Step 3 - When we receive your application we will notify you immediately to confirm. Please give us 1-3 weeks to process your application and match you with an appropriate placement Once the project has been agreed upon you will be sent notification of preliminary acceptance and a copy of the pre-departure booklet.
Step 4 - Once you receive your project from VFCD you should begin preparing all your travel arrangements. You will need to obtain all necessary documents (passport, visa etc) and meet immunization requirements
Step 5 - Finalize all travel arrangements and clarify any questions you may have.
Step 6 - Arrive in Hanoi. Our staff will pick you from the airport/train station and take you to our volunteer house for an introduction session.
Step 7 - Start the project and have fun!
When do projects take place? How long are the projects?
Our projects run at various times throughout the year, some are ongoing projects. Please consult the project descriptions for times and durations of specific programs. If you would like to check program availability outside a planned schedule please contact our office to discuss.
We offer both short term (2 to 4 weeks) and long term (longer than 1 month) Volunteer Programs.
What is the minimum, can you choose to leave when you wish?
Volunteers are required to get involved for at least 2 weeks. This helps to minimize the strain on our resources caused by arrivals and departures
Are volunteers able to work on multiple projects ?
Yes it is possible to register for more than 1 project. We encourage volunteers to take part in a number of projects if their schedule permits. This will depend on the length of your stay and the VFCD working schedule.
Where will I live during my project?
Volunteers live in shared accommodation either in the VFCD volunteer house, conservation stations or with local families during regional projects.
What Visa do I need ? Can you help me get a Visa?
You only need a tourist visa to take part in volunteering programs in Vietnam. For more information about the Visa application process you should contact the Vietnamese Embassy in your country.
If you require further documentation, we can send you an Invitation Letter indicating you will be volunteering for VFCD.
Do I get a certificate when I join one your projects?
Once you finish your work on a VFCD project you will receive a certificate indicating this.
Why pay to volunteer?
The concept of paying to take part in International Volunteering programs is very common throughout many developing countries. We hope that as someone interested in volunteering you understand that constructing any project requires significant resources from VFCD. An example of costs associated with projects includes the following: accommodation, food, transportation, local support staff, administration, marketing and learning programs. Volunteer fees also contribute to the costs of the projects you will take part in.
Volunteerism is indeed about selfless service, about giving your time and energy to help those in need. With this in mind, our priority is to also ensure that you have a fulfilling experience during your time in Vietnam. VFCD is offering a real life constructive program, which will have great benefits for you as well as for our community.
How is your money used?
Money received from volunteers contributes to three main areas:
1. Administrative and organizational costs. (30%) 2. Accommodation and meals for volunteers. (30%) 3. Project costs towards our community development and conservation projects. (40%)
VFCD will send a financial report to each volunteer upon project completion.
Will VFCD pay for any of my costs eg. air ticket, insurance, visa?
Volunteers are responsible for covering all costs associated with their travel to and from Hanoi, along with medical, insurance and other incidental costs.
What cultural activities will VFCD arrange for me to take part in?
VFCD provides:
Cross-cultural orientation (social behaviors: dos & don'ts)
Local Orientation and tour of Hanoi
Homestays with local families
Cultural orientation tour of significant Hanoi landmarks
Cultural activities
Weekend trips to rural areas (project research)
Our local volunteers will encourage you to take part in their regular social activities wherever possible
What if I get sick? Do I need medical insurance on the trip?
VFCD has access to a full time doctor on call. The physical health of our volunteers is a top priority. Being sick, even with a common stomach virus, can dampen a trip for anyone. VFCD will have basic medicines, and cover basic health related issues.
We strongly advise volunteers to purchase travel insurance to cover a serious injury or medical emergency.
What if I am not happy with my project?
After the initial application process has been completed, VFCD will liaise with you prior to your arrival to ensure your expectations are similar to ours. We try to individually tailor each of our volunteer experiences, so often you may be presented with several options to choose from as projects are refined.
There is some flexibility built into all of our programs, and in return we ask our volunteers to be flexible and patient as well. Processes in Vietnam may work very differently to your home country.
We consider each of our volunteers to be a partner and friend and VFCD will work very hard with you to solve any project or adjustment issues.
What if I want to extend my trip?
We are very happy to discuss extending your stay with us and can offer extensions of up to one year. VFCD staff will help a volunteer to extend their visa and assist with developing long-term projects to ensure they stay busy.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please think carefully before you apply and do not cancel unless it is an emergency situation. It places a major strain on our resources to change project arrangements once confirmed.
We will contact you to reconfirm your arrival details 2 weeks before your arrival date.
Will anyone speak English?
In most parts of Vietnam, English use is becoming more and more common. We encourage our volunteers to speak to interested locals as much as possible as they often have few opportunities to practice conversational English with native speakers.
International volunteers will always have the support and guidance of Vietnamese volunteers who can act as translators whenever necessary.
What are my working hours each day?
Traditional Vietnamese working hours are 6 days a week, up to 8 - 10 hours per day. Working hours for volunteers will vary greatly with different projects, however there will usually be a morning session and an afternoon session, with a midday lunch/rest break. We expect volunteers to be flexible and some days will be longer or shorter than others. Working times may vary also according to the weather and time of year.
Will I have free time?
Yes. VFCD aims at providing structure and enrichment for a volunteer experience and building free time into the schedule is an important part of that. Having free time allows a volunteer to reflect, explore the surroundings, email/write post cards, or simply rest.
Can I travel outside the project area?
VFCD will provide local guidance and assistance for volunteers wishing to explore the surroundings during their free time; however, it is important that volunteers participate as much as possible in the programs. Once the program is completed, a volunteer has the ability to travel to other parts of Vietnam and to stay as long as granted in their Vietnamese visa. However, VFCD is not in a position to serve as a travel agency to accommodate longer term interests.
Is it safe to work in Vietnam?
Yes. One of the more surprising aspects of volunteering in Vietnam should be the sense of safety one feels while in Vietnam. Vietnam is a very safe and stable democratic nation. Compared with many developing nations, Vietnam has a relatively low crime rate. Crime is a fact in every country across the globe; however, VFCD works very hard to ensure a safe working environment. VFCD is very much in touch with current affairs, foreign Embassies,and seeks the best possible volunteer experience.
How do Volunteers apply for volunteering with VFCD?
Step 1 - Choose a project from the latest project list on our website.
Step 3 - When we receive your application we will notify you immediately to confirm. Please give us 1-3 weeks to process your application and match you with an appropriate placement Once the project has been agreed upon you will be sent notification of preliminary acceptance and a copy of the pre-departure booklet.
Step 4 - Once you receive your project from VFCD you should begin preparing all your travel arrangements. You will need to obtain all necessary documents (passport, visa etc) and meet immunization requirements
Step 5 - Finalize all travel arrangements and clarify any questions you may have.
Step 6 - Arrive in Hanoi. Our staff will pick you from the airport/train station and take you to our volunteer house for an introduction session.
Step 7 - Start the project and have fun!
When do projects take place? How long are the projects?
Our projects run at various times throughout the year, some are ongoing projects. Please consult the project descriptions for times and durations of specific programs. If you would like to check program availability outside a planned schedule please contact our office to discuss.
We offer both short term (2 to 4 weeks) and long term (longer than 1 month) Volunteer Programs.
What is the minimum, can you choose to leave when you wish?
Volunteers are required to get involved for at least 2 weeks. This helps to minimize the strain on our resources caused by arrivals and departures
I am interested in two different projects, are volunteers able to work on multiple projects ?
Yes it is possible to register for more than 1 project. We encourage volunteers to take part in a number of projects if their schedule permits. This will depend on the length of your stay and the VFCD working schedule.
Where will I live during my project?
Volunteers live in shared accommodation either in the VFCD volunteer house, conservation stations or with local families during regional projects.
What Visa do I need? Can you help me get a Visa?
You only need a tourist visa to take part in volunteering programs in Vietnam. For more information about the Visa application process you should contact the Vietnamese Embassy in your country.
If you require further documentation, we can send you an Invitation Letter indicating you will be volunteering for VFCD.
Do I get a certificate when I join one your projects?
Once you finish your work on a VFCD project you will receive a certificate indicating this.
Why pay to volunteer?
The concept of paying to take part in International Volunteering programs is very common throughout many developing countries. We hope that as someone interested in volunteering you understand that constructing any project requires significant resources from VFCD. An example of costs associated with projects includes the following: accommodation, food, transportation, local support staff, administration, marketing and learning programs. Volunteer fees also contribute to the costs of the projects you will take part in.
Volunteerism is indeed about selfless service, about giving your time and energy to help those in need. With this in mind, our priority is to also ensure that you have a fulfilling experience during your time in Vietnam. VFCD is offering a real life constructive program, which will have great benefits for you as well as for our community.
How is your money used?
Money received from volunteers contributes to three main areas:
1. Administrative and organizational costs. (30%) 2. Accommodation and meals for volunteers. (30%) 3. Project costs towards our community development and conservation projects. (40%)
VFCD will send a financial report to each volunteer upon project completion.
Will VFCD pay for any of my costs eg. air ticket, insurance, visa?
Volunteers are responsible for covering all costs associated with their travel to and from Hanoi, along with medical, insurance and other incidental costs.
What cultural activities will VFCD arrange for me to take part in?
VFCD provides:
Cross-cultural orientation (social behaviors: dos & don'ts)
Local Orientation and tour of Hanoi
Homestays with local families
Cultural orientation tour of significant Hanoi landmarks
Cultural activities
Weekend trips to rural areas (project research)
Our local volunteers will encourage you to take part in their regular social activities wherever possible
What if I get sick? Do I need medical insurance on the trip?
VFCD has access to a full time doctor on call. The physical health of our volunteers is a top priority. Being sick, even with a common stomach virus, can dampen a trip for anyone. VFCD will have basic medicines, and cover basic health related issues.
We strongly advise volunteers to purchase travel insurance to cover a serious injury or medical emergency.
What if I am not happy with my project?
After the initial application process has been completed, VFCD will liaise with you prior to your arrival to ensure your expectations are similar to ours. We try to individually tailor each of our volunteer experiences, so often you may be presented with several options to choose from as projects are refined.
There is some flexibility built into all of our programs, and in return we ask our volunteers to be flexible and patient as well. Processes in Vietnam may work very differently to your home country.
We consider each of our volunteers to be a partner and friend and VFCD will work very hard with you to solve any project or adjustment issues.
What if I want to extend my trip?
We are very happy to discuss extending your stay with us and can offer extensions of up to one year. VFCD staff will help a volunteer to extend their visa and assist with developing long-term projects to ensure they stay busy.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please think carefully before you apply and do not cancel unless it is an emergency situation. It places a major strain on our resources to change project arrangements once confirmed.
We will contact you to reconfirm your arrival details 2 weeks before your arrival date.
Will anyone speak English?
In most parts of Vietnam, English use is becoming more and more common. We encourage our volunteers to speak to interested locals as much as possible as they often have few opportunities to practice conversational English with native speakers.
International volunteers will always have the support and guidance of Vietnamese volunteers who can act as translators whenever necessary.
What are my working hours each day?
Traditional Vietnamese working hours are 6 days a week, up to 8 - 10 hours per day. Working hours for volunteers will vary greatly with different projects, however there will usually be a morning session and an afternoon session, with a midday lunch/rest break. We expect volunteers to be flexible and some days will be longer or shorter than others. Working times may vary also according to the weather and time of year.
Will I have free time?
Yes. VFCD aims at providing structure and enrichment for a volunteer experience and building free time into the schedule is an important part of that. Having free time allows a volunteer to reflect, explore the surroundings, email/write post cards, or simply rest.
Can I travel outside the project area?
VFCD will provide local guidance and assistance for volunteers wishing to explore the surroundings during their free time; however, it is important that volunteers participate as much as possible in the programs. Once the program is completed, a volunteer has the ability to travel to other parts of Vietnam and to stay as long as granted in their Vietnamese visa. However, VFCD is not in a position to serve as a travel agency to accommodate longer term interests.
Is it safe to work in Vietnam?
Yes. One of the more surprising aspects of volunteering in Vietnam should be the sense of safety one feels while in Vietnam. Vietnam is a very safe and stable democratic nation. Compared with many developing nations, Vietnam has a relatively low crime rate. Crime is a fact in every country across the globe; however, VFCD works very hard to ensure a safe working environment. VFCD is very much in touch with current affairs, foreign Embassies,and seeks the best possible volunteer experience.
