Vietnam is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Vietnam are-
Hospitality Management | International Business | Automation and Control Engineering |
Computer Science and Engineering | Vietnamese Study | Biotechnology |
Civil Engineering | International Accounting | Tourism Management |
Finance and Banking | Management Information Systems | Asian History |
Psychology | Pharmaceutical Science | Business Data Analytics |
Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Vietnam.
The name of the city | No. of Universities |
Hanoi | 43 |
Ho Chi Minh City | 26 |
Da Nang | 8 |
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.
Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Vietnam must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents: