From Hardship to Lasting Hope.
We create sustainable, community-driven solutions for Vietnam’s most vulnerable populations.
Volunteer Abroad in Vietnam
Hong Lien Foundation is a charity dedicated to developing sustainable, community-driven solutions that uplift Vietnam’s most vulnerable populations, focusing primarily on regions affected by hunger, poverty and health affects resulting from the legacy of Agent Orange.
Through strategic partnerships and organized volunteer trips, we provide essential aid and resources across three core pillars: Health Access, Food Security, and Education. Our collaborative efforts build foundations for enduring growth and self-sufficiency, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
Opportunities to volunteer abroad in Vietnam are available right now for those who would like to get involved!
Our Aims
A Lưới District: First Voluntary Trip to Vietnam in 2026
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A Lưới is home to approximately 52,000 residents and lies 70 kilometers west of Huế city. The district faces persistent economic challenges and hunger due to natural disasters and deforestation. In some of its most vulnerable communes—Hồng Thủy, Hồng Vân, Trung Sơn, and Hồng Kim—the poverty rate exceeds 30%.
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A Lưới has also been deeply affected by the legacy of Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used during the Vietnam War. Around 4,000 residents suffer from cancer, birth defects, and other disabilities linked to dioxin exposure and genetic damage,
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The remoteness of A Lưới district is the primary driver of its health crisis, creating formidable barriers for residents seeking care. Even when essential services are available, the majority of people lack the financial means for transportation to distant health centers, which often requires a full day's journey and costly travel. This challenge is compounded by a severe lack of resources, including trained specialists, thus forcing them to forgo care entirely or face impossible choices between their health and financial stability.
Program Updates
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The Foundation plans to implement complementary programs to the existing cancer screening program implemented by Heart for Hue and their associated partners, targeting the four communes in the Central Provinces of Vietnam — A’Luoi Town, Hong Kim, Hong Bac, and Quang Nam. The Inaugural program is planned for Summer 2026.
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This inaugural program will complement existing cancer screening and support programs for Agent Orange-affected individuals by introducing wraparound services across the foundation’s three core pillars: Fight to end hunger, healthcare access, and educating children.
Become an overseas healthcare volunteer in Southeast Asia and Join Us in Vietnam in 2026!
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In response to these challenges, Hearts for Hue, in partnership with Hue Central Hospital and A Lưới Medical Center, and with funding from the D.O.V.E. Fund, launched the program “Empowering Health and Well-being for Agent Orange-Affected Individuals in A Lưới District.” To date, over 1,000 individuals were screened for cancer, with 64% receiving a definitive diagnosis and follow-up care. The project continues to provide vital medical support, with the goal of reaching all affected individuals in the district.
Donation FAQs
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90% of your donation directly supports our programs: Ending Hunger, Expanding Healthcare Access, and Educating Children. 10% funds essential administrative costs (eg: fundraising, operations, compliance) to ensure the programs are executed efficiently, compliantly and sustainably.
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Your donation funds community driven solutions. We work directly with local leaders to identify their most pressing challenges. We use local knowledge and our global experience to ensure the most practical and necessary support, whether it's a bag of rice, a pair of glasses, or tuition fees. This grassroots approach ensures maximum impact and minimal waste.
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Yes! We are dedicated to keeping our donors informed of the lasting change they create. You will receive regular updates through our newsletters and impact reports. These reports often feature stories and photos from the communities you support, highlighting the success stories of children who receive an education, families who gain reliable access to food, and individuals who receive vital healthcare. We believe in showing you the direct results of your generosity.
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Our application for recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization is pending with the IRS. Approval is expected in early 2026.
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Our Employer Identification Number is 39-4809837
Volunteering FAQs
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The Hong Lien Foundation is planning its Inaugural Voluntary Trip for July 2026 to the A Lưới District in Central Vietnam. As a volunteer, you will support the foundation’s three core pillars:
Health Access: Assisting with medical, dental, and vision services, particularly for those affected by the legacy of Agent Orange. Overseas healthcare professionals and general volunteers are encouraged to join this mission to provide wraparound services in remote communes.
Food Security: Helping implement programs and distributing non-perishable food items to ensure reliable access to nutritious food.
Education: Supporting initiatives that empower youth through secondary education.
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While the foundation highly values overseas healthcare volunteers (doctors, dentists, and specialists) to help address the health crisis in remote areas like A Lưới, there are opportunities for others to contribute as well. Volunteers support a holistic range of "wraparound services" which include food security programs and educational initiatives. If you are passionate about community-driven solutions and uplifting vulnerable populations, you can visit the “Get Involved” section of the website to learn how your specific skills can help.
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Volunteers must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay with at least two blank pages. Most international volunteers (including U.S. and Australian citizens) will need an E-visa, which typically allows for a 30-day stay. The foundation recommends applying for your visa well in advance of the Summer 2026 departure.
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While Vietnam no longer requires COVID-19 testing or vaccination proof for entry, the foundation and health authorities recommend that volunteers be up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Suggested vaccinations for this region include Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Japanese Encephalitis, given the remote and rural nature of the A Lưới District.
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Sustainability is a core pillar of the Hong Lien Foundation. We work directly with local leaders to identify pressing challenges and use local knowledge to implement programs. For example, our food security and education initiatives are designed to build "foundations for enduring growth," moving beyond temporary relief to help families achieve long-term self-sufficiency.