International Volunteer HQ

The dates shown in the table are the accommodation check-in and check-out dates.

Projects start on Mondays and finish on Fridays.

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam and an important economic and cultural center in the country. Ho Chi Minh City combines French colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers.

You will stay in an IVHQ volunteer dormitory at a tourism college, about 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City.

Rooms are shared with other volunteers and are simple but equipped with air conditioning and fans; showers have cold water.

WiFi is available but can be slow, so it’s recommended to buy a local SIM card.

Some placements are within walking distance, while others require a 30–40 minute bus ride; during the first few days, the local team will accompany you to help you get oriented.

There are scholarships of €450 available.

The costs vary depending on the duration of the volunteer project.

• Application fee: €35 (non-refundable) - required during the program application phase.
• Deposit fee: €200 - required after the close of applications to confirm the intention to proceed with the enrollment.
• Programme fee (requested directly from HQ after eligibility confirmation, see table):
   

  Destination and project	2 weeks	3 weeks	4 weeks
  Ho Chi Minh Food Outreach - Childcare - Special Needs Care - Teaching English	US $830	US $1.020	US $ 1.190
  Ho Chi Minh Medical	US $880	US $1.095	US $1.290

A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.

Projects aimed at supporting English language learning at a local college in Ho Chi Minh City. Volunteers assist local teachers or, where appropriate, lead educational activities with students aged 16 to 25, who already have an intermediate level of English. Activities may include conversation practice, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, pronunciation and the use of English in communicative contexts.

Help with all aspects of running a childcare center, with a specific focus on assisting with English lessons for early learners.

Assist soup kitchens to serve up to 800 meals each day to low income workers, students, the elderly and other locals who couldn’t otherwise afford a suitable lunch.

Support hospitals and clinics to care for those with special needs, including those affected by Agent Orange. You can assist with physical therapy, education and sensory tasks.

Shadow and assist local doctors and nurses in a Vietnamese hospital, helping with basic tasks and triage.

Suitable for students in their 1st or 2nd year. Volunteers will observe and shadow qualified doctors.