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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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From the very start of your trip in Ho Chi Minh City you'll be faced with the wonderful sights and sounds of one of South East Asia's most vibrant and fascinating countries. From the beauty of the Mekong delta to the picture perfect town of Hoi An, the stunning sights of Halong Bay to trekking in the mountains around Mai Chau - your first two weeks really do take you everywhere you could want to see, and more. Vietnam is a hugely varied country with more to do and see than you could ever wish for. It's also a great fun place to explore with friendly and sociable people happy to share their country with travellers. After this incredible introduction to what the country has to offer you will then spend time living with a rural community (an incredible experience on it's own) helping them to build much needed wells. So, not only do you get a real insight into what Vietnam is really like, you also make a lasting and positive impression on a local community - what a fantastic combination.
Welcome to Vietnam! Today you will be met at the airport and taken to the hotel where you’ll stay for the first 2 nights of your tour. If you arrive in time for an evening meal there is the option to join a welcome dinner with your fellow volunteers, or if you prefer you can spend your time exploring the old city!
After breakfast (which is included in your placement fee) you will spend the day touring Ho Chi Minh City (formally known as Saigon) learning more about the history of Vietnam’s capital city and visiting the great variety of attractions that it has to offer. You will explore all the major sights including Reunification Palace, the War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Thien Hau Pagoda, and Ben Than market before heading back to the hotel for a well deserved rest!
After an early morning start you will take the head off for the 2 hour journey down to the Mekong Delta where you’ll board your boat for a relaxing cruise on one of the many tributaries.
You will stop at the Cai Be floating market - a stunning local fruit and vegetable market where you can practice your bartering skills with the locals! After lunch you will transfer to smaller boats to enjoy the leisurely journey to Vinh Long town where you will meet the local family who will be your hosts for the night. Xin Chau!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
Rising early you will get back into your boat and cruise to Vinh Long to explore all the town has to offer before transferring back to land and travelling on to My Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. You will then head back to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll have some free time to explore more of this bustling city with it’s many tourist attractions, bars and restaurants before tucking yourself up in the hotel bed.
Breakfast and lunch and included today.
After some free time in the morning (maybe you’ll need it if you over indulged last night in the city bars!) your group will head to the airport to fly to Danang. (the cost of this internal flight is included) You’ll be taken to the airport, and although the flight is unaccompanied a member of the team will meet you on arrival to Danang. You’ll then transfer to your hotel in Hoi An, which is one of Vietnam's real gems and famous for it’s tailored clothes.
Breakfast is included today.
Today you will have a free day to explore the beautiful sleepy old town of Hoi Ann at your own pace. This is a great chance to shop till you drop so don`t forget the amazing tailored suits that you can buy! Many people come to Hoi An for a day and end up spending weeks there, captivated by it's wonderful atmosphere, friendly people and great places to explore – but you've only got 1 day so make the most of it!
Breakfast is included today.
After breakfast you will journey to your next stopping point of Hue. On the way you’ll stop at the famous China Beach in Danang and also visit the Cham museum, taking in Hai Van Pass on the way.
On arrival at Hue your group will visit the local market. By now your bartering skills will be much improved so make sure you haggle for the best price! Tonight is spent in a hotel in Hue.
Breakfast is included today.
Today is a history day! You’ll be visiting the grand Imperial Citadel, built between 1804 and 1832 by King Gia Long and situated on the Perfume River. You’ll also visit the elaborate tombs of Vietnamese Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, and learn about the history of this important and ancient city. Vietnam has a complex and fascinating history so there’s plenty to learn and see.
After a jam packed day in Hue (hey, that rhymes!) you will have the opportunity to use a 'dayroom' to freshen up before you board the overnight train for the journey to Hanoi. Sleeper trains are a great way to travel and you’ll be staying in a four berth cabin where you’ll be able to nod off to sleep as your train whizzes you up to Northern Vietnam.
Breakfast is included today.
Be prepared for an early arrival! You’ll be woken by the shouts of train staff rousing passengers and selling much needed coffee – “good morning… coffee?! Good morning… coffee?” On arrival you’ll be met at the train station and taken to your hotel for your early check in and breakfast.
This afternoon you will explore Hanoi including the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and was first built in 1070. For nearly 1000 years this temples has preserved its ancient architectural style of many dynasties and precious relics at the sanctuary. You will also marvel at the Ngoc Son Temple, soak up the atmosphere of majestic Hoan Kiem Lake and explore the famous Old Quarter with it’s shops, narrow streets and food outlets.
Hanoi is yet another place that you really won't want to leave - great people, a 'buzzing' atmosphere, wonderful architecture and just a brilliant vibe.
Don't miss out on a 'bia hoi' stand in the early evening - a Hanoi tradition where friends get together for a cold beer on the street after a hard days work, or in your case exploring!
Breakfast is included today.
After breakfast you will leave Hanoi and journey to the stunning small town of Mai Chau where you will have lunch at a traditional Thai stilt house before carrying on to Sa Linh village. This is where your group will start your trek along small paths towards Hang Kia village. Please note that luggage can be left at the hotel in Hanoi so you need only take the clothes needed for your trek with you in a daypack – no need to carry a heavy bag the whole way! We also recommend taking walking boots for this part of the trip.
You will have your evening meal and stay overnight in a traditional long house where you can rest your weary limbs and experience authentic Vietnamese living alongside the locals.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, are included today.
Today you will head well and truly off the beaten track as you trek through tropical rain forest, using local tracks and passing through cornfields on the way as you descend back into the Mai Chau Valley. The trek usually takes around 5 hours and can be quite steep in places, but don't worry - the views are well worth it! A much deserved lunch break will be provided for you en route.
You will arrive at Van village in the late afternoon and have time to wander round taking in the traditional way of life of the people who live here and meeting the locals, the village is home to Thai people! You may be able to sample some of their homemade rice wine over your evening meal before retiring to your homestay bed - but be careful, it's strong stuff!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, are included today.
This morning, you will trek for a couple of hours passing through several more Thai hamlets. You will walk along the valley floor and be able to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding paddy fields and beautiful scenery.
After arriving at the small village of Khoe you will meet up with the transport for your drive back to Mai Chau, where your lunch will be provided and there is the chance to do a little souvenir shopping before you return to Hanoi.
Your evening can be spent at your own leisure in Hanoi – you’ll be tired, but there’s always time for a 'bia hoi' before bedtime back at the hotel!
Breakfast and lunch are included today.
After breakfast you will leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay – the journey takes around 3 hours so you can always catch up on some sleep on the way! En-route you will enjoy a short stop at the famous Sao Do Arts and Crafts Centre which is run by disabled children, where you can pick up some more souvenirs – you can never have too many!
Arriving at the bay around midday you will board your private sleeping boat for a delicious seafood lunch (don’t worry vegetarians – you’ll be catered for too). Over lunch you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the hundreds of tiny islands that make Ha Long Bay such a stunning place and one of the natural wonders of the world. Then your group will head off to explore some of the bay’s limestone caves before your captain finds a secluded spot for you to swim and relax before dinner.
You’ll enjoy another seafood feast for dinner and for the night owls there is the option of night fishing before falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waters of the bay in your cabin.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
You’ll wake up to the sound of gentle waves lapping against the boat (bliss!) and have time for an early morning dip before breakfast. As you continue your cruise around the bay you will be able to find some more secluded areas to swim and maybe kayak (although additional payment will be required if you choose to kayak).
After your boat returns to the harbour you will travel back to Hanoi and begin your journey to the project site in Thai Binh province, around 100kms from Hanoi. On arrival at the village you will be introduced to the community and the family that you will be working with and living alongside as you volunteer and settle into your new homestay accommodation.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.
During your stay in Thai Binh you will be involved in valuable volunteer work, working alongside with the local community to help dig a water well and helping the local farmers in the rice fields. Your group will be divided into several work parties to ensure that you can get involved in a range of activities so you’ll be able to get stuck into a variety of different tasks.
Meals aren't included during your time with the community but your guide will help ensure you get to sample a range of local delicacies! You will need to budget US$8 to US$12 per day for food.
Time today to say farewell to all your new friends in the village and head back to Hanoi. You will need to budget for your meals today but there will be plenty of places to eat!
Overnight in Hanoi
This morning you will be taken to the local guesthouse near to your project and will have time to settle in after which you will then have an orientation of the project and a chance to meet the Director. Then it is time to get stuck in to your project work! You will be working a rehabilitation centre for disabled children in the Thuy An commune in the Ba Vi district of Hanoi.
Overnight at local guesthouse near project., Breakfast included
Today you will be continuing at your project and working at the rehabilitation centre! You will be looking after disabled children, teaching English to the children and staff at the centre, preparing meals or cleaning the centre, sports, arts, crafts - you will need to be flexible as your help will be needed in so many areas!
During your time at the project, you will be working from 8am to 4pm, the centre also has a lunch break from 11am to 2pm so you may get involved with helping to prepare food. The children also go to sleep for a couple of hours after lunch so you will be able to get some lunch during this time.
Please note that transport to and from the project is not included and you should budget for this accordingly.
Overnight at local guesthouse near project
Today you will be transferred back to the Old Quarter in Hanoi. If you’re heading back to Hanoi airport today the earliest you should book your flight would be 5pm. Return travel back to the airport from the Old Quarter is not covered within your project fee.
Please note: this tour requires minimum numbers to run. Contact us for more information
Although there has been huge economic development in Vietnam in recent years, Thai Binh province remains very poor and people here face many hardships. One of the biggest difficulties these people have had to cope with is the debilitating side effects of Agent Orange – toxic herbicides used during the American-Vietnam war, which has had devastating effects on 3 generations of families, causing physical and mental disabilities. More than 100 families have been affected and the effects can be seen in parents, children and grandchildren, and means these families struggle to survive financially.
The project you’ll volunteer at helps the local community improve their basic standard of living through the building of wells which will supply the village with water. You’ll can also help with the farming - working in the fields cutting rice, watering plants etc in your free time.
You will be working in the above project in the rural community for a week and then during your last week of the trip you will be working at a Rehabilitation centre for disabled children which was established in 1976. It occupies 37,400 square hectares with spacious houses, large garden areas with a flower garden and a 5000 square meter park for entertainment so you can imagine it is a great place where the children can receive great mental and physical therapy.
The Thuy An center has a teaching staff which include well-trained specialists who fully understand the psychology and physiology of the various handicapped conditions of the children. The teachers in Thuy An center are experienced in this field and love their jobs looking after the disabled children, however help from volunteers is much appreciated!
This is a really worthwhile project, and although you may find it upsetting to see first-hand the devastating effects of Agent Orange over 35 years since the war ended, it will be a really fulfilling experience helping these people to improve their lives.
This is a real experience and far more challenging than you may think. You should be hardworking, willing to get stuck in and get your hands dirty! You'll certainly leave with a healthy respect for how tough and strong this community is.
This is for anyone with a real desire to explore Vietnam, the beautiful scenery it has to offer and for those who really want to help a community that has suffered years of hardship. By living with the local community in homestay accommodation during your time at the project you will experience the true rural life of the Vietnamese and the way in which they cope with everyday life. This isn't a 'luxury' tour - far from it - but is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get under the skin of one of the most fascinating countries on earth - surely something that appeals to everyone?
When you come back to Hanoi during your last week you will be working at the rehabilitation centre for disabled children where you will be looking after disabled children, teaching English to the children and the staff of the centre, helping around the centre with cleaning, lunches and helping with the needs of the project.
Thái Bình is a coastal eastern province in the Red River Delta region of Northern Vietnam, approximately 110km from the city of Hanoi. You’ll be staying in a homestay in a village and working alongside the local people.
During your time at the project in your last week you will be based in the Thuy An commune in the Ba Vi district of Hanoi, staying in a local guesthouse near to the project.
During your time at the project you’ll work Monday to Friday, with various shifts between 8am and 5pm. Your evenings and weekends are free to spend however you choose, but an extra time you’d like to give to the project will be appreciated.
You will be getting involved with building a water well, house or yard with the guidance of local engineers. In your spare time you can also help out with farming in the village, this will involve activities such as cutting rice, watering the field and weeding - dictated by the season and what is required. You can also help with a variety of activities within the community- teaching informal English to small classes of adults and encouraging them to improve their oral English or getting involved with arts and crafts activities, games, songs and playing games with the children in the village.
During your last week in Hanoi you will be working from 8am to 4pm and the centre will have a lunch break from 11am to 2pm whereby you will be able to help with lunches. The children do have a nap after lunch for a couple of hours so you can have your own lunch or help with other activities around the centre.
You should be prepared to get dirty during your time at the project so wear clothes that are durable - and not too precious! Long trousers are more suitable that short shorts and don`t forget to bring a hat as the sun is strong in this part of the world! Please note that between November and March it can be quite cold in parts of Northern Vietnam so bring a warm sweater or fleece with you too!
The project will not be as well resourced as you are used to at home, so tools and equipment will be more basic than you’re used to. You’ll need to use your initiative and listen to the advice of the local experts.
Any resources that you will be able to help the centre in Hanoi with would be much appreciated, anything such as educational books, colouring books, pencils etc.
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
You will arrive on the Arrival Date - Sunday and will be met at the airport on that day. You will be taken to your accommodation where you will have the first day/night to recover from your flight.
The hotel details will be emailed to you approximately 1 week prior to arrival.
Note: If you're arriving early we can arrange a meet and greet for you. If you require this please contact us to arrange this service.
As this is a tour, you’ll be staying in a variety of different accommodations, as detailed in the itinerary. All accommodations will be on a shared with your fellow volunteers. Below is an overview of each:
While in Ho Chi Minh you’ll use a hotel which is centrally located within easy access of markets, shops and tourist attractions. The hotel has access to computers at no charge, free wifi, laundry service and a spa and massage centre. This is a great place to stay in Vietnam’s capital city!
While in the Mekong Delta, Hang Kia and Van village you’ll be in a homestay. This means living alongside a local family in traditional Vietnamese accommodation. It may be more basic than you’re used to at home, but will be safe and clean.
While in Hoi An you’ll stay at a hotel usually located in the old quarter of town and convenient for shopping and sightseeing. The hotel has all the facilities you’d expect from a hotel – including air-conditioned bliss!
While in Hue and Hanou you will be using hotel accommodation - more centrally based accommodations with air-conditioning and standard facilities.
Don’t forget your time in a four berth sleeper train en route to Hanoi, and relaxing on a Ha Long Bay houseboat!
The area where you will be volunteering in Thai Binh is very poor therefore your homestay accommodation is very simple with basic facilities. Homestay living with a local family gives you the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of authentic Vietnamese living. There will be hot water, a western style toilet and shower for you to use.
Blankets, pillow, mattress and mosquito nets will be provided for you and this is rural living at it’s best!
During your time at the project in Hanoi you will be based in a local guesthouse approximately 4kms from the centre. You will be able to travel to the project either by renting a pushbike or by motorbike taxi. The scenery around the project is beautiful with a large lake and never ending rice and corn fields - what a way to go to work!
The actual hotels used during the tour will be advised approximately a week prior to arrival.
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 unified 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.
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. The days change each year depending on the lunar cycle but for 2007 the first day of Tet is earmarked for February 18. 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.
The average costs of life’s little essentials are as follows:
For long distances, flying is a doable but often expensive option compared to trains and buses. The main domestic airlines are Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines 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.
We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
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