Medical Volunteer Program in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City
Interested in Medical volunteering in Vietnam? International Volunteer HQ’s Medical project presents a fantastic opportunity for medical students to learn about the healthcare system in Vietnam. Volunteers will gain medical experience by observing and assisting qualified local staff in a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, getting exposure to a range of different specialties, treatments and clinical practices.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from AU$801 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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See another country’s medical system in action
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Enjoy Vietnam’s breathtaking beaches
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Stay with other volunteers in a vibrant district of Ho Chi Minh City
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The healthcare system in Vietnam is run differently to many others in the western world, and volunteers can play an important role in assisting local staff. By volunteering in a local hospital, you can help in a range of departments and get exposure to a range of treatments and roles.
Government regulations prevent volunteers from carrying out independent tasks, so you can expect to be shadowing and assisting local doctors and nurses as they perform their duties. For this reason, this project is best suited to students hoping to gain an understanding of the Vietnamese healthcare system. Qualified volunteers are able to take part, but you should not expect to carry out hands-on medical care.
Medical volunteers can assist with:
- Basic triage
- Wound care
- Rehabilitation
You’ll be helped by an English-speaking coordinator, and many doctors and nurses who also speak English.
Why do Medical volunteering in Ho Chi Minh with IVHQ?
When you volunteer in healthcare in Vietnam you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Seeing a different medical system in action
- Observing a wide range of clinical practices
- Assisting with appropriate healthcare tasks
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining medical experience
- Immersing yourself in Vietnamese culture
- Discovering Ho Chi Minh City
Volunteer requirements
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Volunteers must be studying medicine, nursing or in a closely related medical field to be eligible to join this project. Fully qualified professionals should note this is a largely observational placement.
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Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
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All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Vietnam photo gallery
Medical specialties
On the Medical project in Vietnam you may be able to volunteer in the following areas:
- Anaesthesiology
- Brain injury
- Mental Health (may be limited)
- Occupational therapy
- Orthopaedics
- Pharmacy
- Physiotherapy
- Prosthetics
- Medical imaging/radiology
- Speech therapy
- Surgery (spine surgery, skin grafts, joint surgery)
- Ultrasound
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit”The highlight moments from the volunteer experience was the family dinners and making new friends. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was that it solidified my love of medicine and made me more confident in myself and my abilities. My advice is just do it. It's normal to be scared but there is something to learn from every positive and negative experience.”
Sophia, Australian, 23
Read reviews from Medical volunteers in Ho Chi Minh
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Location
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is home to IVHQ’s Vietnam program. With high-tech industry, upmarket hotels, skyscrapers, shopping malls and buzzing nightlife, the city has a modern, dynamic atmosphere tempered by reminders of its history under French colonial rule and of its fall during the Vietnam War. While Vietnam has made great economic strides since then, the country is still recovering from the war and many people, especially ethnic minorities and those in rural areas, live without the basic necessities of life or find them difficult to access. Volunteers are needed to support efforts that help to further reduce poverty and hunger for these vulnerable people.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Vietnam prior to your volunteer program, you will need to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation on the day before your program orientation.
There are two options for orientation in Vietnam, a One-day Orientation and the Introduction Week Orientation.
One-day Orientation: This begins on your selected start date and all volunteers will attend. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Vietnam, including an introduction to the Vietnam program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, you’ll learn about the local projects, go on a walking tour of the local area, and arrange your SIM card. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Introduction Week Orientation: The Introduction Week begins on your selected start date and runs for five days. This option is very popular among IVHQ volunteers as you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese culture, a true appreciation of local life and have extra time to bond with your fellow volunteers. You’ll also get to see some of Ho Chi Minh’s notable landmarks, visit markets and take a Vietnamese cooking class. Plus, it’s a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in Vietnam.
Introduction Week does incur an additional Add on for US$400 (approximately AU$628) to cover the additional costs. If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate this on your application form or let your Program Manager know once you have been accepted.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
After the initial orientation day or week, you will work for approximately 4 to 6 hours per day. A typical schedule:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at the college restaurant. |
| 7:30 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. |
| 8:00 - 11.00 AM | Arrive to the hospital: get ready and start to work. |
| 11:00 AM - 1.10PM | Walk back to the accommodation, have lunch break. Lunch is served at the college restaurant or at the placement. However; volunteers are free to buy their own lunch at their expense, which will usually cost between AU$3 - AU$6. |
| 1:30pm – 4:00PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing. |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Ho Chi Minh City or Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh itself boasts an incredible number of things to see and do. You could find yourself gazing up at the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, or down at the lights of the city below from a bar on the rooftop of a towering skyscraper. You might pick your way through the local morning markets, sample the city’s mind-blowingly delicious street food, squeeze through the underground Cu Chi tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war or admire a selection of ornate temples and pagodas.
Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to engage in tourist activities, such as trekking, joining Vietnamese history tours and visiting the Mekong Delta.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in an IVHQ volunteer dormitory at a tourism college which is a 30-minute drive from the tourist area of Ho Chi Minh City.
You can expect to share a room with up to 8 other volunteers, all sleeping in bunk beds. Living conditions are basic; however, there is air conditioning and fans for the hotter months. The showers are with cold running water (nice and refreshing in the hot weather!) While bedding is provided, it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag/silk liner (these can be purchased in Vietnam) and a mosquito net if you wish to travel during the weekends.
WiFi is available in the volunteer dormitory, however the connection can be slow so we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Vietnam. The local team can assist you with this during your program orientation.
Some placements are located relatively close to the volunteer accommodation, however in some instances, volunteers may need to travel by public bus for 30 to 40 minutes to their placements. If this is the case, you will be accompanied by a member of the local team for the first 2 or 3 days to ensure that you know where to go and can find your way around easily.
Meals
Volunteers in Ho Chi Minh City are served three meals per day during the week.
Breakfast is usually toast, cereal, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are typically traditional Vietnamese fare and include a wide variety of rice, noodle and soup dishes with plenty of vegetables, meats and fresh herbs. On the weekends volunteers are only served brunch and dinner.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 2 weeks | AU$801 Equivalent to AU$57/day |
| 3 weeks | AU$1092 Equivalent to AU$52/day |
| 4 weeks | AU$1382 Equivalent to AU$49/day |
| 5 weeks | AU$1673 Equivalent to AU$48/day |
| 6 weeks | AU$1964 Equivalent to AU$47/day |
| 8 weeks | AU$2388 Equivalent to AU$43/day |
| 10 weeks | AU$2813 Equivalent to AU$40/day |
| 12 weeks | AU$3221 Equivalent to AU$38/day |
| 16 weeks | AU$4038 Equivalent to AU$36/day |
| 20 weeks | AU$4856 Equivalent to AU$35/day |
| 24 weeks | AU$5673 Equivalent to AU$34/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$517) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh generally find US$50 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
Recommended activities and tour add-ons
We believe that no volunteer adventure would be complete without experiencing the natural and cultural wonders of your host country. That’s why we offer an exciting Introduction Week to IVHQ volunteers in Vietnam as an affordable add-on.
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| DAY 1 | Start off with an introduction to the Vietnam program, the local team, general rules and a class on the local culture and language. In the afternoon, learn about the local projects, go on a walking tour of the local area, and arrange your sim card. |
| DAY 2 | Start the morning off visiting some famous places in Ho Chi Minh City, such as the Reunification Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Spend the afternoon visiting the Opera House, Walking street, last stop at the famous Ben Thanh Market symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. |
| DAY 3 | Spend your morning learning the art of Vietnamese cuisine at a cooking class. Your afternoon consists of bracelet making, followed by a visit to the local markets which are near to the volunteer accommodation. |
| DAY 4 | You will have the opportunity to visit one of the most popular museums in VietNam “ War Remnant Museum” , after that discover a religious site, the Vietnamese National Pagoda. Next visit will be the beautiful Flower Market and the last stop is Local street food market. It’s time for you to enjoy your real local food |
| DAY 5 | You’ll spend the day visiting the most famous historical site in the city - the Cu Chi Tunnels, a must to see in Ho Chi Minh city. Here you will experience and learn about the North Vietnamese soldiers lives during the Vietnam War. After the tour you will begin your introduction to your volunteer placement and receive the placement-specific orientation. |
The Introduction week will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Please note that if you decide to join Introduction in-country, that it incurs a different set of fees, which the local team will discuss with you. It is a slight increase, so make sure you sign up prior to arriving.
How to book IVHQ’s recommended add-ons:
Ready to join? Please see the add-on options in your MyIVHQ checklist or email your IVHQ Program Manager and they will add this to your file.
Check what's required to visit Vietnam
Check out the widget below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for Vietnam, based on your country of residence.
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Hanoi |
| Population | 96 million |
| Languages | Vietnamese |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
| Time zone | (UTC+7) |
Weather and climate
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with humidity averaging 84 per cent throughout the year. However, because of differences in latitude and diverse geography, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place.
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