upcoming medical in HCM

[kevinbui86 0]

hi everyone, my wife's medical is coming up soon and I want to get prepared for it. I looked at the IOM on Pham Ngoc Thach and decided to stick with Cho Ray. IOM seems more confusing because we have to go to Nguyen Van Troi to get the vaccination then head back to IOM to get the X ray form, then head over to Pasteur to get the X ray, then come back to IOM to complete everything, not to mention coming back the next day for the results. Did I get everything?...or Im missing something.

Can guys share your experiences with Cho Ray? What did they make you guys do? Where did they send you to? and what was the procedure at Cho Ray? thanks everyone

[chuckandkim 0]

Hi Kevin,

You may want to read this about Cho Ray.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190338

Or better off, PM "NeedHelp" to ask him about his horrific experience at Cho Ray.

IOM is the prefered place among the brothers and sisters on (VJV = Visa Journey Vietnamese)

What's so confused about IOM, could you please share, maybe we can help?

[kevinbui86 0]

Hi Kevin,

You may want to read this about Cho Ray.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=190338

Or better off, PM "NeedHelp" to ask him about his horrific experience at Cho Ray.

IOM is the prefered place among the brothers and sisters on (VJV = Visa Journey Vietnamese)

What's so confused about IOM, could you please share, maybe we can help?

it didnt really explained what happens inside Cho Ray, any details of what happens on Medical day?

IOM is confusing because you have to go to 3 different places to get the medical done

[Melrose Plant 1]

I cannot speak to what happens at IOM. I don't really understand about having to go three different places to complete the exam and immunizations. I don't know whether that is true or not.

Cho Ray will get the job done, but it's a nasty place. It is also a rather unfriendly place. This was true for us despite knowing the vice general director of the hospital personally. Of course, none of the staff were aware of this, so I guess our contacts weren't worth much, hehe.

Anyway, I don't like the place, and based solely upon that, I would recommend IOM, even knowing nothing about IOM.

[kevinbui86 0]

I cannot speak to what happens at IOM. I don't really understand about having to go three different places to complete the exam and immunizations. I don't know whether that is true or not.

Cho Ray will get the job done, but it's a nasty place. It is also a rather unfriendly place. This was true for us despite knowing the vice general director of the hospital personally. Of course, none of the staff were aware of this, so I guess our contacts weren't worth much, hehe.

Anyway, I don't like the place, and based solely upon that, I would recommend IOM, even knowing nothing about IOM.

what did u do that day Melrose? can you share what you did that day in the hospital

[Huong and Phung 0]

I'm not trying to say bad things about Doctors but they weren't very nice when we were there. The place is horrible and everything is very unorganized. Eventhough it's a good Hospital but it needs lots of help. I wouldn't want my wife to go there by herself to get anymore test done if I know there are alternatives. We went there to get our medical exam (mental or not) for our Marriage Certificate. It was a horrible scene in the bathroom and that's all I gotta say. I would choose IOM since it's a nice place and very professional. My wife is using them as our agent and probably will get our Medical Exam there also. Good luck on your choice of hospital.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Huong and Phung

[chuckandkim 0]

Well,

Understand, this Med-Exam will have the fiancee stripped down to her underwears and bras. Check every inch of her body for red spots, rashes. Then drink a cough solution which will make her cough for days afterward.

Cho Ray - some have experience flat out lies to extort for money.

IOM - Professionally done. My wife went in, got everything done. No issue. So what, you need to go to a different location for shots. I like to know that my wife got treated with respect and as a human being and receiving the service that she PAYS for, not asking for a damn FAVOR (as you would when you come Cho Ray).

But it sounds like you want to try Cho Ray because it's all in one package deal? Then go! Do let us know how it turn out OK.

[Huong and Phung 0]

Well,

Understand, this Med-Exam will have the fiancee stripped down to her underwears and bras. Check every inch of her body for red spots, rashes. Then drink a cough solution which will make her cough for days afterward.

Cho Ray - some have experience flat out lies to extort for money.

IOM - Professionally done. My wife went in, got everything done. No issue. So what, you need to go to a different location for shots. I like to know that my wife got treated with respect and as a human being and receiving the service that she PAYS for, not asking for a damn FAVOR (as you would when you come Cho Ray).

But it sounds like you want to try Cho Ray because it's all in one package deal? Then go! Do let us know how it turn out OK.

I agree with you chuckandkim. We were there at Cho Ray to get our medical exam done for our Marriage Certificate Application. It wasn't a good experience. We're going to IOM to get it done also.

[toddandhien 2]

Well,

Understand, this Med-Exam will have the fiancee stripped down to her underwears and bras. Check every inch of her body for red spots, rashes. Then drink a cough solution which will make her cough for days afterward.

Cho Ray - some have experience flat out lies to extort for money.

IOM - Professionally done. My wife went in, got everything done. No issue. So what, you need to go to a different location for shots. I like to know that my wife got treated with respect and as a human being and receiving the service that she PAYS for, not asking for a damn FAVOR (as you would when you come Cho Ray).

But it sounds like you want to try Cho Ray because it's all in one package deal? Then go! Do let us know how it turn out OK.

OK, here's one person's Cho Ray story.

I tried to talk Hien into going to IOM but she was more comfortable with Cho Ray because she knew where it was and it seemed "more Vietnamese" to her. OK. So today I asked her a hundred questions about the experience. This is her feedback:

She went at 1 PM on Thursday, 23 April. First went Tuesday morning after vaccinations but they would not do the medical because all the open slots were taken. Told her to come Thursday at 1 PM (actually got an appt. time)

The place is small and not immaculate but you have to set your expectations accordingly for Vietnam. Things are not like the US.

It was not overly dirty.

It was crowded, trying to do as many of the medicals in one day as possible. Mostly women but a couple guys having the medical. Mostly younger women but a few middle-aged ladies.

She was treated with respect and professionalism by all of the staff. Nobody was rude to her and nobody tried to extort money.

Men and women were segregated for the medical exams.

Asked lots of questions. Have you had a baby? Have you had surgery? are you taking medication now? That kind of stuff. She said there were a lot of questions. Answered all NO (true for her).

Blood drawn. LOTS of blood (so she says). Whiner

She had to remove ALL of her clothing and put on a hospital gown.

She was x-rayed with the hospital gown on. She did NOT have to drink anything at all.

The X-ray technician was the only man involved in the medical process for the women and the women are clothed for that (see above). After that, the exam is done completely by a woman.

The woman doctor/nurse did a VERY thorough examination of her body looking for scars, marks, rashes, anything. Very close examination of the breasts but NO internal exam (you know what I mean). Again, she said the woman was thorough but very professional.

Clothes back on and told her to come between 3 and 4 PM Friday (next day) for results/pick up sealed envelope.

All in all, her experience at Cho Ray, as a VN native, was very positive. All the horror/scare stories I told her to keep her from going did not come true. Now she thinks I believe everything I read on the internet (she actually said this to me)!! I'm sure if I went, I might not view it the same but that's OK. It worked for her and she came away with dignity and a sense of accomplishment.

[chuckandkim 0]

This is good news then!

[Lý Trinh 0]

This is good news then!

that's a good news for people that going to Cho Ray hospital,

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

This is good news then!

that's a good news for people that going to Cho Ray hospital,

What I think Cho Ray or IOM are all the same to the lady from VN. Since, they don't see the different like we do in US. Bottom line, as long as our lady is happy, and we are happy, and the result from medical exam is good. That all we care!!! Cho Ray seems like a good place too.

[Huong and Phung 0]

OK, here's one person's Cho Ray story.

I tried to talk Hien into going to IOM but she was more comfortable with Cho Ray because she knew where it was and it seemed "more Vietnamese" to her. OK. So today I asked her a hundred questions about the experience. This is her feedback:

She went at 1 PM on Thursday, 23 April. First went Tuesday morning after vaccinations but they would not do the medical because all the open slots were taken. Told her to come Thursday at 1 PM (actually got an appt. time)

The place is small and not immaculate but you have to set your expectations accordingly for Vietnam. Things are not like the US.

It was not overly dirty.

It was crowded, trying to do as many of the medicals in one day as possible. Mostly women but a couple guys having the medical. Mostly younger women but a few middle-aged ladies.

She was treated with respect and professionalism by all of the staff. Nobody was rude to her and nobody tried to extort money.

Men and women were segregated for the medical exams.

Asked lots of questions. Have you had a baby? Have you had surgery? are you taking medication now? That kind of stuff. She said there were a lot of questions. Answered all NO (true for her).

Blood drawn. LOTS of blood (so she says). Whiner

She had to remove ALL of her clothing and put on a hospital gown.

She was x-rayed with the hospital gown on. She did NOT have to drink anything at all.

The X-ray technician was the only man involved in the medical process for the women and the women are clothed for that (see above). After that, the exam is done completely by a woman.

The woman doctor/nurse did a VERY thorough examination of her body looking for scars, marks, rashes, anything. Very close examination of the breasts but NO internal exam (you know what I mean). Again, she said the woman was thorough but very professional.

Clothes back on and told her to come between 3 and 4 PM Friday (next day) for results/pick up sealed envelope.

All in all, her experience at Cho Ray, as a VN native, was very positive. All the horror/scare stories I told her to keep her from going did not come true. Now she thinks I believe everything I read on the internet (she actually said this to me)!! I'm sure if I went, I might not view it the same but that's OK. It worked for her and she came away with dignity and a sense of accomplishment.

OK, That's good to hear about your wife's situation. Thanks for letting us know about the process. We will be at that process soon and want to know as many experience people have as we can. I guess she passed her exam then huh?

Anyway, I have a question. I'm still in the process of Affidavit of Support and IV, is it okay to do the Medical Exam now or we have to wait for the official to say so? Thanks in advance.

Edited April 23, 2009 by Huong and Phung

[Dai. 7]

Huong and Phung, For CR1, you have to wait until NVC is finished and they will give you a letter that allows you to have the examination.

[Huong and Phung 0]

Huong and Phung, For CR1, you have to wait until NVC is finished and they will give you a letter that allows you to have the examination.

Thank you so much for such a quick reply. Sorry Kevinbui86 for hijacking your thread.