Volunteer in Vietnam

The Global Volunteer Network currently has volunteer opportunities available through our partner organization in Vietnam. Based in the central region of Vietnam, volunteers will be surrounded by lush green rice paddies, rich traditional culture, beautiful beaches, and delicious Vietnamese food. Volunteers are greatly needed to help teach English to adults as well as children. They will also be involved in caring for and playing with the gorgeous children in the orphanages our partner works in.

The Program

Volunteers will be allocated to a placement by our partner. Regardless of which placement you are in, you will fly into Da Nang and have your orientation there.

Our current placement locations are:
Da Nang: Here volunteers will work at two Day Care Centres (home for disabled children), two Baby Orphanages, one social support centre and one orphanage for street children. At these placements volunteers will teach English, arts, crafts, songs and sports and at the Baby Orphanages volunteers will clean, feed and play with the children. Volunteers will work with staff to teach English at the orphanage placements as well as work as assistants at local language centres.
Quang Ngai: Volunteers in the Quang Ngai program help with social support programs for orphans and children with disabilities, and English teaching programs at schools and vocational centers. As well as teaching English, volunteers can teach arts, crafts and sports to the children.
Tam Ky Placements: Volunteers in Tam Ky, 70 kilometres south of Da Nang, have the opportunity to work with two community organizations: The Home of Affection, and the Tam Ky Baby Orphanage. Volunteers will teach English, arts & crafts and sports and will also take care of the children at the orphanages. English teaching within the community is also part of this placement. Volunteers will teach at a local hospital as well as in a small beach village (Tam Thanh).
Tuy Hoa Placements: Tuy Hoa is the capital of Phu Yen province which is located 100km north of Nha Trang and 400 km south of Da Nang. Here volunteers will work at a Home of Affection for orphans and street children, a social support center for baby orphans and children with disabilities, a rehabilitation school for children with disabilities; a community education center for young children and a high school for needy children.

In the orphanages and support centres there are many children who suffer from mental and physical disabilities. Qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, behavioural therapists, play therapists, doctors, nurses, orthotist prosthetists, podiatrists and all people with a medical qualification are highly sought after in the Vietnam program.

Program Locations

Da Nang is now Vietnam's third largest city and is located on the banks of the Han river. It is an hour's flight from Vietnam's major international airports: Ho Chi Minh (in the south) and Hanoi (in the north). Famous landmarks in Da Nang include China Beach, the Marble Mountains and the museum of Cham Sculpture. Tam Ky is the provincial capital of the Quang Nam province and is located 30 km south of Da Nang. Quang Ngai is 120km south of Da Nang and is the capital of the Quang Ngai province. Tuy Hoa is the capital of Phu Yen province which is located 100km north of Nha Trang and 400 km south of Da Nang.

Program Requirements

As a volunteer in Vietnam you must:

• be 18 years or over
• have no health problems
• be enthusiastic
• be a native speaker of English
• no older than 65 years of age

Program Schedule

Volunteers are required to arrive in Da Nang at the beginning of the month in which they are volunteering to participate in the training and orientation program. In 2009, the Tet holiday runs from the 25th of January and will affect placements to some extent for 10-15 days.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Vietnam Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Vietnam program is:

• Cost for 1 month - US $897
• Cost for 2 months - US $1367
• Cost for 3 months - US $1837
• Cost for 4 months - US $2257
• Cost for 5 months - US $2677

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you .

The in-country fee covers administrative charge, placement arrangement, accommodation, food, transportation for volunteers, and supervision.

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights (international and a domestic flight to Da Nang), visa, shots, travel insurance, and corresponding airport departure taxes. There may also be minor travel and accommodation expenses at the beginning and end of your program.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the Vietnam Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the Vietnam program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Volunteer Articles

Read an article written about one of our volunteers in Vietnam.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently in Vietnam, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here