PCTU Student Elective Program

OVERVIEW

Offered year-round (excluding national holidays), the Student Elective Program provides international students with a customizable clinical and cultural learning experience across multiple medical specialties, with a minimum of one week per specialty. Activities are conducted in English, with an emphasis on active participation in clinical practice and cultural integration.

The program offers a structured introduction to Vietnam’s healthcare system through a blend of clinical observation and cultural immersion. Students engage in supervised bedside practice, case-based discussions, clinical skills workshops, reflective learning, and interprofessional communication—enhancing their understanding of healthcare delivery within Vietnam’s diverse social and cultural context.

Duration

  • Flexible: 1–12 weeks. Minimum: 1 week per department. 

Locations

  • Phan Chau Trinh University
    Address: 09 Nguyen Gia Thieu St., Dien Ban Dong Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam

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  • Phan Chau Trinh Medical University Hospital 
    Address: 09 Nguyen Gia Thieu St., Dien Ngoc Ward, Dien Ban Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
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  • Tam Tri General Hospital in Da Nang
    Address: 64 Cach Mang Thang 8 St., Khue Trung Ward, Cam Le Dist, Da Nang City, Vietnam
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  • Partner institutions: Da Nang General Hospital, Da Nang Center for Disease Control (CDC – available once a year)

STRUCTURED PROGRAM

TUITION & FEES

Services

DescriptionUnit
Tuition fee

Clinical instructor fee100 USD/week
Administration fee

Pre and post-trip organization and support50 USD
24/7 team support for emergency

Free

REQUIRED DOCCUMENTS

Curriculum Vitae (short version) stamped by home university/institution
Your CV may include: Professional Summary, Education Background, Academic/Clinical Experience, Languages, Interests, Clinical Skills, Work / Research Experience, Extracurricular Activities / Mentorship, Additional Training & Certifications, Achievements..

Passport face page scan

REGULATIONS

Daily schedule: 8:00–11:30 and 13:00–16:00 (Monday to Friday)

Dress code: long white coat or professional attire (no shorts/slippers allowed)

Students must wear name badges and comply with hospital policies

Time-off calendar:

  1. Tet Holiday: follows the Lunar Calendar and typically falls between mid-January and mid-February on the Western calendar.
  2. Hung Kings Commemorations: 10th Mar on Lunar Calendar every year, equivalent to Mid Apr on Western calendar.  
  3. Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day: 30 April – 1st May
  4. Vietnam’s Independence Day: 2 Sep

For a detailed time-off calendar every year, please refer to email: cric@pctu.edu.vn.

CONTACT INFOMATION

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Trinh – Student Mobility Coordinator

  • Email: sep@pctu.edu.vn
  • Office hours: 7:30–11:30 and 12:30–16:30 (Monday to Saturday)
  • Address: Global Engagement Division, Phan Chau Trinh University

09 Nguyen Gia Thieu St., Dien Ban Dong Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam

PROGRAM TIMELINE (SUGGESTED)

  • 6–8 weeks before

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    Complete Application Form and submit required documents

    Submit documents (Word or PDF) via this link:

  • 4–5 weeks before

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    Eligible students receive confirmation email and process the payment via bank transfer (USD)

  • 1–2 weeks before

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    Receive arrival instructions and schedule

  • Day 1

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    Orientation, department assignment, hospital tour

  • Weeks 1–X

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    Clinical rotation, community visits, workshops

  • Final week

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    Feedback, and certificate issuance (if required)

FEEDBACK OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS JOINING IN STUDENT ELECTIVE PROGRAM AT PHAN CHAU TRINH UNIVERSITY

The helpfulness of students in and out of the hospital Our involvement in the procedures.

The most interesting aspect of my rotation was definitely rethinking how I go about diagnosing. I have never seen Dengue, Hand-mouth-feet disease in person, or other tropical diseases. It is very interesting to know how “common illnesses” differ from one part of the world to another, and now I feel like I will be more adept in diagnosing and treating other morbidities from what I’m used to in Hungary.

The hospitality and the flexibility of all staff members.

I did learn some new surgical skills, and also I could interact with some of the patients in other departments.

It was my most memorable and best practise during my ,, medical student years”. We could do and try what we couldn’t do at home. Our mentor taught us all the day.My favourite practise was the gynecology. I got to know your culture, your medical system and your life.We got connect with lots of wonderful people on the other side of the world.

Dr. Thanh was wonderful. I liked to see how medicine is practiced in another country and to compare this to the United States. There were some notable differences. I also valued our field trip and getting to know the other students and team members. 

I was able to see new infectious diseases and learn about their disease course. I was also able to use the experience to understand and appreciate structure differences in healthcare systems as well as in approaches to treatment. I appreciated Dr. Thanh the most!

I highly appreciate both my mentors, I am really thankful! Everything was perfect and I will definetely try to visit Vietnam and your institution one more time 🙂