The program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Vietnam prior to your volunteer program, you will need to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation on the day before your program orientation.
There are two options for orientation in Vietnam. The first option is a one-day orientation that begins on your selected start date, which all volunteers will attend. This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Vietnam, including an introduction to the Vietnam program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the local projects, go on a walking tour of the local area, and arrange your sim card. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
The second option is an Introduction Week, hosted by our Vietnam team in Ho Chi Minh. The Introduction Week begins on your selected start date and runs for the first five days, then your volunteer program will commence the following week. This option is very popular among IVHQ volunteers and we recommend everyone take advantage of Introduction Week in Vietnam, as you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese culture, a true appreciation of local life and have extra time to bond with your fellow volunteers. Plus, it’s a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in Vietnam. Introduction Week does incur an additional US$25 surcharge to cover the additional costs.
As part of Introduction Week, you can also add-on the opportunity to explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels for an additional US$20.
If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week and Cu Chi Tunnel visit, you can indicate this on your application form when you apply for the program or you can let your Program Manager know once you have been accepted into the program.
The Introduction Week schedule is outlined below:
Monday: Start off with an introduction to the Vietnam program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, learn about the local projects, go on a walking tour of the local area, and arrange your sim card. |
Tuesday: Start the morning off visiting some famous places in Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Reunification Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Spend the afternoon dining in District One, followed by a visit to the War Remnant Museum and last stop at the famous Ben Thanh Markets |
Wednesday: Spend your morning learning the art of Vietnamese cuisine at a cooking class. Your afternoon consists of bracelet making, followed by a visit to the Can Cu markets which are near to the volunteer accommodation |
Thursday: You will begin your introduction to your volunteer placement and receive the placement-specific orientation, unless you have chosen to add-on the Cu Chi Tunnels excursion, where you’ll spend the day visiting the most famous historical site in the city - the Cu Chi Tunnels. Here you will experience and learn about the North Vietnamese soldiers lives during the Vietnam War |
Friday: You will have the opportunity to spend time volunteering on your placement to help your prepare for the upcoming week volunteering at your project, while the volunteers that chose the Cu Chi Tunnel add-on will meet to discuss their upcoming volunteer placements and receive the placement-specific orientation. |
Please note, this schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the project, local and weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.