Why do 22,000 foreign students choose to study in Vietnam?

According to the Department of International Cooperation (Ministryof Education and Training), in the 2023-2024 school year, there will be about 22,000 foreign students studying at Vietnamese universities.

Records at many universities show that the number of international students coming to study on their own is increasing. In the photo: international students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics - Photo: KT

Of these, nearly 4,000 are international students studying under agreements, the rest are self-funded international students, under bilateral agreements at the school or local level. The number of international students studying in Vietnam has increased in recent years. In the 2020-2021 school year, there were 18,500 international students, in the 2021-2022 school year, there were 16,000 international students, and in the 2022-2023 school year, the number increased to 21,000 international students.

A myriad of reasons

Zak Jabes Misoles Lagare (Philippines), a second-year undergraduate student majoring in finance and accounting at Vietnam-Germany University, said that when he started university, the first thing Zak thought of was the desire to live independently. At first, Zak considered studying in the US but found it too far away and unfamiliar. "When I joined the tour to Vietnam-Germany University, I realized that this place met my goals when studying in Vietnam. I can enjoy a private life right in the dormitory, while still being able to meet my family on weekends or whenever I want," Zak shared. Zak said that most students at Vietnam-Germany University study very seriously, showing their talents not only in studying and researching but also actively participating in events, student activities, and student clubs. This has created a vibrant atmosphere of learning and playing as well as motivating personal development. Zak said he was very impressed with the expertise and experience of the lecturers. The teachers not only have extensive knowledge but also enthusiastically support students. For many other students, they choose to study undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Vietnam for many reasons. Park Jun Seo (Korea) graduated from the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, majoring in international business, and is currently continuing his university studies in business accounting. Park Jun Seo shared that he chose Vietnam to study at university because he felt that the opportunities to study and work in Vietnam were easier than in Korea. He came to Vietnam in 2016, self-studied Vietnamese, and in February 2017 received a C-level certificate in the Vietnamese language skills competition (the highest certificate). In 2018, he started studying at the University of Economics. Park commented: "The environment and facilities of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics are quite modern, and the teachers are also excellent. I feel very satisfied. There are many excellent students majoring in accounting and finance. I am very impressed." Meanwhile, Peng Chun Sheng (Taiwan) chose to study for a master's degree in journalism at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University) because of its connection to Vietnam. Sheng's maternal grandfather is Chinese, used to live in Vietnam, and Sheng's mother was born here. However, the whole family later moved to Taiwan. When Sheng was young, Sheng's father also worked in Vietnam for a while. "Although I was not born and am not of Vietnamese origin, I feel connected to Vietnam, so I chose to study here. I also plan to work here long-term" - Sheng added about the reason for coming to Vietnam to study.

Source: Ministry of Education and Training - Graphics: TUAN ANH

Number of self-funded study abroad students increases

The Ministry of Education and Training assessed that student exchanges with foreign countries have helped promote cultural and academic exchanges and contributed to strengthening solidarity and friendship with other countries and international integration. Statistics show that currently, many universities have a large number of self-funded international students. Many universities such as Ton Duc Thang, Hong Bang, Duy Tan, and Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University) have international students studying. Notably, Indian students come to Vietnam to study medicine, and many students from Africa study for master's and doctoral degrees at Ton Duc Thang University. This year, Ho Chi Minh City Open University has nearly 100 international students from Laos, Cambodia, France, the Philippines, Myanmar and Ghana studying at the university. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Ha - President of Ho Chi Minh City Open University - said that out of nearly 100 international students, most are self-funded students, with only a few students studying under agreements. Regarding attracting international students, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Quang Hung - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics - said that in recent years, the number of international students studying full-time at the school has increased. Up to now, the school's regular program has more than 40 foreign students studying. Most of them are students from Myanmar, China, Korea, France, New Zealand, Laos, Ukraine, Cambodia, etc. In 2024, the number of international students choosing to study full-time at the school increased compared to 2023 and previous years. There are cases where students who have graduated with a first degree continue to return to study for a second degree. This proves that the school's training program is of great interest to foreign students. "Implementing the international integration strategy, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics has built and designed a training program that approaches international standards. Being highly ranked on prestigious international rankings such as the most recent Top 501-600 world universities in 2025 by the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings along with many scholarship policies for international students..., this attracts international students to study at the school and there will certainly be more in the following years" - Mr. Hung said.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-22-000-du-hoc-sinh-nuoc-ngoai-chon-hoc-tap-o-viet-nam-20241025083741677.htm