FV Hospital’s hallways have grown noticeably livelier each morning, as young doctors-in-training in white coats begin their rounds. They are here to take their first steps into the world of medicine – eager, full of youthful energy, and each driven by their own motivation. For some, this marks more than just a new beginning, it’s a meaningful return to a place that once cared for them.

Memories of International Medical Care

Dr The Danh was only five years old when he was admitted to FV Hospital with a tumour near his ankle. Although his family lived far from District 7, they placed their trust in French-standard medical care and chose FV – then the only international hospital in southern Vietnam – as the best option for their child. “I was still very young, but I remember FV being beautiful – and it still looks almost the same today,” Danh recalls.

The story took place 20 years ago, yet the brightly lit operating room, the calm voice of the anaesthesiologist – Dr Frederic Potie, former Head of Anaesthesiology and ICU – and the attentive pre-surgery visits from the nursing team remain vivid in Danh’s memory. Of all these moments, it was the kind eyes and reassuring presence of Dr Serge Courtois, former Head of Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery, that left the deepest impression on Danh.

Dr Danh practising endotracheal intubation under the guidance of the Head of Anaesthesiology and ICU·

Having such a rare hospital experience as a child, the thoughtful and compassionate care received at FV became a lasting source of inspiration. “There are many reasons why I chose FV for my clinical internship, but the memories definitely played a part,” he shared.

From Observing from Afar to Hearing the Call of Medical Ethics

Unlike Danh, Doan Trinh’s first encounter with FV came much later, during the final years of medical school. “I had passed by FV many times and always admired how beautiful it looked from the outside. I often wondered whether care inside an international hospital would be any different,” Trinh shared. That question remained unanswered until an unexpected personal health crisis arose.

While completing her clinical rotations at a major hospital, Trinh experienced a severe episode of abdominal pain and was admitted to a crowded emergency room – alone, without family, and unsure about her treatment plan. In that moment, she longed for better care and decided to transfer to FV that very night. Her anxiety eased as soon as she arrived, welcomed by attentive doctors and nurses.

Despite being a final-year medical student, Trinh shared that she only truly grasped the meaning of patient-centred care after experiencing it herself. “Being informed about my treatment, receiving considerate nursing care – even having thoughtful meal planning – reassured me. That’s when I knew I had made the right decision to transfer,” she recalled.

“Trust in Medical Ethics” – the words that sparked new reflections in Trinh about the medical profession

During her stay, Trinh often wandered through FV hospital’s main lobby and was especially moved by the words “Trust in Medical Ethics” beneath FV’s logo. “Those words seemed simple but carried great weight.” She reflected. “I revisited our lessons on medical ethics and realised how impactful the FV experience had been. That’s when I decided I wanted to come back and learn here,” she said with pride.

A Place to Grow Within a JCI-Accredited Medical Environment

The clinical internship programme at FV is more than just a technical training course. According to Dr Vu Truong Son, Medical Director, it is designed to instil professional values such as medical ethics, empathy, and social responsibility – through real-world, hands-on experiences. “At FV, we believe that medical treatment isn’t just about curing disease – it’s about healing people. A good doctor must be both technically skilled and emotionally attuned to the patient,” Dr Son emphasised.

After years of dedicated study, The Danh and Doan Trinh both found themselves back at FV – the place that once cared for them and sparked their inspiration. When they learned about the clinical internship programme for young doctors, they seized the opportunity without hesitation – ready to learn, grow, and give back.

A clinical session with doctors from the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department

The early days of training were challenging. Despite their strong motivation, Danh, Trinh, and over 20 fellow interns had to adjust to the fast pace, high standards, and professional expectations of a JCI-accredited hospital. Yet it is precisely this environment that has fostered their growth – both professionally and ethically, each day.

“Good standards protect you from bad experiences,” Trinh said, quoting a line she finds especially meaningful. From patient beds to intern handbooks, FV maintains consistent protocols to ensure that everyone receives the care and guidance they need. Like Trinh, many internship applicants are eager to experience international standards – seeking opportunities to compare, reflect, and adopt best practices as they begin their medical careers.

A focused case presentation session led by Dr Dung from the Paediatrics & Neonatology Department

Ms Dong Phuong, the programme coordinator, recalls the challenges of launching the first training cohort – managing rotation schedules, securing facilities, and coordinating mentors. But she also found great satisfaction in creating a professional and compassionate learning environment for young doctors. “Beyond the Health Department’s standard curriculum, we tailor learning schedules to student preferences, and FV doctors are always eager to mentor and share advanced knowledge,” she said.

Many intern doctors shared that choosing FV for their clinical practice licence training was a truly worthwhile decision

In a particularly moving moment, The Danh found himself standing in the very operating room where, as a child, he had once drifted into sleep and awoken healed – now learning how to provide the same “safe sleep” for others. For Doan Trinh, the journey is equally meaningful, the very doctors who once treated her, Dr Thai and Dr Tiem, are now her mentors, guiding her with the same care and ethical commitment that first inspired her at FV.

Beyond technical training, FV’s Practical Training Programme for newly graduated doctors has become a source of inspiration – a place where aspirations are nurtured and the original calling to medicine is reaffirmed. For the many young doctors now learning and growing each day, the goal is not only to become skilled professionals, but to become the kind of doctor they once encountered in their own most meaningful memories: compassionate, trustworthy, and genuinely kind.