Service Learning Trip

Vietnam Service Learning Trip (Jun 2026)

Program Schedule
6 - 14 Jun 2026
Tra Vin & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Sign Up Now
Apply by 22 Feb 2026 11:59pm
Enquiry

Fanny Ng (safannyng@ust.hk)

UN Sustainable Development Goals
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
Group photo taken at a local school on Carnival Day
Group photo taken at a local school on Carnival Day

Children and youth in rural areas of Vietnam often lead simple lifestyles, with limited access to knowledge about the outside world, hindering their ability to discover and develop their true potential. After two successful visits in 2025, HKUST Connect continues its partnership with ECO Vietnam Group (EVG) and is excited to launch the third Service Learning Trip to Vietnam in June 2026. This trip aims to further support education and youth development in Tra Vinh province in the Mekong Delta.

EVG is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based in Vietnam, dedicated to delivering genuine benefits to local communities. Acting as a trusted bridge between volunteers, sponsors, and disadvantaged groups—including ethnic minorities in remote areas—EVG strives to improve the quality of life through authentic community projects.

Volunteers will dive into a rich cultural exchange, teaching local students while immersing themselves in Vietnam’s vibrant traditions. Through hands-on activities, meaningful interactions, and self-reflection, you’ll not only empower children and youth but also gain a deeper understanding of the local community. Get ready to be a part of this transformative journey and make a lasting impact with us!

You will be able to:

  • Empower Vietnamese children and youth through various teaching activities and workshops
  • Engage in cultural exchange and explore different aspects of the Vietnamese community
  • Accelerate personal growth through self-reflection
  • Share your experiences during and after the service trip to spread a caring message within the HKUST campus

If you would like to participate in the trip as a member of Organizing Committee, please refer to this page for more details. 

Empowering local children and youth
Empowering local children and youth
Interacting with the local kids
Interacting with the local kids
Experiencing Vietnamese customs
Experiencing Vietnamese customs
Cooking local dishes with local hosts
Cooking local dishes with local hosts
Having campfire with the local youth
Having campfire with the local youth
Program Highlights
  • Teach and support in different educational programs to support the local community
  • Engage in cultural exchange with the locals by organizing activities in the school and community center
  • Visit a local Startup at the village to learn about their innovation and business model to support the livelihood of people
  • Experience everyday Vietnamese life by trying on traditional costumes and cooking local dishes with local hosts
  • Explore the rich culture of Vietnam
Program Schedule
Activity
Date
Time
Workshop 1
11 Mar 2026 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 2
25 Mar 2026 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 3
22 Apr 2026 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 4
3 Jun 2026 (Wed)
2 - 5pm
Sub-team Preparation Meetings & Tasks
Mar - Jun 2026
Suggest each sub-team meeting weekly or biweekly, based on progress and availability
1st Sub-team Consultation Meeting (in person)
13 - 17 Apr 2026
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
2nd Sub-team Consultation Meeting (in person)
27 - 30 Apr 2026
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Vietnam Service Learning Trip
6 - 14 Jun 2026

Note 1:
To ensure the quality of service activities and to foster a positive team experience, students are expected to attend ALL pre-trip activities, including workshops and consultation meetings. Priority will be given to those who can commit to full attendance. Requests for absence due to academic course-related examinations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The organizer reserves the right to terminate the participation of any student who fails to meet the above requirements, and the program fee will not be refunded.

Program Fee

HK$6,500 (Actual cost is HK$8,600, 25% subsidy provided by DSTO)

  • Participants will be eligible for reimbursement of up to HK$1,800 subsidy upon satisfactory completion of the entire service program.

  • There are also other subsidies available for application.  Please refer to the "Subsidies" section for more details.

  • The program fee is based on a shared-bed arrangement (two persons per room). Private room option available at an additional cost.

Includes:

  • Round-trip flights to Ho Chi Minh City
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Meals during program activities
  • Entry fees for visits included in the official program
  • Travel insurance

Does NOT include:

  • Personal expenses and expenses outside the official program
  • Travel document/visa application
  • Additional travel and medical insurance
Subsidies

1. All participants
 

1A. Subsidy for trip participants (No application needed)

Participants will be eligible to reimburse up to HK$1,800 subsidy upon satisfactory completion of the entire service program (#1).

1B. Connect Overseas Learning Experience Sponsorship Scheme (OLESS) (Details)

Students with financial need may apply for the Scheme to receive a subsidy to cover part of the program fee on a reimbursement basis. Apply for OLESS here.

2) Recipients of Tertiary Student Finance Scheme (TSFS) government grant & loan


2A) Pre-approval of Connect OLESS (Present “Notification of Result” of TSFS during interview)

To alleviate the financial burden on government grant and loan recipients who are required to pay the full program fee upfront, TSFS Grant recipients can obtain pre-approval for the Scheme and only need to pay the remaining portion of the program fee:

TSFS grant awarded Fee payable
>75% of grant HK$1,300
50-75% of grant HK$3,250
<50% of grant HK$4,875

(#1) Satisfactory completion of the entire service program includes attendance, high level of engagement in group preparation tasks, workshops and during the trip, and submission of a reflection report.

Application & Deadline

Application

  • Please complete the online registration form.
  • Interviews will be held 25 - 27 Feb 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline: 22 Feb 2026 (Sun)

 

Remarks: Participants are required to travel to and from Vietnam with the group. No separate travel will be entertained.

Award

Awards for Social Good

Your Service Learning Trip venture could form a part of your social good journey and achieve the Social Good Builder Award in the 2026-27 academic year. Check out the Awards information here.

Additional Information on Collaborator in Vietnam

ECO Vietnam Group (https://ecovietnamgroup.com/)

ECO Vietnam Group is non-profit organization that strongly focuses on education and community development. They apply and develop Service-Learning educational model in their projects and promote Service-Learning to different educational institutes in Vietnam since 2009. For more information about EVG, please check the slide here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/107uYeyjHdj4eWAQBx6k69vxtNG9hfSMS/view

In addition, they develop and run EVG Community Library to provide free educational programs for the local children and local villagers. Please check the short video clip to know more about EVG Community Library model.