Study in Vietnam

Higher Education Structure in Vietnam

Study In Vietnam

Vietnam is home to more than 240 Universities, a majority of which are public Institutions of Higher Education. Almost 2 million students are enrolled in higher education in the country, which is approximately 2% of the population of Vietnam. The country has a flourishing tourism sector, ensuring that there is a cosmopolitan, safe, and welcoming atmosphere for the thousands of international students who choose to study in Vietnam.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is located south of China, in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Hanoi, and the largest urban area is Ho Chi Minh City; both are notable centers of higher education, with dozens of public and private Universities located in these two cities.  Even though it is a developing country, Vietnam has an economy that is growing faster than most other countries in the world, and the major cities are on par with any other large urban centers in other Asian countries. In recent years, Vietnam has become known for its high quality University system.

The Perks of Studying in Vietnam

Vietnam is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #44 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #70 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.
  • The country is ranked #101 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.

Higher Education Framework in Vietnam

There are three main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Vietnam:

1. Universities: They offer comprehensive education and research in several fields, and award degrees at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral. Public Universities have access to resources and funding from the Government, while private institutions have more autonomy.

2. Junior Colleges: Many of them focus on a narrow set of courses, and award short cycle Bachelor's and Associate degrees, that are designed to be completed in 2-3 years, so that students can join the workforce and start earning soon after graduating from high school.

3. Institutes: Technical HEIs in Vietnam train students in a wide variety of skills that are in demand in the labor market, and ensure that they produce a steady stream of skilled diploma holders who can start work while they are studying, for practical exposure.

Diploma Programs

Diplomas are offered by a wide range of HEIs in Vietnam, and usually take 1-2 years to complete. Junior Colleges and Technical Training Institutes both offer these short term certifications, and some Universities may also offer diplomas, either to language teachers or professionals who wish to obtain proof of their expertise in an emerging industry topic e.g. blockchain or machine learning.

Undergraduate Programs

There are four kinds of undergraduate degrees in Vietnam. Associate and short cycle Bachelor's degrees are completed in 2-3 years, and are offered by junior colleges. They intend to prepare students for the non-professional workforce in a short term period. Long cycle Bachelor's degrees take four years to complete, and make up a majority of the programs in Universities. Finally, integrated programs (for example, in Medicine and Dentistry) last six years, and include time spent in professional training.

Postgraduate Programs

Master's degrees in Vietnam take up to two years to complete. Both Universities and specialized Institutes offer these programs. The entry is highly competitive, with several Universities mandating minimum performance levels for undergraduate transcripts; some programs also have entrance examinations. Many HEIs in Vietnam offer a combined Master's and Doctoral degree program that lasts five years.

Doctoral Programs

PhD degree programs in Vietnamese Universities can be completed in a shorter period of time than in most other countries; students who already have a Master's degree can expect to defend their PhD thesis in three years. Therefore, the expectations on research results are high, and the work pressure is relatively more intense. Candidates are expected to complete a course of advanced study and research in their chosen topic, under the guidance of a senior faculty member.

Popular Disciplines Available in Vietnam

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Vietnam are-

Hospitality ManagementInternational BusinessAutomation and Control Engineering
Computer Science and EngineeringVietnamese StudyBiotechnology
Civil EngineeringInternational AccountingTourism Management
Finance and BankingManagement Information SystemsAsian History
PsychologyPharmaceutical ScienceBusiness Data Analytics

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Vietnam

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Vietnam.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Hanoi43
Ho Chi Minh City26
Da Nang8

Average Monthly Expenses in Vietnam for International Students

Several Universities in Vietnam charge tuition fees above 20 million Vietnamese Dong per semester, with private institutions having higher average fees. This amount is still lower than in European countries; therefore, international students who are able to gain admission to highly ranked Vietnamese Universities are guaranteed a good return on their educational investment.

In addition, the average monthly expenses in Vietnam for international students are approximately 5 million Vietnamese Dong. This encompasses accommodation, food, transportation, shopping, and entertainment. In addition, students should budget for one time spending on technical infrastructure, medical insurance and work permit applications.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Vietnam.

Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Vietnam must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • Completed visa application form with a photograph attached. 
  • Passport issued in the home country of the applicant, valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Vietnam.
  • An Offer Letter from a University located in Vietnam.
  • A soft copy of the approval letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
  • Vietnamese student visa application fees.
  • Proof of a clean criminal record.
  • Proof of tuition fee payment for the next semester.
img


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Vietnamese student visa application fee for a twelve month multiple entry permit is 145 USD or 3.5 million Vietnamese Dong. This must be renewed annually throughout the duration of the degree program. 6 month multiple entry visas are also available for short term certificate courses, after paying 105 USD.

The single photograph submitted with the Vietnamese student visa application must have dimensions of 4 cm by 6 cm. The color of the background must be white, and the student must not be wearing glasses or any head covering. It is recommended to wear formal clothing.

After the visa application is submitted to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate, the authorities will issue a Decision Letter. If the application is rejected, the reasons will be detailed in this document. If the reason is a minor error in the application form or a missing set of documents, the student may immediately apply again, after paying the registration fee. However, if there is a more serious reason for rejection, and there is no change in the circumstances at the time of the second application, there is no option to study in Vietnam.

Any international student with a valid work permit can work part time during his/her studies in a Vietnamese University. However, unlike in many other countries, there is no limit on the total number of hours worked, and students may work more than 20 hours per week, as long as they are able to keep up with the busy academic schedule of the University.

Each University in Vietnam has a set of scholarship programs for international students. Awardees will be given a partial or full tuition fee waiver, in addition to a potential dormitory fee waiver, based on the level of academic achievements. Most scholarships are based on merit.

Vietnam has three Universities ranked in the top 1000 in the world according to the latest QS Rankings: Duy Tan University, Ton Duc Thang University, and Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, it is also home to local branches of highly respected international institutions of higher education e.g. RMIT University in Vietnam (top 150 in the world).

All the highly ranked Universities in Vietnam have strong medical, dental, and pharmacy programs. In addition, there are several specialized Institutes in the country which have excellent MBBS programs. For example, Hanoi Medical University and Hue University of Medicine are renowned across Southeast Asia.

Only the top 10% of Vietnamese Universities charge average tuition fees per semester greater than 20 million Vietnamese Dong (800 USD). This is much lower than in most Asian countries, and public Universities in Vietnam have even lower tuition fees. Therefore, international students in Vietnam can access world class education at relatively low prices.

Vietnam is ranked in the top 50 countries in the world on the Global Safety Index published by the World Population Review; international students will be able to study and travel around the country without needing to worry about safety, as long as they ensure that they do not break any laws of the country and of their University.