Volunteer and gap year placements in Vietnam
Vietnam is a richly diverse country located between the Red River Delta in the north and Mekong Delta in the south. With tourism being such a strong industry for the country’s economy, learning English is considered the key to a prosperous future and our volunteers provide an avenue for people to learn and practice.
Placement locations
Placements are mostly located in the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and surrounding areas.
Is it for me?
Vietnam will allow you to step outside your comfort zone, and embrace a truly rich cultural experience. You will be able to push yourself as you take on a position of responsibility, and teach English to people of many ages. Any shortage in resources will be more than made up for by the keenness of your students to learn.
Roles explained
English Teaching placements are mostly in colleges and universities with some in primary and secondary schools. Volunteers provide students with the opportunity to practice their spoken English by leading activities such as conversation, role playing, singing and debating. A range of extracurricular activities including conversation groups, visiting students’ homes and playing games add great value and enjoyment to the placements. Volunteers may also be asked to teach the teachers as well to assist in enhancing their confidence in English conversation.
Volunteers are involved with an average of 20 hours of formal classes per week. A small amount of pocket money is paid.
Accommodation and food
Accommodation is either provided on campus at the host institution, or in a nearby flat rented by the host. Food is either supplied or an allowance provided for self-catering.
Need to know
Pre departure briefing – all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
Language – no previous knowledge of Vietnamese is required
On arrival – volunteers undertake a five-day combined teaching skills and orientation course in Ho Chi Minh City
Travel
Volunteers have the opportunity to travel with a one-week holiday during their placement and also at the end. The scars of the Vietnam War are still visible and the Vinh Moc tunnels north of Hue are a poignant reminder of that time. Thousand year old Hanoi in the north has a beautiful, classical old quarter where oriental and western influences mingle seamlessly. Ho Chi Minh City in the south is Vietnam’s largest city, a real shopper’s paradise. In between are white sandy beaches, the magical Mekong delta, endless terraced hillsides and thickly forested highlands.
Costs
- Lattitude Global Volunteering fee: £1,990
What’s included?
- In depth matching process to align your skills and interests with a placement that really suits you
- Assigned Volunteer Coordinator to help with all pre-departure support and offer guidance
- Pre-departure briefing
- Airport pickup
- Accommodation & food
- Pocket money
- In-country orientation & teaching skills course
- In-country support
- 24/7 support
Please note this fee does not include the cost of getting to Vietnam or extras such as insurance or any inoculations you may need. For an estimated break down of all costs you may have to budget for please click here
Fundraising
As a charity we always recommend our volunteers fundraise to help meet the costs involved in volunteering overseas. In many ways it is part of the whole experience. For more information and fundraising ideas please click here
Planning your trip
| Placement type | Departure | Application deadline | status |
| English Teaching (3 months) |
June 2012 | Feb 2012 | Full / closed |
| English Teaching (4.5 months) |
August 2012 | Apr 2012 | Spaces available |
Please note that the deadline is the last possible time allowed to get an application form in that allows us enough time to match volunteers and begin sorting out visas.We always recommend applying as early as possible in order to secure your place.
Unfortunately there are no more departures to Vietnam planned after August 2012
Apply now>>