Medical Electives in Vietnam
Embark on an enriching Medical Elective in Vietnam and gain first-hand experience in one of Asia’s most dynamic healthcare settings. Based in Da Nang, a vibrant coastal city near the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An, this program provides medical and nursing students with the opportunity to observe, learn, and grow in a real hospital environment.
Our medical elective placements take place at a Hospital, a 150-bed multidisciplinary facility staffed by over 200 experienced doctors and nurses. The hospital features a wide range of departments including General Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emergency, Cardiology, Dermatology, Radiology, and Physiotherapy.
During your medical elective in Da Nang, you’ll have the chance to:
- Shadow doctors and specialists across multiple departments
Observe clinical procedures and patient consultations
Participate in community health outreach programs focused on public hygiene and disease prevention
Assist with patient documentation and basic support tasks under supervision
Your exact schedule and department rotations will depend on your field of study, level of experience, and hospital availability. All participants are supervised by qualified local medical professionals who guide you through daily routines and clinical discussions.
Completing your medical elective abroad in Vietnam gives you a global perspective on healthcare systems — particularly in resource-limited settings where innovation, compassion, and teamwork are essential. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of tropical diseases, healthcare inequalities, and the resilience of local medical teams working to improve access to care.
This experience is ideal for medical, nursing, and pre-medical students seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge, strengthen university applications, and broaden their cultural horizons. Many students describe it as one of the most eye-opening and inspiring parts of their medical education.
When you’re not at the hospital, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vietnam’s natural and cultural treasures. Relax on My Khe Beach, wander through Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, visit the Marble Mountains, or take weekend trips to Hue or Hanoi.
Da Nang offers a perfect balance of professional learning and cultural immersion, making your medical elective in Vietnam a transformative experience both personally and academically.
Medical Electives in Vietnam — Clinical Experience
What You’ll Do — Medical Placement in Vietnam
By taking part in this Medical Elective in Da Nang, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of healthcare delivery in a developing country, improve your clinical awareness, and return home with renewed empathy and confidence. This program goes beyond an academic placement — it’s a journey that shapes you into a more compassionate, globally aware medical professional.
Local medical students have been training and assisting at this Da Nang hospital for many years, and both the hospital teams and international elective students have found the collaboration deeply rewarding. The program offers a mutually beneficial exchange — where students support the small but dedicated local medical teams while gaining valuable insight into the challenges and realities of healthcare delivery in Vietnam.
The hospital runs several core health programs and community initiatives throughout the year, and the activities you participate in will depend on ongoing needs and your skill level. As this is a fully operational modern hospital serving the local community, volunteers and elective students are placed in departments where their help is most useful.
While your exact role depends on your training and the discretion of supervising medical staff, examples of typical learning and observation opportunities include:
Conducting general health checks, recording weight, height, and other vital signs
Participating in hypertension and diabetes clinics
Assisting with child development and growth assessments
Observing wound care, suturing, and dressing procedures
Supporting doctors in diagnosis and patient consultations (where appropriate)
Learning about local health challenges such as dengue fever prevention, family planning, and maternal health
Helping with packing and distributing medications or basic medical materials
These experiences allow you to gain a global perspective on medicine, learn about diseases uncommon in your home country, and understand how doctors work with limited resources while maintaining patient-centered care.
You can expect to start around 8 each morning (sometimes earlier depending on the activities that day at the hospital) and return home between 2:30 and 4:30 pm each day – depending again on how busy the hospital is and what work is being done that day. Whilst it can be tiring working in the hot and often humid climate, there is plenty of time at the end of each day to rest up and of course, explore the town and local area.
Typical Daily Schedule
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Breakfast and travel to the hospital
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Departmental rotations — shadowing and observing rounds
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Continue clinical observation or assist with community health tasks
Evening: Return to your accommodation; explore Da Nang’s coastline or enjoy local food with fellow interns
Some details
Volunteering in Vietnam Program Start Dates
Please check for any festival and public holidays.
Days
2025
- Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
- Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
- Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Apr 6, 13, 20, 27
- May 4, 11, 18, 25
- Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Jul 6, 13, 20, 27
- Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
- Oct 5, 12, 19, 26
- Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Dec 7,14
Days
2026
- Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Feb 7, 14, 21, 28
- Mar 7, 14, 21, 28
- Apr 4, 11, 18, 25
- May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Jun 6, 13, 20, 27
- Jul 4, 11, 18, 25
- Aug 1, 29
- Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
- Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Nov 7, 14, 21, 28
- Dec 5, 12, 19, 26
Days
2027
- Jan 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
- Mar 6, 13, 20, 27
- Apr 3, 10, 17, 24
- May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Jun 5, 12, 19, 26
- Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- Aug 21, 28
- Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
- Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Nov 6, 13, 20, 27
- Dec 4
Volunteering in Vietnam Programs Cost
- 1 Week
- 2 Weeks
- 3 Weeks
- 4 Weeks
- 5 Weeks
- 6 Weeks
- 7 Weeks
- 8 Weeks
- 9 Weeks
- n/a
- n/a
- n/a
- $1,595
- $1,795
- $1,995
- $2,195
- $2,395
- $2,595
Volunteering in Vietnam Program Fee Inclusions
- What’s Included
- Not Included
Program Fee Includes:
- Pre-Departure Notes and Support
- Airport pick-up from Da Nang Airport
- Accommodation for the duration of your stay at a guest house
- Programme orientation
- Full support from our local team in your programme location
- 24-hour emergency support
- Hospital placement
- Not Included
Whats Not Included in your program fee :
- Your flights
- Visa
- Daily Transport to the hospital
- Meals (Budget $2 to $5 a day)
- Travel insurance
- Activities in your ‘down time’ from the programme
Volunteering in Vietnam Program Location
Volunteering in Vietnam Program Nearest Airport
- The nearest airport for this program is Da Nang Airport, Vietnam. DAD is the airport code.
- Vietnam has Visas on arrival for some nationalities but please check or apply for E- visa online before arrival
- Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.
- We work with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel to Vietnam. Go to www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo to find out how best to avoid trouble when abroad. Packed with essential travel advice and tips, the website also offers up-to-date country information.
- For support on any of the above email us hello@volunteeringjourneys.com
Accommodation, Meals &Set Up
During your Medical Elective in Vietnam, you’ll stay in a comfortable guest house located in the heart of Da Nang, just a short distance from your hospital placement and the beautiful city beaches. This well-maintained property provides a safe, social, and relaxing environment for all volunteers and students.
Accommodation is in shared rooms, with 2 to 4 people per room, giving you the chance to meet and connect with fellow participants from around the world. All rooms are clean, spacious, and air-conditioned, ensuring comfort after your hospital shifts or community work. Bathrooms are shared and fitted with Western-style toilets and showers.
The guest house offers several convenient facilities, including:
Daily housekeeping and laundry service
Wi-Fi access and common lounge areas to relax or study
Easy access to nearby cafés, local markets, and public transport
Our local team office is located close by, and staff are always available to assist you with anything you need during your stay — whether it’s arranging transport, planning weekend trips, or helping you settle in comfortably.
Rather than eating all meals at your accommodation, you’ll have the opportunity to dine locally — just as the Vietnamese do! Most volunteers enjoy their meals at the nearby food markets and street stalls, where you can find authentic, freshly cooked dishes at affordable prices.
Enjoy delicious local favorites such as pho (noodle soup), banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), rice bowls, stir-fries, and an array of vegetarian options. This approach not only supports the local economy but also lets you immerse yourself in Vietnam’s incredible food culture — a highlight for most visitors!
What your first week looks like
Arrival day
Weekdays
Weekend
Weekend activities
Hoi An
Weekend activities
Hanoi
Weekend activities
Halong Bay
Weekend activities
Ho Chi Minh
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