Where
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
When
Weekly departures, year-round (except closure periods)
Duration
Minimum 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer dormitory with meals included
Language
English (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
Anyone looking for a meaningful, hands-on, and authentic experience immersed in everyday local life.
Project details
A small shop serving hundreds of meals a day to those who couldn't otherwise afford them.
In 2012, a group of Vietnamese volunteers founded the Smile Food Shop with a simple but revolutionary idea: to offer a warm, nutritious meal to those who work hard but can't afford to eat well. For just 2,000 dong — a few euro cents — students, the elderly, workers, and people in need find dignity and daily support here.
The project is rooted in the belief that food is not just nourishment — it's community and human connection. By taking part, you'll help prepare ingredients, serve meals, keep the space tidy, and support the local team that carries this mission forward with passion.
A hands-on, real-world experience that gives you an inside look at daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and the impact a bowl of rice can have on someone's life.
The project is rooted in the belief that food is not just nourishment — it's community and human connection. By taking part, you'll help prepare ingredients, serve meals, keep the space tidy, and support the local team that carries this mission forward with passion.
A hands-on, real-world experience that gives you an inside look at daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and the impact a bowl of rice can have on someone's life.
Food and Community in the Heart of Saigon
A small shop serving hundreds of meals a day to those who couldn't otherwise afford them.
In 2012, a group of Vietnamese volunteers founded the Smile Food Shop with a simple but revolutionary idea: to offer a warm, nutritious meal to those who work hard but can't afford to eat well. For just 2,000 dong — a few euro cents — students, the elderly, workers, and people in need find dignity and daily support here.
The project is rooted in the belief that food is not just nourishment — it's community and human connection. By taking part, you'll help prepare ingredients, serve meals, keep the space tidy, and support the local team that carries this mission forward with passion.
A hands-on, real-world experience that gives you an inside look at daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and the impact a bowl of rice can have on someone's life.
The project is rooted in the belief that food is not just nourishment — it's community and human connection. By taking part, you'll help prepare ingredients, serve meals, keep the space tidy, and support the local team that carries this mission forward with passion.
A hands-on, real-world experience that gives you an inside look at daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and the impact a bowl of rice can have on someone's life.
Why participate
Contribute to the local community
You help ensure warm, affordable meals for people living on limited daily resources.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Tuesday to Friday, mornings are devoted to ingredient preparation, meal service, and logistical support at the Food Shop.
Each day alternates between hands-on kitchen work, community service activities, and social time with fellow volunteers and local coordinators.
Monday is reserved for orientation, with cultural activities, a tour of the area, and a community dinner to get to know the group and the city better.
07:00Breakfast at the campus and getting ready for the day
08:30Arrival at the Food Shop and help with ingredient preparation
10:00Serving meals to the local community: distribution, cleaning, and tidying up
14:00Lunch and free time to relax or explore the area
18:30Back to accommodation, shower, and shared dinner on the rooftop
21:30Free time: chatting, group games, or a stroll around the city
Weekend
Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the area, join small day trips, or relax with other volunteers.
Tour to the Mekong Delta
Cruise through rivers and floating markets, discovering rural villages and unique landscapes just a few hours from the city.
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FAQs
During your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll live on a university campus in a dormitory designed to welcome students and volunteers from around the world. The venue is just ten minutes from the airport and about twenty minutes from the city centre, in a vibrant neighbourhood well served by cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
The rooms are simple but functional: you can choose shared accommodation for 6–8 people, or — for those who prefer more privacy — a private room for 1–2. All rooms are lockable and equipped with bed linen, air conditioning, and a safety deposit box. Towels, private bathrooms, and hot showers are not provided. The venue follows campus rules, including a night curfew from midnight to 06:00.
Shared spaces include an office with computers, a panoramic rooftop terrace for relaxing and socialising, and access to a swimming pool (closed on Mondays for maintenance). Wi-Fi is available in common areas and paid laundry facilities are on site. To stay connected throughout your trip, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before you leave. With Airalo you can activate it in minutes and be online from the moment you arrive: find out how here.
Nearby you'll also find a gym, shops, and ATMs.
🍜 Included services:
- 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 relaxation and socialising
- Constant 24/7 support from the local team
- Swimming pool accessible during the week (except Mondays)
- Safety deposit box and lockable rooms
The campus isn't just a place to sleep — it becomes part of the experience: here you'll meet volunteers from other countries, share meals and leisure moments, and fully immerse yourself in the energy of one of Vietnam's most dynamic cities.
The rooms are simple but functional: you can choose shared accommodation for 6–8 people, or — for those who prefer more privacy — a private room for 1–2. All rooms are lockable and equipped with bed linen, air conditioning, and a safety deposit box. Towels, private bathrooms, and hot showers are not provided. The venue follows campus rules, including a night curfew from midnight to 06:00.
Shared spaces include an office with computers, a panoramic rooftop terrace for relaxing and socialising, and access to a swimming pool (closed on Mondays for maintenance). Wi-Fi is available in common areas and paid laundry facilities are on site. To stay connected throughout your trip, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before you leave. With Airalo you can activate it in minutes and be online from the moment you arrive: find out how here.
Nearby you'll also find a gym, shops, and ATMs.
🍜 Included services:
- 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 relaxation and socialising
- Constant 24/7 support from the local team
- Swimming pool accessible during the week (except Mondays)
- Safety deposit box and lockable rooms
The campus isn't just a place to sleep — it becomes part of the experience: here you'll meet volunteers from other countries, share meals and leisure moments, 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. The programmes in Ho Chi Minh City are organised in collaboration with reliable local facilities and a team of coordinators who are always present, able to offer continuous support throughout your stay.
🔹 Participant screening and safe environments
To ensure a safe and peaceful experience, all participants are required to provide a criminal record certificate before departure. In this document can be requested online without a revenue stamp when intended for programmes like ours. This process is fundamental to protecting the children and local communities involved.
🔹 High safety standards
The campus where you'll stay is located in a safe, well-serviced neighbourhood, with controlled access and a night curfew that ensures peace of mind for all guests. The partner schools regularly welcome international volunteers and are experienced in working with people from different countries and age groups.
🔹 24-hour support
From your arrival at the airport to the end of the programme, you can count on continuous assistance from our local staff, ready to help you with anything — even in the evenings or on weekends. Our our team is also always reachable via WhatsApp for any situation.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll attend an orientation session covering all practical information about culture, safety, and house rules. You'll receive concrete advice on how to get around the city, use public transport, and navigate everyday life in Vietnam with confidence.
🔹 Best practices for a worry-free experience
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and welcoming city, but as with any large metropolis it's worth taking a few simple precautions:
✔ Avoid carrying valuables with you when moving around.
✔ Prefer official taxis or the Grab app for safe travel.
✔ Always check with the local team for advice on neighbourhoods and timings.
💡 Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and well-supported environment so that you can fully live the experience and focus on what truly matters: the shared moments with children and discovering Vietnamese culture.
🔹 Participant screening and safe environments
To ensure a safe and peaceful experience, all participants are required to provide a criminal record certificate before departure. In this document can be requested online without a revenue stamp when intended for programmes like ours. This process is fundamental to protecting the children and local communities involved.
🔹 High safety standards
The campus where you'll stay is located in a safe, well-serviced neighbourhood, with controlled access and a night curfew that ensures peace of mind for all guests. The partner schools regularly welcome international volunteers and are experienced in working with people from different countries and age groups.
🔹 24-hour support
From your arrival at the airport to the end of the programme, you can count on continuous assistance from our local staff, ready to help you with anything — even in the evenings or on weekends. Our our team is also always reachable via WhatsApp for any situation.
🔹 Training and orientation
On your first day you'll attend an orientation session covering all practical information about culture, safety, and house rules. You'll receive concrete advice on how to get around the city, use public transport, and navigate everyday life in Vietnam with confidence.
🔹 Best practices for a worry-free experience
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and welcoming city, but as with any large metropolis it's worth taking a few simple precautions:
✔ Avoid carrying valuables with you when moving around.
✔ Prefer official taxis or the Grab app for safe travel.
✔ Always check with the local team for advice on neighbourhoods and timings.
💡 Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and well-supported environment so that you can fully live the experience and focus on what truly matters: the shared moments with children and discovering Vietnamese culture.
🧭 Orientation Day
Your Ho Chi Minh City experience begins with a full day designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture, and start the project with confidence and peace of mind.
On your first Monday you'll take part in several activities led by the local team:
- Welcome meeting, programme presentation, and campus rules briefing
- Practical tips on health, safety, and cultural etiquette
- Introduction to Vietnamese culture, with some basic words and everyday life curiosities
- Tour of the campus and surrounding neighbourhood, with useful pointers on cafés, supermarkets, and ATMs
- Help with purchasing a local SIM card to stay connected. If you'd prefer to arrive with an eSIM already active and skip the hassle of buying a SIM on the ground, you can get one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Group recreational activities and a family dinner at a traditional restaurant to get to know the coordinators and fellow volunteers
The orientation day is the perfect moment to break the ice, make new friends, and get comfortable in the city.
📌 From Tuesday onwards you'll start your activities at the community centres — but from day one you'll already feel part of the community and ready to dive into the full experience.
Your Ho Chi Minh City experience begins with a full day designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture, and start the project with confidence and peace of mind.
On your first Monday you'll take part in several activities led by the local team:
- Welcome meeting, programme presentation, and campus rules briefing
- Practical tips on health, safety, and cultural etiquette
- Introduction to Vietnamese culture, with some basic words and everyday life curiosities
- Tour of the campus and surrounding neighbourhood, with useful pointers on cafés, supermarkets, and ATMs
- Help with purchasing a local SIM card to stay connected. If you'd prefer to arrive with an eSIM already active and skip the hassle of buying a SIM on the ground, you can get one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Group recreational activities and a family dinner at a traditional restaurant to get to know the coordinators and fellow volunteers
The orientation day is the perfect moment to break the ice, make new friends, and get comfortable in the city.
📌 From Tuesday onwards you'll start your activities at the community centres — but from day one you'll already feel part of the community and ready to dive into the full experience.
✈️
Arrival recommendations for Ho Chi Minh City
We recommend booking a flight into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is just a 10-minute drive from our campus.
The ideal arrival window is Saturday or Sunday between 06:00 and 21:30, when our welcome service is active.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at the venue (with a small supplement).
If you arrive after 21:30, pick-up is still possible, but an additional charge applies for out-of-hours transport.
Arrivals on other days or times: we do not offer a standard pick-up service. You can reach us independently by official taxi or the Grab app, or request a private transfer (with a supplement).
Once you've booked your flight, please share your details with us: flight number, date, and arrival time. This will help us organise your arrival smoothly.
📍 Airport meeting point At the arrivals exit, our coordinator will be waiting with a sign showing your name or the name of the hosting organisation. If in doubt, the reference meeting point is pole no. 03, just past customs and baggage claim.
If you don't spot our staff right away, stay put — we'll find each other.
📱 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 be able to share it with other participants arriving at the same time.
🚖 Departure recommendations Check-out from the accommodation is by 12:00 on Saturday.
The return transfer to the airport is not included, as each participant has different departure times. However, the local team will be happy to help you call a taxi or book a Grab, which typically costs between $5 and $7 USD.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or later, so you can check out calmly in the morning without any last-minute rush.
🗓️ Want to continue your journey? If you'd like to explore other parts of Vietnam after the project (Mekong Delta, Vũng Tàu, Đà Lạt, etc.), let us know in advance — we'll be happy to give you practical tips on transport, buses, and trains.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, you'll receive an updated document by email with all practical information, emergency contacts, and the local team's numbers — so you have everything you need before you even leave home.
If you arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at the venue (with a small supplement).
If you arrive after 21:30, pick-up is still possible, but an additional charge applies for out-of-hours transport.
Arrivals on other days or times: we do not offer a standard pick-up service. You can reach us independently by official taxi or the Grab app, or request a private transfer (with a supplement).
Once you've booked your flight, please share your details with us: flight number, date, and arrival time. This will help us organise your arrival smoothly.
📍 Airport meeting point At the arrivals exit, our coordinator will be waiting with a sign showing your name or the name of the hosting organisation. If in doubt, the reference meeting point is pole no. 03, just past customs and baggage claim.
If you don't spot our staff right away, stay put — we'll find each other.
📱 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 be able to share it with other participants arriving at the same time.
🚖 Departure recommendations Check-out from the accommodation is by 12:00 on Saturday.
The return transfer to the airport is not included, as each participant has different departure times. However, the local team will be happy to help you call a taxi or book a Grab, which typically costs between $5 and $7 USD.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or later, so you can check out calmly in the morning without any last-minute rush.
🗓️ Want to continue your journey? If you'd like to explore other parts of Vietnam after the project (Mekong Delta, Vũng Tàu, Đà Lạt, etc.), let us know in advance — we'll be happy to give you practical tips on transport, buses, and trains.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, you'll receive an updated document by email with all practical information, emergency contacts, and the local team's numbers — so you have everything you need before you even leave home.
Book your spot
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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