Medical Department Internships
Coordinator | Bethany
Coordinator | Bethany
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Interning in Vietnam will give you an insight into the healthcare challenges developing countries face
You’ll work in a hospital, and see what day-to-day life is like for working doctors
Be prepared to see diseases you’ve only read about or seen in documentaries, and learn how to diagnose and treat them
Help provide medical care in schools, care centres, and villages, and also raise awareness about healthcare issues facing Vietnam
Vietnam offers a mix of bustling cities and picturesque countrysides
Gain medical work experience by learning directly from skilled doctors in a hospital department of your choice
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Your role at your medical placement in Vietnam is strictly observational. These are some of the activities you do during your internship:
- Shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds
- Spend time in one or more hospital departments
- Shadow doctors who treat autistic children
- Learn about traditional Vietnamese Medicine
- Attend medical workshops to share presentations on your hospital experiences
Shadow doctors and nurses on their daily rounds
By following doctors and nurses on their rounds, you will get a deeper insight into how medicine is practised. We encourage you to ask questions and take notes to learn as much as possible. This will help you expand your practical medical knowledge, beyond what some textbooks can teach you.
Spend time in one or more hospital departments
The hospitals we work with have different departments. Let us know what departments you’re interested in before you go, and we’ll organise it for you. This is a great way to explore specialisations you’d like to pursue in your career. Please be aware that you’ll need to let us know in advance if you want to work in multiple departments.
Shadow doctors who treat autistic children
One of our placements specialises in acupuncture. Here, you can see how doctors treat autistic children. The analgesia acupuncture department covers many types of surgery such as neck tumors, breast cancer, liver, urology, and gynaecology. If you join this placement, you will develop skills in acupuncture. You can do things like fill syringes with medication, attach electrodes, and more. All of this work is done under strict supervision.
Learn about traditional Vietnamese Medicine
Some of our placements give you the opportunity learn about traditional medicine. Vietnamese traditional medicine is fascinating. We encourage you to learn about it and think about the contrast with modern medicine
Medical Workshops
Once a month we organise medical workshops at our office. This gives you the chance to learn from traditional doctors, guest speakers, and other medical professionals. We also run medical research sessions for you to present on your experiences and watch other interns present. Here you can also train for outreach events and create handouts for the local community.
Typical day
Your work will take place during weekdays, and work hours vary depending on where you are placed.
Most mornings start at about 8am. You’ll spend the first half of your day shadowing doctors on their rounds and observing what they do. You’ll break for lunch between 11am and 2pm. After lunch, you’ll return for the next shift and work from 2pm to 4.30pm. Mornings are generally busier than afternoons, as most patients are treated in the morning. Be prepared to have a busy start to each day!
Attend our medical workshops once a month to learn from traditional doctors, guest speakers, and other medical professionals. We also run medical research sessions for you to give presentations on your hospital experiences and listen to other interns. You can also use these sessions to train for outreach events and to create handouts for the local community.
Your weekends will be free for you to explore. Visit spectacular landmarks attractions such as Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also visit ancient temples, shop till you drop at night markets, drink endless cups of Vietnamese coffee, and sing your heart out at karaoke bars.
Free-time activities
Vietnam offers a mix of bustling cities and picturesque countrysides. With so many different activities and tourist sites, you’re bound to find plenty of ways to spend your free time.
For a glimpse into the country’s history, you can spend an afternoon exploring the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the National Museum of Vietnamese History. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is also a major historic site, located in Hanoi.
If you’re looking to buy some souvenirs, there are many markets with locally made products on sale. Evenings in Hanoi are filled with excitement and bright, colourful lights. You can watch street performers and then head to a nearby restaurant for a taste of local cuisine.
The countryside, with its emerald rice paddies stretching to the horizon, provides the perfect escape from the busy capital.
We run many different projects in Vietnam, so there will likely be other volunteers in-country with you. This makes travelling as a group easy to arrange. However, you’re welcome to explore independently if you prefer.
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
Medical related studies or training at At least one year of studies level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
08:00
- 16:30
What's Included
Accommodation
Food (three meals a day)
Full induction and orientation by an experienced staff member on arrival
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Transport to and from your work placement
In-country support and 24-hour back-up from our team of full-time local staff
Emergency assistance from our international emergency response team
Project equipment and materials, including access to our database with thousands of resources
A supervisor/mentor at your work placement
Training and workshops from our experienced local staff
Regular social events and community activities with other volunteers and interns
Access to our local office with internet connection
Certification of project completion
A cultural awareness course
Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch
You’ll arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN. A Projects Abroad driver will welcome you at the main arrivals area. They’ll be wearing a Projects Abroad t-shirt and have ID with them.
After arriving at the airport, our driver will take you to your accommodation. This is about a 40 minute journey from the airport to just outside Hanoi’s city centre. Our Projects Abroad office is located near to the center of Hanoi, and is about 45 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. We cover the cost of all transfers to and from the airport.
When you get to your accommodation, another Projects Abroad staff member will be waiting for you. If you arrive in the evening, a staff member will contact you on your arrival to ensure that your transfer to your accommodation happened smoothly.
Even if you are volunteering in a rural area outside of Hanoi, like Thuy An, you will follow the same arrival procedures as volunteers staying in Hanoi. You’ll travel to your project location the day after your induction in Hanoi.
You'll stay with a host family in Hanoi. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Vietnam and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
We also have shared accommodation where you can stay with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Vietnam.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Vietnam provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Vietnam you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Vietnam.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
The project runs throughout the year. You can join at any time, and stay as long as you like.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 50 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,565
3 weeks
$1,760
4 weeks
$1,955
5 weeks
$2,150
9 weeks
$2,930
17 weeks
$4,490
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$10,925
Average fees
$501
/week
The organization charges its fees in GBP. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Projects Abroad
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Projects Abroad during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Medical Department Internships
Gain medical work experience by learning directly from skilled doctors in a hospital department of your choice
$501/week
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