Going into this experience I hoped to be able to help make a positive impact as well as broaden my cultural understanding. Participating in this program exceeded all of my expectations as it challenged me to get out of my comfort zone, meet and befriend people from all over the world with similar mindsets, immerse my self in Lao culture (and learn more about the country and their beliefs), while also allowing me to explore nearby areas and tourist attractions in my free time. This experience has opened my eyes to a different, yet so joyful, way of life. It has made me so grateful that I was able to volunteer and help communities who may otherwise have not received this help if it were not for IVHQ, volunteers and the in-county team. For anyone wanting to volunteer through IVHQ I would most definitely recommend Laos as a destination. My advice for anyone hesitant would to be don’t be nervous - just do it. It is an incredible experience for anyone who is willing to get involved.
Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Laos - Luang Prabang
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Want to build your skills as a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Laos? International Volunteer HQ’s Construction and Renovation project empowers volunteers to take part in initiatives that help improve local infrastructure. Community organizations are often underfunded and poorly resourced so volunteers can make a tangible difference by lending a hand with vital upgrades and repairs. These make buildings functional, safer and more attractive to the people who use them, and allow the community services that provide some of life’s basics to have an even bigger impact.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Community services such as schools, medical and childcare centers in Laos are important institutions, but many don’t make enough money to keep up with building maintenance. Volunteers can make a significant difference to make these services attractive and functional for the people who rely on them.
You’ll essentially be a volunteer laborer, helping with light construction and renovation tasks to improve buildings and sections. You’ll need to be flexible and adaptable in your approach to volunteering and be happy to go with the flow of local priorities. Your exact role will depend on what stage projects are at while you’re in Laos, but could include:
- Building
- Renovating
- Painting
- Restoration
- Carpentry
- Landscaping
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Luang Prabang with IVHQ?
As a volunteer builder in Laos you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving and upgrading local infrastructure
- Making a visible difference to the community
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining building and renovation experience
- Immersing yourself in Lao culture
- Discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Luang Prabang
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- To respect the local culture and customs in Laos, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Laos photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
I’ve managed to get out of my comfort zone. I was worried about traveling alone but I never once felt alone. I’ve made lifelong friendships, learnt a lot about different cultures. If you are hesitant please don’t. It’s very well organized, safe and the local team are like a family. Amazing human beings.
I highly recommend the Luang Prabang program. People in Laos are nice and friendly, feel safe and the program was coordinated very well.
I gained a fresh new perspective on the world and the needs it requires. A greater love for people, new experiences and open eyes. I'd say anyone hesitant to join the program, if you have a heart for doing more, don't mind getting your hands dirty and open to new experiences outside your comfort zone I say go for it! you have nothing to lose but limitless opportunities to gain.
I’ve gained so much knowledge about myself, other people, the lao culture and the world. The advice I’d give someone who’s hesitant is to try to not think too much about it. To just do it. I was quite hesitant at first to go on this trip but when I got there my nerves were eased. The local team is so accommodating and I felt they and all the other volunteers accept you right away.
My two sons (11 years and 17 years) and I (mom) did construction volunteering in Luang Prabang. It was one of the best experiences of our lives. It was also meaningful work. We got dirty, we sweat a bit (though the weather was perfect in December /January) and were tired by the day's end... but we just loved it. My sons said it was the best and most meaningful thing they had ever done and by far the best "trip" we had ever been on. They felt like they did something worthwhile. We learned how to make and lay bricks from Uise who was fun and patient, we painted a fence outside a primary school after cleaning debris, and had a lot of fun the entire time. My sons ended up playing football with school children at the very end of each day, and made friends helping a small community. They could see the nice job they had done when we finished and felt satisfied. It was great fun working together and in the evenings/weekends we rested and explored temples, waterfalls, markets, and surrounding villages. ANYONE and everyone should consider construction, it's fun work. Make sure to bring on change of clothes to work in- paint, get dirty, etc.!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
Compared to the thronging, bustling party that is other capital cities of South-east Asian countries, Luang Prabang is in northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. This relaxed town, often described as the Jewel in Laos Crown; has beautiful parks, markets, temples and monuments, tropical weather, and plenty to do. Wider Laos has a huge range of adventure activities popular with visitors, and breathtaking waterfalls, limestone caves and scenery.
Just outside the town center, you can explore lush jungles with miles of hiking trails leading to gorgeous waterfalls and limestone caves.
The IVHQ Laos Program is based in Luang Prabang. The placements are located in and around Luang Prabang.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
Volunteers need to arrive in Luang Prabang on the Sunday before orientation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Vientiane, Laos prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Vientiane on the day before your program orientation for an additional pick-up fee cost.
There are two options for orientation in Laos:
One-day Orientation: This runs for a full day and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Laos, including an introduction to the IVHQ Laos program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the local projects, go on a walking tour of the local area, arrange your SIM card, and finish the day planting vegetables like a local. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Introduction Week: This not only teaches you everything you need to know for your volunteer project, but also gives you the opportunity to learn more about the culture and tick off some must-do Laos experiences including a language lesson, cooking class, village walk and visits to the KuangSi waterfall, bear conservation sanctuary, ancient history temple and forest temples. This week has an additional cost of US$327 (approximately CA$481).
Join the Introduction Week by making a note in your application or contacting your IVHQ Program Manager after you register.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
After the initial orientation week, you will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day and a typical schedule is as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer guesthouse. |
| 9:00 AM | Volunteers travel to their placements by foot, bicycle or tuk-tuk. |
| 12:00 PM | Volunteers break for lunch and travel back to the volunteer guesthouse. In some cases volunteers eat lunch at their placement. After lunch, volunteers continue with their volunteer work (where applicable). |
| 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer guesthouse, plan for the following day’s activities or use their free time as they wish. |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer guesthouse. After dinner volunteers will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as they wish. |
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and there is no shortage of things to do in Luang Prabang or further afield in Laos. Volunteers can fill their free time with local markets, adventure activities or simply exploring parts of Luang Prabang. Laos is a popular tourist destination, offering beautiful nature and scenery, with great biking, kayaking, climbing, caving, trekking and rafting. Volunteers who wish to take a long weekend to travel can enjoy the beautiful limestone mountains and waterfalls in Vang Vieng or even take a two-day cruise on the mighty Mekong River.
Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Laos and neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Luang Prabang, with the advice and guidance of our local staff.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style volunteer guesthouse in Luang Prabang. The town center is only a 10-15 minute walk or 3 minute Tuk Tuk ride from the volunteer accommodation. You should expect to share a room with up to 4 other volunteers of the same gender. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a fan and have a shared bathroom equipped with western style toilet and a hot shower. Bedding and towels are provided. There are staff who clean the accommodation throughout the week, however volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy.
Couples, families or individuals who want more privacy have an option to upgrade to private accommodation. Private rooms are subject to availability and therefore you must arrange this well in advance of your program.
The accommodation has free Wifi which volunteers are able to use. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to access the internet.
Meals
Laotian food is very tasty and during your time in Laos, you will be sure to receive some delicious treats.
Volunteers are provided with three meals per day. Breakfast is self-serve at the accommodation and generally includes tea, coffee, eggs, bread and fruit. Lunch and dinner are prepared in the guesthouse restaurant and will often include fresh vegetables, fish or meat, cooked with fresh herbs and spices, and served with plenty of sticky rice. Noodles are common at mealtimes too, as are local soups.
Please note that during the weekends only brunch and dinner is provided.
Fresh tropical fruit is plentiful at roadside stalls and there are many street food vendors around Luang Prabang offering local treats.
Bottled water is readily available in Laos and volunteers should budget approximately US$10 (approximately CA$14) per week for 2 liters a day.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$440) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $345 Equivalent to $49/day |
| 2 weeks | $560 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 3 weeks | $775 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 4 weeks | $985 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,195 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,405 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,725 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,045 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,365 Equivalent to $28/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$440) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Laos generally find US$75 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Meals
- Airport pick-up
- Transport to and from volunteer project
- The Construction and Renovation project has an extra cost of US$50 per week for supervision, materials and the logistics involved in this project.
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Luang Prabang
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Luang Prabang program.
The Introduction Week is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Laos.
Explore Laos in a fun packed week where we take you to some of the must visit places and experiences in Laos.
Enjoy a stress free ride from Luang Prabang back to Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) arranged by our local team.
Check what's required to visit Laos
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Vientiane |
| Population | 7.2 million |
| Languages | Lao |
| Currency | Lao or Laotian Kip (LAK) |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate in Laos is considered tropical monsoonal, days are typically warm and sunny all year around, with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F). The rainy season runs from May to October, and this is when humidity and temperatures can peak at 40°C (100°F). The dry season runs from November to May, and this is when the temperature is typically cooler and can get to a low of 15°C (58°F)
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