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Early Childhood Education in Ho Chi Minh City

Walk alongside children as they take their first steps into the world of songs, games, and new English words. Join a kindergarten in Ho Chi Minh City and experience an authentic cultural exchange in the heart of Vietnam.

Where

Where

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

When

When

Departures every week, year-round (except closure periods)

Duration

Duration

Minimum 1 week

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included

Language

Language

English (beginner level recommended)

Ideal for

Ideal for

Those looking for a hands-on educational experience who love children and want to discover everyday life in Ho Chi Minh City

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Project details

About section

In Vietnam, kindergartens are vibrant but often overcrowded, where teachers struggle to give every child the individual attention they deserve

 

In a city undergoing constant transformation, kindergartens are the first step in preparing children for an increasingly globalized future." The project is designed to strengthen English language learning and offer young children moments of individual attention in a busy, bustling environment.

You will join teachers in their daily activities — songs, games, and routines that shape school life.

An experience that combines the discovery of a new culture with the chance to contribute to the growth of children taking their very first learning steps.

Why participate

Contribute to children's development

You work alongside teachers in their daily activities, helping children build their first language skills and social confidence.

Contribute to children's development

Experience local life in Ho Chi Minh City

Experience local life in Ho Chi Minh City

Also available as a group trip!

This project is included in Group Solidarity Trip to Vietnam

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

Monday through Friday, you will take part in the daily activities at the kindergartens — games, songs, and first English words.

Mornings and afternoons are dedicated to supporting children in their routines and creative activities, while evenings leave time to plan the next day's lessons together with local coordinators.

07:30Breakfast and morning meeting with coordinators
09:00Kindergarten activities: games, songs, and first English words
11:30Lunchtime support and child care
14:30Afternoon activities: storytelling, creative workshops, or sports
17:30Return to campus, free time, and lesson planning for the next day
19:00Shared dinner and evening socializing on the rooftop or at nearby cafés

Weekend

Weekends are free from scheduled activities. You can explore the area, join small day trips, or simply relax with fellow volunteers.

Tour of the Mekong Delta

Tour of the Mekong Delta

Navigate rivers and floating markets, discovering rural villages and unique landscapes just a few hours from the city.

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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Daily cost:
£0
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

FAQs

During your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, you will live on a university campus in a dormitory designed to welcome students and volunteers from all over the world. The facility is just ten minutes from the airport and about twenty minutes from the city centre, in a lively neighbourhood with plenty of amenities including cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies.

Rooms are simple but functional: you can choose shared accommodation for 6–8 people, or, for those seeking more privacy, a private room for 1–2 people. All rooms are lockable and equipped with bed linen, air conditioning, and a safe. Towels, private bathrooms, and hot showers are not provided. The facility follows campus rules, including a nightly curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m.

Common areas include a computer room, a panoramic rooftop terrace to relax and socialise, and access to a swimming pool (closed on Mondays for maintenance). Wi-Fi is available in common areas, and coin-operated laundry facilities are on-site. To have internet access on the go during your stay, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before you leave. With Airalo, you can activate one in minutes and be connected as soon as you arrive: find out how here.

Nearby you will also find a gym, shops, and ATMs.

🍜 Included amenities:

- Shared or private room accommodation
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 on weekends (brunch + dinner)
- Free beverages (water, tea, and coffee at the campus)
- Rooftop and common areas for relaxing and socialising
- 24/7 support from the local team
- Swimming pool accessible during the week (closed on Mondays)
- Safe and lockable rooms


The campus is more than just a place to sleep — it becomes part of the experience itself: here you will meet volunteers from other countries, share meals and leisure time, and fully immerse yourself in the energy of one of Vietnam's most dynamic cities.
The safety of our participants is at the heart of every decision we make. Programmes in Ho Chi Minh City are organised in partnership with reliable local facilities and a team of coordinators who are always present and ready to provide ongoing support throughout your stay.

🔹 Participant screening and safe environments

To ensure a safe and peaceful experience, all participants are required to submit a criminal record check before departure. In , this document can be requested online without a revenue stamp when intended for programmes like ours. This procedure is essential in safeguarding the children and local communities involved.

🔹 High safety standards

The campus where you will be staying is located in a safe, well-serviced neighbourhood, with controlled access and a nightly curfew that ensures peace and quiet for all guests. Our partner schools regularly host international volunteers and are experienced in working with people from various countries and age groups.

🔹 24/7 support

From the moment you land at the airport to the end of the programme, you can count on continuous assistance from our local staff, available to help with any need — including evenings and weekends. Our our team is also always reachable via WhatsApp for any situation that may arise.

🔹 Training and orientation

On your first day, you will attend an orientation session covering all the practical information on culture, safety, and community guidelines. You will receive concrete advice on getting around the city, using transport, and navigating everyday life in Vietnam with confidence.

🔹 Tips for a safe and enjoyable experience

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and welcoming city, but as in any major metropolis, a few simple precautions go a long way:
✔ Avoid carrying valuables when moving around the city.
✔ Stick to official taxis or the Grab app for safe transport.
✔ Always check with the local team for advice on areas and times.


💡 Our goal is to give you a safe, welcoming, and well-supported environment, so that you can fully embrace the experience and focus on what truly matters: the shared moments with the children and the discovery of Vietnamese culture.
🧭 Orientation Day

Your experience in Ho Chi Minh City begins with a full day designed to help you settle in, learn about the local culture, and start the project with confidence and peace of mind.

On the first Monday, you will take part in a range of activities led by the local team:

- Welcome meeting, programme overview, and introduction to campus rules
- Practical tips on health, safety, and cultural etiquette
- Introduction to Vietnamese culture, with a few basic phrases and insights into daily life
- Campus and neighbourhood tour, with useful guidance on cafés, supermarkets, and ATMs
- Help with purchasing a local SIM card to stay connected. If you prefer to arrive with an eSIM already activated and skip the hassle of finding a SIM on arrival, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 Use this link
- Group recreational activities and a family dinner at a traditional restaurant, to get to know the coordinators and fellow volunteers


Orientation day is the perfect moment to break the ice, make new friends, and get comfortable with the city.

📌 Activities at the kindergartens start on Tuesday, but from day one you will already feel part of the community and ready to embrace the full experience.
✈️ Arrival recommendations for Ho Chi Minh City We recommend booking a flight arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is just 10 minutes by car from our campus. The ideal arrival window is Saturday or Sunday, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., when our welcome service is active.

If you arrive on a Saturday, an extra night at the facility will need to be booked (with a small supplement).

If you arrive after 9:30 p.m., a pick-up can still be arranged, but an additional out-of-hours transport fee will apply.

Arrivals on other days or at other times: we do not offer a standard pick-up. You can make your own way to us by official taxi or via the Grab app, or request a private transfer (with a supplement).

Once you have booked your flight, please send us the details: flight number, date, and arrival time. This will allow us to organise your arrival as smoothly as possible.

📍 Airport meeting point At the exit of the arrivals hall, our coordinator will be waiting with a sign showing your name or the name of the host organisation. If in doubt, the reference meeting point is pole no. 03, right after customs and baggage claim.

If you don't see our staff straight away, stay where you are — do not wander off, we will find you.

📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access from the moment you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link

🚖 Transfer to accommodation The journey from the airport to the campus takes about 20 minutes by taxi. You may share the ride with other participants arriving at the same time.

🚖 Departure recommendations Check-out from the accommodation is by noon on Saturday.

The return transfer to the airport is not included, as each participant has different schedules. The local team will be happy to help you book a taxi or Grab, which typically costs between $5 and $7 USD.

We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or later, so you can leave the facility at a leisurely pace in the morning and avoid any last-minute rush.

🗓️ Want to continue travelling? If you would like to explore other parts of Vietnam after the project (Mekong Delta, Vũng Tàu, Đà Lạt, etc.), let us know in advance — we will be happy to give you practical tips on transport, buses, and trains.

💡 After your participation is confirmed, you will receive an email with an up-to-date document containing all practical information, emergency contacts, and the local team's numbers — so you have everything you need well before you travel.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
1

Send your application (free!)

Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.

2

Meet your coordinator

After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.

3

Confirm your spot

When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.

4

Set off on your adventure!

Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.

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