Volunteer in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  Vietnam

• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All Year Round

Description: Nestled along the eastern portion of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter "S" and admired for its rugged beauty, fascinating history, and rich culture. Bordered by China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west, Vietnam is covered by lush vegetation and boasts rare flora and fauna species, virgin rain forests and sheltered national parks. Its coastline is dotted with white sand beaches and rocky headlands. With a natural beauty unsurpassed in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a place to explore, relax, observe and learn.

Our Vietnam volunteer programs are located in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)--a commercial hub of the south spun along mangrove riverbanks--and the Mekong Delta region, known as Vietnam's "rice basket." Volunteer Vietnam offers volunteers the exciting opportunity to explore an area from the Mekong Delta to the stunning coastline of central Vietnam, the rugged mountains of the north, and Halong Bay. Volunteer Vacation Vietnam is perfect venue for those seeking a deeper experience of Vietnam while serving its local children and communities.

Some of our ongoing Vietnam volunteer program includes:

- Teaching English

As a volunteer, you will teach English to these disadvantaged children in a classroom setting. In most of the cases, volunteers teach children ages 6-10 for about 14-20 hours a week. Teaching English to these children not only offers the privilege of serving humanity, but also provides a significant opportunity to learn about teaching, cross-cultural adjustment, and team relationships. In addition to teaching English, volunteers support the shelter's administrative staff in its daily tasks. Extra help may include organizing extracurricular and creative activities such as games, drawing, and singing.

- Teaching computer skills to orphans

In this challenging project, volunteers will teach basic typing and word processing skills to orphans. To join this project, volunteers should be proficient in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Access, and the Internet). There are further opportunities for skilled volunteers to teach Microsoft Office to blind children.

- Working with Agent Orange victims

Approximately 20 million gallons of herbicides were used in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971. The Vietnam War ended in 1975, but the scourge of dioxin contamination from a herbicide known as Agent Orange affected thousands of adults and children. An estimated 40,000 Vietnamese are currently affected by dioxin poisoning. Some of them live without one or more parts of their body; they cannot feed themselves and really need kind people to help them. Some special shelters have been opened for the poorest of children. These unfortunate children need our help every day; people in need cannot wait until tomorrow.

- Working with disadvantaged children

As a volunteer, you will teach English to orphans. Volunteers also help in developing creative programs such as art, music, dance, and sports. Additional help may be needed on day trips, sanitation, cooking, and administrative tasks. Working in an orphanage gives you a wonderful opportunity to share your love and skills with poor children. Whether you have a background in childcare or simply enjoy sharing love with children, a smile or kind hug can offer something meaningful to the life of those deprived of love and care.

Highlights: In Vietnam, childcare shelters revolve around efforts to provide education, especially English education to children who have lost their parents or who are no longer able to live with them a permanent home and a stable environment. These shelters/houses offer these needy children the background of an extended family community.

Qualifications: Basic knowledge of Vietnamese language.

Accommodation: Depending upon the volunteers' particular country, location, and situation, volunteers will either stay with a host family, within a rented house, within a hostel, or within a cabin. We offer clean, comfortable living spaces, and volunteers will stay either in a single or shared room (depending on the host situation). Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags and other accessories.

Comprehensive insurance coverage: Global Crossroad offers the most comprehensive insurance coverage. This insurance will cover travel health insurance, medical evaluation, travel accident insurance, travel assistance, travel language, and third party liability coverage. Our insurance is one of the best insurance plans available in market for those interested in volunteering.

Thoroughly researched and personalized projects: Global Crossroad offers the best projects that focus on matching the interests, skills, and experiences of volunteers with their volunteer work. Our local in-country coordinator explores the best local organizations and handpicks the perfect program for each volunteer. Volunteers will get detailed information of their project, including living arrangements and food, before departure.

Airport receive: Upon the receipt of the flight information, our country coordinator or other project staff will meet volunteers in the airport. The address and telephone number of the local contact hotel will be given before departure just in case volunteers miss our representative in the airport. Please make sure to send your flight information to both the USA office and the local coordinator's office.

In-country transportation: Global Crossroad manages one-way transportation to project. Volunteers will be responsible for their personal and return travel.

Support of Country coordinator: From the very beginning to the end of the project, Global Crossroad's country coordinator will help volunteers by supporting them and regularly visiting them.

Pre-departure information: Global Crossroad's comprehensive pre-departure booklet offers detailed information on issues that will concern volunteers, such as health, safety, and cultural shocks.

Other Services: Global Crossroad's staff, in USA and abroad, are always willing to support volunteers by answering all of the volunteers' questions and providing the best advice on fundraising and other issues, like health, culture, excursions, travel, safety, and special events.

Emergency support: Global Crossroad will provide you with 2-3 mobile telephone numbers of the USA staffs and local staffs for emergency support (these numbers are available for use at all times-24/7). Volunteers will also get contact details to pass along to your family before departure.

Salary / Pay: Volunteer Job

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Vietnam Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Global Crossroad's Mission Statement: Global Crossroad offers many remarkable and challenging volunteer, internship, mini-adventure, and cultural immersion opportunities to interested international volunteers in marvelous countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Ghana, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya. Our unique programs are creative and exciting, as they engage volunteers in breathtaking journeys. Here, a volunteer can become involved in service projects while they explore remote villages. A volunteer can also learn a wonderful new heritage as the Global Crossroad provides language training courses and cultural tours.

Year Founded: 2002