Volunteering Projects in Vietnam Cycling Challenge

With its beautiful natural setting, rich culture, and tragic recent history, Vietnam is a fascinating destination. Da Nang is Vietnam's fourth largest city, located on Vietnam's east coast. For more information, we suggest that you purchase the Lonely Planet's guide to Vietnam.

You will need to fly to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (HCM) in Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam. We will finish the trip in Hoi An which is about a 30 minute drive from Da Nang airport where you can catch a domestic flight back to Ho Chi Minh City at the end of the trip.

The trip is a 500km bike trip with one day of intense cycling to put yourself in the elite “century club” (100 miles) You will also go over various terrain including some steep inclines. April can be quite hot in Vietnam and it will be extremely important that you are always hydrated and prepared for the heat.

One should be able to cycle for several hours without too much of a problem. Aerobic activity such as hiking, cycling, or running is a great way to get in shape and prepare. Cycling before the trip is probably the best means to prepare yourself. Cycling is great because you can do it indoors on a stationary bike or by taking spin classes which usually provide classes in endurance, strength and/or all-terrain specific classes. Not only does cycling prepare you for the particular difficulties one faces on a bike trip but it will also further assist you in your efforts to become physically fit.

Becoming physically fit before the trip will significantly increase your chances of having a wonderful experience and trip. After you have been accepted to our Vietnam Cycling Team you will receive a link to the packet which describes heat sickness and physical fitness preparations.

We are able to cater for vegetarian diets, although if you are vegetarian you need to state this clearly on your application form and on your communication with our trek organizers partner prior to your arrival, to ensure that they are prepared.

Vietnam’s weather varies greatly within each region. April falls into the dry season in southern and central Vietnam. The temperature in the south ranges from 25-30 Celsius (77-86 Fahrenheit) and in central Vietnam the weather is normally slightly higher in both temperature and humidity.

April:
Average temperature: 25 Degrees Celsius/77 Degrees Fahrenheit
Minimum/Maximum temperature: 18/32 Degrees Celsius 64/90 Degrees Fahrenheit

When you pay your application fee and secure your spot on our Vietnam Cycling team we will provide you with a detailed clothing/equipment list for the trip.

There are many ways of achieving and surpassing your financial goals. Once we have received your application and application fee we will send you a fundraising information pack that will help you to fundraise.
Ideas and examples of how to raise money for your adventure include:

Friends and family, your work-place, clubs, raffles, quizzes, fun-runs, and parties.

To get started you can find more information on our Fundraising page at http://www.volunteer.org.nz/fundraising/

You do. Our information pack has links to Vietnamese Embassies throughout the world. Your visa needs to specify the exact dates that you will be in Vietnam, so you will need to bear this in mind when applying. For less than three months, you will come to Vietnam with a tourist visa.

Commercialized trips do not offer the unique opportunities our trip provides.

Firstly, our partner travel organization, Yellow Field Tours, has organized other cycling trips throughout Vietnam and Asia and is well respected within the traveling industry. Participating in our trip relieves you of the anxiety of searching for a reliable and established travel organization.

Secondly, this trip gives you the chance to meet other people who feel passionate about helping the global community. The participants of this trip will automatically have a unique bond because everyone involved will be working together to achieve three goals, successfully ride 500km including a “century club” challenge day, raise funds for the orphans and disadvantaged youth in Da Nang, Tam Ky, and Tuy Hoa who are assisted by GVN Vietnam and through fundraising, raise awareness to the struggles many children still face to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Thirdly, you will be able to witness, firsthand, where your money will go. Not only will you be able to see some of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam as you cycle through the south and central region, but you will also have the opportunity to visit the orphanages where the children live.

Finally, and most importantly, your adventure will allow our partner organization in Vietnam to improve the lives of the children in their charge. While participating in 'the opportunity of a lifetime' you are also ensuring that orphans in Vietnam will live a better life.

The trek will start off in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. We will stay on the southeast coast of the country alternately cycling or using an air conditioned vehicle to make our way to Hoi An, located in central Vietnam.

Travel Insurance is a requirement for GVN's Fundraising Vietnam Bike trip. You will need to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance package which covers Emergency Evacuations. The Global Volunteer Network has arranged a comprehensive travel insurance package. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as a ’loss of deposits’ cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/insurance/.

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.