For sea turtles
Protect nesting females, eggs, and hatchlings, and help maintain healthy wild sea turtle populations.
Volunteer Program for Sea Turtle Conservation
The volunteer program connects volunteers with national parks and marine protected areas to support patrolling nesting beaches, releasing hatchlings, collecting marine debris, and sharing stories that inspire others to care for the ocean.
Overview of the Volunteer Program
IUCN launched its first pilot TNV volunteer program at Côn Đảo National Park in 2014 to raise public awareness of marine biodiversity conservation and support practical sea turtle protection work.
The program gives young people a chance not only to witness conservation in person, but to actively protect key sea turtle nesting beaches in Việt Nam. Typical field placements are 7 days at Hòn Cau MPA and 12 days at Côn Đảo National Park, with volunteers staying at island stations to support core conservation tasks. Although it may sound straightforward, many past volunteers describe it as a truly life-changing experience, both practically and personally.
Since then, the program has expanded to multiple marine protected areas and national parks across Việt Nam:
• Côn Đảo National Park (HCMC) - active since 2014.
• Hòn Cau Marine Protected Area (Lâm Đồng) - active since 2016.
• Núi Chúa - Phước Bình National Park (Khánh Hòa) - launched in 2015, 2016 and currently not active.
• Lý Sơn Marine Protected Area (Quảng Ngãi) - artist volunteer track, active from 2017 to present.
• Bái Tử Long National Park (Quảng Ninh) - artist volunteer track, active in 2019.
The TNV network brings together volunteers from across the country, especially Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Vietnamese young people studying or working abroad who still want to contribute to the program. Participants span a wide range of ages and professional backgrounds, with the 25-30 age group most strongly represented and volunteers coming from student life, public service, business, freelance work, and more.
Each site has its own schedule, tasks, and living conditions. Across all locations, the program emphasizes safety, respect for local communities, and responsible interaction with wildlife and coastal habitats.
The TNV network brings together volunteers from across the country, especially Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as Vietnamese young people studying or working abroad who still want to contribute to the program. Participants span a wide range of ages and professional backgrounds, with the 25-30 age group most strongly represented and volunteers coming from student life, public service, business, freelance work, and more.
What volunteers typically do
• Conduct night patrols to detect nesting female turtles.
• Collect data, take measurements, and tag turtles.
• Move eggs to safe incubation areas.
• Release hatchlings back to the sea.
• Support conservation communication and outreach.
• Collect waste and clean nesting beaches.
• Join other activities, such as decorating, painting signs, reading, swimming, and cooking.
Impact of the TNV program
For the environment
Safeguard nesting habitats and reduce impacts from waste and human disturbance.
For communities
Strengthen conservation awareness and spread accurate science-based information to local communities and the public.
For individual volunteers
Provide hands-on field experience while building discipline, responsibility, and sustainable living values.
How to Join
Each year, IUCN opens volunteer applications around April–May. The program receives an average of over 1,000 -2,000 applications per year, with only around 200 volunteers selected — making the screening process highly rigorous.
Eligibility & Criteria:
• Age: 21–48
• Good health, suitable for night-time fieldwork.
• Committed to completing the full program duration.
• Disciplined, responsible, and rule-abiding.
• Vietnamese citizen.
• Holds health insurance and/or travel insurance.
Timeline:
• Selection: April–June each year.
• Deployment: June–September each year.
• Per batch (Côn Đảo NP): ~12 days, 9–12 batches per year (consecutive).
• Per batch (Hòn Cau MPA): ~7 days, 3–5 batches per year (at times selected by the MPA).
Costs:
• Volunteers self-pay: travel to the site and personal expenses.
• IUCN & National Park support: island transport, station accommodation, training, and a portion of shared activities.
Application Process:
1. An application form will be released: Watch for the official volunteer application announcement.
2. Read requirements and guidebook carefully: Review all requirements and the guidebook before deciding to apply.
3. Fill in the application form: Complete all required information accurately.
4. Attend the training meeting if accepted: If you receive an acceptance email from IUCN, congratulations on being selected through a highly competitive process. You will then attend a training/orientation meeting to prepare.
5. Be ready to make the best summer ever: Submit the required documents requested by IUCN and Côn Đảo National Park, Hon Cau MPA (health check certificate, health insurance or voluntary travel insurance, and volunteer commitment form), then prepare your essentials to stay fit for around 12 days of field work on assigned islands - in Con Dao NP; and 07 days in Hon Cau MPA.
Important notes:
1. Each volunteer registers for one batch only and must commit to the full duration.
2. All program-related communications will be sent by email. Please do not contact by phone unless absolutely necessary.
Follow the latest updates about the program on the Facebook page IUCN Vietnam Sea Turtle Volunteer. Also, please read carefully the Guidebook and the Resource materials to best prepare for your memorable volunteer journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteers are typically students, young professionals, and community members aged 21-48 who can commit to the program schedule, follow safety guidelines, and work collaboratively with park staff and other volunteers.
Resources for Volunteers
These are resources compiled by IUCN, Con Dao National Park, Hon Cau Marine Protected Area, and previous volunteers to help you best prepare for the program. Please read these materials carefully!
Volunteer Handbook for Sea Turtle Conservation Program
Comprehensive information about the volunteer program, including schedule, duties, living conditions, and important safety guidelines.
Sea Turtle Brochure
Overview resource covering sea turtles in Việt Nam, why protection matters, key threats, and conservation outputs.
Con Dao NP detail Q&A for IUCN sea turtle volunteer
Information on expected cost, what to expect in the field, how to stay safe, and how to contribute positively to the team and local community.
How to apply the IUCN Sea turtle Volunteer Program
Those who wish to join the IUCN Sea Turtle Volunteer Program at should carefully read all the information in the Handbook — it answers most of the questions and concerns you may have.
Please remember that this volunteer trip is not simply a holiday for check-ins and social media photos. It is a meaningful conservation program that requires your active contribution and commitment, and the work can be physically demanding.
Many people have asked about bringing their children along for the experience. However, the program does not recommend this, as the conditions and facilities on the islands/stations within Con Dao National Park and Hon Cau MPA are generally not suitable for children.
Knowing how to swim is definitely an advantage, as you may have the chance to enjoy the beautiful island and ocean scenery during your free time.