Volunteer In Vietnam | The Ultimate Guide

You might have thinking about volunteering in Vietnam for a while, but need some information to make a decision first! If you are looking for a place full of culture, great beaches, awesome weather and tasty cuisine, then you need to volunteer in Vietnam! Or, as it is officially called: the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The country has been historically influenced by the Chinese, which makes its culture a mix of different traditions. Vietnam is also neighbored by three countries: China, Laos and Cambodia.

Vietnam has historically struggled with high levels of poverty, and although the country is now considered a middle income country, and the international community has recognized the country’s efforts to battle unemployment, they still have a lot to do in terms of battling corruption, economic inequality, and improving government policies.

This guide is meant to help you make and informed decision on what volunteering in Vietnam means; it will provide you with information about the country’s social projects, as well as other helpful details you need to consider beforehand, like costs of travelling to Vietnam, safety precautions, social etiquette you need to take into consideration, etc. Furthermore, we will also provide you with a list of activities you might find interesting, as well as travel suggestions to have in mind.

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[item title= "Top 6 Fun Facts about Vietnam"]

1. Even though Vietnam is considered a developing country, it has a literacy rate of 94%! I find this really impressive!
2. Vietnamese culture is highly influenced by that of Southern China. It is so that even its language contains some Chinese words.
3. Vietnam is the leading cashew nuts and black pepper exporter in the world! Bet you didn’t know that!!
4. Gongs are typically used in Vietnam to call children to school.
5. If you are visiting Vietnam, you will notice that almost everywhere in the country you can take a bus or rent/buy a motorbike. Renting a motorbike is also the cheapest option to travel!
6. Vietnamese celebrate Tet Nguyen Dan, or the “Festival of the First Day”, which commemorates Christmas, every birthday, and New Year altogether! It is as if the country were celebrating turning a year older together.[/item][/accordion]

Fields of interest in Vietnam

Vietnam is located on the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. This country consists mostly of hills and forest. But, flat land covers around 20% of its total; and tropical forests around 42%. The rest of the country is covered by mountains.

Because Vietnam has great variations in latitude and its topographical relief, climate varies as one goes from region to region. The average temperatures vary less in the southern regions than it does in the mountains; ranging between 21ºC and 28ºC over the course of the year. But temperature changes are more drastic on the northern part of the country, which rages from 5°C over the winter, to 37 °C on summer.

However, the country has to deal with a number of environmental issues, many which are due to the effects of the Vietnam War, as well as to the country’s rapid industrial growth. Vietnam faces problems with land degradation, as well as forest degradation. Needless to say, the country has faced massive losses on its biodiversity.

Vietnam also struggles with problems of water pollution, air pollution and improper management of solid waste. In the year 2007, the country was included in the list of countries seriously impacted by climate change!

Fauna

Vietnam is rich in wildlife, but a lot of the wildlife species it hosts are endangered. This places Vietnam 16^th amongst the among 152 countries studied to have wildlife species considered to be in danger. This, according to the WWF, represents around 10% of the country’s wildlife that is being threatened with extinction. Some of the species that can be found, and are very common in Vietnam are tigers, Asiatic black bears, Asian elephants, buffalos, otters, crocodiles, monkeys, and wild boars.

Flora

Vietnam also ranks 16^th in the world in terms of biological diversity. If this weren't curious enough, Vietnam is also home to approximately 16% of the world’s plant species; and around 16,000 varieties of flora.

But, the Vietnam War caused damage to its environment! And the country is trying to lessen these impacts. It is so that around $49 Million dollars were spent on preservation projects, in 2004 alone. As a result, the country now has six different biosphere reserves: Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Cat Tien, Cat Ba, Kien Giang, the Red River Delta and the Western Nghe An.

Health in Vietnam

 The general quality of health in Vietnam is good, despite the country's constant struggle with poverty and economical inequalities. It is estimated that life expectancy in Vietnam is of 75.61 years old; and infant mortality is around 17 per 1,000 live births. Sadly, malnutrition is still a common phenomenon in the country. And the government can only subsidize around 20% of health care expenses; the rest needs to be covered by the individuals.

Additionally to this, almost half of the population has no access to clean water, which promotes the propagation of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, typhoid, cholera, and others.

Education in Vietnam

The educational system in Vietnam is divided into five levels, not too uncommon to the Western world: preschool, primary school (five years), secondary school (four years), high school (three years), and higher education. Primary education is compulsory in the country, and this has helped to the country’s high level of literacy; which is around 90.3% (and can reach 94% among younger people). Vietnamese are told, at a young age, about the importance of nurturing and fostering knowledge. And the respect for their teachers is fostered and encouraged, as well.

A cultural fact about the country is that, being under the domain of the Chinese for many years, Vietnamese people learnt Chinese for almost 1000 years. However they pronounced Chinese words in the Vietnamese way. This made assimilation to the Chinese empire very difficult. They never really assimilated, but the Chinese influence is evident in their culture!

Technology in Vietnam

In recent times, Vietnamese scientists have excelled in their fields, especially in mathematics. As an example, we have Hoàng Tuy, who made pioneer work in the field of global optimization; and Ngô Bảo Châu, who won the 2010 Fields Medal for his proof of fundamental lemma in the theory of automorphic forms (don't ask me! He is the expert!).

Vietnam has also been working to develop its space program, and is planning to construct the US $600Million Vietnam Space Center by the year 2018. The country has also advanced in the development of robots, as an example the TOPIO humanoid model.

Living costs for a volunteer in Vietnam

Hotel $30	Big Mac® $2.85	Coca-Cola® $1.35	Eating out $7	Rental car $455/week
Hostel $9	Marlboro™ $1.02	Beer $0.65	Fuel $0.85	Public transport $0.31

If you are planning to volunteer in Vietnam, you might want to get informed about how the country's doing economically. This is an estimate of the costs of living –in US Dollars- that a single person might face, if you are planning to volunteer in Vietnam. The idea is to give you a general idea of how much do you need to spend for stuff. So, you can calculate how much money you might need to eat, for travelling and for leisure.

Best time to volunteer in Vietnam

Autumn (September-November)

It is considered to be a beautiful season in Vietnam, because the climate is cool and dry, but not your typical Autumn, because it stays generally sunny. It is the time when the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place, celebrated on August 15^th.

Winter (Dec-May)

Dry season occurs in Southern Vietnam during these months. Also, temperatures may drop to below 10°C and you might bring warm clothes with you.

Spring (January-April)

When Spring arrives, it means that a new lunar year does, too. This is the time were Tet is celebrated. If you want to visit Vietnam during this time, be aware of the great number of tourists visiting, and make your bookings in advance.

To make the matter more convincing: At this time of year, flowers can be seen at their fullest and prettiest.

Summer (May-August)

Expect really hot temperatures during Vietnam’s summer (sometimes reaching over 40°C). Due to this, summer can be rough for tourists, so be prepared for it, bring sun block with you and get ready to sweat!

When deciding when to visit Vietnam, you also need to consider the country’s monsoon climate that extend from May to September, in the south, and south-western regions; and from October to April, in the north-eastern regions. Monsoon rains can make transportation difficult, sometimes even washing out roads and isolation remote villages.

What precautions should I consider as a volunteer in Vietnam?

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[item title= "Safety"]

• It is recommended not to check-in valuable items or money in your luggage or backpack, and/or in hotels. Loosing luggage and valuable items are not uncommon occurrences.
• You should exercise common sense and always be aware of suspicious behavior. As street crime and harassment occur especially in larger cities.
• You should expect to witness a lot of traffic accidents in Vietnam. If you are considering driving a car, or a motorbike, be aware that it might not be like driving a car back home.
• We recommend that you use airport taxis, pre-booked hotel shuttles or taxis from reliable taxi stations.
• If you are visiting any bars, discos or places of the sort, pay close attention to the preparation of mixed alcoholic drinks to prevent your drink from being spiked. This advice goes especially for women travelling alone![/item]

[item title= "Health"] There are no compulsory vaccinations required to visit Vietnam, but we recommend strongly to renew your childhood vaccinations, such as Tetanus, Measles, Rubella, etc. as well as cover against food and water borne diseases, including Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Additionally to this, consider to get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and rabies, if you are staying for a longer period.

It is recommended to start vaccinations four to six weeks before leaving home. Vietnam is also endemic for Malaria, an risk of transmission can occur in many regions of the country. Have this sorted out before your trip![/item]

[item title="Religion"] Around 73% of the population in Vietnam follows the Vietnamese folk religion, which is highly influenced by the doctrines of Confucianism and Taoism from China. Another important religion is Buddhism, which is followed by 12% of the population in Vietnam. Around 8% of Vietnamese are Christians (mostly catholics), and around 30% aren't affiliated to any religion.

But, officially, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is declared an atheist State, according to the communist government.[/item]

[item title= "Law"]

• Do NOT think the Vietnamese authorities are taking it lightly that someone is blogging about government affairs. If you talk about any sensitive topic (this includes corruption or the Vietnam War), you risk being deported!
• Prostitution is illegal, and so is pornography. So, don't!
• Sharing a room in a hotel, with a person of the opposite sex is strongly frowned upon!
• Laws for women are stricter than for men. Women aren’t allowed to wear clothes that are too revealing. In some cases, women risk to be deported or spend a night in jail for not considering these rules. Be aware of this!
• Restrain from taking pictures of military installations! You risk getting arrested!
• Transportation of illegal drugs is a major No-Go! Please exercise common sense, and take this advice seriously. This is amongst the most offensive crimes in Vietnam, and the maximum penalty for doing it is DEATH! Please don't risk dying because of this! [/item]

[item title="Social Etiquette"]

• If you are ever invited to a Vietnamese home, bring fruit, sweets, flowers, or incense as a gift. And take off your shoes, when entering the house.
• When greeting someone, press your hands together in front of your body and bow slightly.
• If you are a guest at a Vietnamese home, do not sit until your hosts show you were you can sit. Typically, the oldest person sits first.
• Do not take a picture of somebody without getting their permission first.
• Avoid public displays of affection with a person of the opposite sex.
• If you pass things to another person –like money-, do it with both your hands and NEVER above their head.
• If you go out to eat, do not stick your chopsticks vertically in the rice bowl! This looks like the incense sticks that are burned for the dead, and it is not appreciated anywhere in Asia.[/item]

[item title= "Essential Packing"]

• Apart from having your essential travel documents, like passport, travel medical insurance information, and visa, you should also keep photocopies or scan copies of these; in case you lose them.
• Get protected from the sun! Temperatures in Vietnam usually vary between 25°C-35°C. Wearing long sleeves to avoid being sunburned is also recommended!
• Keep enough cash with you. You cannot use credit cards in a lot of restaurants and stores.
• Vietnam is not exempt from petty theft, so carry a money belt with you to keep your money secure.
• Carry appropriate luggage with you: daypacks or backpacks for short excursions and trips around the city; as well as soft shell bags, if you plan on taking bus or train rides in the region.
• Pack appropriate clothing and shoes! This means: moisture wicking clothing, and lightweight clothing. Don’t forget to pack a rain jacket. Also, walking shoes are a MUST, as you may find that you end up walking several kilometers a day.
• Medication regulations in Vietnam are different than in other countries, and over-the-counter medicines are cheap and available, BUT if you need to take special medication, bring enough with you, as it might be difficult to find it here!
• Toiletries: If you are planning to take long bus rides, it might be a good idea to carry some toilet paper with you. Women should also pack tampons, if they use them, because they are not easy to find in Vietnam.
• Long pant pajamas and insect repellent with Deet, to protect you from mosquito bites at night.
• Locks for hostel lockers and also for your luggage!
• Don’t forget to pack all the essentials for your electronics –like chargers and pre- charged battery packs.[/item] [/accordion]

How to spend your free time as a volunteer in Vietnam

At this point, you already have an extensive amount of information about what should you expect to volunteer in Vietnam, so it is time that we tell you all about the fun and interesting activities you get to do in this beautiful country.

Sights

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[item title= "Ethnic Markets"] Is there a better way to get a glimpse of Vietnamese culture, than visiting its street markets? This is also a good option for those who enjoy handicrafts and a good bargain. Street markets are great to go shopping for clothes, and here you can find clothes of particularly good value. Tailors can make up clothes within 24 hours in many places, especially in Hoi An.[/item]

[item title= "Hanoi"] And talking about Hanoi...Like all big cities, Hanoi is full of frenzy! Its lively streets will invite you to visit. Go for a walk and eat somewhere; have a drink, get a haircut, visit the Old Quarter; explore the city with a walking or a boat tour. Don’t hesitate to visit the Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the “Lake of the Restored Sword”, where the local people relax and go for a walk. [/item]

[item title= "Hoi An"]

Hoi An is a fishing village, that has become a very popular destination for tourists. It is situated on the coast of the South China Sea. The Old Town of the city is the heart and soul of Hoi An, filled with handicraft shops, street vendors, and a lively ambience. Hoi An is considered the “Venice of Vietnam”, because of its narrow canals and romantic vibe. [/item]

[item title= "Ha Long Bay"] This bay is situated in the northern part of Vietnam. Its name is translated as “Bay of Descending Dragons”. And it is considered to be the top tourist attraction in Vietnam, because it features thousands of beautiful islands, in which  one can find a lot of jungle vegetation. If you visit Ha Long Bay, you are up for a spectacular view!

[item title= "Nha Trang"] Nha Trang is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town. This little piece of paradise is located along the second most beautiful bays in the country. If you visit Nha Trang, you can enjoy its beautiful beaches and its urban lively character. It is known for being the scuba diving center of Vietnam. [/item]

[item title= "Phu Quoc"] This is the largest island in Vietnam. It is a paradise in all its extension, where you can visit its tropical forests, its undamaged coral reefs, and its breathtaking beaches. Prepare to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world![/item]

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Festivals and Celebrations

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[item title= "Tet Festival"]The Tet festival, or the Vietnamese and Chinese New Year was originally a celebration held by Vietnamese farmers to thank the gods for the arrival of spring. It is usually celebrated for three days, and during this time, people eat, drink, and enjoy social activities. It is also a time to give food to your neighbors and relatives as a present. [/item]

[item title= "Tet-Trung-Thu"]Vietnam celebrates the arrival of Mid-Autumn or Children’s Moon Festival, known locally as Tet-Trung-Thu. It is celebrated on the 15^th day of the eight lunar month, and it is meant to promote education, culture, music, sports, etc. Celebration lasts the whole day and the festival displays folklore, children’s games, shows, dances, martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts exhibitions, food and drink booths, etc. [/item]

[item title= "Liberation Day of South Vietnam"] On April 30^th., Vietnamese celebrate the Liberation Day of South Vietnam. Vietnam celebrates the Day of All Wandering Souls. This day is known locally as Trung Nguyen, and it is the time when the spirits of the dead visit the homes of their relatives. Food is offered on house altars, in honour of the people who passed away and money is burnt as a way of remembering them. Buddhist temples also host celebrations on this day. [/item]

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Food

You have arrived to the delicious part of this blog. Vietnamese food is distinct and you will want to have more! Like most Asian cuisines, Vietnam offers a lot of rice-based, fish-based dishes, but the use of fresh herbs, some spice, and citric flavors give Vietnamese cuisine a touch of its own.

You must definitely try some of the following dishes:

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[item title= "Goi Cuon"]This is probably Vietnam’s most famous dish. It is a translucent -sort of- spring roll packed with greens, coriander, and various combinations of meat, like pork, shrimp or crab. Some variations of this dish include green banana, tofu and star fruit. [/item]

[item title= "Banh Mi"]

Banh Mi is a baguette sandwich filled with vegetables and a choice of fillings, like paté, eggs, etc. You might think this looks oddly european, and you are right! Banh Mi was introduced by the French during their colonisation of Vietnam. It is a great mixture of exotic flavors and european inspiration.[/item]

[item title= "Pho"]You’ve probably heard of this before. It is Vietnam’s national dish, and it is a noodle soup that can be eaten at any time of day, but Vietnamese eat this for breakfast. It consists of beef or chicken broth flavored with ginger, and coriander. Furthermore, one can add flat rice noodles, spring onions, and pieces of chicken, pork or beef.[/item]

[item title= "Banh XEO"]

[caption id="attachment_11747" align="alignright" width="150"]

Aaron Fenster | Heavy Table[/caption]

This is the Vietnamese version of a pancake, with a twist: you can fill them with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and eggs. These are later fried, wrapped in rice paper with vegetables and you can dunk them in a spicy sauce before eating them. It looks great, can you imagine how these taste?! [/item]

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Do I need a Visa to volunteer in Vietnam?

Citizens of the following 18 countries ARE ALLOWED to enter Vietnam without a Visa. This list can change, so please consult Vietnam’s foreign:

Are allowed up to 15 days without a Visa:

Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy,

Japan, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Are allowed up to 30 days without a Visa:

Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines (21 days), Singapore.

Additionally to this, travellers must present: a) a passport that is valid at least 6 months after the person’s departure, b) a purchased return flight/air/sea ticket, c) proof of economical means

Documentation

If you plan to arrive in Vietnam on an international flight landing at Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or Nha Trang airports, you should consider getting a Visa On Arrival (VOA). This Visa works exactly like any Visa issued at a Vietnamese embassy/consulate. To get the VOA, you will need:

• Employ an agent before you arrive in Vietnam. You can find this easily with a google search, but verify the agency first to avoid scams.
• Wait for an official letter of approval that you present when you arrive in the country, and
• Pay a Visa processing fee at the Airport. This fee varies from $25 USD, for one-month and three-month SINGLE entry visas; and $50 USD for one-month and three-month MULTIPLE entry visas.
• Cover the agent’s fee (approx. $9USD-$25 USD). Even though this option is cheap and practical, the process at the airport can be slow.

NOTE: Please consult the conditions for issuing a Visa on Arrival at the website of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Although this is a quick option, used by a lot of travellers, you might want to issue your Visa on a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, to avoid scammers. If you are planning to apply for a Visa this way, you can do it in person or by post. And you must present the following documents:

• The traveller’s passport. This has to be at least 1 month valid after the person’s departure from Vietnam.
• One (1) completed application form. Download this here.
• One (1) recent passport photo. You can upload this to the digital application form or bring the photo with your other documents, when you apply.
• Paid Non-refundable Visa fee.

You can also try the online application form issued by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Vietnam has Embassies and Consulates all around the world, if you have questions regarding your Visa application, please contact the one nearest to you.

Volunteer Requirements

-You should be at least 18 years old to volunteer in Vietnam, to volunteer in most programs. Although some programs require a minimum of 22 years old.

-It is also required that volunteers have -at least- an intermediate level of English knowledge. But, some programs require advanced English-knowledge.

- For some programs you need a health declaration, and a criminal background check is required.

-If you plan to volunteer in childcare, child education, etc. you should provide a criminal background check that's signed by the local authorities of your home/residence country, and apostilled. You should also be able to prove you have studies or some level of expertise in this area.

- To be enrolled or have been already finish at High School or University studies; some programs require to have a studies on Social Sciences, Social Work, Community Development, Medicine, Women Studies, etc.

-Most programs, require that you need to send a CV and an application form.

-To have strong inter-personal skills, and experiences in working with a wide variety of people is expected from all volunteers. Other skills like dancing, drawing, sports, etc. can favor you as well!

-You need to commit with the program you choose to volunteer with. This means: do respect the schedule given to you!

How to find Volunteer Opportunities in Vietnam

Explore volunteer programs in Vietnam and find your very own volunteer opportunity abroad on Volunteer World. Featuring more than 500 volunteer programs and over 600 social projects in 70+ countries, Volunteer World is a one-stop resource for volunteer abroad opportunities. This platform is all about bringing simplicity and transparency to the international volunteer industry.