Volunteering abroad combines two important things that many strive to experience in their life: leaving one’s comfort zone for an exotic setting to experience adventure and helping those less fortunate than oneself. Vietnam is blessed with exceptional natural wonders in excess and is on the rise economically as well as being a desirable and unforgettable tourist destination. Those recent developments have, however, only benefited a small percentage of the country’s population and the majority of people outside the developed urban areas still live in relative poverty. Volunteering in Vietnam may be the perfect way to combine the exploration of the country’s fascinating culture with playing a key role in the development of the country’s infrastructure and making a significant contribution to expanding the educational opportunities for the youth of this fascinating country.

Why Vietnam

Vietnam has something for everybody: adventure, great food, beaches and nightlife. In some parts of the country, it is as if the clock stopped and you are going back to an earlier era of grand colonial houses and lively cultural festivals. The history of Vietnam is fascinating yet turbulent. The Buddhist influences of the society are deep rooted and contribute greatly to the overwhelming culture of hospitality and to the friendliness of the people. The cuisine is both delicious and healthy; affordable street food can be found on every corner to tease the palate of the unsuspecting traveller. Another plus is the weather, which is hot and sunny most of the year.

What Difference You Can Make

Volunteering is a noble act that can benefit the local community greatly. Amongst the top infrastructural needs that Vietnam faces is education. Teaching English in Vietnam can be a great way to provide the local community with employment opportunities they would not have otherwise had. As English becomes an increasingly important language in the region due to its status as the official language of ASEAN, learning the language becomes a key tool that will allow for greater social mobility.

What to Expect

You can expect to be challenged, develop skills, and find talents in yourself you never knew you had. Interacting with the local community as well as with your fellow volunteers will give you friends for life from all parts of the world. You can also expect to gain a greater sense of cultural understanding and acceptance, which will result in an ability to be more adaptable. Lastly, you can expect to feel very rewarded when you see the positive change you make in people’s lives first hand, often within a short period of time. Friendships are often made for a lifetime and there is no greater satisfaction than following the growth and progress of one’s former students across the years.

Taking the first step to volunteer can often be confusing. Here at Trellis we want to make it as easy as possible for you and are here to assist you every step of the way. To get more information on how you can volunteer to teach English in Vietnam, check out our volunteer program.