Location

Vietnam
- Hanoi

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

449

Price Details

Love Volunteers registration fee, plus program fees starting at just US$449 for two weeks.
Program fees cover airport pickup, orientation, accommodation, and food (see website for specific program details).
The Love Volunteers registration fee covers any placements you undertake for twelve months from the start of your first placement.
This fee is refundable if you choose not to volunteer more than three months prior to the start of your initial placement.

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3 travelers are looking at this program

Make a REAL difference in Vietnam - From just $449!

Name: Make a REAL difference in Vietnam - From just $449!
Brand: Love Volunteers
SKU: 21346
Rating: 8.5 (2 reviews)

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COVID-19 Program Updates

Due to global health & safety concerns and travel restrictions related to the coronavirus, Love Volunteers has decided to pause some of their upcoming programs temporarily and may be offering flexible booking options and/or online programs as well. Learn more about COVID-19 updates to stay tuned regarding program information.

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About

Join Love Volunteers on a variety of programs in Vietnam. Participants have the opportunity to volunteer anywhere from 1 week to six months. Programs are available throughout Vietnam, and accommodation varies by program and location. Options include volunteer teaching, childcare, and community development. Visit the Love Volunteers website for more information.

Current Love Volunteers Programs in Vietnam:

Teaching English
Childcare and Development
Medical Internship

Highlights

Volunteer throughout Vietnam anywhere from 1 week to 6 months
Accommodation specifics vary by program and location, visit the Love Volunteers website for details.
Volunteer hours are typically morning to mid-afternoon and weekends are open for recreation

Questions & Answers

Reviews

8.5 Rating

based on 2 reviews

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Volunteer

Impact 7.5
Support 8
Fun 8.5
Value 8.5
Safety 7.5

Showing 1 - 2 of 2

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.

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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!

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Alumni Interviews

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

Why did you pick this program?

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?

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?

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.

volunteering in Vietnam with Love Volunteers

Chess Dennis

About Love Volunteers

We are just a handful 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...

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