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The Project
Volunteer and be part of this fantastic medical trek project in Vietnam. Based out of Mai Chau, this project works with the local district hospital and its outlying communities. You will begin by initially working a few days in Mai Chau before trekking to visit 2 nearby villages, accompanied by doctors, nurses, interpreters and local guides. The whole medical project lasts 14 days and takes you through rural villages of which have limited healthcare. The first trek will involve walking around 3 hours, the second around 6 hours. So far our medical trek program has treated over 1000 Vietnamese people. The journey begins in Hanoi with a three hour drive to the town of Mai Chau. From here you will pass through a number of small villages in need of healthcare.
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Why the project needs you
Many of these villages are extremely remote and the availability of basic healthcare to people living here is nearly non-existent. For many these medical missions are the only chance for general check ups and medicines. Your participation allows the programme to utilise your expertise and enables programme sponsorship and development. Without volunteers the programme could not function, you are an invaluable source of relief and support on this project.
Project Location
Mai Chau is the gateway to Vietnam's northwest, strapped around the foothills of the mountains that run up from the plains. It is 160km Northwest of Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. From the top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses. Mai Chau is populated by various ethnic groups, the Thai, Tay, Dao, H'Mong and Hoa. The climate is mild and relatively dry. Average annual rainfall is 1395 mm mostly between May and October. The maximum average temperature is 25.6C. Temperatures may drop as low as 15C some nights in December or rise to 38C on an April or May afternoon. Average humidity is a pleasant 85%, but may be as low as 36% in January.
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Project Facts
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Cost: £1039 for 2 weeks
• Requirements: age 18+
• Project Availability: This project is only available to groups of 3+ people
• Location: Mai Chau, Hoa Binh province (3 hours from Hanoi)
• Project activities: Trekking, public health workshops, health examinations in local villages
• Working hours: You will be trekking and working throughout the week so the days may be long but are incredibly rewarding.
• Scheduled trek for 29th May-11th June and 26th June-9th July (5 spaces remaining)
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What is included
• Accommodation: Basic twin shared room in 2 star hotel in Hanoi, homestay in Mai Chau and for the duration on the trek
• Food: Some simple Vietnemese meals and a reasonable supply of water
• Airport pick up
• Transfer back to Hanoi at the end of the project
• Training:Pre-departure packs, on-site orientation, a basic language class and Project induction provided
• Support: 24 hour support
• An English speaking trek guide
• Admission fee and permits where applicable
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What is not included
• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Departure airport transfer
• CRB Check
• Beverages during meals, and some meals depending on itinerary
• Airport drop-off
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Role of the volunteer
The role will depend on the experience of the volunteer. Those with limited experience and who are there to learn will assist nurses and doctors who will show you how to take vitals and conduct routine medical check ups in a field environment. You will also encounter illnesses or diseases that you might not encounter in western society. Those with more experience can be more front line and take a leading role in diagnosing and treating during the clinic days.
Project Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in to Hanoi Airport for your transfer into town.
Day 2: Meet your local coordinator in the city and have some free time to relax and explore the town.
Day 3: After an early breakfast at around 8:00am, you will visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and museum before you say your farewells to Hanoi and depart for the town of Mai Chau – around 4 hours west of Hanoi. After lunch in a traditional stilt house of the local minority Thai people, you will spend your afternoon visiting the local hospital where you will be introduced to the local doctors and nurses at Mai Chau Hospital.
Day 4-5: You will spend 2 days working at Mai Chau District Hospital. Here you will be assigned departments and will act as an assistant to the doctors and nurses within the department.
Day 6: After your breakfast in Mai Chau, you will be driven approximately 1 hour to Sa Linh Village. From here you will trek to Hang Kia Village. The trek takes around 2.5 hours and the terrain is predominately uphill along small paths and gravel tracks – used by the locals to travel between villages. In the afternoon you will make a visit to the Hang Kia Clinic and have the chance to meet the local nurses.
Day 7-8: You will spend these 2 days working with local nurses at Hang Kia Clinic. You will be assisting the nurses with their daily work and welcome to give health care/hygiene/nutrition and reproductive health training to the locals should you wish.
Day 9: After breakfast, you will head off into the wild beauty of Vietnam, through tropical rainforest, to the small Van Village. You will pass through cornfields as you descend back into the Mai Chau region. The trek is fairly easy terrain and will take approximately 5.5 hours. Lunch will be provided on route. You will arrive in Van Village later afternoon, so will have the chance to relax and explore the village, learning a little more about how the locals live.
Day 10-13: You will spend 4 days working in Van Clinic and will assist the nurses with their daily work. Once again, you are welcome to give health care/hygiene/nutrition and reproductive health training to the locals should you wish.
Day 14: You will spend another 2 hours trekking back to Mai Chau. The trek lasts approximately 2 hours. From here, you will be picked up and driven back to Mai Chau proper, spending your last afternoon relaxing before returning to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
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Skills Required
You will need to be a good team member on this expedition willing to help wherever it is needed. An intermediate level of fitness is required for the hiking sections of the expedition. You will also need to be studying a health related course or have experience in the medical/health field.
Volunteer Testimonial
"I really enjoyed interacting with all of the doctors, nurses, patients, and villagers. I felt that although my medical skills at the time were quite limited, the experience really helped me to see what I could do once I receive my medical education. I feel that the patients were very appreciative of the care that they received and that the doctors in the clinic were really open to additional help. I think this experience will really help to motivate me in medical school. Our tour guide and cook were very nice, informative, and helpful during our stay in Vietnam." - Gloria Hong, Hawaii
"Living with actual members of the villages definitely contributed to my experience. We got the opportunity to communicate with the locals and even join them in a game of soccer. The best parts of the project were the food, the culture, and the job shadowing opportunity. A definite highlight was volunteering at the large hospital in Mai Chau. It was during this portion of the trip when I realized how resourceful this country is in terms of treating its patients." - Daniel Hong, Hawaii
Project Quality
Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.
Accommodation & Meals
You will be staying in a guest house and either have a single or shared room with another volunteer for the duration of your stay. Meals are not included within your project fee, however these can be bought cheaply from surrounding local restaurants.
In-Country Coordinators
Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.
24/7 Emergency Support
As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.
Kaya Help-desk
Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.
Briefing Pack & Materials
Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.
Airport Pickup
When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.
Cultural Excursions
Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.
Arrival Orientation
Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.
Language Classes
At the beginning of your stay the in-country team will provide basic language classes to help you during your time on your placement. You will also be given a phrase book to help you practice while in Vietnam.
Funding for Individual Projects
If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.
Local Community Benefits
Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.
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