Vietnam Volunteering

Why Pay Money To Volunteer? Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations.” While this may seem ridiculous at first glance, such fees often keep the organization afloat, in addition to covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent.
Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing), or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty implicit in creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

Volunteering can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in your life, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. Read up before heading out, and be aware of the diversity of experiences on offer; putting in time at a daycare in HCMC will expose you to different cultural norms than you will find when working to improve health care in northern Tày villages. The best way to find opportunities that match up with your interests and schedule may be to check with any of the broad-based organizations listed under the Social Activism section . You might want to check out www.idealist.org, www.volunteerabroad.org, and www.volunteerinternational.org for listings of volunteer opportunities.

Vietnamese volunteer organizations tend to enlist the aid of Vietnamese citizens (or might be subsumed within exclusive local administrations, like Communist youth leagues), so you might have difficulty showing up and finding a position. Your best bet would be at an orphanage or similar institution in a larger city—it can be a bit tough to organize a project of your own in a village, given the lack of accommodations and infrastructure. People who volunteer in Vietnam without signing up for a program beforehand often do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers; long-term volunteer opportunities nearly always require some prior research. Be sure to get in touch with other expatriates in your city or town to find out about options.

Many volunteer services charge a participation fee. These costs can be surprisingly hefty (although they frequently cover most, if not all, living expenses). Most people choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and frequently provides a group environment and support system. This is probably the most convenient approach for those interested in staying in Vietnam long enough to get a sense of the culture. Be aware that many organizations rotate destinations from year to year and may not have one in Vietnam at the time you apply even if it is listed, so be prepared to spend time searching.

Social Activism

Broad-based volunteer organizations offer opportunities in a variety of areas. Some programs charge discouragingly high fees, but in most cases you get what you pay for. Some organizations can connect ...more

Youth And Community

The easiest option for short-term, unplanned volunteering is to work in an orphanage or youth community center. Options abound in urban areas, where countless children would otherwise be forced to make ...more

Environmental Conservation

Natural beauty abounds in Vietnam and the government is starting to take action to preserve it. Most conservation programs are still young but growing. Spend time on the Internet researching, and you’re ...more

Education Programs

Most of the education programs below are English-teaching programs, but differ from those listed in the Teaching English section in that they do not require previous experience or teaching certification ...more