2-Week Winter Break Program in Vietnam

Dates: December 28, 2008 to January 10, 2009

Program Fee: $1,995 (extra week $495)

Country
Vietnam (pop. 86 mil) continues to gain in popularity as a travel destination. Although the country's war history is remembered by locals and those abroad, Vietnam is a peaceful place looking to the future. The country has enjoyed economic growth since the government's Doi Moi reforms in the 1980's, while the culture is strongly influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism with strong emphasis on the family. Cosmic Volunteers has been sending volunteers to Vietnam since 2005, after visits by Cosmic's founder Scott Burke.

Location
The 2-Week Winter Break in Vietnam is located in the town of Ho Chi Minh City in south Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh (pop. 6.5 mil), also known by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam's largest city and economic hub, a bustling, very hot, and safe city. The locations of the shelters we work with are in several Districts (1, 4, 6, etc).
Map of Vietnam

Volunteer Projects
Your volunteer work will involve a combination of humanitarian work and physical work with children's shelters in Ho Chi Minh City. You will spend time with children playing games, arts & crafts, and sports. You will also take part in painting, gardening, and cleanup work at the shelter.

Included in Program Fee
   • All Food
   • All Accommodations
   • Airport Pickup/Dropoff
   • In-Country Transportation
   • In-Country Orientation
   • Volunteer Project
   • Cultural Excursions
   • 24 Hr Support in Vietnam and Philadelphia
   • Visa Assistance
   • Insurance
   • T-Shirt
   • Certificate / Letter

Not Included in Program Fee
   • Airfare
   • Visa Fee
   • Vaccinations
   • Internet
   • Phone Calls
   • Extra Sightseeing

Accommodations and Meals
Accommodations are in guesthouses, in same-sex rooms. The accommodations will be basic but clean. Food will be local Vietnamese cuisine (rice, vegetables, meat, fish, beans, fruit) with vegetarians and vegans easily accommodated.

Local Transportation
Cosmic Volunteers' staff will meet you at the airport in Ho Chi Minh, transport you to the guesthouse and project location, provide you with an orientation and 24 hour support, and drop you off at the airport at the end of the program. Daily transport during the program will be by shared taxi.

Requirements
   • Minimum Age: 16
   • All Nationals are Eligible

Get a Free Trip
Recruit a group of 10 volunteers and we will waive your Program Fee and pay for your airfare.