Role: Speech Pathologist (TFA Volunteer)
Placement Dates: Oct – Nov 2025
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Late last year, Louise Ong spent four weeks in Ho Chi Minh City supporting final-year BSALT students during their CP4 placement at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Working alongside Vietnamese lecturers, Louise provided clinical supervision in complex cases, mentoring students as they grew in confidence and began applying theory to real-world practice.

We asked Louise to reflect on her experience.

What did you most enjoy about your role?

I enjoyed working with the lecturers, students and the patients. I loved learning about the culture in Vietnam and how the speech pathology profession in Vietnam was so resourceful and able to adapt overseas resources into their own cultural context.

What was your favourite part of volunteering abroad? And your biggest takeaway from the experience?

I enjoyed the interaction with the students, lecturers and patients the most! They were very positive and resourceful and also humorous at the same time. I am amazed at their positive attitudes to learning. My biggest takeaway is that we can all make a positive impact to Vietnam's healthcare systems in whichever way we can and hope it will create a ripple effect throughout society.

What do you think people do not realise about speech therapy services in Vietnam and the importance of capacity building?

There is low awareness of ST services in Vietnam, and due to the low awareness there is hence lower demand of the service. Capacity building is extremely important to build up the skills of professionals and to enable them to deliver more awareness/ education campaigns to the public. Which in turn is able to bring the benefits of ST services to the larger population.

What was your favourite part of volunteering abroad? And your biggest takeaway from the experience?

I enjoyed the interaction with the students, lecturers and patients the most! They were very positive and resourceful and also humorous at the same time. I am amazed at their positive attitudes to learning. My biggest takeaway is that we can all make a positive impact to Vietnam's healthcare systems in whichever way we can and hope it will create a ripple effect throughout society.

With thanks to Louise for generously sharing her reflections and beautiful photos from her time in Vietnam.