Global volunteers roll up sleeves to build homes for families in need in Da Nang
DNO - For months, volunteers from the United States, Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Philippines and other countries have worked alongside local families in Da Nang to build safer, more resilient homes for those facing difficult living conditions.
According to Tuoi Tre Online, volunteers’ great efforts were part of Vietnam Special Build 2026, a Habitat for Humanity initiative that brought international volunteers directly into communities in rural communes in Da Nang.
Building homes, building connections
The new homes, designed to better withstand natural disasters, were handed over to beneficiary families late August.
For households that had long struggled with inadequate housing, the new buildings represent more than a stronger roof and walls - they offer greater security and a fresh sense of hope.
According to the authorities of the Que Son Trung Commune People’s Committee, all the families receiving support were facing financial difficulties and had a pressing need for safe, permanent housing.
What made the project particularly meaningful was the direct involvement of volunteers from around the world.
Regardless of nationality, profession or background, they traveled to rural communities, formed teams and worked alongside local families throughout the construction process.
The volunteers covered their own travel expenses, while Habitat for Humanity organized and coordinated their participation.
Funding for the homes was mobilized by Habitat, with each house costing around VND80 million, supplemented by contributions from the beneficiary families and local authorities.
Construction began in mid-2026. For local residents, the sight of young foreigners working under the hot sun, covered in mortar and helping to build their homes became a memorable symbol of solidarity.
As reported by Thanh Nien Newspaper, Tran Thi Vien, 38, from Que Son Trung Commune, had previously lived in an unfinished house of only about 30 square meters because of her family’s financial difficulties.
“I am deeply grateful to the young people who traveled from countries around the world and worked through the heat every day to build our home. I am also sad that once the house was completed, they had to return home. I do not know when we will have a chance to meet again.”
Ms. Tran Thi Vien, Que Son Trung Commune, Da Nang
Global spirit of giving
Language differences posed little obstacle. Some volunteers did not speak Vietnamese, while many local residents were not fluent in foreign languages.
Yet once construction began, the barriers seemed to fade. Working side by side, people communicated through gestures, teamwork and a shared purpose.
Behind the days spent mixing mortar and laying bricks was a commitment that extended far beyond a single construction project.
Volunteers from different countries, professions and age groups came together through a common desire to make a practical contribution to local communities.
At the handover ceremony, families and volunteers gathered to mark the completion of the homes, sharing emotional moments before the volunteers returned to their respective countries.
For the families in Que Son and Que Son Trung, the new homes offer a safer place to live. For the volunteers, the experience offers something equally lasting: a reminder that compassion can cross borders, and that sometimes the most meaningful connections are built one brick at a time.
Vietnam Special Build 2026 - “Home Matters” took place in the central coastal city of Da Nang. Through this project, Habitat Vietnam aimed to provide housing support for 16 poor or near-poor households.
As a flagship event marking Habitat Vietnam’s 25th Anniversary, the Home Matters Special Build 2026 delivered safe, durable, and climate-resilient homes while offering volunteers an inspiring, hands-on experience that demonstrates housing as a foundation for health, dignity, and resilience.
The project reflects Habitat for Humanity’s broader work in Vietnam.
Over 25 years, the organization has reached around 320,000 people and helped build or improve more than 36,000 homes. Since 2012, it has mobilized 9,380 volunteers from dozens of countries. Volunteers work alongside skilled builders, carrying bricks and using trowels to build walls under their guidance.