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Share on FaceBookThe Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities for volunteers to work with our partner organization in Vietnam. Volunteers have the opportunity to work in the Children’s Program with orphans, street children and children with disabilities or in the Teaching Program with high schools, colleges and universities.
Program Locations
Placements are based in three locations around the central region of Vietnam, which is famous for its lush green rice paddies, rich traditional culture, beautiful beaches, and delicious Vietnamese food.
Da Nang is Vietnam's third largest city located on the banks of the Han River. It is an hour's flight from Vietnam's major international airports: Ho Chi Minh (in the south) and Hanoi (in the north).
Tam Ky is the provincial capital of the Quang Nam province and is located 70 km south of Da Nang.
Tuy Hoa is the capital of Phu Yen province which is located 100 km north of Nha Trang and 400 km south of Da Nang. The city population is roughly 100,000 people. There are not many westerners in the city, so you will experience the real Vietnam!
Childrens Program:
Volunteers have the opportunity to work with orphans, street children, and mentally/physically disabled children in a variety of different orphanages, schools, daycare and social support centres. Many children are parentless or have been abandoned as their parents cannot afford to provide for them. These kids need love, attention, education and life skills to ensure they have a future free from poverty. Volunteers are needed to assist by caring for babies, teaching basic English, arts ‘n’ crafts, music, sports, and healthcare. Volunteers will also have a chance to assist with physiotherapy at the disabled orphanages.
Special need: In the orphanages and support centres there are many children who suffer from mental and physical disabilities. There is a great need for qualified physiotherapists, occupational therapists, behavioral therapists, play therapists, doctors, nurses, and other professionals with medical qualifications. There is also a great need for volunteers who know sign language or have artistic skills to work in a School for Deaf Children.
Teaching Program
Volunteers are needed to help in high schools, colleges and universities in the central region of Vietnam to teach their students correct English pronunciation and conversational skills as it is considered a valuable asset. Effective use of the English language will provide students with confidence and improve their future employment opportunities.
Please note, volunteers in the Teaching program are not required to be a qualified Teacher or have any previous teaching experience. All we ask is that you give 100% effort and enthusiasm in your work with the students.
‘In Vietnam, if you can speak English you can teach English.’ Vietnam partner
University: Volunteers have opportunity to assist at three universities: Da Nang University of Foreign Language, Duy Tan University and Da Nang Architecture University. Volunteers are needed to teach correct English pronunciation and conversational skills to students. It is possible to teach as the sole teacher in a classroom or alongside a local Vietnamese co-teacher.
Please note, we also offer opportunities to help with French teaching programs at Da Nang University of Foreign Language. Volunteers work as co-teachers with local Vietnamese French teachers to teach the students correct French pronunciation and conversational skills.
College and High School: Volunteers have the opportunity to work in Duy Tan High School and Tuy Hoa Industrial College. The students and teachers at these Colleges and High Schools are eager to learn correct English pronunciation and conversational skills as they see English as a gateway to their future and a chance to escape from poverty. Volunteers will also have a chance to teach different technical terms for such subjects as accounting, geology, finance, chemistry, IT and economics. Class sizes can be large however; local Vietnamese teachers are available to assist volunteers in this instance.
About Vietnam
Full country name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Area: 329,566 sq km
Population: 86.1 million
Capital City: Hanoi (pop 3.5 million)
People: 84% ethnic Vietnamese, 2% ethnic Chinese, also Khmers, Chams (a remnant of the once-great Indianised Champa Kingdom) and members of over 50 ethnolinguistic groups (also known as Montagnards, 'highlanders' in French)
Language: Vietnamese, Russian, French, Chinese, English
Religion: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaists, Muslim and Christian minorities
Government: Communist state
Major Industries: Rice, rubber, food processing, sugar, textiles, chemicals, peanuts, bananas, poultry, fish, cashews
Major Trading Partners: China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand
© Copyright 2008 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.lonelyplanet.com
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Program Requirements
Requirements for teaching in Vietnam:
- be 18 years or older
- have no health problems
- be enthusiastic and motivated
- be a native speaker of English (volunteers must be from Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, UK, USA, or New Zealand)
- have a college degree or a university degree
The Application Process
Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.
Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
Program Schedule
You can start your placement on the 1st or 15th of each month.
Volunteers can participate in this program from 2 weeks to 5 months.
Most of the schools are open throughout the year, except during the Tet Holiday (in 2010, the Tet holiday runs from the 10th of February for 7 to 10 days), and the summer holiday which runs for two weeks between late July and early August. While volunteers will be able to volunteer during these times, we don't recommend one month stays in February, as your teaching time will be reduced.
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Program Cost
A US$350 application fee (fully transferable) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
- Personal Staff Support
- Your Program Guide
- Your Fundraising Guide and Software
- Access to Your Own Online Journal
- Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
- Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the program is:
- Cost for 1 month - US $997
- Cost for 2 months - US $1637
- Cost for 3 months - US $2287
- Cost for 4 months - US $2907
- Cost for 5 months - US $3637
The in-country fee covers administrative charge, placement arrangement, accommodation, food, transportation for volunteers, and supervision.
The other costs you will need to meet are your flights (international and a domestic flight to Da Nang), visa, shots, travel insurance, and corresponding airport departure taxes. There may also be minor travel and accommodation expenses at the beginning and end of your program.
Apply NowWe have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which we receive at the GVN inbox. This is a great place to start if you have questions about Global Volunteer Network and our placement process. This information should answer the majority of questions you may have.
Question not covered here?
Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please ask us a question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
Don't just take our word for it, hear what previous volunteers have to say out the program.
