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Perfect 4.65rating (17)

Working at a Local Food Shop

location
3 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture while doing something meaningful
  • Assist in preparing and serving affordable meals for 300–500 people daily
  • Work closely with local volunteers and NGO staff

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture while doing something meaningful
  • Assist in preparing and serving affordable meals for 300–500 people daily
  • Work closely with local volunteers and NGO staff
  • Gain valuable experience in food prep, service, and kitchen support
  • Help distribute meals to local hospitals during Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Work in a local NGO preparing and serving food to those in need. It's a flexible placement, tailored according to your interests and abilities.

    The Smile Food Shop is a small, community-run kitchen with a big mission — to provide healthy, affordable meals to people in need across Ho Chi Minh City. Since opening its doors in 2012, the shop has become a daily lifeline for hundreds of locals, offering nutritious food for just 2,000 VND ...

    About the program

    The Smile Food Shop is a small, community-run kitchen with a big mission — to provide healthy, affordable meals to people in need across Ho Chi Minh City. Since opening its doors in 2012, the shop has become a daily lifeline for hundreds of locals, offering nutritious food for just 2,000 VND (about 10 cents).

    Each day, the shop serves between 300 and 500 people, including elderly residents, students, children, people with disabilities, and low-income workers. The meals are simple but hearty, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

    As a volunteer, you’ll play an important role in supporting this effort. While cooking is handled by trained staff for safety reasons, your help with food preparation, serving, and keeping the kitchen clean ensures that operations run smoothly.

    This is a hands-on role where your contributions are immediately visible and appreciated. You’ll be working side by side with local volunteers and NGO staff, becoming part of a team that’s making a real difference in the community.

    During the Tet Holiday, when the Smile Food Shop closes, volunteers continue the work by helping prepare meals at the accommodation and delivering them to nearby hospitals — ensuring no one goes hungry during this important time of year.



    Typical day

    As a volunteer, your main responsibilities will include helping prepare ingredients, serving meals, and ensuring that the kitchen and eating areas are clean and safe. You won’t be doing any actual cooking, but your support is vital to keeping things running efficiently.

    You might spend the morning ...

    Typical day

    As a volunteer, your main responsibilities will include helping prepare ingredients, serving meals, and ensuring that the kitchen and eating areas are clean and safe. You won’t be doing any actual cooking, but your support is vital to keeping things running efficiently.

    You might spend the morning chopping vegetables, organizing ingredients, or assisting with plating meals. Once the food is ready, you’ll help serve customers and ensure they receive their meals with a smile. After service, you’ll help tidy up and get things ready for the next day.

    It’s a fast-paced environment, but the team is friendly, and there’s always a sense of purpose and teamwork.


    Free-time activities

    The highlight of any trip to Vietnam is to learn about their recent history, and experience life as a Vietcon in the Cu Chi tunnels. There are also plenty of beaches and culture to soak in.

    Free-time activities

    The highlight of any trip to Vietnam is to learn about their recent history, and experience life as a Vietcon in the Cu Chi tunnels. There are also plenty of beaches and culture to soak in.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Required Documents

    Necessary vaccinations; Necessary flight & visas; Full travel & medical insurance.

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Passion and enthusiasm to get to know the country, lots of energy and creativity, and not scared to get your hands dirty!

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • food
    • accommodation
    • airport pickup from Siem Reap
    • orientation
    • in-country support
    • project activities.

    Airport Pickup at Tan Son Nhat International Airport

    Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by a project representative and taken to the project HQ. 

    You need to arrive on the Sunday before your Monday start date to be picked up from the airport. If you need to arrive earlier or later, additional fees will apply. Check with us before booking any flights.

    Accommodation

    During your placement you will stay in rooms specifically reserved for project participants in an on-campus college dorm. There are single-gender rooms that you will share with 8 to 16 people as well as showers and western-style toilets. In the common areas, such as the terrace overlooking the city or the “office” room with books and magazines, you can enjoy some quiet time. You can also hang out in the café on the same floor where you can buy smoothies and sodas, play pool or just sit at a desk or table. If you are feeling creative, you can paint, make crafts, play the piano or the guitar. An on-site pool and gym are also available on campus. Private rooms are available for an additional £100 per week.

    The dorms have wifi; however, its quality depends on the weather conditions.

    You can find anything that you need In the city and there are many ATMs and taxis around campus.

    Arrival is on a Sunday and departure/check-out is on Saturday before 12:00 pm during the last week of your program.


    Food & Beverages

    Three meals per day are served in the on-campus restaurant and you can enjoy mainly typical Vietnamese food as well as some Western dishes.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Vietnam. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Vietnam provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Vietnam you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Vietnam. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Project is on-going, and you can join at any time, depending upon availability. Placements start each Monday
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    3 weeks (min. stay) 1,463€
    4 weeks 1,951€
    8 weeks 3,901€
    24 weeks (max. stay) 11,703€
    Average fees 488€/week

    Program fees

    488€ per week 3 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    3 - 24 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.7
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

    Volunteer photos

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City

    Meet your project coordinator

    Jeremy
    17
    reviews
    4.65
    Perfect
    2009
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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