Summer Missions

Each Summer the Good Samaritans take to
the roads in Vietnam, going to remote villages
to provide care for the poorest of Vietnam

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Changing Lives, one at a time!

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What's New:

October 2014

2015 Emergency Medicine Symposium.

The next EM Symposium will be held from March 9-13, 2015 in Ha Long Bay. The focus will be on Stroke Care.. There will be 3 conferences: Leadership, Physician Symposium, Nursing. For more information please contact us here.

Current News:

October 2014

"For The Love of a Child" 2014

The Annual Benefit Dinner for the Children of Vietnam will be held on October 25, 2015 at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, CA. Purchase your tickets HERE

Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Missions

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  1. When does the next Mission start?
  2. Who can be part of the team?
  3. How much does it cost?
  4. Where will Mission 2012 be?
  5. Can I stay longer after the mission?
  6. I am a healthcare professional, what else do I need to know?

When does the next Mission start?

  • Mission 2014 will be from July 18 - Aug 2, 2014. The location has not yet been determined. Application will be available online on October 5, 2013. Please come back at that time to apply.
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Who can be part of the team?

  • We need physicians of various specialties, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, optometrists and many helpers. You do not need to be in the healthcare fields to participate. We will help train you to be excellent helpers. For helpers, you must be over 18 years of age on the date of travel.
  • You will need to fill out an application on this website and we will invite you for a either a telephone or in-person interview. Applicants will be notified of your status by November 10, 2013. Regardless of where you live, non-healthcare assistants are required to participate in at least 2 mandatory meetings in January and April of each year.
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How much does it cost?

  • All our volunteers are asked to contribute for personal expenses which depending upon the time airline tickets are purchased.
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Where will Mission 2014 be?

  • Cao Bang Province, North Vietnam.
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Can I stay longer after the mission?

  • Yes, you may stay as long as you would like after the mission to tour the country.
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Information for healthcare provider members?

  • What will I be doing on the mission? I don’t have any experience abroad or special training in tropical diseases.

You will be practicing as you would at home, but with fewer resources at your disposal. No specialized training is needed. Clinical competence, flexibility, and the ability to work as part of a team are needed. We need primary healthcare providers, dentists, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists. We also need most surgical specialists.

  1. This is a Christian mission.  Must I be a Christian to go on the team?

No, you needn’t be a Christian to be a member of the team. We do have devotional times, team chaplains, and a ministry orientation outlined in our mission statement, and ask that all members respect these. We also require that all members agree to a code of conduct while on the mission. This includes such things as abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, massage parlors, etc.

  1. Do I need a visa?

Yes.  The team will apply a visa for you but you can also do it on your own if you prefer. A visa can be applied for, two months in advance, by contacting the Vietnamese embassy or
Consulate at  www.vietnamembassy.us/consular_services/visa_info/  You will need a current passport from your country of citizenship, in order to apply for a visa.

  1. How long is the mission?

The team will be in Viet Nam for two weeks. Professionals are welcome to join us for one or both weeks.

  1. When will the mission take place? Where does the team depart from?

Mission 2014 will be from July 18 - Aug 2. We depart from LAX and fly to Hanoi. From there, we travel to our final in-country destination by buses.

  1. Do I have to attend any training?

Generally professional members to not need to attend any training events. We will share with you all the information via email or telephone. However, if you live in the Southern California area, we would love to have you meet our young adult volunteers and help train them.

  1. What does this mission cost?

The cost will depend on the airfare at the time of reservation. We only charge our professionals the actual cost of international airfare. The additional in-country cost of $500 per week will cover all transportation, room and board. This is about 1/2 of the cost of participating in other mission organizations. You may also wish to bring cash (crisp $100 bills are easiest to exchange) for gifts, additional coffees, desserts, etc.

  1. Do you feel safe on this mission?

Yes. We have not had an instance where we had to fear for our safety. The local and provincial governments are used to working with us, and send officers along with us, to ensure that things go smoothly. We provide optional accident insurance for all members. You must complete a paper application, signed with a witness for this insurance to be effective.

  1. What about disease prophylaxis?

We recommend malaria prophylaxis in the form of Doxycycline, used daily or Mefloquine, used weekly. Bring insect repellant containing DEET.  Your tetanus, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B immunizations should be current. 

  1. What is a typical day like?

Field Teams
Up at 5:00, on the bus by 6:00, setting up clinic by 7:30, and seeing our first patients at 8:00.
A clinic day will typically run until 5 PM, but may be longer. Back to hotel for a shower and dinner. Evening clinic, which involves presenting field patients to the surgery team takes place after dinner, at the hotel. These clinics can last an hour. Plan on being tired by day’s end.

Surgical Team
Rise a little later than the field team. Leave for hospital at 7:30-8:00. Cases until noon.
Lunch break. Afternoon cases, then back to the hotel. Dinner with the whole team. Surgical case presentations after dinner.

  1. I don’t speak Vietnamese. Is that a problem?

No problem. We have very good translators among our Vietnamese-American team members.

  1.  What kind of medical or dental problems do you typically see on the mission?

Typical conditions include diabetes, hypertension, cataracts, arthritis, rashes, congenital heart defects, neurologic disorders, periodontal disease, hepatitis, tuberculosis, thyroid disorders, and various malignancies. Many of our patients have never been treated for their medical problems.

  1. How can I start the process of applying for Team 2014?

Complete the Professional Application on line when it's available in October 2013. We accept healthcare providers all year long and up to the time we can purchase airline tickets. We will need copies of of your license, diploma and a health statement from your doctor.. These are absolutely necessary for securing permission for you to practice in Viet Nam.

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