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English Teaching Volunteering Program in Hanoi
Volunteering for the Teaching Project in Vietnam will be an incredibly rewarding and challenging experience where you can gain valuable international teaching experience alongside assisting the Vietnamese students in their English studies.
This program places you in schools and community English classes across Hanoi, Vietnam, working alongside local teachers to run conversation practice, small groups and classroom activities. In the community classes, for example, you lead sessions of 10-20 students grouped by age and level, supported by a local intern who helps with translation. It suits gap year travelers and college or high school students who want teaching experience and are comfortable working with children, no prior teaching experience required.
Placements run 2–24 weeks, with new starts every week (wednesdays), next start 23 Sep 2026. You live at the volunteer house in a quiet neighborhood about a 45-minute bus ride from Hanoi's Old Quarter, sharing gender-based dorm rooms, and you get three meals a day except Saturdays. Fees start at $906 (deposit included). Weekdays are for teaching and weekends are free, so you can use them to travel to Halong Bay or Sapa Valley between school weeks.
- An opportunity to teach English to the children of underserved communities of Hanoi, Vietnam
- Work entails teaching English to students in schools and assisting local teachers as well
- This is great opportunity to bring the families out of the vicious circle of poverty as English is a professionally rewarding language to be learnt, especially because of the Vietnam’s dependance on Tourism
- Volunteer work is offered in schools across the city
- A great opportunity to directly engage with locals and meet passionate volunteers from across the globe
- Volunteers work on weekdays and weekends are free to explore the country
Your role on this program
- Assist local teaching staff and lead classes focused on pronunciation and conversational skills
- Bring your own ideas and materials into the classroom to make sessions more engaging
- Focus on improving listening and speaking skills for both students and teachers
- Guide teachers whenever they ask for your assistance
- Give extra attention to weaker students and track their progress over the placement
- Organize interactive games and activity-based learning exercises
- Support the organization of cultural exchange events with students where relevant
- In community classes, lead the session using a suggested curriculum, sometimes alongside another volunteer
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You work alongside a local teacher who is present throughout, and in community classes a local intern assists with translation; you are not a replacement for qualified teaching staff and do not set curriculum, grade students, or run the classroom unsupervised. Duties may vary with the placement's needs, and the program does not promise a specific improvement in students' English levels.
A typical day and week
- Wednesday – Arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Thursday – An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, informing the volunteers about relative topics such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Vietnam
- Friday – Introduction at the project site (school)
- Saturday – Day tour of Hanoi
- Sunday – Free day for you to explore and prepare yourself for the volunteer work.
- Monday to Friday – Volunteer Work
The program ends on Wednesday of your final week and you should depart the accommodation on this day. In case you need an airport drop, you can drop us a mail or directly get in touch with your coordinator.
For teaching, the schedule depends on the timetable of the school. Usually, the day starts with lessons at 8.30 am. Some days, the school begins at 10 am. On average, volunteers do not teach more than 20 hours/week.
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- No prior teaching experience or qualification required
- Clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of the start date, required for placements with children
- Fit and healthy at the time of joining the program
- Open-minded, flexible attitude toward working in a new and different environment
- Open to volunteers of all nationalities, religions, and backgrounds
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
The placement, its limits and your part in it
Placements sit within schools and community classes across Hanoi, including a sample community class setup where students from outside Hanoi group by age and English level to practice conversation. A local teacher works closely with international volunteers at all times, and in community classes a local intern is on hand to help with translation, so you are never running a class entirely on your own without local backup.
Because you work with children, a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is required before placement. Your role is to add extra conversation practice, activities, and support to what the local teacher already runs, not to take over lesson planning, assessment, or classroom management, and the program does not claim a fixed learning outcome for students.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in VietnamCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $906 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,081 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,256 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,431 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,606 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,781 | |
| 8 weeks | $1,956 | |
| Each additional week | +$175 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Airport Pickup
- Orientation and City Tour
- Food
- Accommodation in shared dorm style rooms at Volunteer house
- Local coordinators support
- Travel and Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa fee
- Vaccinations
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
You should arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi (airport code: HAN) on the selected Wednesday start date. Our country coordinator will be there at the airport to greet you and you’ll be taken to the volunteer house. You’ll be provided with further details once you book your Hanoi volunteering trip with us, in your Pre-Departure Guidebook.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Hanoi will be provided at the volunteer house, located in a quiet and friendly neighborhood approximately a 45-minute bus journey from the Old Quarter of Hanoi – which is the main tourist area. Rooms are provided on the same gender sharing basis and all rooms have AC. The bathrooms are shared and each has a western style toilet and shower. The house has a fully equipped kitchen.
Free drinking water is available 24/7. There is also a lounge where you can hang out. Wi-Fi is also available in certain parts of the house including the communal area. Each volunteer is also provided with a locker to store away valuable items and there are wardrobes to hang your clothes.
Our local team has an office on the ground floor of the house, which makes for a great atmosphere and ensures volunteers are well supported throughout their stay. There is everything you need within walking distance of the Volunteer House: ATMs, supermarkets, launderettes,chemists etc.
Note that we do not offer a private room upgrade option available in the volunteer house accommodation.
Orientation
You’ll be arriving on a Wednesday and have your Orientation on Thursday. Before you start working at the project site, you’ll have a detailed Orientation Session where the local team will provide you with all the necessary information about volunteering in Hanoi. All your doubts regarding the Vietnamese culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety, and volunteer placements will be given during the orientation. On Friday, you’ll be visiting your project site, and have an introductory session.
Meals
Volunteers will be provided with three meals everyday except on Saturday. Local Vietnamese food is provided to the volunteers and the meals are freshly prepared by the local cooks at the house.
On weekends, you can also go out and explore the restaurants and cafes in Hanoi. Meals mostly consist of rice accompanied by a chicken, pork, vegetable or fish dish. Depending on your work schedule, you eat lunch with other volunteers or at the project or at the volunteer house.
Breakfast generally consists of toast, coffee, tea, eggs and some fruit. Lunch is taken at the volunteer house or also offered at some project placements. A typical dinner at the volunteer might feature options like pork, fish, beef, or chicken, accompanied by tofu or egg, a selection of vegetable dishes, rice, and some soup.
If you’re keen to explore local flavours, you’ll find numerous cafes and amenities nearby. For a more vibrant experience, you can easily hop on a bus or taxi to the bustling Old Quarter in Hanoi, where countless dining options await!
During Your Free Time
On the first Saturday, we shall take you out for a day tour of Hanoi. Otherwise, you can make the most of your evenings by exploring the local markets and eateries. On weekends, you can set out to explore Halong Bay or the Sapa Valley. You will have a good opportunity to travel with other volunteers on the weekends and explore the different sights of Vietnam.We recommend you to also keep a few extra days after your program to explore Vietnam further. There are many places to explore and some popular options are Danang , Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh city.
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Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Vietnam
Airport pickup
You arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi on your Wednesday start date, where the country coordinator meets you and takes you to the volunteer house.
First full day: orientation
On Thursday, the local coordinator runs an orientation session covering safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, and food, so you know what to expect before you begin.
Introduction at the project site
On Friday, you visit your school or classroom placement for an introductory session before teaching begins.
City tour and free day
Saturday is a day tour of Hanoi, and Sunday is a free day to explore and prepare before volunteer work starts on Monday.
Ongoing support
The country coordinator's office is on the ground floor of the Hanoi volunteer house, and the local team provides a 24-hour emergency contact throughout your stay.
From volunteers in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do as a volunteer teacher in Hanoi?
You co-teach alongside a local teacher, leading conversation and pronunciation practice, running games and activities, and giving extra attention to students who need it; in community classes you may lead a session on your own using a suggested curriculum, with a local intern helping with translation.
Do I need teaching experience or qualifications?
No experience or teaching qualification is required, but you do need a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date, since the placement involves working with children.
What does a typical day look like?
Your schedule follows the school's own timetable, so start times vary by placement; on average volunteers teach about 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with weekends free.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Placements run 2–24 weeks, with new starts every week (wednesdays) and the next start on 23 Sep 2026.
How much does the program cost and what does it include?
Fees start at $906, deposit included, with a $249 deposit that counts toward your total; this covers accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, a city tour, and local coordinator support, while travel and medical insurance is available at an extra cost if you do not have your own.
Where will I live and what will I eat?
You stay at the volunteer house in a quiet neighborhood about 45 minutes by bus from Hanoi's Old Quarter, in gender-based shared dorm rooms with air conditioning and shared bathrooms; meals are cooked at the house three times a day except Saturdays, when you can explore restaurants nearby.
Will I be picked up from the airport?
Yes, the country coordinator meets you at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) on your Wednesday start date and takes you to the volunteer house.
What support is available once I'm there?
The country coordinator's office is on the ground floor of the volunteer house, orientation runs on your first full day, and the local team provides a 24-hour emergency contact throughout your stay.
What about visa, insurance, or vaccinations?
Visa fees and vaccinations are not included in the program fee; travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges, and any further guidance is sent before departure.
Who is this program best suited for?
It suits gap year travelers, college and high school students, and anyone comfortable working with children in a classroom setting, with no prior teaching experience required.
Is a background check required for this placement?
Yes, because the role involves working with children, you must provide a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date.
Can I change my dates or destination after booking?
Yes, you can change your program, dates, or destination free of charge up to 45 days before your start date.
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