High School Trip – Vietnam

Weather in Vietnam is fairly consistently warm but it can vary significantly from one region to another. With more than 2000 miles of coastline, mountains, and dense jungle, the climate is very diverse. Ho Chi Minh and South Vietnam, where we will spend our time, is typically quite consistently warm and humid year round. The average temperatures in the south range between 25 – 35°C. (80s F).

Most travelers to Vietnam aim for the dry months of November to March. Throughout much of the wet season (July – November), rainfall is generally heavy but short lasting, often occurring in a mid-afternoon heavy downpour.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following immunizations for travelers to Vietnam.

• Up-to-date boosters for routine vaccinations
  (measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.)
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Malaria
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever*

Zika has been reported in Vietnam, as is Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis, and the CDC recommends travelers to Vietnam take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Many of the vaccinations should be started four to eight weeks in advance so please check with your healthcare provider or Travel Medicine clinic. Please refer to the CDC website or your doctor for more information on necessary vaccinations and insect repellents.

*There is no risk of yellow fever in Vietnam. The government of Vietnam requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever (not the US).

On our service trips, we will be dressed very casually. We recommend wearing light clothing, with short sleeve shirts and pants/long shorts/skirts/or dresses that cover the body. Avoid revealing tank tops and short shorts. Make sure to bring comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes to wear during our service projects. Sunglasses and a hat are also recommended.

Here are some suggestions:

• Sneakers and closed toe shoes
• Casual wear: light pants, loose-fitting shirts, T-shirts, jeans, raincoat
• Light sleepwear
• Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
• Sunglasses, hat and sun block
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
• Small bath towel
• Personal toiletries, e.g., shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.
• Personal medical kit with supplies that you think you may need: (i.e. Anti-bacterial gel,Tylenol, Imodium AD, Pepto Bismol, motion sickness pills, bandages, Benadryl, Ibuprofen, antibacterial cream for cuts and scrapes, insect repellent, malaria pills, cipro antibiotics). 
  Note that we do have first aid and medical support available but if you have preferred over-the-counter treatments, you should bring those with you.
• Travel electronics: music players, cameras, etc.
• A notebook or journal and pen
• Water bottle

*Vietnam uses 220 Voltage. You will need a plug adapter in order to use US electronics. This is the same adapter as used in Europe.

Participants often ask what they can bring with them to support the communities they are serving. Here are some ideas about how you can contribute.

• Most of our time in Vietnam will be spent working in schools with kids from impoverished homes. These kids/schools often lack sufficient clothing, toys, art supplies, and books. If you have the capacity to collect bring such items with you, it would be greatly appreciated, though is not at all expected. You may also wish to consider small gifts for the directors and caregivers at these facilities, including such things as perfume or cosmetics, chocolate, or other speciality items from where you live.

• Monetary donations are most helpful. If each of us could raise at least $100, we would be able to send 2-3 teens to school for an entire year, as well as improve the physical structure of the local elementary school.

Due to the humanitarian nature of this trip, you may find creative ways to ask friends, relatives, colleagues, teachers, store owners, etc. for monetary and in–kind donations. We can provide you with two documents, which may aid you in your efforts:

1. In-Kind & Monetary Donations Letter for Store Managers/Owners
2.. In-Kind & Monetary Donations Letter for Friends, Relatives, Teachers

All tax-deductible checks can be made payable to our 501(c)(3) non-profit, Dream Volunteers, and mailed to our headquarters: Dream Volunteers, PO Box 390726, Mountain View, CA 94039

There are many ways to fund your trip and we encourage you to think creatively. Given the nature of your service trip, others may be interested in supporting or sponsoring you or contributing to the cause.

View Funding Your Trip for more ideas about financing your trip or Fundraise for how to involve others in the cause.