In recent years, Vietnam has become an increasingly appealing destination for international students. Known for its safety, hospitality, and rich cultural diversity, the country is also gaining recognition for its rapidly advancing higher education system. A growing presence in global university rankings, combined with open visa policies, affordable tuition, generous scholarships, and accessible housing, has made Vietnam an attractive choice for students from around the world.
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University campuses in Vietnam are evolving into vibrant innovative hubs. In the north, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is taking shape as a “university city” - modern, green, and smart. In the south, Ton Duc Thang University, FPT University, and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, are emerging as models for digital learning, international dormitories, and open research centers.
Vietnam’s higher education system now offers internationally aligned programs in business and economics, computer science, education, engineering, life sciences, healthcare, physical sciences, and social sciences - fields increasingly recognized by global ranking organizations.
According to Dr. Hoang Minh Son, President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, the world-class university model has been adopted in many countries, founded on three key pillars of success: abundant resources, effective governance, and the concentration of talent. For Vietnam, building an advanced education system that meets regional standards and moves toward global excellence means ensuring it is equitable, inclusive, modern, and of high quality.
With these impressive strides, Vietnam is emerging as a dynamic destination for students from around the world. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, by the end of 2024, nearly 22,000 international students were studying in Vietnam - about 4,000 under government scholarship programs and the remainder through self-funded or institutional exchange agreements.
These students come from dozens of countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, New Zealand, Ukraine, India, Nigeria, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark. The most popular fields of study are medicine, pharmacy, business, economics, culture, and language.
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At Vietnam National University Hanoi’s International School, cultural diversity thrives in every classroom. Students from India, Nigeria, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland collaborate on research and innovation. Their project, the Helio Air Purifier - developed by Comaan De (India), Demy Warloxx (Nigeria), and Vietnamese teammates Nguyen Thi Hai Yen and Do Minh Hoang -earned third prize at the 2024 IStartup competition. “Working with Vietnamese students taught us patience, creativity, and teamwork. Our ideas were always welcomed, and the hands-on learning made every lesson meaningful,” Warloxx said.
At the Faculty of Vietnamese Language and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Languages and International Studies (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), students from Korea, Japan, China, and the United States join language and cultural clubs where they practice Vietnamese through folk songs, calligraphy, and cooking pho. Dr. Tran Huu Tri, Dean of the Faculty said: “Foreign students here do not just learn the Vietnamese language. They learn to love this country - its people, its culture, and its sincere way of life”.
