At Home in Da Nang

Writer: Thuy Trang Nguyen

Written on: 12th January 2026

When I arrived in Da Nang, I thought I had a clear idea of what my volunteering experience would look like: I knew I would be working at C4C’s headquarter, supporting the organization from behind the scenes and living together with other volunteers. What I didn’t fully expect was how flexible and dynamic my role would become and how much space that would give me to grow personally and professionally.

C4C’s headquarter in Da Nang is a small but lively place. With only a handful of staff members, the organization relies on the support of volunteers. This means that from the very beginning, volunteers are trusted with responsibility and encouraged to take initiative. While this can feel overwhelming at first, it also creates an environment where learning happens quickly and contributions truly matter.

From Volunteer Coordination to Content Creation

Originally, I applied for a position supporting public relations and volunteer coordination. Shortly after my arrival, however, my role shifted more towards external communication. Today, I work closely with Mya, our Communications Manager and support C4C’s social media presence across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

(Me with my boss <3)

My tasks include filming and editing content, developing ideas for posts, writing scripts, creating job advertisements and contributing to newsletters and blog posts for C4C’s alumni network.

Being trusted with access to official accounts only days after arriving was both exciting and challenging. Over time, I learned to embrace this responsibility and discovered how much I enjoy working creatively, experimenting with formats and helping shape how C4C presents itself to the outside world.

Even though my current tasks differ from what I originally expected, this flexibility has become one of the most valuable parts of my volunteering experience.

Living and Growing Together

Living in the headquarter with other volunteers means that work and everyday life are closely connected. We share rooms, meals, routines and experiences. What stands out most to me is the strong sense of community among the volunteers. We support each other in everyday situations, take care of one another and create a space where everyone feels included.

This shared experience has led to close friendships that make daily life in Da Nang feel familiar and safe. Whether it’s exploring the city or simply spending evenings talking and playing Wizard, these moments are what make volunteering here special.

Between Familiarity and Rediscovery

Vietnam holds a special meaning for me because of my family background, yet living here feels very different from visiting. Being in Da Nang has allowed me to rediscover the country in a new way, through daily routines, small interactions and shared experiences rather than short visits.

Language has been one of my personal focus points during this time. While I grew up hearing and speaking Vietnamese at home, living here made me realize how much more there is to learn. This process has been challenging at times, but also very motivating, as it pushes me to reconnect with the language and culture more deeply.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges that naturally come with living and volunteering abroad, I feel very grateful for my experience so far. I have learned to work independently, adapt quickly and trust myself in unfamiliar situations. The creative freedom, the friendships I’ve built and the everyday experiences in Da Nang have made this journey incredibly meaningful.