10 of the Best Volunteer Opportunities in Vietnam

These volunteer opportunities in Vietnam don’t dare disappoint! Now is the perfect time for volunteering in Asia, and you should definitely consider volunteering in the gorgeous country of Vietnam! Vietnam has something for everyone, from its towering mountains and lush tropical forests to its breathtaking lakes and incredible beaches. The cuisine is exquisite—try papaya salads, the popular meat and noodle soup, Pho, or even some spicy spring rolls! English is fairly widely spoken, and you won’t break the bank when you volunteer here.

Vietnam volunteer programs are your next adventure.

These are all great reasons to volunteer in Vietnam but the amazing range of volunteer projects in Vietnam is another excellent reason! Read on to learn about some of our favorite programs.

The best programs for volunteering in Vietnam this year

Editor’s note: This information on programs to volunteer in Vietnam was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. Food Outreach Program with Volunteer HQ—9.67 rating

“This was my first volunteer abroad trip, and I found my IVHQ experience in Vietnam to be a life-changing one. Experiencing the culture in Ho Chi Minh for the first time was extremely eye-opening—there was an initial culture shock, however after a few days I came to love how the city just functioned in its own special way, as well as the kindness and welcoming nature of all the local people I encountered. I found the program coordinators and local staff supportive, kind and organised, and the orientation was very thorough and interesting. Additionally, it was amazing meeting so many other volunteers from around the world who had the same mindset as me. I was only there for 2 weeks, but made so many unforgettable memories. I would 10.00% recommend the IVHQ Vietnam program, and it has definitely sparked a passion for international volunteering in me.” Read more Volunteer HQ reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round; 1-24 weeks
Why? This program fights to change poverty, which is still fairly widespread in Vietnam. If you have a deep desire to help the needy and a knack for cooking, this program is for you. You’ll spend several hours a day cooking and serving lunch to over 500 people. At the end of your volunteer duties, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the area with your fellow volunteers or on your own!

2. Medical Volunteer Program by Volunteering Solutions—10.0 rating

“I have been planning to volunteer abroad from a while now and with the start of 2016 i finally planned my trip. The reason behind choosing Volunteering Solutions out of many other placement agencies was that there programs were highly affordable and matched to my requirements. Plus, the response that i received from them was quite swift and clear; it reflected sheer experience and professionalism. I volunteered at a local clinic for 3 weeks under the Medical program, and it left me with some really amazing experiences. I had few other fellow medical students from different countries which was again a great aspect about the trip. My placement was quite comfortable and the food was nice. What really helped was the locally appointed coordinator who guided us throughout the program and his advice helped make the trip better. Overall, it was a very unique and informational experience which I believe will be helping me grow not only professionally but also as a person.” Read more Volunteering Solutions reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round, 1-24 weeks
Why? Volunteering in Vietnam with this medical program means helping adults who suffer from cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and other disabilities. You’ll be shadowing and helping doctors treat patients for five to six hours a day, five days a week! Volunteering Solutions works hard to accommodate their volunteers in Vietnam in large four story buildings complete with bunk beds and a chef who prepares all meals. They’ll also provide an orientation and city tour to help familiarize volunteers with Ho Chi Minh. And weekends are free to be filled with fun excursions and cultural experiences in Vietnam.

3. Volunteer & Travel with Love Volunteers in Vietnam—9.59 rating

“Very happy with how everything worked out, i was very lucky to have had such an incredible experience. Vietnam was epic, beautiful country with so much to see and do. The people, the food and the culture was so different and refreshing. I will 10.00% be going back. The staff were all really lovely, no complaints. Good communication and really easy to access if necessary. Vietnam is such a safe place, and is more westernized than other Asian countries, yet it still staying true to its culture and heritage. If you're looking for a country to do your first solo volunteering trip, I would highly recommend.” Read more Love Volunteer reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round; 2 weeks
Why? Volunteer in Vietnam with this program, which sets itself apart from others with tons of extra activities. Actual volunteer opportunities in Vietnam vary with this program, from helping abandoned children with HIV to assisting the elderly or working in a pre-school. You’ll be volunteering by day and taking local cooking classes or enjoying cultural workshops by night. They even offer fully planned excursions to exotic destinations like Mekong Delta, with its floating markets and maze of rivers and islands.

4. Women’s Shelter Volunteer Program with ELI Abroad—10.0 rating

“My two weeks in Vietnam exceeded all my expectations. I learnt so much, got to have a lot of hands on experience and had so much fun doing it. The whole team was so welcoming, friendly and willing to teach. Our mentors Dao and Vi were so helpful, accommodating and were the most genuine people I've ever met. Overall I highly recommended this program. You wont regret it.” Read more ELI Abroad reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round; 2-12 weeks
Why? Women who get pregnant out of wedlock in Vietnam are often ostracized from their families and abandoned by their partner. ELI Abroad’s volunteer projects in Vietnam strive to support single pregnant women and single moms with children by providing temporary shelter and food, while giving vocational training to the women. As a volunteer, you’ll be spending time with these women and their children, providing support and possibly teaching English or leading workshops. Feeling fulfilled with the work isn’t all, though; volunteers are provided with great accommodation—paying just three dollars a day for all meals. That’s a hard offer to beat!

5. Volunteer Teaching English with Projects Abroad—10.0 rating

“Throwing yourself into an entirely different culture and way of life is never the easiest experience, but I can honestly say that I felt very well supported by the Projects Abroad team every step of the way. From patiently answering the barrel of questions I had prior to applying and in preparation for going to Vietnam, to the personal guidance I received from the Vietnam Projects Abroad team during my stay in Vietnam, I was blown away by how attentive the team were to my needs and concerns every step of the way.” Read more Projects Abroad reviews here

Where? Hanoi
When? Year-round; 2 weeks—a year
Why? Teaching English to adorable children in a gorgeous foreign country? Sign us up! Volunteer in Vietnam with this program, which provides volunteers with a homestay and exposes them to the local culture even more. The local family that you stay with will also provide yummy, authentic, Vietnamese meals! Projects Abroad offers full time support both before and during your trip, so you’re sure to have an amazing time!

6. Community Volunteering and Teaching in Southern Vietnam with Kaya Responsible Travel—9.0 rating

“Kay does a very good job setting students up with a good program in a different country. The program I was with was great. I ended up having a blast during my stay! I enjoyed the food in Vietnam the most, it was delicious! I really enjoyed working at the children hospital. It was fun to watch the tasks the performed daily. My greatest achievement for me was getting off my sofa and getting out to try and make a positive change in the world!” Read more Kaya Responsible Travel reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round; 2-26 weeks
Why? With Kaya Responsible Travel, you could be volunteering with HIV positive kids, teaching orphaned children, or assisting with children with disabilities. All you need is enthusiasm for the work and love for the kids! Out of all the volunteer projects in Vietnam, this one includes extras like a cooking demonstration or dinner with a local family. There’s also an optional weekend excursion to Mui Ne, a gorgeous tropical beach town where you can participate in a host of water sports such as windsurfing and sailing, or simply shop till you drop in the many shops downtown.

7. Community Involvement Volunteering with GoEco—9.75 rating

“The two weeks that I spent in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam provided me with amazing memories and invaluable friendships with volunteers from all over the world. At the end of my two weeks there, I left Vietnam gloomily, and promised myself to return to this beautiful country full of kind souls as many times as I can. If I’d known before that I’d find myself feeling so close to the people of this fascinating country so quickly, I’d have planned to stay for two more weeks.

I’m very glad that I volunteered this summer. Everything was better than I could ever imagine. I’m glad that I had the chance to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a chance to be immersed into its culture by helping its people. Nothing else compares to the experience of being miles away from your country, surrounded by people who do not speak your language and who are culturally very different than you, and still being able to feel at home.” Read more GoEco reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh
When? Year-round; 1-2 weeks
Why? This program has a range of opportunities to work with the community including helping special needs children, participating in a cultural exchange with college students, or assisting in a food shop for the needy. GoEco provides three meals a day plus accommodation at one of the lowest costs of all the programs on our list at just ~$760 for two weeks! They also offer a week extension; for a small fee, you can spend a week either before or after your volunteer work sightseeing around Vietnam, complete with cooking classes, language instruction, and a traditional water puppet show.

8. Volunteer in Friendship Village with Volunteer World—8.60 rating

“Volunteer World gave me the opportunity to find a project that suited me. They have plenty of projects and there is something for everyone! You meet amazing people. You get to know the country and the culture through the locals. You connect immediately with the other volunteers and experience this amazing trip together. I'm already looking for my next experience with them.” Read more Volunteer World reviews here

Where? Friendship Village
When? Year-round, 4 weeks
Why? Volunteer opportunities in Vietnam at Friendship Village means helping children who suffer from the effects of dioxins from the herbicide “Agent Orange.” Volunteers also help care for war veterans — both worthy causes to say the least! Volunteer World prefers volunteers to be at least 21 and have previous experience working with people who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Four weeks is the minimum stay for this program, but for a worthy cause and a small price tag (just ~$894 for four weeks), this program is a wonderful option!

9. Build Houses in Vietnam with Putney Student Travel—9.0 rating

“I expected the group to work together to change the lives of those in the village. However I did not realize how much this program would also change my life. My expectations were definitely exceeded. The work, weekend excursions, food, etc. was all amazing. While we were teaching the kids in the village, we got the opportunity to talk to some of them about their hopes and dreams for the future. Multiple kids said "they wanted to be teachers because we inspired them". This made me feel like I was really making a difference in these kids lives. Through this program, I was able to realize that it is not that difficult to change a person's life as long as you put in a little effort. I also learned to not get caught up in the little things in life. The highlights of my experience was teaching English to the local children, visiting Hoi An, and Ha Long Bay. I feel like there was a good balance between projects and cultural activities. However I would have added more adventure activities.” Read more Putney Student Travel reviews here

Where? Quang Ngai, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay
When? June and July 2019; 4 weeks
Why? This program features a month of volunteering to build simple houses for the Vietnamese people. Putney Student Travel boasts mornings of cycling through a gorgeous backdrop of rice farms, rolling hills, and fishing boats on the way to your service location, along with afternoons relaxing on the beach or at the market with the local people. The month long project is sprinkled with cultural experiences around Vietnam as well! Building houses is hard work, but if you’ve got the knack and a desire to serve, this program is a great one.

10. Buds to Blossoms Pediatric Massage Volunteer Program:Vietnam—9.94 rating

“This was a life changing experience for me, it will forever stay in my heart and I will do everything I can to go back to these kids again and again. The Buds to Blossoms guys are so passionate about what they do and it was such a pleasure to work with them from the time I applied up until after the program.. They are so considered about everything and provided us with every detail about every question that might appear before, during or after the program.. They also provided us with support during the program which was very important for these who participated first time.. I absolutely loved every minute of what we were doing and I want to thank Buds to Blossom for what they do for these kids and for us. To see the children's smiles and laughter is the biggest happiness.” Read more Buds to Blossoms reviews here

Where? Ho Chi Minh City
When? Summer 2019; 1-2 weeks
Why? This program asks for volunteers with at least a little massage experience, that are gentle, compassionate, flexible, and interested in working with children. The team is enthusiastic and the work is rewarding! Plus, this company boasts “robust help with fundraising” to cover all your expenses. Volunteer reviews praise this program as incredible and even life-changing! This program is a great way to change lives while serving abroad in Vietnam.

[Browse ALL Volunteer Abroad Programs in Vietnam]

You’re ready to volunteer abroad in Vietnam!

You’ll be sailing down Vietnam rivers in no time!

Volunteering in Vietnam is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime for you. You’ll marvel at the incredible limestone pillars of Ha Long Bay. You’ll wander the adorable local markets of Sa Pa. You’ll celebrate Vietnam’s Full Moon Festival with beautiful silk lanterns. And you’ll engage in meaningful volunteer work through one of these incredible programs. Whether you volunteer with community outreach or end up feeding adorable pangolins, volunteering in Vietnam will be an experience you’ll look back on fondly for years to come!

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10 of the Best Volunteer Opportunities in Vietnam

Jessica Rosa