Build homes for underprivileged families in Vietnam

Project Overview

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 but also wreak havoc on the poorly constructed houses. Many houses, schools, bridges and other constructions were either submerged or damaged by floods across the north of the central coast. Quang Binh Province was hardest hit and that’s where you come in! You’ll be working and 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 World Natural Herritage 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 Central Vietnam
• Visiting the World Natural Herritage - Phong Nha Cave
• Food! Vietnamese cuisine is some of the world's tastiest

Project details: This project is organised and run by local organisations and is focused on trying to reduce the levels of poverty in the Quang Binh province. The area is very close to Phong Nha Cave; 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.

 

 

Why the project needs volunteers: The organisation running this project has set themselves very high targets for alleviating poverty in the Quang Binh 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.

 

 

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project: 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.

 

Your role as a volunteer: You will be assisting in the building of new houses for the people of the Quang Binh 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.

 

 

Where the project is based:

Quang Binh province is situated in the north of Central Vietnam. The province has a coastline of 116.04km in the East and shares a border of 201.87km with Laos in the West. It is the place where Hon La seaport is situated. Quang Binh land spreads out as a nice picture with mountains, sea, landscapes and famous spots as Ngang pass, Ly Hoa pass, Nhat Le estuary, Hac Hai lagoon, Cong Troi (Heaven gate), etc., especially, the natural heritage of Phong Nha – Ke Bang. Accommodation will be in a homestay, meals are included and you have to prepare food with the family. Please note that locations of the building project will be varied and can be urban as well as rural.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Minimum numbers apply to this trip. As there may be varying numbers of volunteers during your stay an alternative project may be offered if numbers fall below the minimum during that particular period. 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). Pink Lotus member will welcome you, and help you connect the next flight go to Dong Hoi (Quang Binh). Please contact us to arrange.

 

Fast Facts

Project Information

• Project Duration: Min 2 weeks - Max 6 weeks
• Project Costs: $1120.00 for 2 weeks, $160.00 for every week thereafter
• Arrival Airport: Ho Chi Minh City (airport code SGN), get a connected flight to DongHoi
• Activities: Assisting the local community with all aspects of building and renovating homes
• Working Hours: Flexible; generally Monday to Friday, all other time is free
• Getting to the project: Normally it takes you 20 minutes
• Requirements: Minimum age 17
• Other: Vietnamese New Year (Tet) will be 03 February 2011. There is a 7 day public holiday around this time which will affect projects. Final dates for this festival are confirmed at very short notice. Dates have been closed for a week either side of Tet but please be aware that you may have some disruptions to your placement around this time (TET in 2012 is January 23)

What's Included

• Accommodation: Shared room in hotel
• Food: Food is included.
• Flight to Dong Hoi
• Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date.
• Training: In-country orientation
• Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support

What's not included

• Flight to HCMC, Insurance, Visas, Return Airport transfer, Local Transport, Food

Special promotion: book the trip before March 2011, you will get FREE visa to Vietnam

 

 

 

Countr y Guide

Vietnam

A little bit of history...

Vietnam’s history has been marred by war and various power struggles as it has sought to regain and maintain independence. Its earliest origins are believed to date back to the Dong Son civilisation circa the 3rd century. Up until the 10th century it was ruled by a succession of Chinese dynasties before it achieved independence. The period up until the mid 19th century saw a series of dynasties including, Ly, Tran and Le, with aims to carve out the country’s own identity against the influence of China.

The country was unable to fend off the dominance of the French Empire and by 1883 the French had overtaken the country. Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Vietnamese Communist party, was a key force in the country’s quest for independence, and post-WW II he declared the country independent after his communist army defeated French colonists in 1954. At the 1954 Geneva conference the French agreed to withdraw and the country was effectively divided into the communist north and the anti-communist south, which was intended to be temporary and followed by democratic elections. This didn’t turn out as planned when Ngo Dinh Diem, the leader of the south, refused to hold elections and the north began strengthening their communist influence in the south. An armed struggle ensued and the USA, who supported the south, intervened in the early 1960s and was joined by other foreign troops. War raged until a ceasefire in 1973, and two years later the north gained control and un ified Vietnam under communist rule.

Stability was not assured and Vietnam incurred the wrath of China when it invaded Cambodia in 1978 which resulted in China attacking Vietnam the following year. Years of fierce combat meant an economy at near collapse which contributed to thousands of refugees fleeing the country in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Aside from Soviet influence, it remained isolated from the world. Economic reforms in 1986 paved the way for a modernised economy and economic growth. Having established diplomatic relations (notably with the USA) the country opened itself up to foreign investment. While it remains one of the world’s poorest countries, it has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

Best time to go...

To experience Vietnam at its most weather-friendly, there is no clean cut time of when to go as climate varies between the north, south and central regions. The north is defined by a cool, wet winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October, during which time typhoons may occur. The temperatures in the north are at their mildest from late September to November and in March and April. To avoid the wet season in the central region which runs from August to December, it’s best to visit between January and July; the coastal regions tend to bear the brunt of the wet weather. The most desirable time to visit the south is between October and February when it’s dry and a respite from the baking temperatures experienced during March through to May. The south’s two main seasons are wet, from May to November, and dry, during the months of December to April, with June to August the wettest period.

The busiest time to visit is typically from November to January and April to June when tourists are out in full, leading to a rise in accommodation rates. A worthwhile, albeit packed, time to visit is during the weeks leading up to the lunar new year, known as Tet, a major holiday in Vietnam. During the holiday, there may be limited services and a number of businesses close for three or four days but the build up is the best part if you’re a visitor.

 

 

Currency and living costs...

The dong is Vietnam’s unit of currency. The current exchange rate is around: $1 to 21,090.00d. Check www.xe.com or equivalent for the most up to date exchange rate.

The average costs of life’s little essentials are as follows:

• Meals – main dishes for lunch can cost between 75,000d and 150,000d in restaurants, while dinner is in the region of 100,000d and upwards. Pho, a traditional soup dish containing meat, can be purchased for as little as 35,000d to 50,000d.
• Beer – a bottle of beer can range between 10,000d to 25,000d.
• Coffee – A cup of coffee is priced between 10,000d to 20,000d.
• Taxi ride – A taxi ride is usually charged from a rate of 14,000d, though it’s possible that some taxis will charge as low as 12,000d and others as high as 16,000d. Most charge between 6,000d and 8,000 per km thereafter.
• Accommodation – A 2* hotel room, depending on season and availability, can be priced at around 380,000d and 650,000d.
• Internet café – Rates per hour differ from as low as 25,000d to up to 35,000d.

Getting around...

For long distances, flying is a doable but often expensive option compared to trains and buses. The main domestic airlines are Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Airlines, Mekong Airline which offer regular services between major cities; flying time between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is around 2 hours. It’s often cheaper to purchase domestic tickets within Vietnam.

Vietnam has an extensive bus network in place and cheap fares but the buses are all too often overcrowded and road safety is dubious; driving is not recommended. While the fares may still be relatively cheap, foreigners are usually charged more than locals. Aimed at the tourist trade, Open Tour Buses are inexpensive, comfortable buses that journey to the major destinations and stop at selected hotels and restaurants along the way. Although a pleasurable way to travel, it can feel like a tourist bubble rather than an experience of the real Vietnam. Minibuses are also plentiful but can be irritatingly slow with numerous pick ups and drop offs. It’s best to ride express minibuses which have far fewer stops and are air conditioned.

If time isn’t an issue, train travel is a relaxed way to travel. The journeys can take longer than by bus but offer more leg room and are generally less crowded. Also, unlike bus fares, foreigners pay the same as locals. Depending on your travel budget, trains range from the non-air conditioned seated variety to air-conditioned sleepers, the latter being an obvious choice if you plan to brave the 30 hour plus trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi which is often referred to as the Reunification Express. All trains require a reservation and it’s often possible to book a train from a station other than the one you are departing from.

Aside from crowded buses, taxis are good for getting around major cities. It’s advisable to used metered taxis or at least negotiate a fare before departure. Cyclos, three-wheeled bicycles, are an alternative way of traversing city streets and can be hired for a full day. For a more high-powered mode of transport, Honda Oms, motorbikes whereby the passenger sits behind the driver, are also plentiful. For both modes, it’s best to have a pen and paper to hand to write down your destination and agree on a fare prior to the journey.

- Year end volunteer program: Organizing Christmas Party for abandoned elder(09/03/2011) - Projects for Victims of Agent Orange Vietnam(08/12/2010) - Teach English in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam(06/12/2010) - Community work with Ethnic Khmer children in Soc Trang ,Chau Doc province , Vietnam(06/12/2010) - Work with orphans and special needs children in Hanoi(04/12/2010)