Overview
In Hanoi, Vietnam, volunteer in business, caregiving, construction, education or NGO support. Live in a Volunteer House in the heart of the city. Additionally:
- Trust and network: UBELONG is based in the United States and has top volunteer reviews that are real.
- Prices from only US$530: without compromising safety and support, highly affordable volunteer opportunities.
- Real impact: We offer volunteer opportunities that tackle critical social and environmental challenges. We don’t do “voluntourism”.
- Traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner included every day.
- Airport pick-up.
- Support from teams in the United States, Europe and Vietnam – we never just drop you in a country, we offer you support every step of the way.
- Meet some of the thousands of people who have already volunteered with UBELONG.
About Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged from the brutal conflicts it experienced in the 20th century, including the Vietnam War with the United States, to have become one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. Farming, fishing and tourism are among its largest industries. Vietnam has a powerful military and is an active member of the international community, including at the United Nations. However, significant obstacles remain.
Hanoi, the cultural and political center of Vietnam, is a beautiful Asian city full of tradition. However, it has a large wage gap between rich and poor. Many people who have moved there from rural areas live below the poverty line. Public health risks are serious, and, as a legacy of the Vietnam War, there are still many orphans and disabled people. Some of the incredible volunteer opportunities available to you in Hanoi include teaching English, volunteering with a local NGO, and caring for disabled children.
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known as Saigon, is the economic engine of Vietnam. Over half of the total industrial production of Vietnam is manufactured in the city. However, beyond its gleaming high-rise towers and Western-style shopping centers, the city faces serious hurdles. The strong economic growth of the city has attracted thousands of migrants from rural areas of South Vietnam. The city’s infrastructure has not been able to handle the influx, and many migrants have few family members and friends to rely on. The migrants work outside the formal sector with no access to social benefits like healthcare. Many become squatters living along sewage-filled canals. Access to clean water, decent housing and reliable sanitation is limited. Public health concerns are significant, as revealed by the city’s high levels of HIV/AIDS prevalence, infant mortality and malnutrition. In Ho Chi Minh City you can make an impact volunteering teaching English and working with poor children. Click on the tabs above to learn more.
“By working with local organizations to coordinate volunteer efforts, UBELONG ensures the greatest amount of cultural exchange between volunteers and locals.” Ryan Huang, UBELONG HCMC Volunteer from the United States – read his interview here.
Projects
Business
One of the main reasons for Vietnam’s economic growth has been the renovation policies the government started implementing in 1986. The policies, known as doimoi, liberalized important parts of the centrally planned economy. Commerce flourished and open markets brought millions of entrepreneurial Vietnamese out of poverty.
Nonetheless, for the poorest in Hanoi, life remains difficult as they struggle to live hand to mouth. Fortunately, there is a growing movement of local social entrepreneurs tackling challenges related to climate change, education, health and lack of credit. However, social entrepreneurship is new in Vietnam, and there is a need for assistance. Volunteers work at a social enterprise supporting different causes. Volunteers live in Hanoi and work in the city and surrounding areas.
Click on a heading below to learn more.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work five to seven hours a day at a local organization providing coaching, networking and marketing support to social entrepreneurs in Vietnam. The organization also provides grants and/or access to capital to promising social ventures, and helps raise awareness about social entrepreneurship in a country where social entrepreneurship is an emerging field. Volunteers assist in a variety of tasks depending on their background and experience. The most important volunteer areas include marketing, research and reporting, networking, fundraising and web design. Additionally, volunteers may be asked to assist with miscellaneous tasks, for example accounting, IT and helping the local staff with their English.
Requirements to participate:
-At least an intermediate level of English.
-Must be 21 years or older.
-The flexibility to participate in many different tasks depending on the ever-changing needs of the organization.
-The creativity and initiative to work in an environment with limited resources.
-Education and/or professional experience in a relevant business, computer or NGO-related field like accounting, fundraising, marketing, non-profit management, finance or web design.
Minimum time commitment:
12 weeks (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and allow an alternative start date – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. In their application, volunteers must provide their resume/CV.
4. Instead of the usual 72 hour review period, on this project we need seven to ten days to review applications and get back to volunteers on whether they have been accepted into the project.
5. Volunteers must bring a laptop.
6. Depending on the needs of the organization and motivations and qualifications of volunteers, volunteers may have the opportunity to spend time in the field. However, like any high-skilled, post, this opportunity requires that volunteers spend a significant amount of time in the office, especially when they begin and are getting up the learning curve. Additionally, remember that volunteers are not interns – while guidance is provided, there is no formal training and volunteers are ultimately responsible for being very proactive in finding ways to contribute. Finally, work habits and pace are probably very different than what volunteers are used to at home, and in accepting volunteers into this project it is with the understanding that they are self-directed, proactive and highly adaptive. This volunteer project is very challenging but, for volunteers with the right attitude, they will make an impact and find it highly rewarding.
7. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
Genna (left), a UBELONGer from Malaysia, on a site visit with one of her local colleagues!
Caregiving
As in most countries, children with disabilities are very vulnerable in Vietnam. Those with mental and physical disabilities often do not receive the care they need for a variety of reasons, including limited family resources, parental neglect and social stigma. In addition, the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War has left many of the children and grandchildren of those exposed to the chemical with serious health conditions.
The caregiving project let volunteers give care to children with disabilities. Volunteers bring enthusiasm and love, as well as the time to help the children with special education and therapy. Volunteers live in Hanoi and work in centers and orphanages throughout the city.
Click on a heading below to learn more.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work in centers and orphanages for children with a range of mental and physical disabilities. Some of the children have autism, cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome, while others suffer from birth defects related to Agent Orange exposure. Volunteers work four to five hours a day and assist the local staff in feeding the children, helping them during their therapy exercises and leading activities like painting, planting organic gardens and playing sports. Depending on local need, there may also be some adults with disabilities at the project whom volunteers can work with too.
Requirements to participate:
-The energy to keep children stimulated.
-A very caring and open attitude.
-Education and/or professional experience in a caregiving-related field is not required.
Minimum time commitment:
2 weeks (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and allow an alternative start date – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
Lorna, from Spain, with a new friend she made at the project!
Construction
A challenge Vietnam continues to face is its poor infrastructure, much of which has still not rebuilt after years of war. While upscale developments can be found throughout Hanoi, facilities like community centers, schools and hospitals that are depended upon by the poor continue to be run down. Volunteers bring labor to help restore buildings serving the poorest. Volunteers live in Hanoi and work in the city and surrounding areas.
Click on a heading below to learn more.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work four to six hours a day doing light construction work in a local school or social organization like an after-school center, orphanage or pagoda. Their tasks depend on local need, as well as the skills of the volunteers. Tasks range widely and examples include drawing and painting murals in a children’s hospital; cleaning up a playground and fixing and/or painting the play-sets; doing light construction work in a classroom, which may include fixing the desks and repairing damaged walls; and beautifying a room in a community center by cleaning it up, painting and/or performing light handywork.
Requirements to participate:
-The health and physical capability to do manual work in a tropical environment with few amenities.
-The flexibility to participate in many different activities depending on the ever-changing local needs.
-Education and/or professional experience in a construction-related field is not required.
Minimum time commitment:
1 week.
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and allow an alternative start date – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. To join, you must be part of a self-organized group of seven or more planning to apply and volunteer on the project together – we do not organize groups.
4. Each volunteer must bring to Hanoi US$15 in cash for every week of their placement. The money will go towards purchasing materials, for example brooms, paints and paint brushes.
5. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
UBELONGers from Hong Kong renovating a school in Hanoi!
Education
Hanoi has one of the largest wage gaps in the country, which is mostly explained by differences in education between the rich and poor. In the last 20 years the city has made significant improvements in expanding access to elementary and middle school education, but the playing field remains uneven. Many children drop out at an early age because their parents cannot afford school fees or need them to work and contribute to the family finances. Additionally, lack of skills among young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds excludes them from the benefits of economic growth. The job market in Hanoi is very competitive, and they must take low-paying unskilled work with little job security.
The education projects allow volunteers to teach English and French to children, and young adults, as language skills are very valuable in Vietnam. Volunteers live in Hanoi and work in community centers and schools throughout the city.
Click on a heading below to learn more.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers teach basic to advanced level English to students aged 5 to 17 and, depending on local need, volunteers may also teach students and teachers at local universities. They volunteer four to six hours a day, which includes time in the classroom and preparation time out of the classroom. Volunteers partake in all of the daily school activities, including lesson planning and classroom instruction. Volunteers typically teach with a local teacher, but in certain resource-poor schools volunteers may teach alone or with other volunteers and prepare their lesson plans every day.
Requirements to participate:
-At least an advanced level of English.
-The creativity and initiative to lead classes with limited resources.
-Teaching experience and/or certifications are not required.
Minimum time commitment:
2 weeks (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and allow an alternative start date – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
Marta from Portugal with two of her students!
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work with children ages 5 and up who are learning basic to intermediate French. They volunteer three to five hours a day, which includes time in the classroom and preparation time out of the classroom. They are responsible for planning lessons, leading classes and introducing new activities. Volunteers typically teach with a local teacher, but in certain resource-poor schools volunteers may teach alone or with other volunteers.
Requirements to participate:
-At least an advanced level of French.
-The creativity and initiative to lead classes with limited resources.
-Teaching experience and/or certifications are not required.
Minimum time commitment:
2 weeks (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and allow an alternative start date – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
Sandra, from France, hard at work at her project!
NGO Support
As Vietnam has emerged from the ravages of war and moved towards administrative reform, decentralization and re-integration into the global economy, civil society is gaining strength. Particularly important are the growing number of community development organizations, which can be loosely equated to Western-style NGOs. These organizations play an important role in educating people about different issues; empowering minorities and women; managing natural resources; and supporting poor communities.
As community development organizations have grown and broadened their scope, many have come up against the limits of their capacity. Limited financial resources, lack of trained staff and poor networking skills hinder their potential. The project supports community development organizations in Hanoi by linking them to volunteers who bring new energy, talent and skills. Volunteers live in Hanoi and work with organizations throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Click on a heading below to learn more.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work in a local community organization that works across multiple issues, including children’s rights, education, environmental conservation, youth development and rural development. Volunteers work closely with the staff to help strengthen the operations of the organization. The activities of volunteers are driven by the needs and goals of each organization, but typically include designing fundraising drives, fostering local and international alliances, and setting up education and online marketing campaigns. Computer-related help like creating presentations and maintaining web sites is also in high demand, as is helping the local staff improve their English. Volunteers work five to seven hours a day.
Requirements to participate:
-At least an intermediate level of English.
-Must be 21 years or older.
-The flexibility to participate in many different tasks depending on the ever-changing needs of the organization.
-The creativity and initiative to work in an environment with limited resources.
-Education and/or professional experience in a relevant business, computer or NGO-related field like accounting, fundraising, marketing, non-profit management, finance or web design.
Minimum time commitment:
12 weeks (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Project schedule:
The project starts every first and third Monday of the month and runs year-round, except during the Tet Holiday, which in 2019 falls between February 2 and February 17 (for groups of four or more, we may make an exception and let you stay a week – contact us to request an exception).
Please note:
1. Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
2. This description is intended only as a broad overview of the work. There is no typical day or script to follow. Remember, volunteers are serving in the developing world where conditions can change in an instant. Being flexible, open and able think on your feet are crucial characteristics of a good international volunteer. It is each volunteer’s role to fit in with their project and not the other way around. We expect volunteers to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in activities they were not expecting to work in. Being able to adapt, adjust and fit in is challenging, but also what makes international volunteering so special.
3. In their application, volunteers must provide their resume/CV.
4. Instead of the usual 72 hour review period, on this project we need seven to ten days to review applications and get back to volunteers on whether they have been accepted into the project.
5. Volunteers must bring a laptop.
6. Depending on the needs of the organization and motivations and qualifications of volunteers, volunteers may have the opportunity to spend time in the field. However, like any high-skilled, post, this opportunity requires that volunteers spend a significant amount of time in the office, especially when they begin and are getting up the learning curve. Additionally, remember that volunteers are not interns – while guidance is provided, there is no formal training and volunteers are ultimately responsible for being very proactive in finding ways to contribute. Finally, work habits and pace are probably very different than what volunteers are used to at home, and in accepting volunteers into this project it is with the understanding that they are self-directed, proactive and highly adaptive. This volunteer project is very challenging but, for volunteers with the right attitude, they will make an impact and find it highly rewarding.
7. Prior to arrival, volunteers must provide a police background check. Without it, volunteers will not be allowed on the project.
#FinestVolunteersInTheWorld:
1. Read reviews of past UBELONG Volunteers and see why UBELONG is trusted by thousands every year.
2. Browse our Volunteer Abroad news section to meet UBELONG Volunteers, the finest international volunteers in the world.
3. Like UBELONG on Facebook and connect with past, current and future UBELONG Volunteers.
Reflection time for these UBELONGers and their local colleagues!
Living
Housing
Food
Vietnam features one of the most diverse and tasty cuisines in the world, and you can expect to eat simply but well during your placement. Every day, you receive breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cooks prepare a wide-range of Vietnamese dishes exclusively for the volunteers.
Breakfast: It typically includes coffee or tea with bread, noodles, eggs or jam. Depending on your work schedule, you eat breakfast alone or with other volunteers.
Lunch: Lunch typically includes a soup or salad with a main dish featuring local staples like vegetables, rice, noodles or tofu with chicken, beef, fish or pork. Depending on your work schedule, you eat with other volunteers or at your project.
Dinner: Dinner is similar to lunch, and volunteers typically come together to eat at the volunteer house. Dinner is a fun time to share stories, socialize and relax.
Florianne, a volunteer from France, about to have dinner in Hanoi.
Free Time
Hanoi offers fascinating complexity and depth. Modern districts sit next to neighborhoods that have changed little in hundreds of years, and the city’s traditional Vietnamese feel is sprinkled with Western influences from French colonial times. To get acquainted with the capital, volunteers can stroll through the Old Quarter and its maze of busy streets filled with jewelry makers and silk traders. They can also sit at one of the many outdoor food stalls to enjoy Vietnamese noodle soup and observe the colorful street life. There is an abundance of bars, cafes, dance clubs and restaurants serving everything from delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes to succulent French cuisine. Set alongside the picturesque Red River and gifted with countless tree-lined lakes, Hanoi also offers many natural areas perfect for getting away from the urban bustle.
A group of UBELONGers from Hong Kong hanging out in Ha Long Bay.
Cost
Volunteering abroad with UBELONG is extremely affordable. Plus, when you consider that UBELONG Volunteers receive extensive support and the trust of joining an organization based in the United States with top reviews, you realize the unmatchable value UBELONG offers. It’s one of the main reasons thousands have already decided to join a UBELONG volunteer trip.
| Volunteer Placement | Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 week | $235 |
| 2 weeks | $345 |
| 3 weeks | $455 |
| 4 weeks | $555 |
| 5 weeks | $665 |
| 6 weeks | $765 |
| 7 weeks | $885 |
| 8 weeks | $995 |
| 12 weeks | $1435 |
| 16 weeks | $1820 |
| 20 weeks | $2255 |
| 24 weeks | $2705 |
In addition to the program fee, there is a US$295 reservation fee due upon your being accepted into a project.
Additionally, please note:
- For volunteers in the construction and infrastructure project, you must bring to the field US$15 in cash for every week of your placement. The money will go towards purchasing materials, for example brooms, paints and paint brushes.
- To learn more about when fees are due, see our how to apply section.
- To see our cancelation and refund policy, see our terms and conditions.
- To hear from Volunteer Abroad alumni, read their reviews, see their interviews in the Volunteer Abroad news section, or connect with them on the UBELONG Facebook page.
Before your trip
Easy online application: You can apply online using our Volunteer Abroad application form. We use the application to get to know you and make sure that you join a volunteer project that is right for you based on your background, interests, and skills.
Preparation Booklet: The booklet offers you a wealth of information and helpful tips to prepare you for your volunteer trip with UBELONG. Topics range from health, safety and visa issues to the development challenges that your host community faces.
UBELONG Mentor: We pair you with a UBELONG Mentor, a highly experienced member of our team who works closely with you throughout your UBELONG Volunteer Abroad experience. From coordinating details like airport pickup and housing preferences to preparing you for your role as an international volunteer, your mentor is there for you.
Briefing Meeting: Prior to your departure, you have a meeting with your UBELONG Mentor. You go over staying safe during your volunteer placement, as well as tips for getting the most out of your Volunteer Abroad experience. The meetings generally occur over the phone or Skype, but if you are in the same location as your UBELONG Mentor they can occur in person.
UBELONG Shop 25% discount: The UBELONG Shop is a clothing store selling shirts, bracelets and other items that are inspired by travel. It’s another way for us to advance our social mission. A part of the Shop’s profits go to where UBELONGers serve, for example the hospitals, schools, environmental reserves, etc.
When you are accepted into a UBELONG program, you receive a 25% promo code for the UBELONG Shop. You can share it with your friends and family. The donations from purchases made with your promo code go to the projects in the location where you are travelling.
During your trip
Airport pickup: When you arrive at the Hanoi airport, a driver meets you and brings you to your accommodations.
First week extra R&R day: On the Sunday prior to your first Monday, which is the start of your placement, your housing and food is included so that you can comfortably settle in. You can arrive earlier, just note the US$15 per night extra charge.
Orientation: Our Local Team Leader gives you a volunteer orientation to introduce you to the local team and go over everything from living locally to the volunteer work that you will be doing. The orientation is generally split between your first Monday and Tuesday.
Housing: You live in a comfortable volunteer house. To learn more, click the “living” tab above.
Food: You receive breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. To learn more, click the “living” tab above.
United States and Europe based support: UBELONG is an American organization with headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. We also have a European office in Lisbon, Portugal. As such, you have the peace of mind that comes from having the support of a volunteer organization with an American and European presence.
In-country support: Throughout your Volunteer Abroad placement, we work with our Local Team Leader to provide you with any assistance that you may need. Whether you have a question about where to travel on the weekend or have an issue that requires immediate assistance, the local team is there for you.
After your trip
Reference letter (including for graduate degree and job references): Upon request, we provide you with a letter stating that you joined our Volunteer Abroad program. As the UBELONG network extends widely into the university and professional worlds, participating in a UBELONG Volunteer Abroad program can be a strong positive in a university or job application. See some of the institutions in the UBELONG network.
Fundraising and networking: We hold fundraising and networking events throughout the year to support development initiatives. Join us online, in the United States or wherever in the world we are holding an event. To keep up with events, see the UBELONG Facebook page.
United States President’s Volunteer Service Award: If you are a U.S. citizen and shared your story in our Volunteer Abroad blog, you are eligible for the award, which we have been certified to give as a U.S. based international volunteering organization committed to the highest standards.
Airfare, airport drop-off, travel medical insurance, and visas are not included.
We also require that every person 18 years of age or older obtain a police background check to volunteer with UBELONG – this is part of our commitment to volunteer safety and community safety. The price you pay depends on what location you are in because every country/city has a different price. However, in general, the cost of a police background check ranges from US$40 to US$150 per person.
Additionally, miscellaneous spending like snacks and toiletries is not included. You may also have to take transportation to reach your volunteer project and you are responsible for the fare. Most volunteers budget US$5 to US$10 for each day of their placement for additional expenses in the field.
Please note: We require that you have travel medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, throughout your volunteer placement with UBELONG. We do not include it because there are many different plans available and you know best what is right for you. Before your departure we will ask you for general information about your policy, but it is your sole responsibility to determine its adequacy and any associated details like coverage levels and deductibles.
You can pay us via PayPal (which includes credit and debit card), bank wire, United States Postal Service money order, or certified bank check. We do not accept cash or personal checks. To learn about when fees are due, see our how to apply section.
FAQ
Application
Applying is easy, simply follow the steps we lay out in our How To Apply section.
If you still have questions after doing so, please contact us, we are glad to help.
Our accepting you into a Volunteer Abroad project is based on three things:
- Availability: We receive many more applications than we have spots for. As such, there may be projects where we simply don’t have a need for volunteers anymore. This is why you should apply as soon as possible. However, you should only apply when you know the exact location, project, and dates of your placement, and when you’re completely sure you’ll join if accepted.
- Your background, experience and skills: Make sure to check the description of each project carefully. You can find all the project descriptions for this location in the “project” tab above.
- The UBELONG Mindset: UBELONG Volunteers have the well-deserved reputation of being the best of the best. So, we expect that you will approach your UBELONG experience eager to contribute, and with a caring, humble, proactive and respectful attitude. We just want good people with the right attitude.
Yes, as long as your dates meet the “minimum time commitment” and “project schedule” requirements we have for the project you want to join. You can see these requirements by clicking on the “project” tab above and looking at the description for your project.
Additionally, considering how affordable and popular UBELONG opportunities are, we sometimes run out of spots. So, while you should only apply when you are completely sure you will join if accepted, the earlier you can apply the better your chances of being accepted. Until you have submitted an application, we will not be able to tell you if certain dates have been filled or not – you must apply first.
For additional information, visit our how to apply section and see our application.
Yes. We believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
Yes. Many of our Volunteer Abroad projects are designed to offer highly-skilled professionals the opportunity to contribute their expertise while growing professionally and personally.
We were founded by international development professionals and university professors determined to raise the bar in international volunteering. Empowering even the most senior development professionals to volunteer overseas is a key part of our mission.
While we are based in the United States, we offer programs for people of all nationalities. Most of our volunteers come from North America, Europe, and Australia, yet every year we welcome into the UBELONG community thousands of individuals from all corners of the world. As long as you have a willingness to discover the world and volunteer abroad, you’re welcome to join one of our Volunteer Abroad projects.
You should apply as soon as possible as we receive a very high volume of applications for a limited number of spots. However, you should only apply when you know the exact location, project, and dates of your placement, and when you’re completely sure you’ll join if accepted.
Most individuals apply three to six months before their start date, although some apply even earlier and some with as little as a week before. Again, the earlier you apply the better, but only do so when you’re completely ready to commit if accepted.
As of the date you submit your application, you must be at least 18 years old. There is no maximum age requirement. Whether you are a student or have recently retired, or whether you are a young professional or a middle-aged housewife, we probably have a Volunteer Abroad project that is right for you.
Please note: In certain cases, we will allow people under 18 years old to become UBELONG Volunteers. To learn more, see the two FAQs right below this one.
Yes, we have many wonderful families with children volunteer on our projects. It is a great way for families to come together, and we have found that children coming in as volunteers can very positively impact the local communities.
For families with everybody 13 years or older, all our volunteer projects are open to you.
For families with children younger than 13 years old, due to project qualification requirements, logistical challenges and safety precautions, in certain of our locations we cannot have children under 13 years old join. To know the list of volunteer projects that are open to families with children under 13 years old, please contact us.
If you are under 18 years old, you can still volunteer with UBELONG either with your family or with a high school group. Contact us for more information about each option.
Groups
Yes. All groups, including couples, families and friends, can join any of our Volunteer Abroad projects and volunteer together. Every year we have thousands of individuals become UBELONG volunteers as part of corporate, university and religious groups. We can have groups of up to 500 people.
The application procedure for groups is easy and very similar as the one for individuals. You can review the entire process in our How To Apply section, and for your convenience here is an overview:
1. Each group member submits his or her own application online with these points in mind:
- Everybody in the group should apply within the same 24 hours so we can review all the applications together.
- In part 1 of the application there is a field where each person types a common group name. The group makes up its own name, past examples:
- For a couple: “Jane and John”
- For friends: “Peter, Trent and Mike”
- For large groups: “Cornell University summer 2015 team” or “Jake’s winter 2018 team from the University of Michigan”
- If you want to house together or volunteer on the same project, please let us know in your application. We will do everything we can to accommodate you; generally it is not a problem as long as you let us know in your application.
2. Once we receive all the applications, we will review them together. Assuming you are all accepted, we will pair the group with a UBELONG Mentor, a highly experienced member of our team who works closely with you throughout your UBELONG experience to support you. From coordinating details like airport pickup and housing preferences to preparing you for your role as an international volunteer, your mentor is there for you.
As always, if you have any further question please contact us, we are glad to help.
Yes, we have accepted many alternative breaks teams into our Volunteer Abroad program and had great success.
We have had teams from over 100 institutions from throughout the world, including:
- Cornell University
- University of Michigan
- University of Wisconsin
- University of California, San Diego
- Rice University
- McGill University
- Oxford University
- La Sorbonne
- College of Charleston
- University of Indiana
- New Mexico State University
- University of Melbourne
- Dartmouth College
- Columbia University
- Southern Methodist University
- University of South Dakota
- New York University
The teams volunteered throughout the world on our projects across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Some have gone for a week during spring break, while others went for longer periods. Moreover, as we have over 150 projects, depending on their backgrounds teams have joined projects ranging from teaching English and conservation to healthcare and microfinance.
We encourage you to connect with past teams by visiting our Volunteer Abroad News section as well as the UBELONG Facebook page.
Yes, we work with many high school groups from all over the world.
Visit our high school groups page to learn more about high school groups volunteering abroad with UBELONG.
Mindset
We believe everybody has something to offer by volunteering abroad – this is why our Volunteer Abroad program is rooted in affordability and flexibility.
At the same time, volunteering abroad is not easy. Expect challenges. There is no typical day or script to follow, and in the developing world conditions can change quickly. You must be flexible and ready for anything. Some days will be frustrating and not what you expected.
However, the challenge of international volunteering is also what makes it so special. You will push yourself and step out of your comfort zone. You may develop relationships you would never have ever imagined. Or, in making an impact on those around you, find yourself growing immensely. And when it is all said and done, you may realize you gained even more from volunteering abroad than what you put in.
Volunteers are not tourists. Volunteers expect to serve, tourists expect to be served. As a volunteer your role is to fit in your project and not the other way around. Think what you can do for your hosting community, not what it can do for you. We expect you to contribute wherever the need arises, even if it means being involved in an area you were not expecting to work in.
You must be open, flexible and proactive. That is the challenge, but also the beauty of becoming a UBELONG Volunteer – you will be out of your comfort zone, but don’t be surprised if in making an impact you yourself have the experience of a lifetime.
Finally, while tourism companies offer overpriced “voluntourism” opportunities, we believe that’s unfortunate. Volunteerism and tourism have nothing to do with one another. They require very different attitudes, and attempting to combine them creates disappointment for the volunteer and generates no positive impact for the local community. And, while tourism companies may speak of the “volunteer travel industry”, authentic volunteering has nothing to do with an industry. For UBELONG Volunteers, volunteering is about people coming together for positive change – there is nothing industrial about it.
As long as you take your volunteering seriously and approach your experience with an open and proactive mindset, absolutely.
Your impact will be specific to you – every person experiences life differently. And while you will not “save the world”, as a UBELONG Volunteer you will be part of a large and wonderful community of individuals who, together, are making a significant positive global impact.
There are three general areas where you can expect to make an impact:
- Project: You bring energy, experience and skills to share with the local community. Whether you are helping plant trees or sharing medical skills on a health project, you are making your mark.
- Cross-cultural sharing: When people come across borders to live and work together, it’s powerful. It breaks down barriers and dispels stereotypes. Whether you are connecting with a local or another UBELONG Volunteer from a different country, those relationships you create matter.
- Yourself: In travelling and volunteering, you will probably change for the better. You will pick up new skills, have new experiences and make new friends. How each of us grows is deeply personal to who we are, but be ready to change in ways you may never have imagined.
One of the best ways to learn about the impact of UBELONG Volunteers is to meet them. Do so by reading their interviews in the Volunteer Abroad news section and meeting them on the UBELONG Facebook page.
Community
Yes. While certain times of the year are busier than others, there are generally 5 to 20 UBELONG volunteers in any location at any point in time. You’ll be meeting plenty of other volunteers during your UBELONG experience. A great place to meet them beforehand is our Facebook page – you should like our page and connect with the other people hanging out there.
We encourage you to connect with others in the rapidly growing UBELONG community. It is a great way for you to hear firsthand about what it’s like to be a UBELONG Volunteer.
There are thousands of UBELONG Volunteers around the world, so getting in touch is easy. You have three principle ways:
1. We frequently publish interviews with alumni in our Volunteer Abroad news section.
2. Many people connect with each other via our rapidly growing UBELONG Facebook page. We suggest scrolling through the timeline and seeing the many pictures, videos, and testimonials posted there. If you have a comment or question, do not be shy, start a conversation.
3. Read some of our volunteer abroad reviews.
Health and Safety
Hanoi is the cultural and political center of Vietnam. While proudly clinging to its heritage and traditions, the city, one of the oldest in Asia, today exudes a bold forward looking confidence. Hanoi is one of the fastest growing urban centers in the region.
However, behind the pretty colonial buildings and impressive growth of the industrial and service sectors, the capital faces many challenges. The wage gap is widening as most of the poorest remain unskilled and without access to more secure employment in the formal sector. Access to credit is also extremely limited for the poor and economic pressures compel many poor families to pull their children from school at an early age.
The urban districts of Hanoi face further challenges in absorbing the influx of migrants from the surrounding rural districts. There are numerous poor neighborhoods throughout the city where even the most basic necessities like decent housing and running water are lacking. Click on the “projects” tab above for more information on the volunteer work.
Hanoi is a large and busy capital city. Like any foreign traveler to a big city, you must take precautions, including being careful with public transportation and staying clear of certain areas. There’s also lots of motorbikes in Hanoi – we strongly suggest you never ride them, and we advice that you are careful crossing streets as drivers can be reckless.
Overall though, Hanoi has a small town feel, especially compared to Ho Chi Minh City, which is even more busy. As long as you use good judgement, we believe you will find the atmosphere to be very hospitable and friendly.
Once you become a UBELONG Volunteer, we will provide you with extensive materials and support to help make sure you stay safe and comfortable.
As international travel and volunteering carry inherent risks, we cannot guarantee your safety. However, your safety is our top priority and we work hard to minimize the risks. We design our programs so that you are surrounded by five layers of protection:
1. Comprehensive program set up
All our programs are personally inspected by a member of our team who goes through an extensive field checklist. We evaluate the local staff, inspect the living facilities, ride the public transportation, speak to former and current participants, taste the food, visit the work sites, and walk the neighborhoods, among many other activities. The program set-up process is long and thorough, but we consider it the most important part of our work. Our philosophy is to only offer placements where we would feel comfortable sending our own families.
2. Your preparation
When you sign up for a Volunteer Abroad project we send you a Preparation Booklet. The booklet offers a wealth of information and helpful tips to help you prepare for your experience. Topics range from health, safety and visa issues to the challenges in your hosting community.
We also pair you with a UBELONG Mentor, a highly experienced member of our team who works closely with you throughout your UBELONG experience. From coordinating details like airport pickup and housing preferences to preparing you for your role as an international volunteer, your mentor is there for you.
Additionally, prior to your departure you have a Briefing Meeting with your UBELONG Mentor. You go over staying safe during your Volunteer Abroad placement, as well as tips for getting the most out of your experience. The meetings generally occur over the phone or Skype, but if you are in the same location as your UBELONG Mentor they can occur in person.
3. Local partners
We have built and continuously manage a network of local partners, including community organizations, NGOs, private citizens and schools. They are well positioned to look after your day-to-day safety and comfort. They have extensive local contacts, understand how things work on the ground, and implement appropriate safety measures.
4. Continual program monitoring
We are proactive in identifying and dealing with issues that may affect your safety. We monitor local conditions where programs are located and continuously communicate with our local partners to determine if any safety steps need to be taken. Our team also spends many months on the road every year supervising placements and checking the safety of our programs.
5. Communication with you
Throughout your Volunteer Abroad experience, we work with our local partners to provide you with any assistance that you may need. Whether you have a question about where to travel on the weekend or have an issue that requires immediate assistance, staff is reachable 24/7.
While the projects in Hanoi do not require sustained physical work, working and living in the capital requires energy and strength. Additionally, the weather can be very hot and humid. You should be in excellent physical health.
Prior to arriving in Vietnam, we suggest that you visit your physician or a travel health clinic to ensure that you are in good enough health for your placement and to obtain any immunizations that you require.
If you are coming from a country that is considered to have a risk of yellow fever then you must present an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) to show proof of yellow fever immunization. Most of the countries requiring yellow fever immunization are in Africa and South America, although regardless of where you are coming from you should consult your country’s Vietnamese embassy for the latest information.
Additionally, you should see your physician or a travel health clinic prior to arriving in Vietnam as most doctors recommend at least a few precautionary vaccinations before arriving, including:
-Routine immunizations for polio, measles/mumps/rubella, etc.
-Hepatitis A
-Hepatitis B
-Japanese encephalitis
-Rabies
-Tetanus
-Typhoid
-Yellow fever
The risk of malaria in Hanoi is low. However, if you plan to travel throughout Vietnam after your placement, you should consult a medical professional as there are high malaria risk areas in the country.
Yes. For all our Volunteer Abroad projects we require that you have travel medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, throughout your experience.
We do not include it because there are many different plans available and you know best what is right for you. Before your departure we will ask you for general information about your policy, but it is your sole responsibility to determine its adequacy and any associated details like coverage levels and deductibles.
Travel Logistics
Obtaining a visa to volunteer in Hanoi, Vietnam can take time. As such, please apply with at least 6 weeks before your start date. If you cannot, while you can take the risk of applying with less time, we suggest considering our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam volunteer projects, where obtaining a visa to volunteer is much easier and quicker.
Once you apply and your spot with UBELONG is confirmed, we will walk you through the visa application process. In the meantime, one step you can take right away is making sure you have a passport and that it is good for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam.
Most volunteers arrive by plane at Hanoi’s international airport. As the airport mostly serves destinations in Asia, volunteers coming from non-Asian countries usually have a layover in Ho Chi Minh City or a country like Singapore, South Korea or Thailand.
We recommend that you arrive the Sunday before your first Monday. During your first week, housing and food is included on the Sunday before so you can comfortably settle in.
A driver will be waiting for you at the airport to welcome you and bring you to your accommodations.
Yes, you’re welcome to volunteer in multiple of our locations back to back. Just remember that travelling between locations takes a lot of energy and time. You also need time to settle in and get up the learning curve in each location.
So, while you can do back to back placements, we suggest you think it through to make sure you’re not cutting yourself short. Generally, we advise against volunteering in multiple locations back to back if you’re spending less than two weeks in any particular location.
Project
Your orientation generally happens during your first two days and is led by our Local Team Leader. During the orientation you go over your project scheduling and receive further information about your work. You also meet other volunteers and staff, receive a crash language course in basic Vietnamese and take a tour of the city.
Yes. The majority of the local team speaks English.
There are no formal lessons for you to take in Hanoi. However, during your orientation you receive a crash course in basic Vietnamese, and our Local Team Leader can arrange for you to meet a local Vietnamese student so that you can partake in a language interchange.
It depends on the availability of positions and the participation requirements of the project you wish to join. Additionally, remember that it takes time to settle in, get up the learning curve and find your role within a project. As such, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, we expect you to stay in your original project for at least two weeks before requesting a switch.
Yes, but we ask that you limit any financial or material donation to your project to US$20 for every month you spend in the field. We do not want to encourage a culture of dependency whereby volunteers are viewed as a source of money.
Additionally, as an international development organization, we believe the culture of handouts that has been perpetuated by “voluntourism” organizations with no real commitment to making a genuine local impact is unfortunate. Handouts stifle local innovation, self-reliance, and long-term sustainability.
In general, all of the projects run Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday are off, as well as local holidays. Your days off are free, so it’s entirely up to you what to do.
As for the number of hours a day you will spend at your project, every project is different. For every project description under the “project” tab above we offer an approximation of what you can expect.
Finally, remember that in accepting you as a UBELONG Volunteer we expect you to be understanding that local needs are always changing. You may find yourself volunteering either more or less days and hours than you expected, and you must be adaptable and flexible.
As it says in each project description under the “projects” tab above, we require a police background check from every UBELONG Volunteer. Once you apply and are accepted into a project your UBELONG Mentor will ask you for it.
In terms of obtaining one, every country, state and city is different. For example, getting a background check in Washington, DC, where UBELONG was founded, is different than getting one in a neighboring city like Boston or New York. Similarly, countries like Australia and Canada all have their own unique processes.
In general though, it is a relatively easy process that simply requires you to walk into your local police station and ask for one. For volunteers living in the United States we also have a couple helpful tips that we offer you in your Preparation Booklet once you become a UBELONG Volunteer.
Living
In most cases yes and, considering the difficulty of meeting dietary restrictions in the countries UBELONG Volunteers serve in, we believe we do an excellent job. For example, restrictions related to dairy, eggs, gluten, poultry, meat, nuts and shellfish are generally not a problem.
With that said, there are limitations because of the different resources available in the field. For example, if your allergy is very severe, we cannot guarantee cooking environments that are completely free of a particular type of food product, for example peanuts or seafood. Remember, you are travelling to an environment that may not be built to cater to your requirements.
So, if you have a dietary restriction, simply let us know in your application and, if we cannot meet it, we will let you know. You can also contact us before you submit your application and ask us about your particular needs.
Yes. We encourage you to discover different places, experience new cultures, and meet other people. These are fundamental parts of the UBELONG Volunteer Abroad experience, and you should take advantage of your free time in the field.
Hanoi has a humid subtropical climate. The winter months run from November to March with temperatures ranging from 60°F (16°C) to 80°F (27°C). The winter months tend to be drier and the coldest month is typically January. The summer months run from April to October with temperatures ranging from 77°F (25°C) to 91°F (33°C). The warmest months are usually June and July. The city receives approximately 66 inches of precipitation a year, most of it during the summer months.
No. The UBELONG experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the housing that we have set up. Additionally, for safety reasons all volunteers must live in vetted housing. As such, for you to become a UBELONG Volunteer you must live in our accommodations.
Network Opportunities
The United States President’s Volunteer Service Award was created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the contributions of American volunteers and encourage others to serve. There are various award levels, depending on the number of hours served.
UBELONG has been certified to give the award to UBELONG Volunteers. UBELONG successfully passed the selection process as a U.S. based international volunteering organization committed to the highest standards.
The award can be bestowed to U.S. citizens, and we award it to UBELONG Volunteers who, upon returning home, share their stories in our Volunteer Abroad news section.
Washington, DC is the most important international volunteering center in the world. Our network is strong and we have unparalleled resources at our fingertips. Most notably, the city is home to influential development organizations, government agencies, embassies, think-tanks and universities. We tap heavily into these networks to help us design safe, affordable, and high-quality programs.
Cost
You are not “paying to volunteer.” Among other services, you are paying for your pre-departure preparation with a UBELONG Mentor, project supervision, housing and meals. Additionally, your fee goes towards the extensive structure we put in place to support you. Offering safe, comfortable and meaningful volunteering experiences in developing countries takes an enormous amount of resources. It does not “just happen.” From large details to ones you will never notice but that are still crucial, we make sure that you can focus on discovering new places and making a difference instead of worrying about logistics.
Additionally, in many cases it is significantly cheaper to join a UBELONG Volunteer Abroad project than traveling alone and trying to plan logistics like airport pickup, housing and meals on your own. Not even counting UBELONG services like pre-departure preparation, project supervision and volunteer flight discounts, it is very difficult to travel on your own and have what we charge you give you the same comfort, security, and support that UBELONG volunteers receive.
UBELONG has revolutionized how people volunteer abroad. A fundamental part of our mission is to offer the highest quality experiences at the lowest possible cost. We are able to do so for two principal reasons:
1. There are very few organizations offering one week to six month international volunteering opportunities. As a result, even those claiming to be nonprofit get away charging exorbitantly high prices. Strong demand and low supply means elevated prices.
We believe that a new approach is needed. We are a social venture, which means we aim to advance our social mission in a sustainable manner instead of widening our profit margins. Moreover, being led by former international volunteers with extensive academic, international development and management experience, we can keep our overhead costs low while focusing on the quality of our programs. We do much more with much less.
2. The resources we have as a US-based organization are unmatchable. We have access to embassies, governmental organizations, NGOs and universities that allow us to build the highest quality programs in the most cost-effective manner. Additionally, considering that the majority of international volunteers come from North America and Europe, our being an American company led by North Americans and Europeans lets us reach volunteers very easily. Instead of spending resources on marketing we can focus on building our programs and supporting our volunteers.
To learn more, we encourage you to read a post by UBELONG Founder Cedric Hodgeman, in which he talks about the affordability of the UBELONG Volunteer Abroad program.
