Our Philosophy

At Hue Help, we strongly believe that learning English assists upward social mobility. Vietnam is a fast-growing economy, where the ability to speak English is invaluable. Unfortunately however, it is those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder that often get left behind. We put our volunteer teachers in places where they are both appreciated and needed - offering native-speaking English language teachers to those who typically cannot afford such a desirable service. In a world of growing international dependency, providing spoken and written English language skills to disadvantaged people just starting off in life will significantly help them make a better future for themselves in a competitive job and education market.

About the Area

Thua Thien Hue is located in the central region of Vietnam, bordered on the north side by Quang Tri Province, and on the south side by Da Nang City. With a population of nearly 1 million stretching over one City and eight Districts, Thua Thien Hue is still one of the poorest provinces of Vietnam. Hue is the most important city of the province. Harboring strong cultural traditions, it is also considered a centre of education in central Vietnam.

However, educating the poor in the area is still a huge challenge, and one that has been recognised by local authorities and NGOs alike. Our program of providing English language tuition focuses on orphans, disadvantaged youths and young adults and those with disabilities. We work with schools and community centers where a lifetime of substandard and interrupted education is common practice.

Who is this programme for?

This programme has been designed for those interested in an inexpensive voluntary position, looking for a range of teaching experience (from children to adults), and of course those who want to experience Vietnam by immersing themselves into the local community. Some of our projects do not have a syllabus, so we also need our volunteers to be imaginative classroom planners. We are looking for hard-working, enthusiastic, independent volunteers that are interested in other cultures and consider themselves adaptable to new situations. Volunteers are not required to have special skillsets, but having special skills will give the volunteers more opportunities to contribute to the community.

Where will I work?

On the next page, you can find a current list of our growing number of partners to which we send our volunteers. Before you arrive, the volunteer coordinator will send you a list of potential placements available during your programme’s stage, and you will have the opportunity to voice which placements you think you’d suit best. After this, the volunteer coordinator will assess the strengths and interests of all the volunteers in the group and will work towards reaching a unanimous decision. You will have the option to focus on just one or many different placements, ranging from non-profit organizations, low-cost English schools, public secondary schools, and children’s shelters. Our goal is to give our volunteers the opportunity to have a multi-faceted service experience within the local Hue community.

What will Hue Help provide me with?

We do not charge our volunteers any application fees. However, we still can provide…

• Pre-departure resources to ensure quality preparation.
• In-country orientation and introduction, as well as support throughout the placement.
• In-classroom support from our local volunteers and staff.
• Discounted accommodation in a Vietnamese family home-stay.
• Support for obtaining visas and permits, where required.

Who can apply?

• You must be 18 years or more at the start of the placement.
• If you are interested in paid work, you must be a qualified TEFL / TESOL teacher, have other relevant qualifications or experience, or be willing to train towards a qualification.
• In usual circumstances, be willing to work a 3-month time period.

When can I come?

This programme has four 3-month stages per year and you will be invited to apply for one of those time periods. When writing your application, please make sure that the specified dates coincide with the following stages:

• Stage 1 - First week of January-Last week of March*
• Stage 2 - First week of April-Last week of June
• Stage 3 - First week of July-Last week of September
• Stage 4 - First week of October-Last week of December

*Stage 1 teaching schedules are often interrupted for up tp two weeks due to the Lunar New Year Tet Celebrations. Potential January-March volunteers should be prepared for this.

How much does the programme cost?

As previously stated, we do not charge any application or admistration fees for our programme. However, we are also not able to offer any financial assistance and volunteers must come with enough funds to support themselves throughout their placement. The costs below should give you an idea of how much it costs to volunteer with us. You can convert Vietnam Dong (VD) into your currency here

Accommodation in the Hue Help house, or a cheap hotel - 3'420'000 VD/month.

Food - 60'000-200'000 VD/day (this depends on where you eat!)

Set-up costs (bicycle, sim card, map) - 1'000'000 VD

Note- these prices are rough and are likely to fluctuate slightly.

How do I apply?

To apply for this programme, you should first email us at volunteer@huehelp.org to check availability. If we have vacancies for the stage you are interested in, all you need to do is click here to apply online!

NOTE: Because of the time it takes to cover the administration to send volunteers to Vietnam, usually you will have to apply a minimum of two months before the proposed start date of your placement.

After we receive an application, we will assess it and consider your suitability for the programme. Our volunteer co-ordinator will then contact you, and may ask for a telephone interview. If you are successful, we will then notify you and send you the formal paperwork.

Questions or Comments? How do I apply?

We've worked for a long time to devise this programme, so we're keen to hear feedback and opinions on what we've created. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us!

Where We Work

Here is some brief information about the current placements with which we are working. We are always looking to collaborate with new partners and projects around the area. If you would like any further information, please do get in touch.

Low-cost English language schools

If you are TEFL qualified, we can give you the option to work in one of our affiliated low-cost English schools. These schools offer very good value teaching but cannot afford, and do not have the means, to hire native-speaking English teachers. The students do pay tuition fees, however it is very little compared to other schools in the city. As a result, the volunteer will receive a pay-by-class salary if they decide to work in these schools. The amount of work available will depend on demand from the schools/students, as well as the qualification and experience of the teacher. This should interest those who are looking to financially supplement some of their volunteering costs as well as gaining experience in the paid teaching sector. These schools typically focus on teaching young adults and children.
N.B. Please note that as a volunteer you cannot rely on this salary. You must make sure you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay before you arrive.

The Children's Shelters of Hue

We work with six of the children’s shelters in Hue city, sending volunteers when they are required. The shelters vary quite dramatically when it comes to size, area location, facilities and funding, but they all welcome the chance of having a native English-speaking guest. The age of the kids will range from 0-18 years old (and sometimes even older), but you will not be expected to teach any child under the age of five. Many of our volunteers end up spending a great deal of time in the shelters outside of their planned lessons, as the kids are always a true delight to be around and really appreciate interaction with foreigners. This work is suitable for those who are interested in giving informal/game-centered lessons and enjoy working with children.

REACH/Plan LABS (Livelihood Advancement Business School)

REACH/Plan LABS is a vocational training centre that provides free training to disadvantaged young adults (17-25 years) in and around Hue. The students here learn practical skills to help them find work in specific areas, and it is a great alternative to conventional education institutions. There are currently three classes running: Food and Beverage Services, Accommodation services, and Customer Relations Services. Acquiring skills in spoken and written English is essential for the students to find work in these areas after leaving the centre. Currently administered by Plan International, this is an extremely successful programme usually finding jobs for 80% of its students. REACH has a well-structured syllabus and timetable and is suitable for those interested in teaching work-specific English to disadvantaged young adults.

La Boulangerie Francaise

The French bakery is an inspired French initiative that teaches disadvantaged young male adults the art of French baking with the idea that these trainees go on to obtain respectable jobs in hotels and restaurants. The programme has been  met with great success, training 40 apprentices and finding steady work for 35 of those apprentices since opening. Part of the training programme teaches the young adults English, as the apprentices often go on to work in international environments across Vietnam. They have a stable Vietnamese English teacher but we send native-speaking English teachers as well so that the apprentices can benefit from learning with foreigners. This placement should interest those who want to get involved in vocational training and find it easy to organize extracurricular activities for young male adults.

The Hope Center

The Hope Center is a vocational training center that provides work opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people. The Center also works with a minority group, the A Luoi. Tailoring and industrial sewing have been taught over the years, and more recently the Center has opened up a handicraft division. Artisans produce a range of goods from wire products to hand-crafted jewelry, all of which are sold at their new local souvenir shop. Volunteers are needed to teach shop-keeping English to the staff, so that they can communicate with foreign customers and explain the production process. This placement is suitable for those who have a great imagination and creativity for crafts, those who are looking for work experience with mentally and physically disabled individuals, and those who are interested in understanding social enterprises.

Nguyen Cuu Trinh Secondary School (Pilot Program)

Nguyen Cuu Trinh Secondary School is located in An Hoa ward, one of the poorest wards of Hue city. Most of the students enrolled in the school come from financially difficult backgrounds. However, this does not affect their willingness and enthusiasm for learning English. In this placement, volunteers will get a good range of teaching experience within a Vietnamese public school context. You will be asked to work with several local teachers and focus mostly on listening, speaking, and pronunciation. This work is suitable for those who are interested in the public education system, enjoy working with children, and who can give informal/game-centered lessons.