Volunteer in Vietnam: Support communities in Ho Chi Minh

I decided to do this as part of my sabbatical from work. I had neither travelled solo nor done volunteering overseas before but this experience taught me that it is something that I am capable of doing. The experience that I had working with the locals was invaluable and gave me great insight into their lives. The children that I worked with were also very enjoyable and brought me much laughter. Administratively, the IVHQ staff that I dealt with were a great support; they were very detailed and responsive to my queries during the enquiry and preparation stages. Instructions were clear and they had a good system going. This is certainly something that I would consider doing again (if I can get time away from work).

The volunteering trip was super rewarding as I was able to meet some amazing people from around the world and share the experience with working with the local team who were all so helpful and kind. Everything from the process of booking the trip as well as the actual organisation when arriving in Vietnam was so easy and quick, as well as the accommodation being super clean and tidy. Everything was well planned plus allowed us to have time to explore the city for ourselves with the help of the team giving us advice on places to visit and the best ways to travel to places. The placement options were diverse, and having done the food outreach it was well established for volunteers to work and interact with the locals. I would definitely recommend IVHQ as it truly gave a very rewarding and memorable experience.

Volunteering in Vietnam has been an incredible experience. Vietnamese people are joyful, kind and welcoming and Vietnam is a wonderful country. The food and the accommodation were very good. I met such amazing people and even if I was there only for a few weeks I felt I've known them for years. The medical program gave me the chance to see for myself how different the Vietnamese health system is from my country's, and I think this knowledge and experience will help me in my future career.

I absolutely loved working with IVHQ and the leaders of my program throughout my 3 weeks in Vietnam. The program directors and our mentors were so helpful and really made the experience unforgettable. They were amazing teachers, role models, and friends during the entire journey and I am so thankful for them because the trip would not have been the same without them.

When I met Bao, I almost cried. It’s hard not to give in to tears when you see him. He is born blind with cerebral palsy. Both his mental and physical disabilities prevent him from doing everything you can basically think of, including talking. He cannot walk, eat, drink or move independently. But what his disabilities don’t stop him from doing is being happy. Happy despite the obscure and lonely world he lives in. Happy despite being deprived sight and normal cerebral activity. He smiles when you help him walk. He smiles when you feed him. He smiles when you play the tambourine. But when you hold him, caress his head and sing to him, he smiles back at you with his eyes half closed. He smiles and the world stops. He doesn’t speak, he doesn’t move but you know he feels secure and at peace in your arms, as if he could stay there forever, as if he can almost see you - I am thankful for this amazing experience. For the one of a kind people I met, the unique food I tasted (even if it made me almost throw up at times) and the heat that makes you appreciate you have a water bottle and air. I went to Vietnam wanting to give something back but I left with my arms full. Thank you @ivhq