Volunteer in Vietnam

Children and environmental protection on Cat Ba Island
Hai Phong       July 18 - July 29, 2017

Volunteer project: Cat Ba is the largest of the 366 islands spanning 260 km2 that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam. Hạ Long Bay is a beautiful natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage site, dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets, forming a surrealistic seascape. Hạ Long Bay has also been officially named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the world.

Cat Ba is the largest island in the Bay and approximately half of its area is covered by the Cat Ba National Park. Besides its natural beauty, the island features incredible geology and rich biodiversity. The types of natural habitats found here include limestone karsts, tropical limestone forests, coral reefs, mangrove and sea grass beds, lagoons, beaches, caves, and willow swamp forests. The island is home to the Cat Ba langur which is the third rarest primate in the world and the rarest in Vietnam. In 2006 the park borders were expanded to include all areas with langurs remaining.

For all of its natural beauty, Cat Ba Island faces numerous environmental problems. Increase in tourism and recent development threaten the ecological integrity and biodiversity of the island, reducing and fragmenting the natural habitat for Cat Ba's numerous species. Illegal hunting and poaching, overfishing, and water pollution in Ha Long Bay continue to threaten the ecological health of the island. The island is a national park of Vietnam and was recognized by UNESCO in December 2004 as a Biosphere reserve of the world.

The volunteers will organize activities for local children, as well as help with small renovation tasks at the school. The team will also organize different activities aimed to raise awareness among youth and local people about the environment and climate change.
In Cat Ba National park, the volunteers will be involved in the protection of the critically endangered Cat Ba langur and other environmental activities.

Leisure activities: Volunteers have two days off on the weekend for visiting beautiful spots in Cat Ba and the surroundings such as Ha Long Bay and Yen Tu Pagoda in Quang Ninh. In the evenings, there will be cultural exchange, games and parties with Vietnamese volunteers.

Language: English

Accommodation: Participants will stay in a guesthouse for volunteers. Please, bring your sleeping bag.

Location: Cat Ba island, Hai Phong city. Hai Phong is the third largest city of Vietnam and Northern Vietnam's most important seaport. It is located at the mouth of the Cam River, 120 km east of Hanoi. Cat Ba Island, located in Ha Long Bay, is also administered as part of the city.

Terminal: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 5,500,000 VND (about 240 USD)
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.


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