Vietnam Tips for Recruiting Vietnamese Students

According to the data from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) of Vietnam, there were nearly 190,000 Vietnamese students studying abroad in the 2019-2020 academic year. As the report of the IIE (Institute of International Education) – Open Doors in 2020, Vietnam ranks sixth globally (23,777 students) of all countries sending their students to the United States for higher education, after China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. 

THE 5 FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STUDY ABROAD DECISIONS OF VIETNAMESE STUDENTS 

1. Reasonable tuition fee and cost of living.
2. Areas of study: Subjects which are popular in certain countries and match the students’ interests, capabilities, and career interests. For example: America is well-known for computer science and STEM subjects; the UK is famous for medicine and law.
3. Safe environment: no discrimination, locations of schools which are close to relatives’ families.
4. School ranking: study majors and universities’ position on the national and world rankings.
5. Post-graduation policies: internships and job opportunities as well as the duration of Optional Practical Training (OPT) time.

POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY VIETNAMESE STUDENTS SEEK WHEN STUDYING ABROAD
Business and Social Majors: Business Administration / Business Analysis, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Hospitality.
STEM: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Health Science.

CHALLENGES FOR VIETNAMESE STUDENTS

1. Language Barrier: which can limit the integration of the student at school and within the community and weaken their cultural experience.
2. Financial Difficulties: study and living expenses which may be incurred during the study time.
3. Social Adaptability: which may limit access to opportunities or available opportunities to effectively live and study in foreign countries.
4. Internship and Job opportunities: few employers accept foreign students.

SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID

1. Vietnamese students in wealthy, upper-class families are still willing to study abroad without scholarships, but they take pride in earning them.
2. Vietnamese students in middle-class families can still afford lower-ranking schools, but they prefer scholarships from high-ranking universities.
3. Vietnamese students in lower-class families depend on scholarships and/or financial aid to be able to study abroad.

For more information, please contact Commercial Service Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at Huong.Nguyen@trade.gov