Guided & Group Travel
Traveling in groups and with guides is nothing new -- for many it enhances the travel experience by providing company (the group) and context (the guide). But a growing number of people are seeking a new kind of travel experience, one where they use their time to give back in a meaningful way to the communities they visit.
The activity of these motivated philanthropists goes by a variety of names: voluntourism, eco-tourism and adventure philanthropy are among the more common. At East Meets West, we work in several ways to promote this kind of travel, both to benefit our programs and to inform and educate our supporters:
- Travel Partners. We partner with travel groups that offer low-impact, horizon-expanding tours.
- Volunteer Opportunities. We offer volunteer opportunities for dental professionals through our Dental program.
- Veterans. We involve veterans both individually and in groups in our work to promote healing on both sides
Read on for information on ways to get involved!
Travel Partners
Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy expeditions combine rugged adventure with meaningful volunteer work, taking travelers off the tourist path to truly explore a foreign land and culture and accomplish a hands-on project that directly benefits local people.
On a recent Vietnam expedition, participants cycled from the imperial city of Hue over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, south along the coastline and into the rugged central highlands, where they built a small farm plot at EMW’s Kon Tum School for ethnic minority students. The expedition members raised $8,000 in donations to fund the project; income from the farm plot will help the school remain self-sustaining. Learn more about the trip on the Roadmonkey blog.
Exotissimo Travel is one of the longest established inbound travel agencies in Vietnam, offering a variety of tailor-made trips including in-depth north-to-south itineraries, trekking and biking adventures and culinary-themed journeys. Exotissimo is a strong advocate of responsible travel and is fully committed to conserving natural resources, protecting local cultural heritage and making positive impacts in the communities visited. A visit to EMW projects in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City can be included in Exotissimo's Join In Tour of Vietnam and volunteering opportunities with EMW can be added as an extension to any Vietnam tour.
Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel empowers traveler donors and Vietnamese citizens to create a democratic Vietnam while enjoying learning, healing and health.
Volunteer Opportunities
The EMW Dental Program
The EMW Dental Program invites volunteer dentist, hygienists, dental students and others to work alongside its Da Nang Dental Clinic staff to provide treatment to needy Vietnamese children. Volunteers work in the clinic and mobile dental van and participate in outreach trips to rural areas. Volunteers pay their own travel and lodging expenses. Click here for more information.
Veterans Travel
The Veterans Viet Nam Restoration Project (VVRP) has partnered with EMW on several projects. The VVRP sends teams made up of veterans, their family members, and others to Viêt Nam to reconcile with the Vietnamese and to heal the emotional and spiritual wounds suffered in the war. VVRP has sent 23 teams (more than 150 veterans) to Viet Nam to work alongside the Vietnamese on humanitarian projects such as the construction of clinics, schools and houses. Team members cover their own travel and housing expenses. The Vietnamese also help with project funding.
Several Vietnam veterans have worked with EMW individually and in groups to fund projects that support disadvantaged children and families. Read about Dan Knox, a veteran and EMW supporter whose travels to Vietnam are a way both to give back and to find peace within himself.