This is the peak time to 'close' summer study abroad courses - a short-term study abroad program for middle and high school students to experience in countries such as the US, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Philippines...
Harvard University is one of the prominent destinations in many summer study abroad programs to the US today - Photo: REUTERS
Parents' consideration becomes even more important when for many children from 10 to 17, 18 years old, this is the first time they go abroad.
"Information overload"
According to market records in 2025, summer study abroad programs in Vietnam continue to expand with many choices of destinations and forms. Many educational institutions, study abroad units, and English centers have a series of short-term courses in the US, Australia, Canada, UK, Singapore, Philippines, and some European countries.
The most common length is around two weeks, and programs often combine language training, sightseeing and cultural experiences. The goal is often to improve students’ English while broadening their international understanding.
For example, in 2025, a summer study abroad program in the US that Unit I. (HCMC) is advertising will last two weeks, taking place in Boston and New York, and is scheduled to depart in mid-June. Students will take intensive English classes at prestigious universities, combined with visits to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Museum of Natural History, and the program includes exchanges with international students.
Meanwhile, the summer study abroad program in Australia of S. (HCMC) also lasts two weeks in Sydney and Melbourne, scheduled to take place in July. The program combines English courses with leadership skills, along with homestay experiences with local people. Students will visit some famous places such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge and participate in sports and arts.
Ms. Hong Lan, a parent in District 1 (HCMC), is researching the 2025 summer study abroad program for her 12-year-old son and confided that she had a hard time with conflicting information. She wanted to send her son to an Australian summer camp, but a consultant said that the program only spent most of the time in the classroom, did not have enough practical activities, and advised her to switch to a program in Singapore to be closer and easier to adapt to.
"But at the second center, I was advised the opposite, saying that Australia would give me more experiences, it would be easier to access top universities, and Singapore was quite similar to Vietnam," said Ms. Lan.
Meanwhile, Ms. Pham Thi Hang, a parent in Tan Binh District (HCMC), decided to send her 12-year-old son to a summer camp in Canada in 2024. The program is introduced to help students practice English, explore advanced education, and connect with international friends. She wanted her child to have the opportunity to access a modern learning environment, so she registered.
However, when he arrived, her son encountered many difficulties. The reality program was designed mainly for high school students with a tight schedule, high English requirements, and many activities that were more academic than practical. In addition to communication difficulties, her son was also under pressure because he could not keep up with his older friends, leading to a state of low self-esteem and boredom.
What to note when choosing summer study abroad?
Mr. Pham Hoang Phuc, a study abroad consultant at FIGO Group, said that when it comes to summer study abroad, many parents often think of letting their children experience a short time abroad to "get used to" independent life. However, behind that simple preparation are a series of details that both parents and students need to be careful about, especially for children going abroad for the first time.
Mr. Phuc said that many students were registered by their parents to go on the trip without really understanding the purpose of the trip. In fact, during the visa interview, some students innocently answered that they were "going out with friends for fun." As a result, their visas were immediately denied.
Upon arrival, students must adjust to the daily schedule, food, and culture. Some students feel lost, homesick, crave their mother's cooking, and even want to give up after just a few days. Many parents are surprised to receive calls from their children saying they want to return to Vietnam... immediately.
"In these cases, parents can work with the group leader to find ways to support the children, such as paying more attention to that friend, talking more, and instructing them to bring some familiar dishes from Vietnam such as instant noodles or spices to improve the meal," said Mr. Phuc.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mark Do, Director of EF Vietnam, believes that parents and students can set their mindset and expectations for their summer study abroad trip as having new experiences in an international environment. That way, students will not be afraid to try new things in the program, as well as be more open to some "incidents" that may occur during the trip, such as missing trains or buses, not being used to the food, or not being satisfied with the accommodation...
Safety
Mr. Mark Do emphasized that safety must also be a top priority. Because the children who go are often very young, some of them have never been abroad. For example, normally, some units will not have their own school and their own company services (food, accommodation, sightseeing) in the host country, but must link with third-party partners from schools, transportation units to hotels, insurance... When the service has to go through more third parties, there will be more potential risks.
From tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dong
The cost of summer study abroad programs for Vietnamese students in 2025 will vary significantly depending on the destination, duration and content of the program. Summer camps in the US lasting from 2 to 4 weeks usually cost between 100 and 200 million VND, including tuition, accommodation, transportation, insurance and extracurricular activities.
Meanwhile, the program in the UK costs about VND85 million for two weeks, not including airfare and visa fees. In Australia, the cost of participating in a summer study abroad program ranges from VND55 to VND95 million, depending on the location and course content. Programs in Singapore cost less, from VND17 to VND85 million, thanks to the advantage of being close and not requiring complicated visas.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/can-trong-voi-du-hoc-he-tram-trieu-20250208090400776.htm
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