KINDERGARTEN
Food Aid Program – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Support Local Communities Through Food Aid
For many low-income families and individuals in Ho Chi Minh City, accessing a nutritious daily meal can be challenging. Local community soup kitchens play an essential role by providing affordable lunches to elderly people, low-income workers and those facing financial hardship.
Rather than offering meals free of charge, these kitchens ask for a small contribution, allowing visitors to maintain their dignity while still receiving a nutritious meal. Many kitchens serve up to 800 meals each day, making volunteer support vital to keeping this important community service running.
As a Food Aid Volunteer, you will work alongside local staff to help prepare and serve meals in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Your Role
As a volunteer, your responsibilities may include:
Assisting with food preparation
Setting up tables and chairs
Serving meals to community members
Cleaning and tidying the dining area
Supporting the local team with daily kitchen operations
Daily tasks may vary depending on the needs of the soup kitchen.
Why Join This Program?
By volunteering in the Food Aid Program, you will:
Improve access to nutritious meals for disadvantaged communities
Support local initiatives that strengthen food security
Gain practical experience in food preparation and community service
Develop communication and teamwork skills
Experience Vietnamese culture first-hand
Explore the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh
Volunteer Requirements
To participate in this program, volunteers must:
Be able to communicate in English.
Have adequate travel insurance.
Provide a criminal background check before departure.
Volunteers under 18
Volunteers under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Volunteers aged 16–18 must provide parental consent and may be required to submit additional documentation.
Volunteers aged 13–17 who are unable to obtain a criminal background check may provide two character reference letters instead.
Program Fees:
Registration Fee USD 120
Program Fee (Sunday – Saturday):
1 Week: USD 360 (approximately USD 50/day)
2 Weeks: USD 560 (approximately USD 40/day)
3 Weeks: USD 840 (approximately USD 40/day)
4 Weeks: USD 980 (approximately USD 35/day)
5 Weeks: USD 1,225 (approximately USD 35/day)
6 Weeks: USD 1,470 (approximately USD 35/day)
8 Weeks: USD 1,680 (approximately USD 30/day)
The longer you stay, the lower your average daily program cost.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in a shared dormitory at a local tourism college, approximately 20–30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City's tourist centre.
Accommodation includes
Shared rooms with 5–7 volunteers
Bunk beds
Shared bathrooms
Air conditioning
Cold-water showers
Free Wi-Fi (connection may occasionally be slow)
We recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone so you can purchase a local SIM card during orientation. Our local team will be happy to assist.
Transportation
Some placements are within walking distance, while others require a 30–40-minute journey by public bus. If required, a member of the local team will accompany you during your first trip to help you become familiar with the route.
Meals
Volunteers receive:
Monday – Friday
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast usually includes toast, cereal, fresh fruit, tea and coffee.
Lunch and dinner feature traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including rice, noodles, soups, fresh vegetables, meats and herbs.
Saturday & Sunday
Brunch
Dinner
If you have dietary requirements or food allergies, please let us know before your arrival so suitable arrangements can be made where possible.
What's Included
✔ Volunteer accommodation
✔ Three meals per day on weekdays, plus brunch and dinner on weekends
✔ Airport pick-up for arrivals on Sunday between 6:00 AM and 9:30 PM. Arrivals outside these hours or on other days will incur an additional airport transfer fee and/or an extra night's accommodation charge.
✔ Comprehensive in-country orientation
✔ 24/7 local support throughout your stay
✔ Pre-departure support
✔ Personalized preparation tools, guides and checklists
✔ Certificate of Volunteer Service upon successful completion of the program
A Typical Volunteer Schedule
07:00 – Breakfast
08:00 – 11:30 – Food preparation and meal service
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:30 – 15:30 – Cleaning, organising the kitchen and supporting daily operations
Evening – Free time to relax or explore Ho Chi Minh City.
Please note that this is a sample schedule. Working hours may vary depending on the soup kitchen's operating hours, local holidays and community needs. Volunteers generally work Monday to Friday, with weekends free.
Location
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest and most dynamic city, offering an exciting mix of history, culture and modern life. Outside your volunteer placement, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore vibrant markets, historical landmarks, local cafés and world-famous Vietnamese cuisine.
The Food Aid Program provides a rewarding opportunity to support a vital community initiative while experiencing authentic Vietnamese culture and making a meaningful difference in the lives of local people.