Khmer boy interprets Cambodian 'so patients leave Vietnam with smiles'

At first, Kim Oanh Thuone only saw translation as a way to earn extra income to cover his living expenses, but over time, this job has brought him many new opportunities.

For the young man, this is also a way for him to accompany and share more deeply with patients, nurturing his future dreams.

See patients as relatives

I met Mr. Thuone at a small coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon of 2024, after he had just finished interpreting for a Cambodian patient who came to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for a follow-up examination.

The Khmer man with tanned skin, handsome face and friendly smile quickly made a good impression from the first conversation. With a slim figure in the simple outfit of a medical student, Mr. Thuone exuded a calm and mature air beyond his age.

Few people know that outside the classroom, he also works as a Cambodian interpreter for foreign patients. "Each interpreting session is not only a job, but also an opportunity for me to share, learn and accumulate valuable experiences," he gently began the story.

Coming to the translation job quite by chance, Mr. Thuone initially thought this was just a way to earn extra income to cover his student life in Ho Chi Minh City.

“Interpreting work is actually not too complicated, it is simply whatever the doctor says, I will translate it accurately for the patient . At the same time, I will ask the doctor questions on behalf of the patient, describe symptoms... The cost of each interpretation session depends on the time, the customer's request, the complexity of the case...”, said Mr. Thuone.

The translation job brings Mr. Thuone a source of income and opens up many valuable opportunities and experiences.

PHOTO: NVCC

Having worked as an interpreter for more than 2 years, Mr. Thuone is loved by many Cambodian patients for his dedication and thoughtfulness. As a language interpreter, he always tries to do his job well and actively talks and connects with patients.

The young man confided that to understand the patient and have a smooth interpretation session, the interpreter should consider the patient as his own relative. He himself always takes the initiative to get to know and talk to the patient beforehand to grasp basic information such as age, personality, medical condition, etc.

"When both have a connection beforehand, the patient will be more open and comfortable when coming for examination and treatment. People with common illnesses will have psychological difficulties, so I also sympathize and share," he said.

Not stopping there, Mr. Thuone said that after the patient finished the treatment, he still kept in touch and regularly asked about her.

He confided: “Many patients who come to see me many times ask me to help with translation. Not only because I know Cambodian, but because they feel confident and secure. Once when I went to Cambodia for a tour, the patients welcomed me and took me out for a walk without any cost…”

Mr. Det Pitou, a Cambodian patient who came to Vietnam for medical examination, said: “I am very happy to come to Vietnam for medical examination and meet a very enthusiastic and cheerful interpreter. In Vietnam, the medical services and expertise are very good, so I feel very secure and satisfied. I consider myself lucky to have met Thuone, who helped and interpreted everything for me. Vietnamese people are very happy and hospitable, in the future, I will definitely return to this beautiful country many times.”

Interpreting - The Door to Many New Opportunities

Mr. Thuone receives clients without a broker; patients know him mainly through referrals from friends and former patients. With his existing language skills, he improves and learns more medical terms every day to interpret for patients as best as possible.

“My future direction is to become a doctor, not a Cambodian interpreter. But I am always grateful and appreciative to do this job. The income from each session helps me to cover my living expenses and gives me long-term learning opportunities,” he said.

Mr. Thuone took a photo with Mr. Det Pitou, a Cambodian patient who came to Vietnam for medical examination.

PHOTO: NVCC

Sharing with me about his future dream, Kim Oanh Thuone said that he wants to become a good doctor, devoted to his patients and his work.

Seeing Cambodian as an advantage, he commented: "A doctor who knows both Cambodian and Vietnamese will certainly find it easier to examine and treat a foreign patient. Currently, there is a great demand for Cambodian interpreters for patients in international hospitals. Vietnamese medicine is increasingly developing, and Vietnamese hospitals are starting to open branches in Cambodia, so I think those who know the language will certainly have more job opportunities."

Not only stopping at medical examinations, Mr. Thuone is also willing to take patients shopping and sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City if time permits. In addition to translating, he is also an "unwilling" tour guide, helping them love and understand more about the people and country of Vietnam.

Talking to Mr. Thuone, I felt the love for the profession and the dedication to patients of a future exemplary doctor. A job with no name or age but helped him get acquainted with the hospital environment, come into contact with many real cases, and improve his experience beyond the books.

Although it was only a part-time job, the young man still did it with all his heart and enthusiasm. Because he thought that if he did it carelessly, foreign patients would not only have a bad view of medicine but also of the country and people of Vietnam.