Three French teenagers have chosen to spend their summer holiday in Vietnam, where they will devote three weeks to volunteer activities supporting disadvantaged children.

The story of Elza Le Floch, Celeste Perotteau-Giraud, and Wyatt Lelouche is published in the Nice Matin newspaper.

While many French students have just completed their secondary school examinations and are preparing for their summer break, Elza Le Floch, Celeste Perotteau-Giraud and Wyatt Lelouche have embarked on a different journey.

On July 15, the three members of the Scouts and Guides of France group in Menton left Nice for Xuyen Moc in Ho Chi Minh City.

The trip is part of a partnership project involving the French humanitarian organisation Rance Mékong Garonne, which has long supported disadvantaged children and families in the local community.

During their 21-day stay, the volunteers will organise educational and recreational activities for children while taking part in other charitable initiatives. They will also experience local life and culture by living with a host family supported by the association.

According to Le Floch, Rance Mékong Garonne currently sponsors nearly 100 children in Xuyen Moc. In addition to covering school fees, the organisation assists vulnerable families and provides educational equipment and funding to improve local schools.

To make the trip possible, the three volunteers spent months fundraising while preparing for their secondary school examinations. Through babysitting, cake sales, gardening and support from the Rotary Club of Beausoleil, they raised nearly 10,000 EUR (11,466 USD).

Around two-thirds of the funds will go directly towards meals and education costs for local primary and secondary school students.

For the three Scouts, the journey represents not only a charity mission but also their first independent experience abroad, travelling thousands of kilometres from home without accompanying adults and living with a local family throughout the project.

They said the opportunity to connect directly with the local community is what they are most looking forward to.

After returning to France in early August, the volunteers plan to hold a gathering to thank their sponsors and share stories from their time in Vietnam.

They hope the trip will leave not only meaningful support for local children, but also lasting memories of friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

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