Project Overview
Overview
Want to build your muscles as well as friendships?
The source of Vietnam’s lush beauty is also a cause of real problems for the local population. The monsoon rains that paint the island a deep green also wreak havoc on the poorly constructed houses – and that’s where you come in! You’ll be working with one of our partner projects south of Ho Chi Minh City re-housing as many families as possible, all supervised by trained professionals (just to make sure they stay standing!). You’ll spend your time near the famous Mekong Delta which is well worth a visit and a roll or two of film from your camera, just make sure you leave enough for the jungles, mountains and rice paddies that litter the landscapes as well as all the friends you’ll make from the local communities.
Trip Highlights:
- Getting a great workout whilst building and making a positive and tangible difference to peoples lives
- Learning about life in the Mekong Delta - the heart of southern Vietnam
- Food! Vietnamese cuisine is some of the world's tastiest
Itinerary & Details
This project is organised and run by local organisations and is focused on trying to reduce the levels of poverty in the Tien Gang province. The area is very close to the Mekong Delta; a famous tourist attraction in Vietnam and well worth a visit in your free time. This project aims to re-house as many families as possible who are in need of a new home. Alongside the building project there is always the need to help locals improve their English speaking skills by speaking with native speakers.
The organisation running this project has set themselves very high targets for alleviating poverty in the Tien Gang province and need as many helping-hands as possible to assist them. By working on this project you will genuinely be helping the poor people of Vietnam whilst seeing the immediate results of your efforts. If the families targeted by the initiative are not re-housed, their homes and their lives will remain at risk to the elements.
You do not need building experience but you should have a reasonable level of fitness for this project. Working conditions will be hot and resources are basic. This means that activities that could be fairly easy at home are much more difficult on location. You should have a genuine willingness to help in any activity requested and able to handle sometimes repetitive activities. Please note that this can be quite strenuous work and you will also be getting immersed in the local community, learning a bit of Vietnamese along the way.
You will be assisting in the building of new houses for the people of the Tien Gang province. This will include: transporting of raw material to the construction area, making cement and helping with all elements of the construction process alongside a professional site coordinator. There will also be an element of Teaching English to the local community; especially the children of the local Secondary schools.
Located approximately 70km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Gang is a large province in the Mekong with My Tho as the main city. Once a home has been completed, which normally takes about 4 weeks, it is usual that another home will be started in a different commune. Accommodation will be in a local hotel, meals are not included and you will need to budget accordingly for food. (approximately US$50 per week). Please note that locations of the building project will be varied and can be urban as well as rural.
Minimum numbers may apply, please call us for more information.
Once the project has been confirmed please arrange for your flights to arrive into Ho Chi Minh airport (code SGN) on the stipulated start date. Please note that we can normally arrange for an airport pick up at an additional fee if you are arriving early, please contact the office to arrange.
Stories
Thomas Paschos gives this project 10/10
Here is what Thomas had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The people are amazing and the best bit of the trip is knowing that I am helping them by working on the project. Things are great!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It's great to know that I'm helping with the project. Knowing that I'm making a difference has made this the best experience of my life. I definitely want to come back!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It has been the best experience of my life!
Adam Henretty gives this project 10/10
Here is what Adam had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Meeting the local people and teaching English to people who wanted to learn.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The way everything is reused makes you think about all the things you waste and take for granted.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Try to learn some of the language or find a translater.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Getting to know some of the kindest people in MyTho.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
if we got to finish the second house.
Ralph Petts gives this project 10/10
Here is what Ralph had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The friendliness of the local people was wonderful, they were genuinely pleased to see us, being in the Mekong Delta meant that they hadn't met many Westerners and some seemed surprised to see us, all children were prompted by their parents to say hello. The Local builder I was assigned to (Dung) spoke no English - I (Obviously) spoke no Vietnamese, we got on amazingly well - he really is a craftsman and filled me with confidence - I almost thought I was a builder myself!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
At one time during the time I was there I felt that I was involved in a propaganda exercise, but seeing the look on the face of "No" (the lady we were re-housing) when we passed the house over to her made me feel very proud that I'd been there, I also felt welcomed by the "committee" in the town and although they expected a great deal (English classes in the evenings as well as working during the day) I gave as much as I could.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Volunteer for thw outlying areas (I was in the Mekong Delta) they much more appreciative of your help.
2. Say "Xin Ciao" to the adults and "Hello" to all the kids - they love it, try to speak the lingo as much as possible.
3. Try the local food - I ate Snails (!) and Eels.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I feel proud to have been involved.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
The "Guest house" could be improved by adding some furniture, there was one chair in the whole building, the communal areas had a TV and a double bed to sit on, I felt that I was very lucky to be there with Michele (she was lovely and a brilliant teacher) alone as if there had been more staying it would have made it very difficult.
Jayne McCallister gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jayne had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The great feeling of helping others from a less privileged background than me, coupled with just how appreciate the local community were of our efforts to make a difference.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Meeting the local people and finding out how friendly, welcoming and contented they were
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Throw yourself totally into the project
Expect the best, plan for the worst and be prepared to be surprised
Savour every moment
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An experience I will always cherish
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
It would have been a better experience if I had spent a few more weeks there
Gavin New gives this project 10/10
Here is what Gavin had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The interaction with the local people and the relationships that were established.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
There certainly was. Before we left we were contemplating moving to a bigger house in order to raise a family. We have now put any thoughts of moving on hold for some time until we feel it is absolutely necessary as what we currently have is palacial compared to the people of Vietnam.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Be prepared for hard work.
Adhere to all the pre-travel advice.
Enjoy the experience!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
The smiles on the local people's faces said it all - they were so grateful which made it all worthwhile.
Sajidah Norat gives this project 10/10
Here is what Sajidah had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The project itself was fantastic. The people I met and the support of the local community was incredible.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Interacting with the local community and the countless number of children that would congregate around us as we worked made me realise how lucky I am in life. The children I met have nothing in life compared to what I have grown up with and yet they are very happy and very content. - Incredible
Also the way the builders would use every available resource to get the job done was an eye-opener. There is no such thing as Can't! Everything was made possible using the simplest of materials and techniques.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. The clothes used for working will without doubt have to end of in the trash can - be prepared!
2. Be open minded - it's more then just a building project.
3. Physically difficult but mentally rewarding. Be prepared to be constantly covered in sweat!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Hard work but very satisfying.
Ronan Sweeney gives this project 10/10
Here is what Ronan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The building project itself, Henry our coordinator and Vietnam in general
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The poverty of the region had a big affect on me, the huge effort made by the local people to accomadate us also changed my perception of the world.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Learn the language, travel with an open mind, get the most out of everything you do
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Unbelievable experience that everyone should enjoy
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
If I learned a little more of the language but that would just be for personal benefit, overall it was excellent
Adam Strickland gives this project 10/10
Here is what Adam had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
- Bob "the Buiilder" - he was fantastic!!
- The whole building experience!
- The friends we met along the way
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
It showed how privileged we are in Australia.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A challenging yet, life changing experience!
Wendy Jepsen gives this project 10/10
Here is what Wendy had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Working with the vietnamese builder 'Bob" was fantastic. The families around the area all embraced us warmly, and the whole experience was wonderful.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Although the experience we had was absolutely wonderful, I do have some thought to share about certain aspects of the building. Because the lady that we were building for had an illness that left her unable to help, and unable to contribute financially, the house was going to be finished to a lesser standard than if she was contributing. (No concrete floor and no rendered/plastered walls or painting) I understand that there is a budget to stick to, but I believe that all houses built by i to i need to be built to the same standard as the surrounding houses. Perhaps it would take a little longer, and less houses would be ultimately built, but I think it is wrong to make her house look obviously like the poorest cousin in the area. This was specially relevant in this case as her previous house was also built by i to i only a few years ago and was falling down around her. I guess it is the old motto - 'If it is worth doing, then it is worth doing properly', or it could begin to reflect poorly on the company. Don't get me wrong - we had a wonderful experience, but I think that these are things to consider.
Laurence Howie gives this project 10/10
Here is what Laurence had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Bob the Builder! He made the experience so much funner with his lack of english vocabulary and constant cheerfulness.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Meeting the local people and finding out how friendly they all are and how much they will offer you too help you during your stay.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Even if you are doing the building project teach at the learning center in the evenings, i met lots of locals there and they showed me around the city personally.
make friends with all the volunteers because you will be spending a lot of time together
have fun!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
I loved it!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Nah it was all tip top
david hicks gives this project 10/10
Here is what david had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Nicola Spain gives this project 10/10
Here is what Nicola had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Being able to see the progress at the end of each day - you can really see that you are doing something that is making a difference.
The evening school english lessons in My Tho - some of the students were so enthusiastic.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1) Expect a long wait in the arrivals section of the airport. You will need to go to the landing visa desk with your visa letter and you will need a passport photo for the landing visa.
2) Take clothes that you don't mind getting knackered by the building work, but also take other clothes for the evenings and weekends. Plus take walking type boots for the building work.
3) Make sure you visit the Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh. If you can go to North Vietnam and visit Ha Long Bay for a couple of days too.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Eye-opening and just the beginning - it makes you want to do so much more.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
1) More information about what to do at the airport on arrival in Vietnam, i.e. about the landing visa etc.
2) More infomation about what sort of clothes to take.
3) More opportunities to do the evening school english teaching in My Tho.
anna batchelor gives this project 10/10
Here is what anna had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
meeting lots of amazing people from across the world, and feeling like we made a real difference.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
the minimum stay is 2 weeks but the house will not be finished by then so if you want to complete a house it will take longer
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
one of the best tings i have ever done, i will def be doing it again
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
2 weeks was not long enough to finish a project which was dissapointing not seeing the final thing. and lots of people worked bits on each one, it would have been better the ones doing 3 months have the chance to begin and finish a project.
Laura Davies gives this project 10/10
Here is what Laura had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
There were no particular highlights of the trip as every moment of every day was incredible. Saying that the people I met, both volunteers and the in-country staff especially the builder Bob and In country co-ordinator Jimmy are people I will never forget and now I am back home, truly miss
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Dont pack a full suitcase - you'll buy so much stuff when you are there
Make the most of every moment - it goes so quickly
Try and travel round the country with other volunteers at weekends - you'll get so much more out of it
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
words can't describe how amazing/worthwhile it was
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
If it could havee gone on forever
Elin Parry gives this project 10/10
Here is what Elin had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Meeting the locals and getting to know them.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
absolutely amazing
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
nothing :)
Sonya Wilson gives this project 10/10
Here is what Sonya had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
THe highlight of the trip was actually being in amongst the locals and feeling welcomed. This part of the experience made it feel that you were valued in what you had to offer. In the building project physically being able to see the progress that you were making was a nice experience as well.
The extra ability to volunteer in the evenings at the language centre was a great bonuses as it was a nice way to meet some of the younger local people who then had the ability to show you around their home town.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
To really be involved live, work and play like a local.
Adam Parish gives this project 9/10
Here is what Adam had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The highlight for me was the local people. Everyone was so friendly and couldn't do enough. Our builder in partiular was very friendly and a pleasure to work with.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The friendlyness of the locals changed the way I think about Vietnam. I had been told that Vietnamese people could be quite hostile towards Western people, but we found the exact opposite.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1) The more effort you put in (talking to locals, exploring), the more you get out.
2) Embrace everything, things are very different to what you are used to, but this is part of the experience.
3) Try to learn some of the local language, the locals really appreciate this!
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A fantastic experience that I will never forget.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
The UK team was absolutely fantastic, in particularly Anja Torikka was a great help. She helped sort out our last minute Visa brilliantly.
We found the in-country support not so good. We were picked up from the airport and left in some accomodation in the main city (we were expecting to go to Mekong). Nothing was explained to us for the first 24 hours, which made things very difficult. We had to ask alot of questions to find out what was going on. As soon as we left to go to Mekong on the Sunday, everything improved. The support team were very helpfull and I was impressed by the willingness of one of them (Mr Hui) to get involved with the project itself.
So to sum-up, I felt the initial arrival support needs improvement.
Matthew Knights gives this project 9/10
Here is what Matthew had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Seeing the different culture of vietnam an seeing Halong bay in the north, also getting to know jimmy, henry and bob who were great people
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
- You cant buy suncream out there so get plenty before u go.
- Seeing halong bay in the noth is a must
-Try all the different foods some of them are amazing
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Opened my eyes to a whole new different culture
Angela Marsh gives this project 8/10
Here is what Angela had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
The food. The cheap lifestyle. The family I worked with.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
I have an immense appreciation for the home I live in and the luxuries I can have.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
Budget for daily travel.
Dont rely on i-to-i to provide internet at the accommodation even if it states there will be in the orientation guide.
Be prepared for inefficiencies in the work process.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
Worthwhile.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Better communication from the in-country team. Accurate information in the orientation booklet. A microwave, stove, some sort of cooking contraption in the guesthouse.
Lucy Runciman gives this project 8/10
Here is what Lucy had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Working in a rural location and getting to see how the local people live in the Mekong Delta.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Don't go with too many expectations, just go with the flow.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
A bit more information about the town (My Tho) we were staying in - perhaps a map on the wall that volunteers can add to, showing things such as good places to eat, bank opening hours etc etc.
Jonathan Stocken gives this project 8/10
Here is what Jonathan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
Max Friedman gives this project 8/10
Here is what Max had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
meeting new people, traveling an amazingly different country, building a complete house and seeing the family move into it
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Realizing (in a big way, in Saigon especially) how other people live in the world, and how they live with fewer resources, opportunities and material comforts
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Keep in mind Vietnam's weather when you book this trip; it is really, really, really hot all the time. This can be draining at times.
2. Don't expect the same degree of material comforts in Vietnam; the country is poor and most people only have the essentials.
3. Try and meet locals wherever you go; Vietnamese people are surprisingly friendly.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A real eye-opener to life in another world.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
-english speaker at airport pickup
-more focused orientation in My Tho--didn't really get a great tour of sites in the city, restaurants, etc.
-map of My Tho with marked sites
jonathan khan gives this project 8/10
Here is what jonathan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
meeting the incountry support team who became very good friends
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
dont bother buying supllies in western countries eg. mosquito net as it is easy to buy in vietnam and alot cheaper
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
cheaper price for project as a whole
Aoife Doran gives this project 8/10
Here is what Aoife had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
How cute all the children were and how friendly everyone was.
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
1. Loads of insect spray
2. Ensure you have English speaking person to work with you in the orphanage
3. Have fun
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
" A total eye-opener. Makes me appreciate everything I have"
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
If there was an English speaking person working at orphanage it would have made it less difficult to communicate with everyone.
Mhairi Rodrigues gives this project 7/10
Here is what Mhairi had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip?
- The people I met and worked with
- My bricklaying skills!
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
- It reinforced what I have already experienced
Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?
- Take the opportunities to travel with your fellow workers at weekends
- Take a pillowcase (makes you feel at home)
- Get involved and keep an open mind
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
As I expected - hard work and great fun!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
- Language training focus changed to be on really learning a few useful words rather than trying to learn loads and therefore nothing sticks (I did not need all the colours! but please, thank you, bill please would have been more useful)
- I think the transport at the end of your project back to the city should be included in the price
