Contents
TL;DR:
- Start in the Mekong Delta: Spend 14 days in the Thot Not region, north of Can Tho, with community placements involving English lessons, hospital support, farming, and minor repairs.
- Experience Mad Monkey: After your placement, head to Hanoi and settle into the Mad Monkey experience. Meet fellow travellers, explore the Old Quarter, and join a guided food and beer crawl before continuing your journey north.
- Continue north: Explore Hanoi, ride pillion on the Ha Giang Loop with licensed Easy Riders, and spend a night cruising around Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
- Travel for 24 days: Explore Vietnam for less than $60 USD a day, with accommodation, selected meals, a domestic flight, and scheduled activities included.
Why Volunteer in the Mekong Delta?
The Mekong Delta is where Vietnam’s southern waterways open into a landscape of canals, rice fields, fruit orchards and riverside communities. Life here moves around the water. As the day begins, produce travels by boat, farmers work the fertile land, and local markets start trading before the afternoon heat.
Travellers often visit the region on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. These trips usually include floating markets and fruit gardens before returning to the city. However, spending two weeks in a community offers a different perspective. You’ll have more time to learn local routines, meet residents and see everyday life beyond the usual sightseeing stops.
The volunteer placement is a collaboration between Do More Travel, an Australian volunteer and youth-travel operator, and Mad Monkey. It is Mad Monkey’s first volunteer project, with activities arranged around the needs of the local community.
Mad Monkey Insight: The Mekong Delta’s identity is closely tied to its waterways and agricultural traditions. Rice farming, fruit cultivation and river trading aren’t just things visitors come to see; they’re part of how communities across the region make a living.
Where Is the Thot Not Volunteer Project Located?
The volunteer project is based in Thot Not, a rural district north of Can Tho in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Life here moves at a different pace from the big cities. Waterways connect neighbouring communities, rice fields stretch across the landscape, and daily routines are closely tied to the land and local food culture.
During the first part of the trip, you’ll settle into the local rhythm instead of moving between tourist attractions. You’ll stay with a host family or in a volunteer house and share three meals a day. Meanwhile, weekdays are spent supporting community projects alongside the local team.
Getting to the placement is part of the journey. As part of the Mad Monkey and Do More Travel programme, you’ll receive pre-departure guidance for travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, including details of the transfer arrangements. Once you arrive, the local team will welcome you, help you settle in, and introduce you to the project.
Local Insight: Thot Not is also home to Thuan Hung, a village known for its traditional rice paper-making. The craft has been recognised as national intangible cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into the food traditions and family skills that remain part of everyday life in the Mekong Delta.
What Does a Typical Day of Volunteering in Vietnam Look Like?
There’s no standard day in Thot Not, and that’s part of the experience. The work changes with the needs of the community, the projects underway, and the skills volunteers bring with them.
For example, you might spend the morning helping local students build confidence in English. Afterwards, you could join the team to prepare food for hospital distribution. Other days could take you to a nearby farm, involve small repairs to local bridges and roads, or open up opportunities to share music, sport, art or dance. Each activity offers a different way to connect with the people and places around you.
The local team coordinates each placement, so flexibility is important. Instead of arriving with your own project, you’ll support existing community efforts. Along the way, you’ll learn how things work locally and contribute wherever help is needed.
What does the schedule look like?
Most placements run Monday to Friday, with Saturday activities optional.
| Time | Your day |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Morning volunteer activities |
| 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Lunch and a midday break |
| 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Afternoon volunteer activities |
| Evening | Dinner and time to yourself |
You don’t need professional teaching, farming, or construction experience. A willingness to listen, get involved, and work alongside the local team is what counts.
Mad Monkey Tip: Pack lightweight clothes, sturdy footwear and sun protection. If you’re thinking of bringing donations or supplies, check with the coordinator first. The most useful contribution is one that responds to what the community actually needs.
What Is There to See Around the Mekong Delta?
Weekends give you a chance to see more of the Mekong Delta beyond the volunteer placement. Around Can Tho, life revolves around the river, the harvest, and food traditions that have been passed down through generations. You can see that side of the region in its floating markets, fruit gardens, and small craft villages.
Here are three places worth asking the local team about during your stay.
Cai Rang Floating Market: See the Mekong Delta Wake Up
If there’s one place that captures the Mekong Delta’s relationship with the river, it’s Cai Rang Floating Market.
Located on the Cai Rang River, around five kilometres from central Can Tho, the market is a working wholesale trading area where boats carry fruit, vegetables and other produce between vendors.
For the best experience, visit early in the morning, generally between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM. That’s when trading activity at Cai Rang Floating Market is at its busiest.
Look out for the tall bamboo poles used by vendors to display samples of the produce they’re selling. Known locally as Cây Bẹo, these poles allow buyers to identify goods from a distance without needing a sign or shopfront.
Mad Monkey Insight: Cai Rang is a working market, not simply a sightseeing attraction. Arrive early, keep a respectful distance from trading boats and remember that the people here are going about their working day.
Con Son Island: A Closer Look at River Island Life
For a slower afternoon, head towards Con Son Island.
This small river island in Can Tho is known for its fruit orchards, agricultural activities, and community-based tourism. Visitors can explore gardens, sample seasonal produce, and learn about local farming practices.
If Cai Rang Floating Market shows the Mekong Delta’s connection to the river, Con Son Island offers a different perspective. Instead of watching boats trade along the waterways, you’ll see how local communities work the land.
Ask the local team about visiting, as transport and activities may need to be arranged separately.
Thuan Hung Rice Paper Village: Discover a Mekong Delta Food Tradition
In Thuan Hung, food craftsmanship is part of the local identity. The village is known for its traditional rice paper, made by turning rice batter into thin sheets that are steamed and left to dry in the sun.
The process involves preparing rice batter, steaming thin sheets, and drying them in the sun. It’s a practical craft passed between generations, with families maintaining techniques that have become part of the area’s cultural identity.
The village’s rice paper-making tradition received national intangible cultural heritage recognition in 2023.
If you’re curious about how a familiar Vietnamese food staple is made, ask the project coordinator whether a village visit can be arranged during your stay.
Where Does the Vietnam Trip Go After the Mekong Delta?
The Mekong Delta is just the first chapter. After two weeks in Thot Not, it’s time to swap river channels for city streets, mountain passes and a coastline dotted with limestone peaks. The northern leg takes you through three very different sides of Vietnam, with plenty to eat, see and experience along the way.
On the scheduled transfer day, the group travels back to Ho Chi Minh City for an included domestic flight to Hanoi. And just like that, the scenery changes.
Hanoi: Street Food, Coffee and Old Quarter Culture
Hanoi doesn’t ease you in. The streets are busy from early morning, with scooters squeezing through traffic, tiny plastic stools spilling onto pavements and bowls of steaming pho being served before the day has properly started.
You’ll stay at Mad Monkey Hanoi, at 9 Phố Mã Mây in the Hàng Buồm area of the Old Quarter. It’s a good base for getting to know the neighbourhood, where old merchant streets, family-run businesses, coffee shops and late-night bars all share the same wonderfully crowded patch of the city.
The itinerary kicks off with a welcome drink before heading out around Ta Hien Beer Street. There’s also a guided food and beer crawl through the Old Quarter, with a planned stop at Train Street when local access and safety restrictions allow.
Don’t spend every free hour following the group, though. Hanoi rewards a little wandering. Grab a Vietnamese egg coffee, take a lap around Hoan Kiem Lake or follow the smell of something delicious down a side street. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner.
Ha Giang Loop: Four Days Through Northern Vietnam’s Mountains
After the buzz of Hanoi, northern Vietnam offers a completely different kind of adventure. The Ha Giang Loop takes you into a landscape of towering limestone mountains, deep valleys, and winding roads that seem to go on forever.
Over four days and three nights, you’ll travel with licensed Easy Riders, experienced local drivers who handle the motorbikes while you enjoy the views from the passenger seat. You don’t need a motorcycle licence or previous riding experience to join the Ha Giang Loop as a passenger.
The four-day, three-night journey includes several notable stops:
- Bac Sum Pass: A winding mountain road that opens up to sweeping highland views.
- Ma Pi Leng Pass: A spectacular stretch overlooking the Nho Que River, with dramatic cliffs rising above the valley.
- Lung Cu Flag Tower: A landmark near Vietnam’s northernmost point, surrounded by mountain scenery.
But the loop isn’t just about the roads. You’ll stay in local homestays, share meals, and pass through communities with distinct languages, customs, and ways of life. Take the time to appreciate those encounters beyond the scenery. Ask questions, follow your guide’s lead, and always ask permission before taking someone’s photograph.
Mad Monkey Tip: Pack a warm layer even if you’re visiting during warmer months. Temperatures in Ha Giang can be considerably cooler than in Hanoi or the Mekong Delta, particularly at higher elevations.
Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay: A Different View of Northern Vietnam
Just when you think the scenery can’t change much more, the journey heads towards the coast. The limestone mountains give way to Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, where hundreds of karst formations rise from the water.
You’ll spend two days and one night aboard a cruise, with time for kayaking, swimming when conditions permit, and a cooking workshop. There’s also the sundeck for a slower afternoon, a drink, and a front-row view of the landscape. Your overnight stay is in a shared double cabin.
Ha Long Bay is famous for its dramatic scenery, but Lan Ha Bay offers another perspective on the same remarkable coastal landscape. Together, they make a fitting final stop after the city streets and mountain roads of northern Vietnam.
Once the cruise wraps up, you’ll return to Hanoi for one last night at Mad Monkey Hanoi. Perhaps there’s one more bowl of pho to find, one more coffee to try, or one more wander through the Old Quarter before the 24-day journey comes to an end.
Who Can Join the Vietnam Volunteer Programme?
Want to volunteer abroad but don’t fancy spending your entire trip in one place? This 24-day Vietnam journey gives you a way to do both. Spend two weeks supporting community projects in the Mekong Delta, then trade your volunteer days for street food in Hanoi, mountain roads in Ha Giang and a cruise through Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay.
This trip suits backpackers who want more from Vietnam than ticking off destinations. Get involved in local projects, learn from the people you meet and explore the country with a small group of fellow travellers.
You don’t need previous volunteering experience or specialist skills. Ready to combine volunteering with a backpacking adventure? This programme welcomes travellers aged 18–30 who want to experience more of Vietnam.
This trip might be right up your street if you:
- Want to volunteer while travelling: Spend time supporting local initiatives instead of just passing through.
- Want to experience everyday Vietnam: Get beyond the usual tourist trail and learn more about local communities, food and traditions.
- Are travelling solo: Join a small group, share the journey and meet people along the way.
- Want more than one kind of adventure: Balance community work with city exploring, mountain scenery and time on the water.
- Are open to learning: Bring your energy and willingness to help. The local team will guide you through the activities.
Each departure has a maximum of 12 travellers. That means more time to connect with your group and enjoy the experience.
Is there an age limit?
Think this sounds like your kind of trip? Head over to the Vietnam 24-Day Volunteer and Backpacking Trip details for the full eligibility requirements and booking information.
Ready to Volunteer, Explore and See More of Vietnam?
Get to know Vietnam beyond the usual backpacker trail. Spend time with communities in the Mekong Delta, explore Hanoi’s street-food culture, and take the scenic route through Ha Giang and Ha Long Bay. All across 24 days for less than $60 USD a day.
Your 24-day trip covers accommodation throughout the journey, including a stay at Mad Monkey Hanoi, one of Vietnam’s best hostels. You’ll also get three meals a day during the volunteer placement, selected meals in the north, your domestic flight, and scheduled excursions. That leaves you more time to experience Vietnam, meet fellow travellers and enjoy the journey without sorting every detail yourself.
What’s Included in the Vietnam Volunteer Trip?
From your first days in the Mekong Delta to the final night in Hanoi, here’s what the trip price covers.
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Accommodation throughout the 24 days | International flights |
| Three meals daily during the volunteer placement | Visa, where required |
| Pre-departure information and training | Travel insurance |
| Local project orientation and support | Vaccinations and police check |
| Domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi | Personal expenses |
| Mad Monkey Hanoi accommodation | Private room upgrades |
| Ha Giang Loop with licensed Easy Riders | Optional extra activities |
| Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay cruise | First-night dinner at the Ha Giang mountain retreat homestay |
| Homestay accommodation during the Ha Giang Loop | |
| Hanoi food and beer crawl | |
| Scheduled northern itinerary meals |
If that sounds more like your kind of travel, take a look at the 24-Day Vietnam Volunteer and Backpacking Trip for the full itinerary, departure dates, and booking details.
Experience Vietnam Beyond the Usual Backpacker Trail
Imagine starting your day in a Mekong Delta community and getting involved in local projects. A few days later, you’re eating street food in Hanoi, winding through the mountains of Ha Giang or waking up to the limestone scenery of Lan Ha Bay.
That’s the beauty of this 24-day journey. You’ll experience different sides of Vietnam. Get a glimpse of daily life in local communities, then explore the food, traditions, and social pulse of its cities and highlands. Discover new places, try unfamiliar dishes and meet fellow travellers. You’ll also find moments that rarely make it onto a standard sightseeing itinerary.
Who knows? You might arrive solo and leave with a whole new travel crew. See you in Vietnam!
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! You don’t need a background in teaching, farming, or community development to take part. The local team guides volunteers through the activities, which can include helping with English lessons, food distribution, farm work, and community projects. Bring an open mind, a willingness to get involved, and an interest in learning from the people you meet.
During the southern placement, you’ll stay in either a local host family home or a volunteer house in Thot Not, north of Can Tho. Three meals a day are provided throughout the placement.
It’s a chance to experience a different side of Vietnam, with more time spent around local communities rather than moving between hotels and tourist attractions. Accommodation arrangements may vary, so check the specific facilities and room-sharing details before departure.
Absolutely. The 24-day Mad Monkey and Do More Travel experience welcomes travellers who want to volunteer, explore Vietnam and meet people along the way. Each departure is limited to 12 travellers, making it easier to get to know your group as you travel from the Mekong Delta to northern Vietnam.
You’ll share accommodation and experiences, from community activities in Thot Not to food crawls in Hanoi, the Ha Giang Loop and the Ha Long Bay cruise.
The 24-day programme combines a community placement with organised travel experiences, supported by the local teams working with Mad Monkey and Do More Travel. The northern itinerary includes English-speaking guides and licensed Easy Riders for the Ha Giang Loop.
As with any international trip, it’s important to take sensible precautions. Follow local guidance, keep valuables secure, and arrange comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Make sure you understand the emergency support arrangements and know who to contact if you need assistance.
No. The included Ha Giang Loop experience uses licensed Easy Riders, who operate the motorbikes while you ride as a passenger. You don’t need a motorcycle licence or previous riding experience for this arrangement.
You’ll spend four days and three nights travelling through northern Vietnam, with stops that include Bac Sum Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass and Lung Cu Flag Tower. Pack a warm layer, as temperatures in the mountains can be cooler than in Hanoi.
Pack lightweight, comfortable clothes suitable for community activities, practical footwear, sun protection, and insect repellent. A reusable water bottle, basic toiletries, and a small day bag will also come in handy.
You’ll also want clothes for the different climates in the itinerary. Hanoi and the Mekong Delta can be warm and humid, while Ha Giang can get considerably cooler, particularly at higher elevations. Bring a warm layer and rain protection.
Visa requirements depend on your passport nationality, length of stay, and travel purpose. Some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry, while others need an e-visa.
Check the official Vietnam e-visa portal and Vietnam Tourism’s visa requirements guide before booking your flights. Make sure your travel documents cover the full 24-day itinerary and confirm any requirements related to your volunteer activities.
Ready to start planning? You can find the full itinerary, upcoming departures, pricing, and booking details on the 24-Day Vietnam Volunteer and Backpacking Trip page. Pick your preferred departure and get ready for 24 days of volunteering, exploring, and meeting your new travel crew!
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