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English Teaching Volunteering Program in Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam

English Teaching Volunteering Program in Hanoi

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Trip Highlights

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

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Overview Program Requirements Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities Volunteer Work Schedule Living Costs Dates Reviews

Overview

The Teaching English Program in Hanoi, Vietnam, will be perfect for those who love to spend time with kids. Being a developing Asian country that has a dark past, Vietnam is still on the weaker side when it comes to English Language skills. However, with the rapid growth of tourism and other sectors in the region, studying English is considered to be an important part of the curriculum.

You'll be placed in schools in the Cau Giay District and other areas around Hanoi. The kids in those schools are mostly between the age group of 11 to 14 years. The teacher-student ration is poor in these schools. In one of the schools, there are 1500 students and just 70 teachers. Also, the teachers themselves aren't well versed in English, hence they need some guidance as well.

A perfect and affordable volunteering program for gap year travelers, college and high school students, the Teaching Program will help you to polish your existing skills and help you to acquire newer ones. The aim of the program is to provide English language speaking environment for the students and teachers, to practice and improve their confidence in using a foreign language in their daily communication.

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.

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer, you'll have to work alongside the teaching staff and lead the classes in improving the pronunciation and conversational skills.
You can bring in your own ideas to the classroom in order to make the sessions more interesting and engaging.
Focus on improving the listening/speaking skills for students as well as the teachers. Guide the teachers whenever they need your assistance.
Focus on the weaker kids, and see how you can help them out. Keep a tab on the growth of your students.
The best would be to focus on interactive sessions and activity based learning methods.

Normally volunteers will teach for about 20 hours a week. This time may vary depending on situations. There is always a local teacher who works closely with international volunteers.

Volunteer Work Schedule

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 programme 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.

Living

Volunteering Solutions endeavors to provide the best of the comfort and living standards to its volunteers in Vietnam.

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, laundrettes, chemists etc.

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 your coordinator 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 cooked meals. Local Vietnamese food is provided to the volunteers and the meals are cooked by the local cooks at the house. On weekends, you can also go out and explore the restaurants and cafes in Hanoi. Meals mostly comprise 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.

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 the Halong Bay or the Sapa Valley.

Typical Volunteer dorm room in the Volunteer House

Toilet facilities in the Volunteer house

Typical Vietnamese meal served to the volunteers at the house

Orientation session being conducted with the volunteers

Typical dorm room in Volunteer house in Hanoi

Dates

2024

2025

January

February

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April

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October

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December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

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October

November

December

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast

Costs

2 Weeks $560

3 Weeks $650

4 Weeks $800

5 Weeks $900

6 Weeks $1020

7 Weeks $1130

8 Weeks $1240

Extra Week $160

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of 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)

Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

Airfare
Visa fee
Vaccinations
Local Transportation
Any personal expenses

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

: It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. The application fee is valid for one full year and can be sent earlier than the desired year of volunteering for timely confirmation of the seat. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you to apply for the program and hold your spot.
The earlier you apply, the better it is, as you would get more time to be prepared for your program in Hanoi, Vietnam, and complete the necessary documentation, Visa formalities as well as take the vaccinations in time.
: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your My Account and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).
: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Vietnam volunteer projects:
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing students or possess other qualifications related to the medical and nursing field. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join the program as well.
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.
Clean Criminal Background Check Report for participants joining Childcare and Teaching Projects.
Participants must be in good health.
: Yes, you are welcome to take part in Vietnam Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the India program. Volunteering Solutions Vietnam programs have hosted large student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the programs. We have hosted groups, from universities in UK, Europe, and the USA as well as other countries.
: Yes, most definitely you can, as we believe that every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
: All volunteers need to arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on the program starting date i.e First or Third Thursday of the month. Volunteers will be received at the International Airport by the local representative and will be transferred to the volunteer accommodation. A brief orientation would be conducted the next day where you will also be shown the area around the accommodations, the nearest ATM, market, and will be given safety guidelines as well as information about your project.
: All enrolled participants are provided information on the appropriate Visa requirements for Vietnam in the pre-departure manual. You can also contact your pre-departure point of contact to know more about the Visa requirements.
: Noi Bai International Airport is Vietnam’s largest airport and is well connected with major international destinations.

Some of the international airlines flying to Vietnam include:

From the USA
Air China
Cathay Pacific
Vietnam Airlines

From the UK
China Southern
Vietnam Airlines

From Australia
Vietnam Airlines
Jetstar

From Asia
Malaysia Airlines
AirAsia
Cathay Pacific
Tiger Air
Singapore Airlines
Silk Air
Jet Airways
Vietnam Airlines

From the Middle East
Emirates
Qatar Airways
Etihad Airways
: Vietnam is a relatively safe country for visitors, including solo travelers (both men and women). When you venture out of your volunteer placement or accommodation, try to stay with your group. You are responsible for the safety of your bags and cameras etc. Traffic in Hanoi is very chaotic and one should be cautious while crossing the road and walking as a pedestrian.
: All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Vietnam. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to Vietnam, click here.
: Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
: Your project coordinator will take you to your project placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project location from your accommodation and the best and the most affordable mode of transport you can use. Volunteers usually opt for public transport, as they are much affordable.
: Volunteers in Hanoi are provided accommodation in a volunteer house/ hostel. Wireless internet is available for the volunteers and rooms are shared. Shared bathrooms are there for volunteers with running water and flush system. Air conditioning is provided during the night in the volunteer rooms.

Convenience stores and internet cafes are also not very far from the volunteer house. The local cook at the volunteer house will prepare meals for the volunteers. Lunch and dinner usually comprise of rice, vegetables, meat, chicken dishes, tofu, and soups. Breakfast can be tea, bread, butter, jam, eggs or local Vietnamese dishes.
: Unfortunately, the entire volunteering experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about the cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the accommodation that we have set up, where one can enjoy by being with like-minded people. Additionally, for safety reasons, all volunteers must live in the allotted accommodation.
: Yes, that is not a problem at all. However do inform us beforehand about your any special dietary requirements.
: Volunteers work from Monday - Friday and have their weekends free for sightseeing. Evenings are free for the volunteers and they usually get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips. There is a lot to do in Hanoi. You can start with Cu Chi Tunnels, Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, Hon Viet - The Soul Of Vietnam, Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station and much more. You can also go to Mekong Delta or head out to Hanoi.
: Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-$80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
: Depending on the project, elected volunteers will work during the week from Monday- Friday. You will have the weekend off so you can travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
: Currency exchange options are ample in Hanoi. Inside the airport terminal, there are several exchange counters that offer the official exchange rate. You can also carry smaller denominations of your currency and buy things using them. Please check the latest currency exchange rate before going to Vietnam.
: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the ‘Meet a Volunteer’ section on our website.