Trip Details

Volunteer English Teaching in a College in Vietnam

How about teaching with a neat twist! On our Volunteer English Teaching programme, set in a College in Vietnam, you will help students your own age learn English – and you will learn about them, their culture, and their way of life! Native and advanced level speakers will help students improve vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation, all within a college setting – where you will also be living at the college where you are teaching! This programme is a great chance to improve your teaching skills, as you explore all that Vietnam has to offer!

Help Vietnamese Students get a Head Start with English Skills!

On this programme, you will mostly be teaching nursing and business students who are between 19-25 years old. Predominantly, you will be playing the important role of a mentor inside the Bach Viet College (Nursing and Business Administration being the main majors of this school). Each class runs a total of 2 hours and will be led by a head participant mentor (although everyone will get a chance to lead the lesson!). As well as being driven, you will also have to be organised, as you will be expected to prepare a teaching plan and deliver your lessons over the course of your stay. However, you will have the full support of local staff to help you get the best from your teaching skills, so you won’t be teaching in isolation!

Learn about Vietnam and immerse yourself in Vietnam Life!

Vietnam has many stark contrasts; from skyscrapers in bustling never-sleeping cities to quiet rural living amidst paddy fields and lush vegetation. Whether you are looking to chill and enjoy the fascinating culture of the Vietnamese people – or want to live it up a little as you teach in this lively city, you’ll find everything you’re looking for here! From amusement parks and water puppet shows, to ancient ruins, temples and pagodas, Vietnam offers many exciting places to explore as you plan weekend adventures with new friends on your Volunteer English Teaching programme in Vietnam!

Why Volunteer English Teaching in a College in Vietnam?

  • Offer education in the tourism and leisure industry for Vietnamese students
  • Improve your teaching skills with peers – a rare opportunity!
  • Make new friends as you stay in our College accommodation
  • Enjoy Vietnam’s city life or head further afield for a rural experience
  • Discover Vietnamese food with meals and beverages included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

You will usually arrive on the Sunday, and you will have plenty of time to relax and settle into your accommodation, as well as meeting your room buddies for the week!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week as a volunteer here in Vietnam, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize yourself with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Orientation Day Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Vietnamese Do’s and Don’ts, Vietnamese Culture Lessons and Vietnamese Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Activities with local students and more

Monday to Friday

Your schedule will be set out on your first day here, but it will involve teaching English to business and tourism students, planning lessons and perhaps also getting involved with extra-curricular activities in an informal capacity. Use your creative flair and really get your teeth stuck into finding ways to engage your peer audience, with your own ideas and fun activities!

Evenings and Weekends

At the end of your Volunteer English Teaching programme in this Vietnam college, you can choose to explore the area or simply relax with new friends back at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures together!

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Activities and Events

Football is arranged for volunteers every Wednesday together with the local coordinators.

Places to Visit

Here are some interesting places to visit in your free time:

Backpacker street

Bui Vien Street is the main street, it is called ‘backpackers area’ of Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find a wide variety of inexpensive restaurants, here, as well as bars, souvenir shops and hotels/hostels.

Landmark 81

Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam, Southeast Asia and is well worth the view!

Bitexco tower

There is an observation deck, Saigon Skydeck, open to the public daily and offering 360˚ panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. From floors 50 to 52, there’s further entertainment, including a fine dining restaurant and bar/nightclub.

Suoi Tien Amusement Park

Suối Tiên Amusement Park is a great place to visit in Hồ Chí Minh City. The park includes several entertainment areas – something to suit everyone!

Trip Accommodation

During your time as a volunteer in Vietnam, you’ll be staying in Ho Chi Minh, commonly known as Saigon, which is located in the southeastern region of Vietnam and is the country’s largest city.

About the Accommodation

Your accommodation is located on a campus in a college dorm with each room sleeping 4-6 people, in single-gender accommodation. This is a great way to make friends and get to know fellow volunteers, but you will have to follow campus rules, such as the 11.30pm curfew!

If you need a little peace and quiet, we have a room reserved as an ‘office’ where you can spend some time, catch up with family online or read some of the books and magazines we have available. The following are available at our accommodation:

  • Wifi in public areas
  • Safety box
  • Lockable rooms
  • Hot showers
  • Private bathroom
  • Air conditioning

Nearby, there is also a great local cafe, with fresh juices, snacks and other treats!

Food Arrangements

Basic Vietnamese meals are provided on campus and generally include lots of noodles, soups, rice, chicken and beef. Vegetarians can be catered for, but do let us know prior to your stay. Western foods are also available, such as sandwiches, spaghetti and bread for those who might be a little picky! Lastly, please note that on weekends, we serve brunch instead of breakfast and lunch.

Facilities

You can easily catch a taxi from the main road just outside of the campus, and can easily get to your chosen destinations. Further, you’ll find several ATMs nearby, around 10 minutes’ walk from the campus. All other essentials can be easily found – we are, after all, in the country’s capital!

Trip Country Info

Vietnam

Population: Approx.92 million
Capital: Hanoi
Language: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
Time zone: UTC +7

Vietnam is currently the world’s 13th most populous country and occupies 331,211 square kilometers. Today, although scarred by its past, Vietnam is a fast-growing economy helped by tourism that its interesting history and beautiful sights draw in.

One frequent thing to hear is that it has not yet been subjected to the western influence that Thailand and, to an extent, Cambodia have been. The Vietnamese still tend to prefer their traditional cuisine to the fast food chains that seem to be taking over the world.

Aside from the beautiful countryside of the north, rice fields and beaches, Vietnam is a country that is very much on the move. Roads are being upgraded, new hotels are opening everywhere and its cities are fastly developing.

If you are planning to work & travel in Vietnam there are a number of fulfilling opportunities available from volunteering with children to Hospital Out reach projects. As an experienced gap year travel company we have helped many people enjoy the delights of Vietnam during their gap year so if you are looking for an adventure in South East Asia you should add Vietnam to your shortlist. Few countries in the world can offer such a diverse range of culture, history, natural wonders and excitement.

Vietnam offers ravishing coastlines, emerald-green mountains and dynamic cities. The breathtaking National Parks continue to yield new species and are teaming with exotic wildlife. With outstanding cultural interest and one of the world’s best cuisines, Vietnam has it all. If you are looking for a Volunteer experience in Vietnam have a look at our latest experiences below.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
DBS, Police Background Check
Travel Insurance

Additional Requirements

You are more than welcome to bring teaching materials

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa