Volunteer Childcare and Orphanage Program

Volunteers working in the Orphanage / Childcare Program work mainly in childcare centers and orphanages for disabled children in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Volunteers work in institutions and orphanages which provide care and attention especially to these children who are affected by Agent Orange.

Volunteer’s main work at the projects is taking care of children, most whom have mental and physical disabilities. You can help to feed, change, walk and play with the children and try to use the time to have constructive fun with the children. Volunteers can also entertain the children by playing games with them and teaching them in a play way method.

Majority of the placements in Hanoi are centers for handicapped children while placements in Ho Chi Minh city are a mix of orphanages as well as centers for handicapped children.

As a volunteer working in care giving project, you will have an important role to play wherein you would be giving much needed attention to the children. Your tasks would be varied and generally include taking care of children , playing with the them and basic education activities.

Volunteers working in this program work for 5-6 hrs in a day and for 5 days in a week. Many placements have around 75-100 children in the centers and volunteers have plenty of jobs to do to keep themselves busy.

This project is available for a minimum duration of two weeks. By volunteering for a longer period you will be able to make a greater impact on the project you will work in.

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Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. You should also have a caring and loving attitude towards children.The minimum time commitment to join the projects is 2 weeks.

Project Location

The project placements are located in and around the cities of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi. Most of the volunteer projects are located at a distance of 15-20 minutes from the accommodations and volunteers travel by either bus or bicycle depending upon the distance.

During your Free Time

Volunteers in Hanoi can visit the old quarters and night markets during their free time. Those in Ho Chi Minh City can visit the Mekong Delta on a weekend tour. Both the cities have plenty to offer for the tourists.

What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: Volunteers are picked up from the International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Vietnam will be picked up at a meeting point decided beforehand.Volunteers need to arrive on the 1st or 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Orientation: All volunteers are given an orientation by the local staff in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety and volunteer placements are given during the orientation.Volunteers need to arrive on the Wednesday. Orientation is given on Thursday while Friday is for visit to project and orientation about the project. On Saturday, all volunteers are given a city tour.

Lodging: Volunteers are provided with accommodations in a volunteer’s home along with other volunteers in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Accommodation is shared with other volunteers and the homes have got modern facilities available such as Wireless Internet, TV Fridge, Washing Machine etc. The accommodations are located in safe and secure neighborhoods and within walking distance there is access to supermarkets, shops and restaurants. In both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city there are different volunteer homes where dormitory style accommodation is provided to the volunteers.

Food: Volunteers are provided with two cooked meals a day (lunch and dinner). Breakfast will be self service with all materials provided such as bread, jam, butter, noodles etc. Meals consist of Rice , noodles, soups, chicken , meats , vegetables etc.

Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

In – Country travel assistance: Volunteers are assisted by the local staff and coordinators for any kind of assistance they need for their travel arrangements. The local staff and coordinators will be happy to assist you in making travel arrangements to different areas in Vietnam.

In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet by e-mail which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Start Date

Projects start on every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month all year round. Volunteers need to arrive on the Wednesday. Orientation is given on Thursday while Friday is for visit to project and orientation about the project.

Note: The program is not available to start during the Tet Festival (Vietnamese New Year) which usually happens late January to Middle February each year.

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

USD GBP EUR

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
$500	$610	$720	$830	$940	$1050	$1160	$100

Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
£350	£427	£504	£581	£658	£735	£812	£70

Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
€400	€488	€576	€664	€752	€840	€928	€80

Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For ?

24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup
Orientation and City Tour
Food
Accommodation in Volunteer house
Local coordinators support
Travel and Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)

What's NOT Included ?

Airfare
Visa fee
Vaccinations
Local Transportation
Any personal expenses

What are the Program locations in Vietnam?

Volunteering Solutions offers programs in the capital city of Hanoi as well as Ho Chi Minh City.

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Vietnam. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Cambodia?

We are able to offer placements from any Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

When do I need to arrive in Vietnam for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Vietnam?

All volunteers need to arrive one day before their program start date. Volunteers are picked up from the Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Vietnam will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

How do I get to the program location?

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will either be in the volunteer’s home or with a host family. Accommodation is shared along with other volunteers. You need to bring your own toiletries , mosquito net and sleeping bag.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Vietnam-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -

-- Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program

-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

-- Be in good health.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: -

Tetanus and Diphtheria
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Vietnam?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. Traveling within Vietnam is cheap; however, you should carry around $40 - 50 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Is there phone and internet available on projects?

Yes there is usually a phone at every placement we provide. However you will have to use Internet café’s to use Internet. It is strongly recommended that you carry a mobile phone while travelling to Vietnam. You can get international roaming or can simply buy a local sim-card from the airport when you arrive.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Vietnam? Are there ATMâ€™s in Vietnam?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around the city (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh).

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

The host family provides two or three meals per day. Depending on your host family you will be provided with two or three meals a day. Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Vietnamese food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Vietnam?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Vietnam?

Cheap airline flying into Vietnam is: -

Air Asia, which connects through major Asian airports or Australia or United Kingdom. People coming from USA or Canada can visit, http://www.kayak.com, http://www.orbitz.com

Natalie Emms (United Kingdom)

Natalie Emms-Volunteer Orphanage Program

The placements were great. I loved the HIV orphanage and the Disabled. Both were optional as not everyone wanted to do these, but I loved the disabled one most, although initially it was very overpowering. ..... read more

Tenille Emma Milich (Australia)

Tenille Emma Milich-Volunteer Orphanage Program

The highlight of your volunteering experience was with no doubt helping the kids play and learn. Nothing makes you feel as good as that...... read more

Dale Milich (Australia)

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at Qy Kwang Pagoda. It will be an experience I will never forget. The Vietnamese people are intriguing and beautiful. The children at the Pagoda were the best...... read more

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Vietnam - Staff Profile

Cuong - Program Manager - Vietnam Cuong was born in 1976 in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho province. He has a master degree in law (state legal management system). He used to be a lecturer in Vietnam National Academy of Politics (School of Journalism and Communication). Cuong has experience in international volunteer exchange and intercultural learning. He has been to around 10 countries around the world and he is really interested in youth development.He has been working with Volunteering Solutions since 2007.
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