Medical Volunteering in Vietnam

I first dipped my toes into volunteering in 2017 when I took a position as a nurse in Skopje, North Macedonia with Project Hope.  (You can read about that here!).  While this has been my only experience with volunteering, I want to highlight other volunteer opportunities for nurses and medical professionals around the world.

In 2023, I spent four weeks traveling through Vietnam and I realized that there are tons of medical volunteer opportunities in the country.  Because of remote areas in Vietnam and not enough healthcare professionals in the country, a lot of people struggle to access basic medical care.  So, if you’re a nurse or medical professional reading this – take this as an opportunity to spend time volunteering in the country and then extending your stay so that you can experience the beauty of Vietnam.

 

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam
• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Vietnam
• Everything You Need to Know About Sleeper Buses in Vietnam
• A Complete Guide to Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop
• The Best 2 Day Ninh Binh Itinerary
• Everything You Need to Know About Trekking Sapa in Vietnam
• How to Spend 2 Days in Hanoi, Vietnam

 

Please note:  I’ve done my best to research and vet these companies.  Please be aware of scams when inquiring about volunteer positions.  Also, I do note condone certain types of volunteer work that hinders the community instead of helping the community.  I have strictly included these companies in this post because they are reputable companies and have an aspect of medical need.

 

Organizations to Volunteer with in Vietnam

 

WHEN TRAVELING ABROAD, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL-MEDICAL INSURANCE; READ WHY HERE AND HERE!

 

1.  Health Volunteers Overseas

LOCATION:  HAI DUONG + HUE + THAI NGUYEN | VOLUNTEER HERE

Health Volunteers Overseas was formed in 1986 with a goal to improve quality and access to healthcare through education and resources in resource-scarce countries.  Their guiding mission is that everyone around the world will have access to high-quality healthcare delivered by local health professionals.

All locations need nurses to provide education to the local staff and be able to commit to volunteering for a minimum of two weeks.

 

2.  International Medical Relief

VOLUNTEER HERE

International Medical Relief is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded in 2002 with the belief that healthcare should be accessible to everyone throughout the world.  Not only does International Medical Relief volunteer with local dentists and doctors within communities, but they also focus on providing education so that missions can be a success long after volunteers are gone.

International Medical Relief began their volunteer work in Vietnam with the goal of improving access to healthcare and preventative education to health conditions.  Those who volunteer will be required to work in rural areas of Vietnam providing quality medical assistance to citizens who are otherwise unable to access healthcare.  Your daily tasks include lab work, educating patients on hand washing, oral hygiene, purification and storage of drinking water, family planning, safe sex, and pain management.  You may be expected to treat entire families, the elderly, war victims, and young people.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

3.  International Volunteer HQ

LOCATION:  HO CHI MINH CITY | VOLUNTEER HERE

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) was created in 2007 with the goal of making healthcare affordable and accessible to everyone.  This company was born out of frustration for volunteer opportunities that were around in 2007, thus IVHQ focuses on making volunteering affordable while also placing an emphasis on ethical and responsible volunteering.

In Vietnam, medical volunteers will be placed in Ho Chi Minh City, but please note that government regulations prevent volunteers from carrying out independent tasks.  For this reason, this opportunity is best for students who are hoping to gain an understanding of the Vietnamese healthcare system.  You will be helping with basic triage, wound care, and rehabilitation.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Volunteers must be studying medicine, nursing or in a closely related medical field
• Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate
• Required to speak fluent English
• Must have adequate volunteer travel insurance
• Provide a criminal background check before departure
• Provide own navy scrubs

 

4.  Operation Smile

LOCATION:  HOI AN | VOLUNTEER HERE

Operation Smile first began providing care in Vietnam in 1989.  They provide surgery for children who are born with cleft lip/cleft palate in areas that don’t have easy access to healthcare.  They rely on nursing the following nursing specialties to continue their operations:  pre-post operative, surgical circulating nurse, PACU, PICU, NICU, operating room nurse.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of a nursing program, college, or university
• Have a valid RN license
• BLS certification
• PALS certification
• 2 years of experience in current specialty
• Background check

 

5.  The Mighty Roar

LOCATION:  HO CHI MINH CITY | VOLUNTEER HERE

The Mighty Roar was created to positively impact local communities around the world.  They began placing volunteers in Vietnam when they noticed that there was a severe shortage of trained staff, with only 8 physicians per 10,000 patients.  This opportunity is mostly for students who are interested in shadowing and assisting medical staff in order to learn about the healthcare system in Vietnam.

Please note:  You do have to pay to volunteer with this program.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum age of 18

 

6.  United Planet

VOLUNTEER HERE

United Planet is a non-profit organization and is the US and Canadian partner of the International Cultural Youth Exchange.  The program in Vietnam was developed in an effort to promote international voluntary service as a means of cultural and educational exchange among people – for peace, understanding, and friendship.  As of 2024, there are mid-term needs (4-16 weeks), long-term needs (6-12 months), and virtual volunteer needs (1-6 months).

Please note:  United Planet does require a payment to volunteer.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• 18-30 years old (upper limit flexible)
• Citizen of the US or Canada
• $300 non-refundable deposit to volunteer (this will be applied to your program once you join)
• Provide proof of medical school or medical practice

 

7.  Vietnam Health Clinic

VOLUNTEER HERE

Vietnam Health Clinic is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to expanding healthcare access and services to under-served populations.  They operate a 2-week mobile health clinic (which is next held in the summer of 2025) that provides medical, dental, optometric, pharmaceuticals and therapeutic care.  Volunteers play essential roles in both providing healthcare and also mentoring and precepting students.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• 1-week minimum
• Attend meetings before departure
• Ability to work alongside students
• Strongly encouraged to participate in mock clinic training sessions

 

Vietnam Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Vietnam

 

If you feel called to work as a medical volunteer, Vietnam is an incredible country to do so.  If you have any questions about traveling through Vietnam or what to expect, let me know in a comment below!

 

For more medical volunteer opportunities in other countries, don’t miss…

• Medical Volunteering in the Philippines
• Medical Volunteering in Malaysia
• Medical Volunteering in Indonesia
• Medical Volunteering in Peru
• Medical Volunteering in Cambodia
• Medical Volunteering in Thailand
• Medical Volunteering in Laos

 

Pin Me!

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you.  Passports and Preemies is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.