Tet is the Lunar New Year of the Vietnamese people. It is the most important traditional celebration of the year in Vietnam. Vietnamese usually spend one or two weeks to visit their families, friends, and relatives as well as beautiful places. They also go to pagodas and temples to pray for happiness, luck, success and good health, with holy meanings for the new year. They cook and enjoy very delicious food and cakes, especially the "Chung" cake which is a square and sticky rice cake that all Vietnamese make only for Tet. However, there are still poor people and street children who do not have money to buy or make the “Chung” cake.
The Welfare Centre in Hai Duong was established in 1982. They host around 1000 children coming from many different parts of Hai Duong province. The children in the centre are the poor, disadvantaged, disable or orphans. SJ Vietnam wants to run voluntary projects in the Welfare Centre. Volunteers will join a group of local people and local volunteers and make ‘Chung” cake which then will be distributed to the children as happy gifts for the Lunar New Year. Volunteers are expected to help about 300 people on this special occasion on a traditionally cultural atmosphere. They will also take part in the preparation and decoration of the houses of the poor during Tet.

SJV is a self-funded organisation meaning that we can not pay the travel costs of the volunteers to Vietnam.
We charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 112 GBP (you can pay in Vietnamese Dong the approximate amount) and a fee of 500.000 Vietnamese Dong (approx. 11.60 GBP) to volunteers coming from developing countries.
This fee includes accommodation (you can watch a video one of our camp places at http://vietnam.solidaritesjeunesses.org/video/volunteers/visit%20of%20SJ%20House.avi, the cost of the project (ex. food for the orphanage children), local transport, local food, some leisure activities (not all), and a lot of fun.
We try to do our best to organise activities as cheap as possible but we have no external financial support. This is why around 30% of these fees will be used to develop SJ Vietnam (local projects, staff salary, rent, phone, etc). All volunteers are encouraged during each activity to check the financial management of their work camp. A website will soon be published to present our finances and, until then, our financial reports are available on simple request.

Vietnam Friendship Village is a treatment/care centre for Agent Orange victims located in Ha Tay Province, which was opened in 1993 to treat children and veterans suffering from the effects of Agent Orange. The children, whose fathers or grandfathers were exposed, causing chromosomal damage, or who were contaminated from their mothers milk, suffer from a range of difficult conditions. While staying in Vietnam Friendship Village, children and veterans are nourished and are provided with free medical care. The children, who may stay there for several years, receive not only basic education, but also some forms of job training.
The Organic Gardening Project was launched in 2004 with the goal of creating islands of an harmonious approach to agriculture within areas of environmental and human devastation - increasing awareness of the consequences of war and, at the same time, demonstrating positive strategies for healing and living. At this moment, the farm is providing about 60% of the village consumption of vegetables. It is expected that it will cover all the needs and there will be products left for sale to raise funds for the village.

Volunteers will help with clearing the site, preparing the soil, weeding, planting vegetables and fruit trees, cleaning a fish pond and re-decorating the flowers in the garden. Additional activities may include planting trees, moving bricks for construction, collecting garbage and playing with the children or exchanging with local volunteers or farmers. Volunteers will prepare the traditional New Year festival for the children.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

VPV Peace House with modest conditions. Shared rooms. Sleeping on the floor. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by volunteers with support from local people.

Tay Mo, Tu Liem, Hanoi Capital (western end of the city).

Hanoi Airport, 1 hour drive.

Interest and motivation in working with children in difficult situations.

Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organised city tour and excursions, etc.

150 EUR to be paid on arrival to VPV.

Ba Vi Orphanage was founded in 1979 with the aim to provide good shelter and care for children with disabilities and orphans. At this moment, there are about 150 children who are abandoned or who are from very poor families who cannot afford caring for the treatment of disabilities. The orphanage is providing housing, education and basic care for the children, as well as providing vocational training with the hope that children can stand on their own feet with a job in the future.
VPV is working with the orphanage to start up an organic garden with the aim to provide extra food for the children, and at the same time provide opportunities for labour rehabilitation.

Volunteers will help with clearing the site, preparing soil, weeding, planting vegetables and fruit trees, cleaning a fish pond and re-decorating the flowers in the garden. Additional activities may include planting trees, moving bricks for construction, collecting garbage and playing with the children or exchanging with local volunteers or staff. Volunteers will also prepare the traditional New Year festival for the children.

Disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

VPV Peace House with modest conditions. Shared rooms. Sleeping on the floor. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by volunteers with support from local people.

Thuy An, Ba Vi, Ha Tay.

Hanoi Airport, 2 hours drive to the west.

Interest and motivation in working with children in difficult situations.

Vietnamese Day, International Day, self-organised city tour and excursions, etc.

150 EUR to be paid on arrival to VPV.

Making presents, organising a meaningful festival for the less fortunate kids in and around Hanoi.

International and local volunteers will make contact and discuss how to arrange a good festival for the local children. Afterwards volunteers will buy materials at the market to make presents (candy, gloves, scarves, etc). There will be free time in the evenings.

Volunteers will live in Youth House 1 Centre. Dormitory beds, water, electricity, bathroom, toilet are provided. Volunteers can cook their meals every day or go out. There are many local restaurants from local food or from different countries.

Close to the centre of Ha Noi.

Volunteers can catch a taxi or a bus from the Airport to our accommodation.

Please bring sleeping bag, mat, clothes, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country, etc. Do not forget smiles on your lips!

We are a non-profit organisation with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 150 Euro per workcamp (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong in the approximate amount). This fee includes accommodation, it covers the costs of all projects (eg. food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary and overhead costs, etc).

Making stars, toys and a performance for disadvantaged kids. You are expected to prepare songs in English, Vietnamese or your language to sing in the performance.
Everyday, volunteers will make stars and toys at their accommodation with local volunteers. You have free time every evening so you and the local volunteers will be able to engage in many interesting activities.

We have a house with bathroom, toilet and running water. You can cook your meals every day or go out. There are many local and international restaurants around.

You will live at a house near the Red River.

You can catch a taxi or a bus from the Airport to your accommodation.

Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, instruments, pictures of your country and your smile!

We are a non-profit organisation with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 150 Euro per workcamp (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong in the approximate amount). This fee includes accommodation, it covers the costs of all projects (eg. food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary and overhead costs, etc).

The Beauty in Diversity Day is an annual event organized by UNDP in cooperation with many local and international organizations in Vietnam to celebrate 3 special days together: the World AIDS Day (1 December), the International Volunteer Day (3 December) and the Day for People with Disabilities (5 December). The event will take place in the wide public in Hanoi City. It is dedicated to recognizing the diversity of individuals living with or affected by disability, those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, together with wide-range of individuals that volunteer their time and energy to contribute to the community's needs. Volunteers will prepare for the information corner with materials collected from different sources on the themes of HIV and AIDS prevention, disability and volunteering. The work will include designing, erecting, decorating and preparing games and activities for the event. Prepare a lot of ideas for this. Bring related materials from your country. Volunteers will also organize discussion with university students on the themes above.

160 EURO to be paid on arrival.

VPVs Peace House with modest condition. Shared rooms. Sleeping on floor. Showers and toilets available. Food prepared by vols with support from local people. Bring a sleeping bag, crash mat and travel pillow.

Tay Mo, Tu Liem, Hanoi Capital, Western end of the city.

You should prepare ideas for this work camp on the prevention of HIV and AIDS, perhaps bring material or photocopies of leaflets on the subject before you go

Volunteerism in Vietnam, HIV and AIDS, Disability

The International Volunteer's Day (December 5th) is an international observance designed by the United Nations since 1985. The declared aim of this activity is to thank the volunteers for their efforts and increase public awareness on their contribution to society. The day is celebrated in the majority of countries in the world. You will join our activities such as the eco-tour (parade at Hanoi city), decorating for exhibitions and participating in cultural exchanges with many foreign and local volunteers.

At SJV's house with bathroom, toilet, and running water. You can cook your meals everyday or go out. There are many local and international restaurants around.

You will live in a house near the Red River

You can catch a taxi or a bus from the Airport to the accommodation.

Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, musical instruments, pictures of your country...and your smile!.

We are a non-profit organisation with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 150 Euro per workcamp (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong in the approximate amount). This fee includes accommodation, it covers the costs of all projects (eg. food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary and overhead costs, etc).

International and local volunteers will contact and discuss how to arrange a good festival for children. Volunteers will be able to go to the market and buy materials to make presents (candy, gloves, scarves, etc). Volunteers will also organise a small party for disabled children.
Everyday international volunteers will make light stars together with local volunteers. They will have free time in the evenings, and join the local volunteers in many interesting activities.

At SJV's house with bathroom, toilet, and running water. Volunteers can cook their meals everyday or go out. There are many local and international restaurants around.

Volunteers will live at a house near the Red River.

Volunteers can catch a taxi or a bus from the Airport to the accommodation.

Volunteers are requested to bring Santa Claus clothes. Here they will collect second hand clothes to give to the very poor children as they do not have enough warm clothes in winter.
Please bring sleeping bag, mat, raincoat, info materials and pictures of your country...and do not forget smiles on your lips!.

We are a non-profit organisation with no external income so we charge volunteers coming from developed countries a participation fee of 150 Euro per workcamp (you can pay in US$ or Vietnam Dong in the approximate amount). This fee includes accommodation, it covers the costs of all projects (eg. food, scholarship, donation, festivals for disadvantaged children, materials, training for locals), local transport, local food and 30% of these fees will be used to SJ Vietnam administration (staff salary and overhead costs, etc).