An adventure with purpose is waiting for you in Vietnam! Join Habitat Vietnam to build a home and experience a truly unique Vietnamese culture. From the Mekong River Delta to the Central Highlands, Vietnam promises to be a trip unlike any other. With Habitat for Humanity, you will have the opportunity to experience Vietnam not only as a tourist but as a member of the small rural community where we will build.

Learn more about how you can join a team of diverse, like-minded volunteers and become part of the mission to secure simple, decent and affordable housing for all.

About Vietnam 
Vietnam (“Viet Nam” in Vietnamese), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Laos and Cambodia. It is a country of divine contrasts. The scene changes from the bustling and chaotic streets of Hanoi in the north, down 3,450 kilometers of coastline to the tranquil rice paddies and tropical islands in the south.

The country has experienced significant economic growth in the past two decades as the country shifted to a market style economy. A driving force for the future is Vietnam’s strongly motivated and educated population – the country boasts a 90 percent literacy rate. But while Vietnam has the second-fastest growing economy in Asia, it is still one of the poorest countries in the region. A 2004 census estimated 19.5 percent of Vietnamese lived below the national poverty line. Substandard housing in Vietnam ranges from overcrowded urban units to shacks constructed from scraps or natural materials that need frequent replacing.

Tien Giang province is located north of the Mekong Delta, adjacent to the Tien River. It is bordered on the north by Long An; on the south by Vinh Long and Ben Tre; on the east by Ho Chi Minh; and on the west by Dong Thap. Tien Giang’s population is estimated at more than 1.6 million. My Tho is the capital city and municipality of Tien Giang,

About Habitat for Humanity Vietnam
Habitat’s work in Vietnam is undertaken through the Habitat for Humanity Vietnam national office that was established in October 2002. Currently, Habitat has projects in the southern provinces of Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Dong Nai as well as Ho Chi Minh City.

Recently Habitat started a pilot project to reduce poverty levels in southern province, Tien Giang, where more than 1,000 families are being provided with improved sanitation and housing. This initiative, with the help of the provincial authorities, extended existing microfinance networks so families could save and access credit for home improvements.

To learn more about HFH Vietnam, visit www.habitatvietnam.org.

Types of construction for volunteers
Volunteers may work on existing home renovations and complete home construction. Volunteers may help with some, but not necessarily all, of these activities: transporting materials; filling foundations with dirt stone and sand; compacting floor; mixing mortar; laying bricks; cleaning and painting windows and doors.

Standard itinerary
Day 1 Friday, February 28, 2014: Depart the United States.
Day 2 Saturday, March 1, 2014: Travel day
Day 3 Sunday, March 2, 2014: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City; free time; dinner; overnight in hotel.
Day 4 Monday, March 3, 2014: Travel to My Tho in Tien Giang; orientation with local staff member; visit project sites and families; welcome dinner.
Days 5-8 Tuesday, March 4-Friday, March 7, 2014: Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with lunch on-site; Free time after work to clean up; dinner and time for team activities.
Days 9-10 Saturday, March 8-Sunday, march 9, 2014:  Free days: activities in local community.
Days 11-14 Monday, March 10-Thursday, March 13, 2014: Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with lunch on-site; Free time after work to clean up; dinner at house; time for team activities; farewell lunch with families on Thusday.
Day 15 Friday, March 14, 2014: Travel to Ho Chi Minh City; free time for local activities; dinner.
Day 16 Saturday, March 15, 2014: Departure day.

Note: Trip includes special events throughout the week, including cultural experiences with affiliate staff, such as market tours, museum visits, church, historical sites, etc.

Accommodations
Teams typically stay in a local hotel with A/C; participants sharing double-occupancy rooms with private bath.

Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch on site prepared by local restaurants that are located near the work site. Dinners in local restaurants. Snack and water is included, as well as the cost of welcome and farewell dinners.

Program cost
US$1,960
(For more details about what is included in this cost, visit Global Village program cost.)

Increase your impact: Take the GV Challenge
Habitat for Humanity is accelerating its work to end poverty housing, and we need Global Village teams to help. Set a goal and fundraise to make your impact last longer than the days you’re in the field. Your support builds more homes, creates resource centers, educates families, and advances our projects to build sustainable communities. We’ll even provide tools to make fundraising easy. Take the GV Challenge – join us in sharing our story and building a better world.

Team leaders
Jennifer is a Habitat enthusiast who currently resides in Chicago, but hails from the great state of Washington. She is a dynamic leader in the hospitality industry and is excited to share her Habitat passion with a diverse team. When Jennifer isn't working she enjoys filling her passport with stamps, reading, live music and design.

This is Jennifer's second Global Village trip and first time to Vietnam. For more information about this Global Village trip, please contact Jennifer at globalvillagejen@gmail.com.