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This project is a volunteer program to care for children staying at a center for children with disabilities within a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, sharing warmth and love. Let's give our hearts so that these children—whom the world should raise together—can grow up bright and healthy.
1. Not wrong, just different
Sometimes it's hard for us to muster the courage to approach things that are different from us. We unintentionally form prejudices. The way people view children with disabilities is no different. Children with disabilities may have physical limitations, but nothing is impossible for them. Penguins are perceived as birds that cannot fly, but if you think about it differently, you can describe them as "birds that fly where other birds cannot." Try shifting your perspective a little. Look at children with disabilities with warm care. Our small attention and love can unlock the potential within them. Not only the children but also volunteers will learn to understand and respect differences.Enhance your global citizenship by becoming part of a society that lives together in the spirit of "different, not wrong."Are you ready to look around you and help build a more beautiful society?
2. A Time to Rediscover Yourself
Meeting children with disabilities in Ho Chi Minh will lead you to discover new aspects of yourself. Realizing that you can be of help to someone makes you see yourself as more valuable and gives you the strength to love yourself. The children’s unconditional welcome will give you courage and confidence that you can do anything. At first it may feel unfamiliar and awkward, but you will be pleased to see yourself change as you laugh with the children at their pure smiles and lovable ways. While staying here, you'll have time to deeply explore yourself.It's a time to step out of daily life and, in a new environment, find out what brings you joy and what you truly like.A time to discover your potential and give yourself courage—doesn't that make you excited just thinking about it? Those who take on the challenge will achieve it.
3. A Global Volunteer Mindset
Do you feel frustrated with the repetitive routine? How about the excitement and subtle tension of a new environment? Meet diverse international friends in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Break out of all that has been confining you and feel the freedom.You'll meet a variety of people and, with an open mind, learn about their thoughts and cultures.Volunteering alongside them will be a journey sailing toward a broader world. Recharge your energy with positive feelings—achievement and gratitude—that you may not have felt deeply before.
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Please see them as they are.
Your gaze will illuminate the whole world like the children's innocent smiles.
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12.2 Week
Based on past participants’ experiences, we’ve organized the common themes of learning, reflection, and growth by time period.
What makes this project special
Grow
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The organization where the project is carried out is a facility for children with disabilities within Ho Chi Minh Hospital, providing educational opportunities so that children who need love and care can become more independent. Volunteers spend time with the children to help them use their physical abilities and learn language. Children participate in various activities to support their growth.
■Activity days
- This project starts every Monday and ends on Friday.
- Participants arrive on Sunday before activities begin.
- This project runs year-round.
* Each year, from Lunar New Year's Day for about one week is Vietnam's biggest holiday, Tet; if you participate during this period, the schedule may be adjusted according to local circumstances.
■Main activities
1. Become a local teacher
- Volunteers support the children so they can be happier in a better environment. They assist local teachers with speech therapy to help children express themselves verbally a little more. They also tidy up the surroundings before mealtimes, clean up, and feed the children so they can eat properly.
2. Serve as the children's activities teacher
- Physical activity is important for children with disabilities. Therefore, continuous small movements are necessary. While participating in physical activities with teachers and friends, children develop not only through rehabilitation but also in social skills.
Volunteers play energetically with the children to support their growth and development, engage in creative activities such as drawing and crafting, and assist in the children's therapy. Volunteers can also bring educational materials that the children will enjoy and use them for teaching.
▶ Caring for the children at the center for children with disabilities is the main activity.
▶ The disability center has an average of 13–25 children.
▶ Help children comfortably interact with a variety of people.
▶ Programs are conducted to improve physical and language development to enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities.
▶ You will learn basic methods for teaching and caring for children with disabilities.
■Sample activity schedule
| Time | Content |
| 07:30 - 08:00 | Walk to the disability center (about 20 minutes on foot) |
| 08:00 - 10:15 | Morning activities |
| 10:20 - 11:00 | Lunch break |
| 11:00 - 13:20 | Rest at the accommodation |
| 13:30 - 14:00 | Walk to the center for children with disabilities (approximately 20 minutes) |
| 14:00 - 15:30 | Afternoon activities |
* Schedule and activity times may change depending on local conditions.
*For safety, volunteers will travel to and from the activity site accompanied by local staff.
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English requirement★☆☆☆☆ Physical fitness requirement ★★☆☆☆ |
■ Local orientation and pre-training information
- Orientation starts locally every Monday, and airport pickup is provided on the Sunday before orientation. You can arrive early on Saturday, two days before activities begin, and stay at the volunteer accommodation.
(If you wish to stay additional nights, extra charges will apply and availability may vary depending on the time of participation and local circumstances.)
- To participate in volunteer activities with children with disabilities, participants must comply with the activity rules presented at orientation.
- To attend orientation, please book your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, arriving between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
(After your project participation is confirmed, we will provide individual guidance on flights and transportation.)
| Day of the week | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday ~ Friday | Saturday |
| Schedule | Arrival at site | Orientation and pre-training / Volunteer exchange activities | Volunteer activities begin | Check-out from accommodation |
* Detailed information is provided during the domestic orientation.
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* Participants' detailed reviews are available on Gap Year Story (click).
* More participant reviews can be found at the bottom of the project page "Participant Reviews".
Support details
- Volunteers will dine at on-campus cafeterias provided by the local organization, and meals are mainly Vietnamese local cuisine. Western dishes such as sandwiches, spaghetti, and bread are also offered.
Not included
- Round-trip airfare
- Individual travel insurance
- Airport pickup after the end of volunteer activities
- Visa issuance fee for stays of more than 45 days
- Other local living expenses
■About the Organization
The Disabled Children’s Center at Ho Chi Minh Hospital in Vietnam carries out activities to support rehabilitation for children suffering from conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism. The children are grouped into two classes based on their conditions. The most important areas to care for to improve the children’s quality of life are language and physical abilities. Volunteers assist local teachers and lovingly care for children with physical challenges.
■ A Word from the Local Organization Representative
Hello! We are project coordinators Anna & Quyen.
We sincerely thank the volunteers who have taken their valuable time to care for the children and share their love.
We are committed to ensuring that volunteers can have a safe and warm experience here.
Through this project you will meet friends from around the world with diverse cultures, volunteer together, and create lasting memories. It’s a rewarding opportunity for personal growth through meaningful activities—let’s do it together!
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Accommodation Features and Information
This project includes accommodation. The accommodation is in the form of university campus dormitories in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, where you will live with other international friends. The dormitories are managed by gender. You will live with various international friends and be able to learn their cultures and languages. In addition, the accommodation is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, so local restaurants, ATMs, and various conveniences are nearby. On campus There is an office space and a nice café, providing volunteers with a peaceful and relaxed place to spend their time.
| <Shared room (4–8 people) / separated by gender / shared bathroom in the accommodation / breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided / Wi‑Fi available> |
Accommodation Notes
* Accommodation check-in is on Sunday before the volunteer activity begins, and check-out is on Saturday.
* There are rules in the campus dormitory, such as prohibiting roaming late at night. Please follow the rules during the project period for a safe stay and activities!
* If you wish to stay additional nights outside the official schedule, you can apply after paying extra fees. For availability and costs, please contact us individually and we will assist you.
* For detailed information, please contact Korea Gap Year (koreagapyear@gmail.com).
Region :Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh
Located in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was formerly called Saigon but was renamed Ho Chi Minh in 1976 after surrounding areas were merged, taking the name of the national hero. Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam and was once the capital of the former Republic of Vietnam. During the French colonial period, many buildings reflecting French architectural styles were constructed, which is why it is sometimes called the "Paris of the East."
Ben Thanh Night Market (Ben Thanh)
Established by the French in 1914, it remains the largest and most vibrant market in Ho Chi Minh. The bell tower and the main gate with its clock have become one of the city's symbols, and it is a place every visitor to Ho Chi Minh tends to visit. Because it sells everything needed for daily life, locals also frequent it. Especially at night, food vendors set up around the market buildings and a night market opens, creating an interesting scene. With fruits, local dishes, handicrafts, clothing and goods, and souvenirs on sale, it is a place where you can enjoy Vietnamese customs.
Notre-Dame Cathedral (Ho Chi Minh)
This is the Notre-Dame Cathedral built by the French during the colonial era. An example of Neo-Romanesque architecture, its two bell towers reach 60.5 meters and are symmetrical; the bricks imported directly from France give a French atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh.
Reunification Palace (Ho Chi Minh)
The Reunification Palace was built as the French governor's residence during the colonial period and reflects French architectural style. It is a historic site of Vietnam's reunification and a place to explore the country's modern history. The building has six floors; the interior includes the presidential office, conference rooms, reception rooms for foreign dignitaries and ambassadors, and an underground bunker where the Vietnam War-era operations room has been preserved as it was. Korean audio guides are available.
■This is a project that starts every Monday.
■The participation period for this project is At least 2 weeks.
■ Project fees can be easily checked at the top of the current page by period and options.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Adults aged 18 and over; minors require parental/guardian consent.
- Anyone who wants to share love with children.
- Anyone who wants to gain experience in related fields such as special education, child education, social welfare, rehabilitation and physical therapy, speech therapy, or healthcare.
- Anyone who wants to live with friends of diverse nationalities and participate in volunteer activities.
■ Installment Payment Information
If you have difficulty paying in full, you can prepay a registration fee of 500,000 KRW and pay the remaining balance within two weeks; from the date the registration fee is paid, the process to confirm participation in the project will proceed and availability (TO) will be checked. Securing a spot quickly is important to participate on your desired dates and period! (Non-refundable once participation is confirmed)
*However, if the start date is imminent, the schedule for paying the remaining balance may vary depending on circumstances.
■ Early Bird Discount and Emergency Application Information
We recommend applying for all Gap Year projects at least 3 months before the project start date to allow for normal processing procedures and Gap Year preparation time; as a rule, applications should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start date. However, if unavoidable circumstances require urgent participation, you may pay an additional fee for the emergency application service to expedite processing as quickly as possible.
*We assist with the fastest possible processing, but there is a basic amount of time required for communication with local organizations and confirmation of participation, and all procedures are carried out the same as for regular participants, so participants who apply through the emergency application service must actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year operations teamare required to.
** Those who apply at least 180 days before the start date are eligible for an early bird discount.
*** The emergency application service can be selected from the options above; for inquiries about the emergency application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
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- Included: automatic application for Gap Year missions and notes / OT materials provided in full immediately upon confirmation of participation / additional emergency staff deployment / support in preparing documents if needed, etc. * If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to Naver's date calculator >> Go to Naver Date Calculator |
**Note: In the case of ultra-urgent applications, there may be no available TO depending on local circumstances, and subsequent procedures will proceed according to Gap Year refund policies.AdditionallyAny problems caused by a participant's lack of cooperation are the responsibility of the participant.
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