Testimonies Program Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
volunteer testimonial
This was my first international volunteer experience, and my first experience traveling alone in another country. I couldn't imagine having had a better experience. The volunteer coordinator, Hang was incredible. She and her husband Linh, were incredibly kind, generous, knowledgeable, and welcoming. Between Hang, Linh, and the guesthouse staff, I felt like I had friends in the city who could help me should I need anything. The actual volunteering was incredibly rewarding. I felt appreciated by the kids and the workers at the orphanages and center for street children. The experience has truly been life changing for me, and I would encourage anyone interested in the program to pursue it! Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity!!
Carrie Reichert (USA)
volunteer testimonial
The program is very enriching and presented a lot of opportunities for me to experience life in a different aspect. Ms Hang was fantastic, she did a really marvelous job there and the way she had guided me and supported me was excellent. Her friendliness and hospitality was one of my regrets for leaving Vietnam.
Keith Tang (Singapore)
volunteer testimonial
I volunteered in Vietnam with WLS and it was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. Hang, the main coordinator, is so kind, patient, smart, and helpful. She and her husband took me to see a few different programs available for me to volunteer at, and then I could choose the one where I felt the most comfortable and where I thought I could contribute the most. With the support of WLS I was able to volunteer and help so many people, and in the process I learned so much more about life then I ever could have imagined. The experience was amazing, and the children and people I was able to meet and help have truly changed my life!
Cia Restaino (USA)
volunteer testimonial
I had an amazing time on this trip. I loved Ho Chi Minh City, loved my coordinator, and loved the orphanage where I ended up spending most of my days. As for my coordinator, she was amazing! It was so nice to be in a place that is so foreign to me with someone for whom that country is their home. I felt so much more confident with her by my side, whether it was bargaining in the markets or trying to cross the street. She is genuinely kind, incredibly helpful, available whenever. She's great.
Kimberly Trabka (USA)
volunteer testimonial
My and my daughter we really enjoyed our stay in Ho Chi Minh City with WLS International. Everything was very well organized, our coordinator Ms Hang and her husband Linh were very kind and helpful and the different projects were very interesting and full of strong emotions.
Catherine Sanner (Switzerland)
volunteer testimonial
I can honestly say this was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Hang met me at the airport and then continued to be an anchor of support whenever I needed it. She went out of her way to make me and the other volunteers welcome. She is absolutely fantastic. The volunteering I did was such an enriching experience, All the people I met were so generous, happy to share their lives and experiences and really happy to spend what little time I had with them and so I thank them and your organization for enabling me to do this. I have recommended WLS International to many people and so I hope I can help to spread the good work you are doing.
Shilpa Mistry (UK)
volunteer testimonial
I had the most incredible time volunteering with WLS Vietnam! The people I was working with were fabulous, the kids were beautiful, Ms Hang was delightful and the other volunteers were amazing! I just had such a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back again! The entire two weeks was wonderful! I can't pick one favorite bit. I loved working at the orphanage with those gorgeous kids and adored working at the boys shelter. Having dinner with the kids at the boys shelter during the week was definitely a highlight! They were so energetic and hilarious! Ms Hang was a fantastic coordinator! She was so helpful and generous. She showed us so many things in HCMC that we would have never discovered by ourselves. It was a blessing to meet such a kind and caring woman.
Lindsay Morton (Australia)
volunteer testimonial
My trip to Vietnam exceeded all my expectations and more. It really was a truly amazing experience and I can not wait to go back. The atmosphere in the orphanage is so welcoming, the children are so happy despite their disabilities and the staff were very helpful. This can only be of testament to the great job that everyone does working and supporting the project. The Children were so affectionate, polite and so much fun to play with. We did all sorts of activities from colouring, football and even swimming. Ms Hang is the main reason why my trip was such an amazing experience. Nothing is too much for her and she is always on hand for support. She was so welcoming arranging nights out together showing us new and exciting places and farewell dinners in her home. It was lovely all the volunteers are placed in the same guest house, i have definitely made some life long friends from the experience. This was not my first volunteering trip but definitely my most enjoyable and i would recommend anyone to do it. I would certainly recommend WLS International also, from the first enquiry to booking the trip to everything while you are out there, i always felt i had an anchor of support and was able to have a truly life changing experience.
Lisa-Jane White (UK)
volunteer testimonial
I had an amazing time on the programme. I found the program extremely well structured and really enjoyed the variety offered by completing different projects, I think by offering volunteers the chance to work across different projects it adds a huge amount to the program, particularly when staying there for a longer period. I found each of the projects I visited really engaging and very enjoyable; at each of the projects the staff were extremely welcoming and helpful (even if they didn't speak English, communication was still always amazingly straight forward.) This attitude made me me feel really comfortable in working with them.
To comment on Mrs Hang - I think it perhaps goes without saying that she is a most fabulous coordinator, I have nothing other than praise for her. She made you feel very welcome in a foreign country, supported you through any problem, and allowed you to enjoy the very full program on offer. She is a wonderful lady.
The best thing about the program is that you get a fantastic overall experience; meet some fabulous people, learn some amazing skills, whilst making an clearly positive contribution.
Jess Nightingale (UK)
volunteer testimonial
I had an amazing time on the programme. I found the program extremely well structured and really enjoyed the variety offered by completing different projects, I think by offering volunteers the chance to work across different projects it adds a huge amount to the program, particularly when staying there for a longer period. I found each of the projects I visited really engaging and very enjoyable; at each of the projects the staff were extremely welcoming and helpful (even if they didn't speak English, communication was still always amazingly straight forward.) This attitude made me me feel really comfortable in working with them.
To comment on Mrs Hang - I think it perhaps goes without saying that she is a most fabulous coordinator, I have nothing other than praise for her. She made you feel very welcome in a foreign country, supported you through any problem, and allowed you to enjoy the very full program on offer. She is a wonderful lady.
The best thing about the program is that you get a fantastic overall experience; meet some fabulous people, learn some amazing skills, whilst making an clearly positive contribution.
Jess Nightingale (UK)
volunteer testimonial
I volunteered in Vietnam with WLS, which was definitely the best trip and best experience of my life! I really enjoyed working at every project, every project is very satisfying in his own way. The love and appreciation you get from the children at all the projects is indescribable. Volunteering with WLS is also the best way to really get to know Vietnam and more specific Saigon and his population. And Hang, the local coordinator, is one of sweetest people I've ever met and she's the perfect support and guide for the projects. During my stay, everything was perfectly organised and we had the choice at which projects we preferred to work. I will never forget my stay in Vietnam and I'm planning to do similar volunteer work in the next few years!
Michael Reyn (Netherlands)
The whole trip, it was great from start to end. The kids was great, so loving and lovable, it was great to be greeted with huge smiles at every location. I thought it was going to be very though to go to the ancient-orange orphanage, but the kids/young adults were so great and happy that there was no time to be sad! Mrs. Hang was the best ever. She was so involved, the kids loved her and we could always contact her when needed. It was just as sad to leave her as everyone else.
Kamilla Simensen (USA)
Working in the Soup Kitchen has been a remarkable experience. I have gained so much from my time there. My coordinator Hang and her family have been superb as was the accommodation. Extremely highly recommended programme. WLS International delivered above expectation with the wonderful support of Hang.
Yvonne Brakey (UK)
The WLS Volunteer Program was exactly what I was looking for, it was flexible and offered me great opportunities to get to know the people living in Vietnam. My coordinator instantly became a friend and was a great support to all of the volunteers. She went far beyond the role of a coordinator and reached out to all of us. She helped teach us about the Vietnamese culture to ensure we became well adapted. We will never forget our summer, as all of our experiences there were life changing.
Nicomi Levine (USA)
The accommodation was fantastic. Very centrally located. Excellent hospitality, I felt very welcomed. Would definitely recommend to others. The placement was very rewarding. Enjoyed every minute of it. Everything was fantastic!
Kristy Mazzone (UK)
My stay in Vietnam was nothing short of fantastic! My coordinator made sure I was very well taken care of at all times. The program provided me with a very fulfilling experience which, was everything I asked for and more. Thank you for everything.
Sara Onvani (USA)
I had the most amazing time. I've never done this sort of volunteering work before but everything surpassed my expectations! So many volunteering organizations only have one charity programme. But WLS provides real flexibility which means you feel you achieve much more than perhaps the others do. Thank you for an amazing time. My coordinator Ms Hang was fantastic, nothing was too much trouble and she became a friend to all the volunteers and understood what everyone wanted to do. I think we all came away with our special charities and special memories.
Stella Ciorra (UK)
We are writing to let you know how great our stay has been and how much we have appreciated everything you have done for us. We are sincerely grateful for the huge help given to us by our coordinator. She has been more than great to us. It has been some amazing experiences and we will never forget all the children. We can recommend your program to other travelers who are thinking about doing this program!
Pil Jensen and Caroline Brostrup (Denmark)
I want to thank you for providing me with an extraordinary adventure in Vietnam. From the moment my plane landed, the gentle golden people of Vietnam carried me on their shoulders and never let me down. Everything about this adventure was remarkable.
Hall Walker (USA)
I had such a wonderful time in Vietnam! Everyone was so kind, the WLS Coordinator looked after me so well, she is so wonderful and at all the projects I worked everyone was so wonderful. I think it has been the best 3 months of my life.
Emma Stevens (UK)
I thought the programme was great! I really enjoyed myself and my coordinator was brilliant, she was always there for us when we needed her, with lots of love and support! So I was very pleased, the guesthouse couldn't have been nicer, thanks so much for everything.
Ailleann O'Rourke (Ireland)
I had a wonderful two weeks in Vietnam. The best time "at work" I've had in a long time. Your service has made it possible for my very meaningful vacation. I will definitely spread the words to my friends and family about your organization. Thank you so very much!
Trang Huynh (USA)
Everything went well and the whole experience was fantastic. My coordinator looked after me very well during the duration of my trip. Fortunately the other WLS volunteers got on really well with each other and socialized together well.
Kirstin Savage (UK)
This program was exactly what I needed & wanted. It was so helpful to arrive in Vietnam and have the program all organized. The coordinator is delightful and very professional.
Collean Scott (New Zealand)
The program was extremely well planned to the specific areas we requested. Our coordinator was excellent!
Anette Renouf (New Zealand)
We had a fantastic time. We would do it again in a second, and plan to do it again. Everything went really well and we found Saigon and the people there charming ! Working in the different orphanages and shelters was such an amazing experience.
Terri and Doug Kavanagh (Canada)
The coordinator was wonderful. So kind, helpful and generous. I would recommend WLS!
Caroline Bowman (Scotland)
What a great program ! I found that my placement suited my skills very well. The WLS Coordinator in Vietnam is fantastic. The accommodation was also very good. I have recommended your program to many people and hope to travel again with you next year.
Jenny MacFarland (Australia)
I found that the program suited me very well. I wanted to work in a variety of places that challenged me in different ways and that certainly happened. I found my Coordinator in Saigon to be a great source of information and support. She is really professional in her approach to her work and has a great heart. The accommodation she organized was fantastic and the people there very helpful. I have recommended your organization to many people because you made a great effort to match my interests and skills and you provided such a varied program.
Sandy Hirsch (Australia)
Had a fantastic time in Vietnam, although my time was brief. I thought the support Hang provided in-country was excellent. She was very supportive to myself and the other volunteers. It felt like I was volunteering through a small organization, which to me was a huge plus point as I didn't want to feel like one of a thousand others as with some now huge volunteer organizations. Being the only volunteer at the Green Bamboo shelter some days, really added to this and made my input seem all the more valuable.
I would rate both the program and coordinator as a 10. Although I was only in Vietnam for 1 week, the shortest time of all the volunteers, Hang ensured I saw as much of the projects as I could. The staff at Green Bamboo in particular were great to work with (as well as the boys of course). They even threw me an impromptu birthday party, which was very touching.
I would certainly recommend WLS and the program in Vietnam to anyone who wants to see the difference their time can make, and who wants to feel a part of something special. Thank you for this fantastic opportunity.
Mark Bradshaw (UK)
For prices of our program in Vietnam click here
WLS Coordinator
The WLS Coordinator in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is Ms Hang