You’ll gain International Development work experience in Vietnam at a local NGO. Your role there will depend on your level of experience. Here are some of the activities you could get involved in:
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Take part in workshops and campaigns to raise awareness and remove stigma
Various workshops and campaigns are held in local communities to help raise awareness and remove stigmas. You will be involved in the planning, structuring, and running of these workshops and campaigns.
These workshops and campaigns aim to make locals aware of issues such as:
We also provide counselling.
Campaigns take place at central points in the city and aim to reach as many people as possible, in order to get important messages across to the public. You will be expected to hand out flyers and brochures, and to engage with the public on current issues.
Conduct research on various social issues
Some of your time on this placement will be spent at the Projects Abroad office, organising and analysing the data you have collected in the field. You will also conduct research on the various challenges faced by local communities, which you will compile into reports.
You will also be expected to help with the writing of proposals for funds and projects, as well as proofing and editing project proposals and reports written by others.
Teach English to staff and local communities
You may need to assist with teaching English to local staff, so that they are able to better communicate with NGOs and Projects Abroad. Local staff often act as an important middle ground between local communities and NGOs.
You will be expected to plan structured lessons, and to cover areas such as grammar, pronunciation, and conversation.
Help with marketing and admin
Besides conducting research, you may also be involved in various marketing activities. These could include:
Your day will begin early, with breakfast with your host family or fellow interns at your shared accommodation. You will then take public transport to the Projects Abroad offices, where you will be told what you will be doing for the day.
On your first day on the project, you will be shown the easiest way to get to our offices. You will also be introduced to the staff who will be able to support and guide you throughout your internship.
Your working hours will generally be from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. You will have evenings and weekends off, unless you need to be available to help with a specific project after hours.
You will spend some of your time at the offices, conducting research and planning workshops, and some of your time out in the field doing outreach work.
Throughout this placement, you are expected to be punctual, professional, and hard-working.
Vietnam offers a mix of bustling cities and picturesque countrysides. With so many different activities and tourist sites, you’re bound to find plenty of ways to spend your free time.
For a glimpse into the country’s history, you can spend an afternoon exploring the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the National Museum of Vietnamese History. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is also a major historic site, located in Hanoi.
If you’re looking to buy some souvenirs, there are many markets with locally made products on sale. Evenings in Hanoi are filled with excitement and bright, colourful lights. You can watch street performers and then head to a nearby restaurant for a taste of local cuisine.
The countryside, with its emerald rice paddies stretching to the horizon, provides the perfect escape from the busy capital.
We run many different projects in Vietnam, so there will likely be other volunteers in-country with you. This makes travelling as a group easy to arrange. However, you’re welcome to explore independently if you prefer.
Accommodation
Food (three meals a day)
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Full induction and orientation by an experienced staff member on arrival
Transport to and from your work placement
In-country support and 24-hour back-up from our team of full-time local staff
Emergency assistance from our international emergency response team
Project equipment and materials, including access to our database with thousands of resources
A supervisor/mentor at your work placement
Training and workshops from our experienced local staff
Regular social events and community activities with other volunteers and interns
Access to our local office with internet connection
Certification of project completion
A cultural awareness course
Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch
You’ll arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN. A Projects Abroad driver will welcome you at the main arrivals area. They’ll be wearing a Projects Abroad t-shirt and have ID with them.
After arriving at the airport, our driver will take you to your accommodation. This is about a 40 minute journey from the airport to just outside Hanoi’s city centre. Our Projects Abroad office is located near to the center of Hanoi, and is about 45 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. We cover the cost of all transfers to and from the airport.
When you get to your accommodation, another Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting for you. If you arrive in the evening, a staff member will contact you on your arrival to ensure that your transfer to your accommodation happened smoothly.
Even if you are volunteering in a rural area outside of Hanoi, like Thuy An, you will follow the same arrival procedures as volunteers staying in Hanoi. You’ll travel to your project location the day after your induction in Hanoi.
You'll stay with a host family in Hanoi. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Vietnam and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
We also have shared accommodation where you can stay with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
International Development Internship
Live in Hanoi and work with local NGOs to support vulnerable communities
$354/week
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