Vietnam Records Highest Number of International Students in Past 9 Years

The Ministry of Education and Training reports that nearly 22,000 international students are currently enrolled in Vietnamese educational institutions, marking the highest figure in the last nine years.
August 22, 2024 | 11:04
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Vietnam Records Highest Number of International Students in Past 9 Years
Approximately 22,000 international students are enrolled in Vietnamese educational institutions through agreement scholarships, various scholarship programs, and self-funding (Photo: USSH).

The population of international students in Vietnam is on the rise, currently standing at approximately 22,000, with nearly 4,000 of these students enrolled under various agreements.

By June 2023, Vietnam had established 408 joint training programs between 44 Vietnamese higher education institutions and 102 foreign institutions from 26 countries and territories.

From 2016 to 2019, the number of international students in Vietnam rose steadily from 17,500 to 21,000. However, during 2020-2021, the figures dropped to 18,500 and 16,000, respectively, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic, the influx of international students to Vietnam has resumed its upward trend.

In Vietnam, a significant number of international students enroll in universities for short-term courses. However, the number of master's and doctoral students is comparatively small, with most hailing from Laos, Cambodia, and some from China, South Korea, and Japan, focusing on Vietnamese studies. Specialized fields such as Vietnamese linguistics and the languages and cultures of Vietnam's ethnic minorities are considered unique academic strengths of Vietnam.

International students often opt for institutions focusing on language, culture, and theoretical studies, including Hanoi University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Academy of Journalism and Communication. Recently, technical and economic schools such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology and the Vietnam-France University have also started attracting international students.

The Ministry of Education and Training recognizes that the number of international students coming to Vietnam is still limited, with the majority, 80%, coming from Laos and Cambodia. Numerous schools have yet to prioritize the recruitment and education of international students. Furthermore, some mechanisms and policies concerning health insurance and visas have proven ineffective in attracting international students.

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Valerie Mai
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