen until today, i.e Hydrocephalus children. 70% of the orphans are disabled either physically or mentally, therefore needs an extra care which they couldn't have been able to provide enough without the help of us volunteers.

When I first saw the children, I felt nervous, whether I could perform well to take care of them. As a nurse who worked with adults previously, it was my first time working with disabled children. Most of the time spent were to walk them or push their trolleys around, do some drawings and play games with them. When it's meal time, I helped to feed them as well. I took quite some time to learn how to tackle their eating habit, and once I got it the daily routines became more and more enjoyable. These activities might seem very simple to some people; however without us volunteers it could have been a huge difference to the children's development.

Volunteering isn't just mentally challenging, it is physically challenging as well. Carrying, assisting the staffs in lifting the children and walked or pushed them around made me sweat a lot each day, yet at the end of each night I would be smiling looking back at each day's value that I have earned. My life motto has always been "One Smile A Day, Keeps All Negativity Away". I believe I have managed to draw some wonderful smiles during my volunteering days not just on the children's face, but the local staffs as well as fellow volunteers. It was a truly amazing experience.

On weekends I was able to enjoy the local attractions and coffees in some of the districts. I am a coffee lover who visits the country which happens to be the second largest coffee exporter, hence it is a must to try out the cafes in town. I also celebrated my birthday in a lovely trip to Mui Ne with my sister who also joined the same volunteering program.

Coming here to volunteer also gave me a chance to get to know fellow volunteers who came from around the world such as France, US, Canada, and many more. I'm glad we shared common interest in humanity and trying to maintain it by bringing positive vibes representing our own countries. I believe that volunteering needs no verbal language to understand each other, we need but kindness and compassion to join our hearts together to lend a helping hand to make the children's life better.

Response from Love Volunteers

Hi Yee. Thankyou for the wonderful review and recommendation! Throughout your time volunteering with us you have had such a positive 'can-do' attitude, a kind heart and an open mind what ever challenges were presented to you. You have been a wonderful Love Volunteer and it has been our honor to participate in this experience with you. Thank you! :)

By Love Volunteers on August 22, 2015

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Teaching English in Ho Chi Minh City was amazing. We were involved in a variety of projects with students of all ages. We got to put together and run our own lessons, which was scary at first but was ultimately incredibly rewarding. We taught two/three lessons a day and the staff were really flexible e.g. if you wanted to go away for a long weekend. There was loads of support and all the other international volunteers I met were friendly and helpful and just lovely!

Response from Love Volunteers

Hi there,
What great comments! You are so right that volunteering can be daunting at first but with an attitude like yours it becomes a rewarding experience for everyone.
Thanks for being an awesome volunteer, we hope to have you with us again in the future.
The Team @ Love Volunteers.

By Love Volunteers on January 20, 2016

Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you pick this program?

headshot

There are two main reasons. First, in my working life, I take care of adult patients. I would like to go out of my comfort zone, hence the reason I chose Working with Children in Ho Chi Minh City. Secondly, Vietnam is well known as the second largest coffee exporter. I spent my free time mostly in cafes to try out their coffees and it's amazing!

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

I learned so much about humanity during my volunteering days. I was posted to Ky Quang Pagoda Orphanage from July 6th till 31st. I worked with disabled children, and through them I learned that happiness is simple. They smiled when I brought them for a walk, they laughed when I played with them. While the children in the world out there plays with gadgets i.e Ipad, tablets etc, they require nothing but our presence to draw a smile on their face each day.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

After seeing my updates in Vietnam, several of my friends asked me about my experience and more programs in detail. I provided necessary information and encouraged them to go for it!

What was the hardest part about going abroad?

The hardest part is always about language barrier during my outings. Nevertheless, soon after I started volunteering I met many wonderful local staffs who became my friends. From them I learned a few simple Vietnamese words.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

with local kid

During my volunteering time in Ky Quang Pagoda Orphanage, there were many children that I took care of. But there was one particular girl that took my heart away.

Her name is Coca and she's 2 years old. She suffers from a type of mental disorder, and she sucks her thumbs and fingers almost continuously that they had to tie her shirts in order to prevent her from doing so. It made her frustrated from time to time. When I first came; I saw her in her walking chair, looking depressed. I spent much time to approach her and earn her trust, and finally drew a smile on her face.

There was a couple of days she fell sick and had to rest in her room that I wasn't able to take care of her, but still managed to pay her a visit. It had been my honor to walk and feed her during the 4 weeks of volunteering. To date, I still miss her and stay in touch on her updates through the local volunteers. I hope to see her again one day.

What made this experience unique and special?

Group photo

Volunteering isn't just mentally challenging, it is physically challenging as well. Carrying, assisting the staffs in lifting the children and walked or pushed them around in their trolleys made me sweat a lot each day, yet at the end of each night I would be smiling looking back at each day's value that I have earned.

My life motto has always been "One Smile A Day, Keeps All Negativity Away". I believe I have managed to draw some wonderful smiles during my volunteering days not just on the children's face, but the local staffs as well as fellow volunteers. It was a truly amazing experience.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go for it, explore the world, lend a helping hand and embrace the amazing experience. You'll love it!

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions or future path?

A few years ago I lost my friend who passed away due to Kidney Failure. It was 26th July 2012. She was a kind friend and I'd like to honor her by bringing her positiveness in this volunteer trip.

I also spent my humble 26th birthday doing what I love and the memories will stay in my heart forever. The month of July have always been meaningful to me. I hope to be able to continue giving out to the needful ones even in the future while I'm still young and capable.

Where did I go for coffee hunting?

If you're a coffee lover, there are a few cafes I would love to recommend. All of them are situated in District One.

- I.D Cafe which is situated in Thu Khoa Huan Street near Ben Thanh Night Market, cozy environment and suitable for group outing.

- Urban Station Coffee; there are a lot of them but my frequent visit was to the one in Ham Nghi Street. I had my best Latte here.

- L'usine Cafe in Le Loi Street. Nice environment but packed on weekends.

- M2C Cafe in Ly Tu Trong Street, they offer a wide range of meals and drinks especially their trademark coffee.

- SHE Cafe in Pasteur Street. Nice environment, basic coffee.

Chess Dennis

Location

Location:

Ho Chi Minh City

Currency:

Vietnamese Dong

Weather:

Jan-Mar

93 F / 70 F

Apr-Jun

95 F / 70 F

Jul-Sep

90 F / 75 F

Oct-Dec

88 F / 70 F

Airports:

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

( SGN )

Ho Chi Minh City, also called Saigon, is the nation's largest city and economic hub. To get a good sense of the city, it's recommended to explore the french district and experience the lingering french motifs in Vietnamese culture.

About Love Volunteers

We are a group of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who thought we could do a better job. We work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to return as...