Volunteers in Laos

If you’re getting ready to head off to university you may want to think about your options. In fact, you may want to think about taking a gap year that will give you the opportunity to learn something new, to give back to the community, to explore a new part of the world and even to put your skills to work. All of those things are absolutely possible if you know just the right place to go. And you can look for a Peace Corp alternative too, by taking your gap year in Laos with A Broader View.

Volunteers in Laos

Our program is designed to help you get the experience of a lifetime will supporting and giving back to the people who live in a completely different part of the world. Laos is a relatively unknown country in Asia. While many people may have heard of it, very few think about taking a gap year in Laos or even taking a vacation there. And that’s what has allowed this country to stay relatively un-influenced by the modern western ways. Instead, they have been able to retain much of their culture and their traditional ways.

When you travel for your gap year in Laos you’re going to have the opportunity to really immerse yourself in that culture and get to know the people who live within the country. You’re going to have the opportunity to provide them with help and support in improving their manner of communication with others. You’ll be able to work with them on developing their English language skills and while you’re at it, you’ll be able to forge new friendships that you can carry with you throughout the rest of your life.

Our Peace Corp alternative allows you to get right in the middle of the country and to learn more about what their culture and their people are all about. You’ll be experiencing the markets, the historical buildings, the amazing landscapes and a whole lot more. And you’ll be helping these individuals as well. If this program isn’t quite enough for your entire gap year you can also add on experiences in Cambodia or Vietnam to round out the opportunity. That way, you’re going to be giving back to several different countries and in any of a number of different ways that really mean something to you.

Choose the length of time for your trip, from a single week to get an introduction to the experience all the way up to 12 weeks where you can really immerse yourself in everything around you and give back to those who need it. No matter how long you’re planning to stay, you’re going to have plenty of time to enjoy yourself while you’re there. And your new friends are definitely going to love showing you around and sharing their culture and their beautiful country with you. What could be better than that? A gap year in Laos is truly something you’ll want to repeat as often as you can.

Overview

  • Project length: From 1 week to 12 weeks.
  • Project Date: Year-round
  • Arrival airport: Luang Prabang International Airport (Code: LPQ)
  • Arrivals: Saturday & Sundays (no exceptions)
  • Accommodation: Shared guesthouse (A/C and hot water provided)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (2 meals) Monday to Friday.
  • Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 4 to 8 hours per day.
  • Requirements: Police Check/Clearance report.
  • Visa: 30-day tourist visa available on arrival. More information
  • Airlines: China Eastern, Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Air, Silk Air.
  • Vaccinations:  Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Malarial Medication

Volunteer Opportunities in Laos

Teaching English

Without a doubt, teaching English abroad is one of the most popular ways for recent college grads, as well as recent retirees to live overseas and check off most of their travel goals. Teaching abroad allows volunteers to travel and see the world, learn a new language, experience a unique culture and gain international work experience.

Luang Prabang

In our Laos program we need English speaking volunteers to assist with, and lead classroom instruction themselves. Volunteers work alongside the local teachers in the classrooms. Volunteers assist them with pronunciation and providing context for foreign/western concepts presented in the teaching materials. Volunteers are very welcome, they bring invaluable knowledge and exposure, allowing the local students to experience and appreciate different cultures outside of their own. The local students range from primary school, secondary school and with local adults. Volunteers normally spend 6-7 hours per day, Monday to Friday, supporting the teachers and students during the different classes. Volunteers are encouraged to engage in the conversation sessions or participate in fun learning games with our students.

Volunteer Schedule:

Volunteer work is Monday to Friday for about 6-7 hours daily. Weekends are free to explore this amazing country. While we ask all volunteers to be flexible, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

  • 7:30am Breakfast
  • 8:30am-12pm Morning classes
  • Break for lunch
  • 1:30pm - 4pm Afternoon classes
  • Break for dinner
  • 5pm-730pm Evening classes
  • Evenings: free time

Country Info

Country Details

The People’s Democratic Republic of Laos is located in the center of Indochina. It shares a border with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to the east. About 7 million people live in its 18 provinces, with most people – 68 percent – still living in rural areas. The population consists of 49 ethnic groups.

There are several traditional arts and crafts that represent their way of life. Lao has a rich cultural heritage with religious art and architecture forming the cornerstone of artistic traditions.

The country is largely mountainous, with the most fertile land found along the Mekong plains. The Mekong River is the main geographical feature in the west. The river forms a natural border with Thailand in some areas and flows through nearly 1,900 kilometers of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the center of northern Laos, the city is known for its cultural, architectural and historical value. Once named the capital of Laos, before changing to Vientiane, Luang Prabang remains the country’s spiritual and religious center. Most visitors are charmed by the friendly atmosphere of this small town.

Laos

Luang Prabang has preserved Buddhist temples, museums and a variety of Lao, Tai-Lue, Burmese, Chinese and Taui architecture throughout the marketplaces. Luang Prabang sell a large variety of traditional goods. The town is famous for its unique textiles and beautiful mulberry paper. Every morning, visitors are welcome to see a sacred religious ceremony practiced by the local monks, the act of giving alms which is know as “Binthabat” in Laos.

Volunteer in Luang Prabang are part of a local effort to expand English education to the local community. Volunteers will work with novice monks, children from local villages, as well as teens and adults seeking to learn English. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students you will meet!

Coordinator

Mike Coordinator Laos Mike Coordinator Laos

Hi! We are Mike and Somdouk we are the local ABV Coordinators in Laos 🇱🇦 - Luang Prabang. We hope to make your Luang Prabang program meaningful, valuable, memorable, and enjoyable. We are available 24/7 in case you need to contact us urgently. We look forward to meeting you in Laos!

Weather

What's the best time to go to Laos? Here are some annual weather facts we collected from our historical climate data:

  • The best time to visit Laos is between November and February.
  • The hot season from March to May is very dry and certain river trips are not possible.
  • The rainy season from June to October and river trips are possible.

What's the best time to go to Laos

Reviews & Multimedia

Reviews

Personally, I found this program to be very worthwhile as this trip turned out to be one the best experiences of my life. It was very eye-opening and gave me a boost of motivation to continue my studies and inspiration for my future career.

Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program
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Dr. Shithila Siriwardhana at the Medical program

Nationality: USA

Age: 32

This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.

Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania
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Ann Olsen Volunteer in Arusha Tanzania

Nationality: USA

Age: 59

This trip was incredible and I don’t regret coming for a second. Our trip was a month long and I think that is a perfect amount of time for first time travelers. Changing sheets, cleaning the bed frames, and washing patients will most likely take up all your time.

Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania
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Alexis Stribbling Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania

Nationality: USA

Age: 36

Photos Gallery

Prices for Laos

Program Fees

Since A Broader View Volunteers is a 501c(3) charitable organization, You can fundraise (optional) for the expenses of the trip after you get confirmed in our programs. Prices are per person and in US dollars (US$).

Length of programProgram Fee $USD
1 week $860
2 weeks $990
3 weeks $1120
4 weeks $1280
5 weeks $1410
6 weeks $1495
7 weeks $1650
8 weeks $1760
9 weeks $1895
10 weeks $2195
11 weeks $2340
12 weeks $2540

Inclusions

  • Airport pick-up & drop off in Luang Prabang
  • Support from long term experienced staff
  • Welcome meeting/orientation
  • All necessary project training by experienced staff
  • All necessary project equipment and materials
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • Accommodations in private room with air-condition.
  • Orientation & full safety briefing
  • Donation to project
  • Two Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (Monday to Friday only)

Program Schedule

  • Starts and ends in Luang Prabang
  • Airport transportation is included
  • Week-day work schedule
  • Typical shift work: 7 hours per day
  • Support - Local staff support 24/7 during placement
  • Departure transfer at the end of the program

Extra Cost: Flights, Medical and travel insurance, Visa costs, Personal items, Additional drinks and gratuities, Extra local excursions (trekking, tours, etc), International and domestic airport taxes, Transportation to your project location, Laundry and Internet, no dinner.

Extras

Tour and Weekend Trips

Your ABV local coordinator will provide information about safe, reliable optional tours, cultural activities/classes which you pay for locally.

Pak Ou Mekong Cruise

Take a short walk to the boat pier. We board the boat and begin our cruise along the amazing Mekong which takes us past idyllic scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular scenery until reaching the beautiful Pak Ou Caves which sit amongst the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers meet. The caves are spilt in two, one named Tham Ting and the other Tham Theung. They are both filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over centuries.

A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition continues however the village now also specializes in producing a wide range of ‘Lau Lao’ Lao whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ Lao wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head of back down river to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

Approximately: 3.5 hours boat ride & 2 hours walking

Luang Prabang Hill Tribe Villages Tour

We depart in Luang Prabang at 9am and drive north east. Along the way we stop at Hath Hient Village to experience how villagers make iron knifes using traditional techniques which this village is famous for. After spending some time at the village we head onwards to Ban Pickngai which is home to people of the Yuan ethnicity. We then carry on through rice paddy fields until arriving at Ban Na Tan which is home to the Khumu people. After spending some time at the village we continue onwards once again to another Khumu village of Ban Bohei.

After this we then drive up into the surrounding mountains to visit the Hmong village of Ban Long Lan and have lunch at the village. Here we have a whole two hours to discover the organic vegetable and coffee plantations before a local shaman explains to us about the different techniques and ingredients used in  traditional Lao medicine. From here we head back towards Luang Prabang taking some time to visit Ban San Xang Khong village along the way and arriving back at around 4:00pm

Approximately:  5 hours transfer & 3 hours walking

Luang Prabang Heritage

We start off with a visit to the former royal palace which was built between 1904 & 1905. Originally built during the French colonial times as a residence for King Sisavang. This fascinating museum features the original royal chambers, paintings depicting traditional Lao life, a throne room, and four of the old royal cars, including an Easel.

Here we take some time to look around this magnificent building before moving onwards to Wat Visoun temple which was built by Visounnarath 500 years ago in 1513! The next stop is Wat Xieng Thong which was built by Sayasettha back in 1565.

We then continue onwards to Ban Xang Khong which is famous for the handmade Mulberry paper and also some beautiful hand woven Lao-Traditional textiles which is produced here. We then head back to Luang Prabang.

Approximately: 30 minutes transfer & 4 hours sightseeing

White Water Challenge

This trip is designed for those of you who are looking for a great paddling adventure! Kayak down the amazing and completely unspoiled Nam Xeung river which is surrounded with a stunning limestone landscape and conveniently located northeast of Luang Prabang. The river includes some truly exciting rapids! Yet suitable for all levels.

Approximately: 2.5 hours driving & 5 hours Kayaking

Relaxing Paddle Experience

For those of you who are looking for a gentle and easy river to enjoy kayaking down whilst taking in the sights a trip on the Nam Khan River is the answer! You will enjoy some amazing views of rural life along side the riverbanks and end the tour at a famous site in close proximity to Luang Prabang.

Approximately: 3 hours kayaking

2 days in Elephant Conservation Center

You are in Luang Prabang, you would like to do an excursion of 2 days in an extraordinary relaxing environment, on the shores of a lake, surrounded by a natural forest and furthermore meet some elephants? This 2 days / 1 night package is for you!

Half Day Elephant Experience

Short but not short on fun!  Enjoy the essentials on this, exciting tour.  One on One experience with your elephant (be a mahout), Lao long boat rides, the Tad Sae Waterfall and a delicious lunch buffet.  We’ll have you back to your hotel with plenty of time to enjoy your afternoon plans in Luang Prabang.

JUNGLE TREK TO KUANG SI WATERFALL FROM LONG LAO VILLAGE

Starting from Luang Prabang, we drive to the nearby valley southeast of Luang Prabang. We arrive at the Long Lao Village where we begin our hiking tour. Before trekking we can explore the life and culture of this village where Khamu and Hmong people live. Also see the work of our Fair Trek project, a beautiful clay-built bungalow used for overnight tours to experience local village life and culture.

Continue trekking into the mountainous Lao countryside of Luang Prabang. Hiking along you will pass orchards, rice fields, and vegetable gardens and before reaching the forested mountains with quite wild jungle scenery and some graded climbs.

In the afternoon you will arrive at the crystal clear Kuang Si Waterfall. An exciting forest trail leads you to the end of your trek and your reward - the welcoming and refreshing pools of Kuang Si Waterfall where we will have plenty of time to relax and swim.

While in the Kuang Si Waterfall park, you should visit the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary. You can find great information about Asian sun and moon bears and the Free the Bears protection program. You are welcome to support the project with a donation or by buying a real "Free The Bears" T-Shirt.

Experience the new Lao Buffalo dairy that produces cheese and a range of delicious dairy products. The diary provides income and a sustainable future for the Lao people involved. Learn how to milk a Buffalo, cuddle a Buffalo for the perfect selfie and try some incredible ice cream. The Buffalo may be the stars of the show but the playful pigs, chickens and cute rabbits are also plenty of fun for the young and young at heart!

We’ll return late afternoon by vehicle. The tour concludes late afternoon in Luang Prabang.

Total trekking distance is 9 km (5.5 mi), approx 3.5 hours of medium difficulty, slippery when wet. The trek is mainly flat. There is a rocky section up and down a small hill approx 20 minutes.

Laos Festivals Events

The majority of Laos festivals are based in the Buddhist faith that dominates the country and hold an important religious significance for Lao people, thus festival dates may be flexible as they are tied to the lunar calendar.

January

Boun Pa Vet

Boun Pha Vet is a commemoration of the Jataka, the life tale of Prince Vestsantara, the Buddha's penultimate life. The story of Lord Buddha as Prince Vestsantara is recited in temples throughout the country. This is considered a particularly auspicious time for ordination as a monk.

There is no fixed date for the festival. Every village set their own dates, but they coordinate with surrounding villages to avoid collision as families and friends in different villages exchange invitation to join in celebration.

February

Wat Phu festival

This religious festival is held at the pre-Angkorian Wat Phu site every year in Champassak province, about 10 hours drive south of Vientiane. It is held on the full moon night of the 3rd month of lunar calendar (in 2018 it falls on 31 January, according to my calculation). A trade fair of products from the southern province of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is also held 3-5 days prior.

Elephant Festival 

The elephant festival is a two-day celebration organized annually (mid-February) in Xayaboury province. Some 100 elephants and their mahouts from around the area gather to demonstrate working techniques and all things elephantine.

The celebration filled with elephant-related activities such as mahout and elephant shows, elephant procession, monks’ blessings, a traditional elephant Baci ceremony followed by the election of the Elephant of the Year.  Visitors can enjoy documentary films on an outdoor screen or live performances on the main stage. Elephant ride in the nearby forest is also available.

March

LAO WOMEN’S DAY

This is a public holiday to commemorate women’s contribution to Lao society.  There are many parties at homes and offices.

April

Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao)

This is the biggest festival of the year all around the country. It is partly a religious festival as it is the time Buddha images are cleansed, but is it also an all-out water festival. For three days be prepared to get wet wherever you go as water is thrown on everyone.

In Luang Prabang there are traditional processions and many other events.

In Vientiane Capital, one of the main roads in central area is closed for vehicles and turned to walking street full of young and old celebrating, drinking, dancing and splashing water to passerby.

May

BOUN VISAKHABOUCHA

Visakhaboucha Day is significant religious festival in Buddhist calendar, falling usually in May on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. When a year has an extra eighth lunar month-Adhikamasa (13 full moon in the year), Boun Visakhaboucha on the full moon of the seventh lunar month (June or July). Boun Visakhaboucha is a meaningful milestone in Buddhist calendar, because is mark the Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Devout Buddhists will rise early to make merit at temples. In some temples, Buddhists will perform Wien Tien (Candlelight procession) in the evening, which includes carrying candles, incense and lotus flowers and walking clockwise for three times around the sim, or main sermon or prayer hall.

July

Boun Khao Phansa

Boun Khao Phansa is held at the beginning of the Buddhist lent. Over the following three month, monks spend most of their time in prayer and meditation and are restricted from spending nights in other temples out of their own. Many devout people often abstain from alcohol during this time. In the early morning of Boun Khao Phansa, people prepare donations of food, especially “Khao Tom” (cooked sticky rice wrapped in banana leave) and necessities like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and towels for the monks. Most temples are busy during this time with people making merit and giving their donations. At the end of these merit making activities, the monks will recite the teaching of Buddha and tell the history of the Buddhist Lent to temples-goers. Later in the evening, monks, novices cannot leave their monasteries to become lay-people and traditionally lay-people are not allowed to get married until the end of the Buddhist Lent or Ork Phansa.

August

BOUN KHAO PADABDIN (RICE GROWING FESTIVAL)

Boun Hor Khao Padabdin (the literal translation is decorate (padab) dirt\earth (din))starts in the middle of the rainy season. This festival is held in commemoration of dead ancestors. Over two days, Buddhist devotees flock to the Vats (temples) carrying strays of offerings for monks and deceased ancestor. Music is traditionally performed in the grounds of the Vat while people make their donations. During Boun Khao Phansapadabdin, each household cooks a number of “khao Tom” to give to relatives and friends and some are reserved for giving alms to the monks. In the early morning at 4am to 5am, people place the “khao tom” and other food wrapped in banana leave or lotus leave in the four corners outside one’s house, the stairs, the spirit house, the rice storehouse, and on the gate, as well as on the ground so that the sprit can reach them. It is also the time to shoe respect to “Mae Thoranii” (the Earth God).

September

BOUN KHAO SALAK ANCESTOR FESTIVAL

This festival occurs during the 10th full moon of the lunar calendar. The purpose of the festival is to obtain merit by providing offerings to dead ancestors. The offerings to the dead are passed to monks during the morning ceremony at the temple, just after almsgiving. A basket is filled with food and daily amenities such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, cigarettes, etc. along with the names of the dead people the family wish to honor. The monks or novice the basket, then draws the name\s from the basket. In the evening at 7pm to 8pm, it is the for a candlelight procession (Wien Tien). Afterwards, the candles, incense the flowers are placed near the side of the Sim..

October

BOUN ORK PHANSA (END OF BUDDHIST LENT)

Boun Ork Phansa is the last day of Buddhist Lent. It occurs on the 15th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar. In the morning, donations and offering are made at temples around the country. In the evening candlelight processions are held around the temples while hundreds around of colorful floats decorated with flowers, incense and candles are set adrift down and rivers giving thanks to the river spirit (Lai Heua Fai). They are said to pay respect to the Buddha and to thank the mother of rivers for providing water for our lives as well as to ask for blessing and to float the bad luck for the past year away, enabling the good luck to flow in. Villagers who live far from rivers set up model boat made of banana stems and decorated with flowers and candlelight, while other simply light up some candles in front of their houses and do their prayer, wishing for good luck. This colorful ritual has been carried on by Lao people for thousands of years.

November

BOUN THAT LUANG FESTIVAL OF THE GRAND STUPA

Boun Pha That Luang is the most meaningful festival in Vientiane Capital as well as in the Lao PDR. It is held over three to seven days during the full moon of the twenty-fifth lunar month (November, but sometimes it is at the end of October). The festival starts with a colorful candlelight wax castle (Phasat Pheung) procession which starts the evening before at Vat Simeuang. The procession continues to the next afternoon from Vat Simeuang to Pha That Luang. People carry flowers, candles, incense and wax castles decorated with flowers and bank notes. People wear their best clothes for this procession and there is also a parade of the men and women dressed in various Loa ethnic costumes who dance and play traditional music and songs while approaching the stupa. The s-called wax castles have been a part of Lao lifestyle for many years, and bringing one to Pha that Luang on this occasion is believed to bring considerable merit.

The following morning, a huge crowd assembles at dawn at Pha That Luang to give alms to hundreds of monks who come here from around the country, and to play homage to the stupa. In the afternoon, everyone will gather on the esplanade for the traditional game of Ti Khee, which is played with a ball and long curved stick, resembling a game of hockey. The festival draws to close under a full moon when people from all over Laos will crowd around Pha That Luang for one last candlelight procession. There are also fire work displays to make the end of the celebration. During the Pha That Luang stupa festival, there are trade fairs, concerts and fun fairs held.

December

LAO NATIONAL DAY

This celebrates the 1975 victory of the proletariat over the monarchy with parades, speeches, etc. Lao national and communist hammer and sickle flags are flown all over the country. Celebration is mandatory, hence poorer communities postpone some of the traditional Ok Phansa activities usually practiced roughly a month earlier-until National Day, thus saving themselves considerable expense.

General Information

Meals & Food

Volunteers are usually provided breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant during the week and weekends (read the website for detail description of the meals or ask our staff online). Breakfast typically consists of toast, fruit, eggs, cereal accompanied with milk, tea or coffee. We recommend budgeting between US$5 and US$6 per day to purchase dinner. If you have specific dietary requirements, our local team  can customize to you but be flexible as well.

Start Dates

Most of our programs run year round, you can start any volunteer/internship program on any day. When you apply you will lets know your start and end dates. Our programs run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day from many different countries.

Since our programs sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal programs work is suspended. For example, schools/daycares often close for long winter/summer vacations. During these times, we arrange for alternative work programs that are similar in substance to our ongoing programs, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities.

If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.866.423.3258 or email us at [email protected].

Giving Matters

A Broader View Volunteers work tirelessly year round to support our volunteers, and also to serve the local communities where ABV projects are based. As a tax-exempt 501 c(3) organization A Broader View receive 100% of our funding from volunteer contributions. Through your program fee contribution our non-profit charity organization can operate beneficial humanitarian aid programs which are successful and continuous supported year round.

Local, professional full-time coordinators, placement logistics, airport pick up and departure transportation, arrival orientation, food & local accommodations, are a major part of providing a safe, meaningful volunteer experience. When you join A Broader View, you will receive pre-trip visa and vaccination support, assistance with flights, fundraising planning, through our interactive online volunteer portal. Our local partners not only benefit from volunteers valuable contributions at the project, they benefit financially with year-round monetary support from A Broader View. In the last decade A Broader View has donated over 4.5 million dollars in international aid.

By joining A Broader View you are not only helping to make a difference during your own trip, your impact will last even after you go home.

How may we help you?!

How may we help you?!

Our staff has extensive travel and volunteer abroad experience. We have the answers to all your questions about volunteering with ABV. We can customize any of our programs to your needs and dates.

Call/chat with our team members:

(1) 215 780 1845 [email protected]

Language Immersion:
No

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* Price in US dollars
Toll Free: US/CA (1) 866-423-3258