Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam will, for the first time, participate in the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition 2026 and host a pavilion there to enhance its standing and attract investment resources as well as international students.
“We want to convey a message that Vietnam’s higher education is a dynamic ecosystem that places strong emphasis on quality and stands ready to accompany global partners.”
This was shared by Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Education and Training, while talking about Vietnam’s first-time participation in and pavilion at the APAIE Conference and Exhibition 2026, slated for February 23–27 in Hong Kong (China).
Enhancing position, attracting resources
Reporter: Could you elaborate on the significance and objectives of Vietnam’s participation in this event?
Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy: The first-ever organisation of the Vietnam Pavilion at the APAIE conference and exhibition carries great significance. This is one of the world’s prestigious education events, attracting around 2,500 delegates from more than 65 countries.
Previously, Vietnamese higher education institutions participated as individual entities. This time, however, Vietnam appears in the capacity of a well-prepared nation, helping affirm education in general and higher education in particular as an important driver of socio-economic development. This marks a concrete step in implementing the Party and the State’s major policies on international education integration.
Through this event, we want to convey a message that Vietnam’s higher education is a dynamic ecosystem that places strong emphasis on quality and stands ready to accompany global partners. The participation in APAIE 2026 also reflects Vietnam’s determination to proactively and deeply integrate into the global education space, and enhance the competitiveness and international standing of its education sector.
Vietnam participates in APAIE 2026 with several key objectives. The first is to enhance its stature. Vietnam’s education sector needs to strengthen its presence at major international education forums alongside countries such as China, Thailand, and Malaysia, in order to promote the national image in a more professional manner.
The second objective is to attract resources and investment. This presents an opportunity to engage with global investors and leading universities, thereby fostering cooperation in education and research, as well as developing appropriate forms of international educational presence in line with Vietnam’s regulations.
The third is to boost international student recruitment. Vietnam is gradually emerging as an attractive destination for international students thanks to its stable environment, improving education quality, and competitive costs. English-taught programmes will be introduced to attract more international students to the country.
Another important strategic goal is to attract outstanding international experts, lecturers, administrators, and scientists to work in Vietnam. Existing incentive mechanisms and policies for experts and researchers, along with support for innovation and technology transfer, are helping to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s higher education and attract high-quality human resources from abroad.
Opening up opportunities for connectivity
Reporter: As this marks the first time Vietnam has participated in the event as a national delegation, how large will the delegation be?
Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy: The Vietnam Education Exhibition at APAIE 2026 brings together 17 higher education institutions and educational organisations, with diversity in participation being a key highlight.
Specifically, the delegation includes leading universities such as the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, known for its strengths in multidisciplinary training, basic research, and technology transfer. Also included is the Academy of Finance and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, recognised for their advantages in economics and finance.
In addition, it features institutions specialising in engineering and technology, including the University of Technology under the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering, the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.
Meanwhile, international universities and internationally linked models joining the Vietnamese delegation include RMIT Vietnam, VinUniversity, Fulbright University Vietnam, the Vietnam Japan University, the Vietnamese-German University, the Asian Institute of Technology, and the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi.
Other reputable public and private higher education institutions also present includes the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, the Phenikaa University, and the Van Lang University.
The participating schools represent a wide range of educational models and fields, from research universities and application-oriented institutions to those with strong internationalisation elements. This combination offers a comprehensive panorama of the country’s education system in general and its higher education in particular, which are diverse and highly integrated into the world.
Reporter: What key activities will the Vietnamese delegation undertake at the event to realise its set objectives?
Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy: Over the five-day course of APAIE 2026, the Vietnamese delegation will focus on three main groups of activities: specialised seminars, partner networking, and direct promotion.
Specifically, at specialised seminars, we will present and share information about Vietnam’s new policies and regulations on foreign investment attraction and the establishment of foreign higher education institutions’ branches.
During the events, universities will engage directly with international partners to sign agreements on student and lecturer exchanges, as well as research cooperation.
In terms of direct promotion, the focus will be introducing the country’s educational potential to international friends at the Vietnam Education Exhibition.
We believe that with thorough preparation, Vietnam will make a strong impression at APAIE 2026, opening a new chapter in the country’s educational integration into the world.
Reporter: Thank you very much!
