Volunteer in Vietnam: find amazing programs in hostels, schools, NGOs, ecovillages and more

How to volunteer in Vietnam

From the towering skyscrapers in Ho Chi Minh City to the lush islands of Halong Bay, Vietnam is a picturesque country full of diversity.

Hop on a motorbike to travel with ease throughout the country, following your nose as it leads you to the myriad of savory street foods around every corner. A culinary giant of Southeast Asia, Vietnam will prepare your stomach for Chinese-inspired dishes in the north and perfectly-spiced cuisine in the south.

Plenty of cooking classes are available to learn how to create your favorite Vietnamese meals. There's always something deliciously new to try here!

Vietnamese culture is deeply rooted in its rich history. You'll be able to explore the northern Chinese temples or learn and grow from the Hindu temples of the south. Step into any market and you'll notice how the people of Vietnam have honed their indigenous crafts and are proud of their heritage.

Sip on locally made rice wine as you gaze over the emerald green rice paddies of the Muong Hoa Valley with a breathtaking view of nearby mountains and bamboo forests. 

You'll have many opportunities to connect with nature as you travel through Vietnam as you venture through jungles, climb mountains, and take strolls on the pristine white beaches scattered across the country.

You'll notice when you visit, Vietnam is one of the cheapest places to live in the world. When you volunteer for a Worldpackers exchange program in Vietnam, you'll get free accommodation and meals in exchange for your skills. 

This makes it very easy to save your money for sightseeing and exploring the country on your days off. You'll get the inside scoop on all the hidden gems worth experiencing, roads less traveled, and show you how to travel like a local.

The best part about volunteering in Vietnam is that you'll be able to learn new skills from your host and feel like you're part of something unique and meaningful.

To enter Vietnam, a travel visa is required to stay in the country for up to three months. It's a simple process to fill out their online government application. You can get it approved at any of the three airports in Vietnam upon your arrival.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months before you head out on your adventure!

How to teach English in Vietnam

Teaching English is one of the most rewarding ways to volunteer abroad.

You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lives and culture of those you are teaching, giving you an intimate glimpse into their daily lives. This is one of the easiest ways to meet locals in Vietnam, be a part of their thriving community, and help them learn skills that will give them a bright future.

Volunteer to teach English in places like Hanoi, Kinh Mon, or Ta Binh and you'll get to help out in exchange for free lodging and meals. Some hosts even offer volunteers free language lessons, hiking tours, local restaurant discounts, and other awesome perks that will help you see more of Vietnam and explore your surroundings.

All teaching programs are unique and might require other skills from you, such as maintaining social media accounts, shooting video, photography, participating in social work, or doing art with students.

Homestays offer a fun, positive environment for volunteers to live in as they work in Vietnam. Practice conversational English with the locals and you're likely to learn more about the area, where all the best eats are, how to avoid tourist traps, and which sun-kissed islands are the most secluded and beautiful.

If you want to focus on making a difference through a youth program, this non-profit organization for children with Autism in Hanoi would love to have you!

Other hosts like this NGO that organizes charity work in poor parts of Vietnam would be a great place to start teaching English to the people of Vietnam, regardless of their economic status. Additionally, there are plenty of schools where you can be a volunteer English teacher in Vietnam.

Schools with children of all ages in Thai Nguyen, Vung Tau, Hai Chau, and Chuong My have teaching positions open that you can apply for!

Many volunteer opportunities in Vietnam accept couples or pairs of volunteers so they can receive all the help they can get.

How to connect with nature in Vietnam

A tropical paradise with beaches of unmatched beauty throughout the world, Vietnam is bursting with natural beauty to enjoy year-round!

Connecting with the great outdoors as you travel is really important for those who have a taste for adventure and thrills that are associated with world travel.

Hike through the lush hills of Sapa or Bac Ha to work up a sweat, or go kite-surfing on the warm waters lapping the coast of Mui Ne. Grab your PADI diving certificate and discover an other-worldly underwater coral reef system in Phu Quoc teeming with colorful sea life.

Volunteering in Vietnam will give you the chance to find peace in nature by immersing yourself in this beautiful country.

The experiences that will get you closer to nature can be found on a farm, working on a permaculture project, or lending a helping hand in an eco program. Help farmers cultivate their crops and learn how to practice sustainable travel. These experiences will sometimes even throw in a free permaculture class to teach you the basics of farm life.

This farm in Kien Giang will teach volunteers how to grow vegetables and peppercorn, and you can give tours of the farm on the side! You never know what new skills and knowledge you'll pick up when you work on a farm as a volunteer.

If you're a culture buff, you can experience the Shan tea village as you live with an indigenous hill tribe. You'll be surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and learn about the ancestral tea trees as you help out with social work, teaching English, and gaining an awareness of the community's way of life.

Halong Bay is an unbelievable travel destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its garden of islands scattered throughout its turquoise waters. Volunteer as a teacher in Hanoi and get two days off per week to go explore the bay and its many sea caves. Have an authentic Vietnam volunteer experience in the mountains of the north, known for its green rice fields and warmhearted people. 

There are so many ways to give back to the hardworking people of this diverse nation that strive to make a better life for themselves, their families, and those who are less fortunate.

Being surrounded by nature makes it even easier to stay grounded and find the perfect volunteer program in Vietnam that speaks to you.

How to work at a hostel in Vietnam

Because Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to live in, travelers flock to it to cure their growing wanderlust.

Working at a hostel in Vietnam will let you make friends from all over the world, swap travel stories, and learn about exciting experiences in Vietnam you may not have discovered otherwise! Offer your skills in cleaning, working at reception, administration, social media, and even art to help the hostel you're volunteering at run smoothly.

Wake up to breakfast and award-winning organic coffee each morning at this hostel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and go sightseeing in your free time.

If you've got an eye for photography and a creative mind, you could take some promotional photos around this hostel in Hoi An, or even paint an eye-catching mural that winds through the corridors.

Are you more creative in the kitchen than you are with a paintbrush? You can volunteer as a bartender at this chic hostel in District 5 of the largest city in Vietnam. Just make sure you bring your outgoing personality and a can-do attitude and you're sure to get discounts on drinks as you go!

If you're looking for a quiet stay away from the bustling city, a hostel in Dalat City would be a great city to volunteer in. For only six hours a day, you can help out in the garden, play music to entertain guests, do some housekeeping, or work at reception.

Think of yourself as somewhat of a "party hero"? If so, volunteer in Hoan Kiem to lead pub crawls, motorbike tours, and game nights on their rooftop bar. Not only will you meet interesting people, you'll get to lead them on local tours and ultimately get to know the country better because of your experience!

Wherever you choose to volunteer in Vietnam, you will be met with incredible sights, mouth-watering food, and kind people that go out of their way to ensure your needs are met as a Worldpackers volunteer.