Vietnam promotes training for foreign students

Lao students in Vietnam perform traditional dances. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Between 4,000 and 6,000 international students were admitted to Vietnamese educational institutions every year between the 2016-2021, according to a report by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET)'s International Cooperation Department.

These figures fell to 3,000 in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 45,000 foreign students from 102 countries and territories studied in 155 educational facilities across Vietnam between 2016 and 2021, the department said. Of the total number, 26.6% were offered scholarships under agreements between the Government of Vietnam and foreign governments.

Most of the students either study at universities or choose short-term courses. A modest number of international students choose postgraduate programmes (Master's or PhD).

Lao and Cambodian students mainly do PhD courses, while some students from China, the Republic of Korea and Japan prefer majoring in Vietnam studies.

Particularly, the number of students from Laos and Cambodia accounted for nearly 80% of the total number of foreign students. But due to growing relations with the Republic of Korea, China, France and Japan, the number of students from these countries in Vietnam is on the rise.

The Vietnam National University (VNU)-Hanoi attracted the largest foreign enrollment, with more than 1,000 from 74 countries and territories. It is followed by the VNU- Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi University, Hue University, Thai Nguyen University, and Da Nang University.

The report also indicates that most foreign students are satisfied with the living conditions, learning facilities and lecturers' care.

Nguyen Thi Nhai from the Hanoi University said it always pays attention and provides maximum support to international students regarding visa management, checkups and examinations. She noted that the university trained nearly 3,000 foreign students from 2016-2021.

Of the figure, 234 students were sent for study under exchange agreements between the Vietnamese government and other countries. Foreign students comprised 5% of the total students and contributed 8% to the university's revenue.

Nguyen Quoc Tien, who is in charge of foreign student affairs at Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said the university always takes care of and encourages Vietnamese families to support them.

He also said the university trained more than 1,000 doctors for Laos and Cambodia.

According to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc, the ministry will coordinate with relevant agencies to enhance the regulatory framework of the training and management of international students in Vietnam to attract more foreign students in the future.

The MoET and Vietnamese universities will ramp up the signing of international agreements for student exchange to welcome more foreigners to study in the country.

Phuc said Vietnamese universities must improve the quality of their programmes and beef up international cooperation to meet learners' demands, adding that priority should be given to programmes taught in English.

Favourable conditions should be created to help international students understand more about the country, people and culture of Vietnam, he said.

He urged universities were asked to ensure the best learning and living conditions for foreign students, emphasising that good training contributes to the overall success of Vietnamese higher education.

Vietnamese and Lao students tie their wrists together and bless each other. (Photo: VNA)

Home to a diverse culture, cordial citizens, and a quality education environment, Vietnam has emerged as a favourite destination for students across the globe.

Some 20,000 international students are now studying in Vietnam, primarily in graduate and postgraduate studies.

As Vietnam is integrating into the world, its universities have earned a greater reputation worldwide.

Three Vietnamese universities have been placed in the top 1,000 best universities in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. They are the Vietnam National University (VNU) - Hanoi, VNU - Ho Chi Minh City, and Duy Tan University.

Five Vietnamese universities have been named in the Times Higher Education's Asia University Rankings 2022, three in HCM City and two in Hanoi.

They are HCM City based-Ton Duc Thang University in the 73rd place; Duy Tan University (91st); Vietnam National University-Hanoi (VNU), placed between 301st and 350th; Vietnam National University, HCM City (VNU HCMC), 401st-500th; and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), 501st+./.