Vietnam: Medical Placement

Introduction

Vietnam, one of the most populated countries in the world, is a dynamically developing one where roads are being renovated, new buildings are emerging and cities are changing. Unlike Thailand and Cambodia, Vietnam has not been influenced as much by Western culture and has a unique identity, which manifests in many ways including the delicious traditional food. Vietnam’s fast-growing economy is assisted by tourism, led by the growing interest for the country’s fascinating history and breathtaking sights such as its beaches, the beautiful countryside in the north and the typical rice fields. Despite a painful past, the Vietnamese are proud of their heritage and embrace life with determination and enthusiasm. The largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, was formerly named Saigon and was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina. Today it is a bustling city hurtling along at a dizzying speed, merging the new with the ever-present old.

This project takes place at a government-operated hospital in Ho Chi Minh City which serves the poorer community. You will conduct daily check-ups of the patients and monitor their condition; you will observe, record and analyze the information that you gather. This project allows you to apply previously gained knowledge as well as learn new information. You will shadow English-speaking Vietnamese doctors and also assist, advise and consult them. This will give you an opportunity to be involved in the medical issues at hand and to have your opinion and position taken into consideration. You will actively get involved with the hospital’s x-ray room, children and adult wards, and operating theatre. Your responsibilities will increase the longer you stay with the program.

This is a great opportunity for medical students to gain experience and knowledge while making a contribution to the Ho Chi Minh community!

Daily Life

On your first day, you will have a discussion with the hospital director and their assistant about your role and duties depending on your experience, confidence and qualifications. You will get introduced to the hospital and staff and be assigned a full-time doctor to shadow during your placement.

On Tuesday you will begin your placement and for the rest of the week, depending on the current need at the hospital, you will be assessing patients, performing medical procedures and observing surgeries and x-ray sessions. Additionally, you will participate in the hospital’s regular meetings during which you can discuss the hospital’s needs and areas for improvement.

Travel and Accommodation

The accommodation during your placement is located in a student dorm on a college campus where there are rooms specifically reserved for the participants in this project. You will share single-gender rooms with 8 to 16 people as well as showers and western-style toilets. The common areas include a terrace from which you can look at the city as well as an “office” room where you can enjoy some quiet time or read the books and magazines which are available to borrow. You can also hang out in the café on the same floor which offers desks and tables, a pool table and where you can buy smoothies and sodas. Here you will find also opportunities to engage in creative activities – there’s paint and materials for crafts if you feel like getting creative, there’s a piano and a guitar if you feel like making music. The campus also features an on-site pool and gym.

There is wifi available in the dorms; however, the quality of the connection depends on the weather conditions.

There are three meals per day served in the on-campus restaurant consisting mainly of typical Vietnamese food but with some Western dishes as well.

Many ATMs can be found in the area around campus and you can find anything you may need in the city. There are many taxis around campus which can take you anywhere in Ho Chi Minh.

Arrival is on a Sunday and departure/check-out is on Saturday before 12:00 pm during the last week of your program.

Requirements

• Minimum age 18.
• Passion and enthusiasm to get to know Vietnam, lots of energy and creativity!
• Designed for pre-med, current medical students or experiences medics looking to give back.
• Minimum 2 weeks commitment – 30+ hours a week
• CRB Police check (or equivalent) showing that you have no previous criminal convictions
• Necessary vaccinations.
• Necessary flight & visas.
• Full travel & medical insurance. Please see our info pages for more information and to get a quote.

Costs

€450 Euros per week

* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Placements are confirmed with a 1 week deposit

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, in-country support and project activities.

Private rooms are available for an additional €100 per week.

What’s not included:

Flights, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.