Has anyone visited an orphanage in vietnam? I am thinking of perhaps taking pencil cases with crayons and small toys etc to give to kids somewhere there?

Hi Bevzy,

It's great reading a post like this, I'm really appreciate your kindness.
In Ha Noi, you can go visit orphanage at SOS villages. You can also visit some center in Hue, and in Sai Gon. There are places for children who sick or have no home.. Yep, Pencil, toys, clothes.. are all welcome.
But please note that with some places, it require permission from the goverment to visit.
Please email me for anything I can help, I would love to help people like you. It's my pleasure to do whatever I can, just email me for more details and I will try to find information or suggestion for you some places to suite your trip in Vietnam.

Cheers.

We visited the 15th May school in Saigon a few years ago. It is a school set up for street kids. Spending time there was an emotional and very rewarding experience which has led, in part, to our decision to take a year out to do some voluntary work ourselves, not in Vietnam but Sierra Leone.

The image that will always stay in my mind was a small boy opening his locker to proudly show us his only possession - a toy truck. Toys and crayons will be much appreciates as will a cash donation. It is also possible to sponsor a child's edcucation. for more information see

http://www.15mayschool.org/drupal/

Thanks. We fly to Hanoi so hope to go somewhere there??? Will it be a problem needing permission??

We arranged our visit by email in advance and had no problems getting permission. I would strongly advise that you do the same as it will give you the opportunity to find out more about the work they do and, if you do want to take something for the orphanage/kids they could give guidance on what to take. Incidentally, There is a great book entitled "Three Moons in Vietnam" by Maria Coffey ISBN-10: 0349107386 which covers a little of the problems facing the dtreet kids in VN.

Hi crellston-Who did you email??? I leave tomorrow. Thanks