The projects we offer can be undertaken on either a short or long term basis and focus on traditional education, environment education and community development. There are numerous projects for volunteers at VFCD both in urban and rural areas. Urban based volunteers have the option to travel to rural areas on the weekends to promote cultural exchange and live with local people. We also have tailor-made internship programs to suit the volunteer’s interests and skills.

LONG TERM PROGRAM

01.Conservation

A wide range of environmental projects are available to support this goal and they include: forest restoration by incorporating analog forestry methods into farms; sustainable collection of native forest seeds from community seed sources; sustainable collection of seeds and other products for the development of handicrafts; setting up a fair trade market and to sell products produced by local farms; assisting scientists and students with current conservation research projects; and maintenance work. There are also opportunities to initiate your own project.

Morever the aim of this wildlife refuge provides a fabulous location for school groups and independent researchers. An extensive trail system, a large protected bay and pristine beaches, and high densities of many groups of terrestrial and marine animals makes this an ideal setting for high school, college, and graduate students to conduct their class or thesis researchhis project is to promote sustainable management of natural resources among local community members through conservation efforts.

VFCD has carried out communication activities about environment. Our program is known as mutually social interaction, in which people participating together exchange knowledge about environmental issues and responsibility.

The program consists of:

• Interaction among individuals or small groups
• Workshop
• Public media
• Exhibitions
• Environmental Clubs
• Restoration of Environment

02.Community Development

02.01. Program Assistant

Work with a mentor or supervisor in an office-based position in education, health, food relief, refugees, human rights, and women's or environmental issues. This is an entry level position which offers the volunteer an opportunity to gain basic skills and general knowledge of development.

02.02. Researcher

Be a social science or natural science research assistant. Opportunities exist with nonprofit organizations, research institutes or with professors at local universities. Computer skills and strong writing ability are essential. Statistics and/or another relevant degree is helpful.

02.03. Improving Business Capacity For Vulnerable Groups

VFCD is also trying to support those are in very vulnerable conditions, both in Hanoi and in the rural areas where the organization work in, in order to make them develop micro and small business for instance through fair market and fair trade networking that could allow them to sell their products and handicrafts earning some resources to improve their conditions.

This activity need to be launched as a pilot one during next months and we really would need the help of international volunteers in order to:

• Establish partnership in the Fair Trade International Network;
• Identify target group as possible producers;
• Improve the quality of life of participating target groups by providing tools and opportunities to improve their income, production skills and enhance their role within their communities;
• Improve the institutional capacity of producer organizations to service craft producers through effective production management and provision of opportunities for enhanced participation.

Note: volunteers are not required to pay participant fee.

03. Education

VFCD have a variety of projects that educate both children and adults in various capacities. Access to education changes the life of Vietnamese children. It allows them to break the vicious poverty cycle that they would otherwise be destined for. Through education they can gain invaluable skills that can further assist in the development of the community and themselves.

03.01. Volunteering for Disadvantaged Children

With a deep belief that Education is fundamental to human progress, enabling individuals and communities to acquire skills and knowledge essential for improving their quality of life.  But for vulnerable groups disadvantage children, rural young , access to basic education is limited.

Volunteer program is carried out by VFCD at centers for street, disable, and orphanage children locating in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and rural areas.  Volunteers participating in this program will  provide children through assisting Vietnamese teachers, and organizing educational games and activities for the students. Local and international volunteers will work cooperatively to create educational programs which include both Vietnamese and English subjects. Moreover, volunteers can join many extra activities such as painting, cooking, cleaning, and making handicrafts. VFCD wish to improve their level of education, their access to knowledge and basic life skills so that these students can lead better lives and be integrated into the community. The center is their only hope to get a better life.

Volunteers will stay at our host organization; and they will be supported daily by Vietnamese volunteers.

03.02. Volunteer English Teacher and Assistant

Volunteers can choose to teach English to children either of kindergarten, primary or secondary age at a community based center. Volunteers will work at language training centers as phonetic teachers and assistants. The money raised in this project will be distributed in two ways. Part will go directly to a charity fund and distributed to victims of poisonous dioxin and other disadvantaged people. Part will be used to fund conservation projects. With this project the volunteer receives $ 400 per month pocket money.

We are also looking for volunteers who are able to teach foreign languages other than English such as French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese etc.

04. Internships

The internship and volunteer program is designed for foreign students who wish to put their theoretical knowledge into practice, or for people who would like to volunteer in the wide variety of projects (customized programs from 30 to 360 days). We partner with one of Vietnam’s largest recruitment agencies, working with National NGOs networks, companies throughout Vietnam that utilize the services of foreign interns. We guarantee your internship placement before departure. We can find placements with many international and large Vietnam companies/NGOs in the fields of accounting/finance, advertising, business, marketing, graphics, I.T., media, law, medical services, social services, education, hospitality, human resources, and more Participants may work in fields such as project writing, marketing, environment, human resources, development, administration, photography, graphic design, translation and project management, and many more.

Participants also have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects such as reforestation, organic gardening, trail maintenance, or native plant rescue. The only requirements are a willingness to work hard and learn about the special nature and environment in Vietnam

SHORT TERM PROGRAM

01.Research trips for future conservation projects

In this program volunteers travel to areas that will be the site for future projects. This project is a lot of fun and you travel for free. Volunteers have an especially important role as they investigate international forests and conservation areas that are being destroyed because of both mankind and natural erosion. Volunteers will also gain invaluable knowledge about how to protect our world. After the trip you will also help to find ways to prevent for destruction and finding funding for restoration. Volunteers will give constructive ideas as to future work camps for the International volunteer network. So you must have initiative! With this project you will be contributing so much for our organization development and our nation.

02. Volunteering program for The World Biosphere reserve in The Red River Delta

This special program is an opportunity for volunteers to share difficulties with local communites and environment reserves in Xuan Thuy national park. We hope to bring members a meaningful volunteer program which will combine ecological tourism, refreshment and cultural exchange.

During the work camp volunteers will have as many chances as possible to have contact with local people, discover their cultures as well as help the community mantain their unique living environment and ecosystem in Xuan Thuy national park. A “culture-exchange day” will be held to promote the understanding within different groups of people and between international volunteers and Vietnamese people.

Throughout the year various trips are arranged for volunteers. The objectives of the excursions are to be fun but more importantly to protect the ecosystem in Xuan Thuy National Park. The trips include water parks, walks and beach trips or tree planting in the small islands. Volunteers will go with a local Young Union by boat to gather waste in water parks and see the beauty of a natural ecosystem with variety of plants and bird species in the National Park.

03. Work Camp in Sapa

This unique program is an opportunity for volunteers to share experiences with the local community, bringing participants a meaningful volunteer program combined with ecological tourism and unique cultural exchange.

Project Background: The hill-tribe groups of Vietnam are a collection of diverse, exotic communities. Despite the natural beauty of their environment they have some of the lowest standards of living, health and education in the country. Many young people from these communities do not attend school and begin working at a very young age.

Project Goals: Work with local ethnic minority groups to develop English language skills, improve environmental awareness, assist with natural conservation and help improve the interactions of local communities with the tourists on whom they depend.

Project Duration: VFCD will organize two workcamps each year (the first of June and September). Each workcamp will run for 2 weeks duration.

05. Summer work camp in The North of Vietnam

The North of Vietnam is a mountainous, isolated area inhabited by Tay ethnic minority community. This community leads a subsistence existence. They have a backward economy, a low level of education and live without electricity and other basic commodities. For most of the children it is difficult to go to and from school as they either have to walk or go by horse for countless kilometers. As a result, most children only have elementary education. For generations, the people have mainly survived on exploiting available natural resources. The continual and relentless destruction of the area coupled with the forest’s rare and large biological diversity has seen it recognized as a need-to-protect nature reserve. This has had an adverse affect on the people’s lives as their farming area has diminished as a result. VFCD and the local Youth Union will coordinate a summer camp in order to share knowledge about agricultural production, medical care, education and forest preservation with this Tay community. Volunteers will live with the local community and gain a valuable insight into and share the daily hardships that these people face.

Project Duration: VFCD will organize one summer workcamps each year (from the first of July to July 20 )as an annual event.

06. Cultural camp

Vietnamese culture may be still mysterious and unknown to most people outside the country. Today, more and more people are going to Vietnam for traveling and trading. Getting to know Vietnam and Vietnamese culture is interesting and fascinating. Our program aims to bring all people strong social behavior development in a positive, caring, energetic and safe environment. Foreigner participants will be given the opportunity to learn about a real by staying and working Vietnam host families to learn Vietnamese language and art classes…

How do I get involved ?

Volunteers are required to pay a participation fee of $450 per month or $300 for two week intensive program. This is used to cover the volunteers living costs as well as organizational and project costs. Part of the participation fee is also given to a charity fund for disadvantaged people. Volunteers will live either in the VFCD house for volunteers, conservation stations or with a local family. VFCD will pay for all of the volunteer’s meals and travel expenses. The working hours of the volunteer will differ depending on the project being undertaken and is often determined upon arrival.

*Prices are charged in USD.

To join a project you need to choose one from our latest project list or our website, www.vfcd.org the website will contain the most up-to-date information about project availability, but if you would like to receive a paper copy please contact us. once you have chosen which projects you are interested in, send us an application form, accompanied by the appropriate fee and we will start the placement process.

step 1- Choose a project from our latest project list on our website.

step 2- Send us the completed volunteer CV form -colour photo must be inserted in résumé and submitted electronically. A photocopy of the passport, Documents are to be sent to vfcd.org@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

step 3- When we receive your application, we will notify you immediately. Please give us 1-3 weeks to process your application and match your placement. We will send you a notify of preliminary acceptance and a pre-departure booklet  within 1-3 weeks

step 4 -Once you receive your project from VFCD, you should begin preparing for travel by obtaining all necessary documents (passport, visa) and meeting immunization requirements

step 5- Make your travel arrangements and other practical arrangements.

step 6- Go and enjoy your project our staff will pick you up at the airport and take you to Volunteers house of us  and your beginning.