Vietnam - Volunteer Projects and Work Experience

Vietnam Map

Volunteering in Vietnam is a chance to spend time in a fascinating, friendly and rapidly changing country. Projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world; whether you are on a gap year, a summer placement, or a career break.

Vietnamese statuesProjects Abroad Vietnam is based in Hanoi, in the north of Vietnam. Volunteers work on a variety of projects, including physiotherapy projects and care projects with children with disabilities. We also offer volunteer opportunities for teaching English in both primary and secondary schools.

Volunteers in Vietnam live in a shared house with other Projects Abroad volunteers.

Volunteering on a Placement Overseas in Vietnam

Street lanterns Hanoi is one of Southeast Asia’s liveliest cities. It is the capital and the second largest city in Vietnam; it may seem chaotic when you first arrive, but as a volunteer living and working in the city you’ll discover the gracious Vietnamese people, explore the charming old town and find hidden temples beyond the throngs of motorbikes and urban bustle.

Hanoi is the cultural highlight of Vietnam, with over 600 pagodas and temples to visit. The city continues to change rapidly as the current economic boom adds more high-rise steel and glass hotels to the French colonial architecture, traditional markets and ramshackle shops.

Although Vietnam's economy has grown rapidly in the last few years, there are still many development issues that need attention.

Volunteer Travel and Tourism in Vietnam

Halong BayAs a volunteer you’ll usually work from Monday to Friday, so will have plenty of time to explore Hanoi at the weekends. To escape city life you could head to Ba Vi National Park, where there is excellent trekking, wildlife viewing and over 1200 steps to reach the mountain summit for panoramic views over the city. Or relax and try the local sea food at Halong Bay beach, the closest beach to Hanoi.

Vietnam is well worth exploring further after your placement, hike in mountainous Sapa, stare in awe at Halong Bay’s soaring limestone islets or shop for a new tailor-made wardrobe of clothes in fashion capital Hoi An. If this all sounds a bit active head south and enjoy some laid back beach vibes on the island of Phu Quoc.

Many volunteers choose to travel on through South-East Asia to Thailand, Cambodia or Laos, which can be done cheaply, if not always quickly, by bus and train. There are also now many low-cost budget airlines, which allow you to explore the region further, even without months of extra travel time.