The Vietnamese government plans to change this. The goal is to position Vietnam as a global semiconductor power by 2050 and a leader in other advanced technologies. This requires a rapid infusion of high-tech talent into the workforce and, correspondingly, a massive investment in education at all levels. Already, the government鈥檚 commitment to this ambition is changing the shape of student mobility from Vietnam to other countries.

C = SET + 1

In 2024, the government announced the 鈥淣ational Strategy for the Development of 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 Semiconductor Industry to 2030 with a vision to 2050,鈥� backed by a formula called C = SET + 1, where:

• C stands for Chip;
• S stands for Specialised (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits);
• E stands for Electronics (as the foundational manufacturing base);
• T stands for Talent (engineers, researchers, technicians);
• +1 refers to positioning Vietnam as a new, safe, and reliable destination in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Deloitte explains:

鈥淭his integrated approach reflects 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 understanding that becoming a semiconductor hub demands an ecosystem that blends technical specialisation, supply chain depth, and a skilled workforce 鈥� all anchored in long-term policy stability and international cooperation.鈥�

The vision is that Vietnam will transform from its current role as an assembly and testing hub for semiconductors to a leadership role in their design and fabrication.

The link to student mobility

The government announced in December 2025 that it will support 1,500 Vietnamese students every year for the next 10 years to study abroad in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defense, and medicine. This scholarship programme falls under a larger commitment to send more Vietnamese students out to study in Russia, China, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Most scholarship recipients will go to Russia, while the remaining recipients will study in one of 15 or so other partner countries.

The scholarship programme is funded both by Vietnam and host countries. magazine elaborates:

鈥淗ost countries will waive tuition fees and provide monthly living allowances and dormitory accommodation. Vietnam will cover round-trip airfare, travel expenses, passport and visa fees, and health insurance, and will supplement living costs if support from host countries falls short.鈥�

The full list of priority study fields includes cloud computing, quantum physics and computing, blockchain technologies, advanced materials, rare earth extraction and processing, aerospace engineering, nuclear technologies, semiconductor technologies, biotechnology, and medicine and pharmaceuticals.

Top destinations for Vietnamese students

As it stands, the countries hosting the most Vietnamese students are:

• South Korea: 107,805 students in 2025, up +50% since 2023
• Japan: 40,325 in 2024, up +10 over 2023
• Taiwan: 39,695 in 2025,
• Australia: 36,415 in 2025,
• United States: 25,585 in 2024/25, up 15% since 2023/24
• China: 24,000 ()
• Canada: 10,550, down -1.8% since 2023 and -35% since 2022

Not surprisingly, five of the destinations experiencing notable growth in Vietnamese enrolments 鈥� Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Japan, and China 鈥� are leaders in semiconductor industries.

Learning AI from primary school onwards

Higher education is not the only level the Vietnamese government is prioritising for technological and digital training in 2026. A pilot is currently underway to integrate AI into K-12 school curriculum. notes:

鈥淭he AI education framework is organized around four main knowledge areas: human-centered thinking, AI ethics, AI techniques and applications, and AI system design. Content will be tailored to students’ age and cognitive development across two stages: basic education for primary and secondary (6th-9th grades) levels and career orientation (high school).鈥�

When the pilot ends in May 2026, results will be reviewed and used to guide a wider rollout of AI-integrated education.

Implications

An ApplyBoard article published in 2025 posited that strong student demand from Vietnam could 鈥渉elp stabilise sustainable growth鈥� in Western destinations for years to come. To attract this generation of Vietnamese students, however, institutions in the West should be aware of the current nature of demand from Vietnam and especially the growing emphasis on training in advanced technologies and medicine.

For additional information, please see:

• 鈥�Drivers of student mobility from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam鈥�
• 鈥�Taiwan ramps up international recruiting efforts with expanded work rights and scholarships鈥�

The post Vietnam: Students encouraged to obtain advanced technology degrees abroad appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Coming to those decisions is a science and an art, based on objective criteria such as market fundamentals (e.g., GDP, size of the middle class, size of the youth demographic, economic trends) as well as internal signs that a market is becoming more or less promising (e.g., increased/decreased competitor activity, high or low growth rates in various nationalities within the student body, approval rates, etc.)

Today, we鈥檒l look at the objective side of the balance with a summary of economic and demographic trends across four major student sending markets in Asia: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. Going into 2026, all four countries feature strong demand for study abroad, and many students are widening their consideration set in terms of destinations.

Bangladesh

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has for economic growth in Bangladesh in 2026 to 4.9% (compared with it prediction of 6.4% growth in April 2025). The main reasons are inflation (8.7%鈥�8.8% in 2025/26) and a challenging global trade environment that dampens opportunities for Bangladesh’s exports. President Trump鈥檚 tariff rate for Bangladeshi garments currently stands at 20%, which may reduce Bangladesh鈥檚 export earnings from the US market by 14%.

Fortunately, Bangladesh isn鈥檛 overly reliant on export earnings (about 10% of total GDP) compared to neighbours such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia (all over 60%). At the same time, Bangladesh鈥檚 economy lacks diversification, making it vulnerable to external shocks. There is high demand for study and work abroad, as remittances are a major component of Bangladesh鈥檚 GDP and fuel domestic consumption.

• GDP growth projection: 4.9% for 2026 ()
• Proportion of population in the middle class: 33%.
• Youth population: 49% of the country鈥檚 population of 172 million is under the age of 24.
• Currency performance: As of November 2025, the taka is trading at 121鈥�122 per US dollar and has in less than three years.
• Youth unemployment: 11.5% of those aged 15鈥�24 are out of work, rising to of those with tertiary education.
• Outbound mobility trends: 2022 OECD data count 52,800 Bangladeshi students abroad. Top destinations are the US, UK, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, and Australia.
• Key quote: 鈥淲hile the UK and the US remain favourites, an increasing number of students are turning to regional options like Malaysia, China, and even Japan, which offer affordable education and government-funded scholarships.鈥濃��

Indonesia

Indonesia鈥檚 economy has been softening in the past year but not to an alarming degree. The rate of inflation has come down, but this stimulus for consumer spending is offset by high borrowing costs. Indonesia boasts the world鈥檚 fourth largest population (286 million) and 41% of it is made up of youth aged 24 and under 鈥� a major reason it is such a compelling student source market.

Youth unemployment is a major issue, so focusing on career outcomes and post-study work opportunities will resonate in this market.

• GDP growth projection: 4.7鈥�4.9% for 2025, with a gradual increase to 5.2% by 2026 (World Bank).
• Proportion of population in the middle class: 17%.
• Youth population: 41% under the age of 24.
• Currency performance: As of November 2025, the rupiah is trading around 16,700 per US dollar, marking a depreciation of about .
• Youth unemployment: 16% of those aged 15鈥�24 are out of work (more than twice the proportion in Thailand and Vietnam), and a high proportion of the overall population resort to informal work (56%).
• Outbound trends: There are over 62,800 Indonesian students abroad for tertiary education (as per ) 鈥� up 29% over 2017. Top destinations are Australia, Malaysia, the US, Japan, the UK, and Germany.
• Key quote: 鈥淕raduates of secondary and tertiary education do not always match the needs of the labour market, and there is also a high proportion of informality. Indonesia has a very large number of young people, so the pressure on the labour market is much higher. We also have rapidly increasing levels of secondary and higher education. Many young college graduates avoid informal or low-paid jobs, so they choose to wait for suitable jobs, which leads to unemployment. There is a lack of effective vocational training and apprenticeship programmes compared with neighbours such as Vietnam or Malaysia. In Malaysia, for example, there are more industry-university linkage schemes and graduate employability programmes.鈥濃�擠eniey Adi Purwanto, a lecturer at the Department of Economics at IPB University in Bogor, as quoted in .

Nepal

There is considerable debate about prospects for Nepal鈥檚 economy in 2026. For example, the IMF expects GDP to grow by 5.2% in 2026 if political tensions ease and tourism revenue and agricultural output are robust. But the World Bank has revised its 2026 forecast to only 2.1% for reasons including civil unrest, loss of investor confidence, a drop in tourism, and poor harvests.

The wildly different forecasts underline the extreme vulnerability of Nepal to climate change and to the vicissitudes of tourism trends. If the weather is good, agriculture drives economic growth 鈥� if it not, it can result in devastating losses for the many Nepalese who work in this sector. The same is true for tourism.

A mass youth uprising in September ousted the government and left 72 people dead and more than a thousand injured across the country. Youth are fed up with corruption and economic mismanagement, and the protests were sparked by social media posts by Nepal鈥檚 elite 鈥渘epo babies鈥� flaunting purchases of luxury brands as well as a (this ended four days later after more than 20 protesters were killed). Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, and one in three households receives remittances.

The ouster of the government has not yet returned the country to complete stability given profound political divisions and continuing frustration among youth about their lack of opportunities for upward economic mobility.

• GDP growth projection: 2.1% (World Bank) to 5.2% (IMF).
• Proportion of population in the middle class: 33%.
• Youth population: 47% below the age of 24.
• Currency performance: As of November 2025, the Nepalese rupee is trading at 141.7鈥�142.3 per US dollar marking a over the last 12 months.
• Youth unemployment: , well above the global average of 15.7%.
• Outbound mobility trends: Over , going mainly to Australia, Japan, Canada, the US, the UK, and India.
• Key quote: 鈥淭o save, or even live properly, someone from the family has to go out. It鈥檚 almost like an unsaid tradition.鈥� 鈥擳enzin Dolker, a college student in Kathmandu who studies computer science, speaking with the .

Vietnam

Vietnam is one of Asia’s star performers in terms of its economy. Committed to diversification, the government has set a growth target of 10% for 2026, though organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF are more conservative, forecasting anywhere from 6% to 8%.

The Vietnamese government has set its ambitious growth target based on planned investments in infrastructure, the Green Economy, semiconductors, and AI, and it is determined to attract more foreign investment and to expand trade with a widened range of countries. However, a volatile global trade environment and US/China tensions pose risks.

Part of the reason for 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 economic expansion is its growing middle class, which is boosting domestic consumption. The middle class is forecast to 鈥� which will be a remarkable achievement if it happens. In addition, Vietnam is a formidable manufacturing hub, especially in the areas of garments and electronics.

Vietnamese families have always been committed to study abroad if they can afford it, and the fact that so many more families can now afford it makes Vietnam one of the most promising outbound student markets today. About are currently abroad for education.

• GDP growth projection: 6-8% in 2026
• Size of middle class: 26%, .
• Youth population: 39% under the age of 24.
• Currency performance: The dong is currently trading at about 25,300 per US dollar, but it is expected to slide about , according to BMI.
• Youth unemployment: 鈥� and all-time high. This is still low compared to the global average, however.
• Outbound mobility trends: Nearly according to the Vietnamese government, with main destinations being South Korea, Japan, Australia, the US, Taiwan, China and Canada.
• Key quote: 鈥淎s other large markets like India and Nigeria face more volatility due to shifting policy or affordability concerns, Vietnam offers institutions a high-potential and reliable pathway for diversification and long-term enrolment growth.鈥濃�擬eti Basiri, CEO of ApplyBoard, speaking with

The post Drivers of study abroad in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Capital: Hanoi

Population: 99,200 million (2024)

Youth population: 17% of the population is aged 17鈥�25

Median age: 31.6

GDP: US$469.6 billion (2024)

Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)

Language: Vietnamese

Main language of instruction: Vietnamese in most schools and universities. However, Vietnamese universities in their admissions decisions.

English proficiency: 鈥淢oderate鈥� and climbing (it was placed in the as recently as 2021).

Religion: 55% Buddhist. Confucianism, Taoism, Catholicism and Cao Dai are also practiced by significant minorities.

Geography: Vietnam is in Southeast Asia. China is to the north, while Laos and Cambodia are to the west.

Largest cities: Ho Chi Min City (HCMC 鈥� 8.2 million residents), Ha Noi (7.4 million), Hai Phong (1.9 million), Can Tho (1.2 million), Bien Hoa (1.1 million), Da Nang (just over 1 million).

Outbound students: 137,000 according to the last UNESCO count. International education consultancy Acumen research says Vietnam represents 37% of the Southeast Asian market, ahead of Malaysia (16%), Indonesia (16%), and Thailand (9%).

Top fields of study for Vietnamese looking at study abroad: Tourism, STEM, business studies, and health-related studies

Vietnam continues to be a key Southeast Asian market for international educators recruiting students abroad. Close to 140,000 Vietnamese students are currently abroad for higher education, and many more are enrolled at the sub-degree level and in language studies.

There is solid potential for growth: almost 30% of 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 population is expected to be in the middle class by 2026, and by 2035, the middle-class proportion will rise to over half. McKinsey predicts GDP growth of 2% to 7% between now and 2030, and the firm considers Vietnamese consumers to be among the most optimistic in the world. In 2023, observed 鈥渁 clear intent by consumers to 鈥榮plurge鈥� and treat themselves, with more than 70 percent of respondents saying they intend to increase spending on categories of products or services they spent less on over the past year and a half.鈥�

They may be optimistic, but Vietnamese are also practical and research-oriented when it comes to how they spend their money. McKinsey research found that 鈥�90 percent [noted] price increases, fears of inflation, gas shortages coupled with higher fuel prices, and rising interest rates 鈥� These mounting financial pressures and uncertainties are accelerating consumers鈥� shift to more discerning shopping choices.鈥�

痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 economy grew more slowly than forecast in 2023 (+5% compared with a forecast 6.5%). In 2022, it had expanded at the fastest rate in decades, at 8%.

That Vietnamese are both optimistic and highly aware of economic factors impinging on their ability to spend freely is important for international student recruiters. These characteristics influence families鈥� decision-making about study abroad. For example:

• Intra-regional mobility: Vietnamese are considering destinations in Asia as much as they are opting for Western institutions. A recent study from Acumen found that Japan and Korea now outpace the US, Australia, and Canada in terms of their popularity among Vietnamese families. Japan and Korea are more affordable, boast highly ranked institutions, and are closer than Western destinations. The 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings place 33 Asian universities in the top 200, up from 28 in the 2023 edition.

• Transnational education: Vietnamese now have a solid array of transnational education (TNE) options in their country. Students can study towards prestigious foreign degrees without having to incur the costs of travelling and living abroad. Acumen notes:

鈥淲e are seeing significant and sustained interest from international institutions to engage in TNE partnerships in Vietnam, including increased interest from higher ranked universities, as well as from local universities for full in-country delivery of international degrees. [We see] considerable opportunities for institutions able to offer full in-country delivery, through branch campus, 鈥榗ampus within a campus鈥� models, franchise and other types of 4+0 arrangements.鈥�

• Language proficiency: More Vietnamese families in the middle class means more Vietnamese families are able to send their children to a local international school where they can learn in English (or another language) as well as in Vietnamese. The number of international schools in Vietnam is growing very quickly, on par with expansion rates in China and Japan. This represents a challenge for foreign English-language providers given that a larger share of students will be proficient in English by the time they graduate high school in Vietnam. Community colleges and pathway programmes may also find recruiting Vietnamese more challenging for the same reason.

• Level of study: With higher quality domestic options now more available to them at both the primary/secondary and tertiary levels, Vietnamese students are increasingly choosing to wait till graduate school for study abroad, though the majority of degree-seekers are still travelling for undergraduate degrees. In 2023, for example, 17.2% of Vietnamese students in the US were in graduate programmes, up from just over 15% in 2019. Enrolments in master鈥檚 programmes are driving the trend. By contrast, the number of Vietnamese students in US K-12 programmes in has been declining steadily, though Vietnam remains in the top 5 source countries for US boarding schools after China, South Korea, Mexico, and Spain.

Study abroad: Korea is by far the top destination

The most popular study abroad countries among Vietnamese students are Korea, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, China, US, Canada, and Germany.

There are now 73,000 Vietnamese students in Korea according to the 鈥� a huge increase and one that makes Vietnam Korea鈥檚 top international student market, ahead of China, which sent 67,450 in 2023.

University World News reports that most Vietnamese in Korea are in short programmes such as language courses. Learning Korean is a trend in Vietnam and one fuelled by career considerations. reports:

鈥淪trong investments by South Korean corporations like Samsung, LG, Hyundai or Lotte Group into Vietnam has massive amounts of Vietnamese employed by Korean companies. By April, South Korea was the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with total registered capital at $82 billion. The country also ranks second when it comes to ODA, and third when it comes to trade with Vietnam.鈥�

According to the office of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, 鈥淰ietnam has the largest-scale and most comprehensive Korean language training and program in Asia.鈥� And according to a 2019 survey by the University of Languages and International Studies, 鈥渢he rate of language graduates securing jobs after graduation is highest among those studying Korean, at 98%.鈥�

The next most popular destinations are Japan, with 49,000 Vietnamese students according to , and Australia (about 33,000 in 2023). Taiwan is hot on the heels of Australia, hosting close to 24,000 in 2022, up 26% over 2021.

China hosted more than 11,000 Vietnamese before the pandemic. While more recent, post-pandemic numbers have not yet been officially released, this number seems to have more than doubled. Mr. Hung Ba, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, spoke at a graduating ceremony in Hanoi in August 2023 and said that . Of that number, 1,700 were on scholarships.

There were just under 22,000 Vietnamese in American colleges according to Open Doors 2023, and 17,200 Vietnamese were in Canadian programmes of 6 months or longer 2023.

Vietnam is a priority market for the UK, despite the UK lagging other Western destinations in terms of attracting Vietnamese to on-campus study; under 5,000 Vietnamese are on higher education campuses in the UK. The British Council, comparing the UK鈥檚 share of Vietnamese students compared to Australia, Canada, and the US: 鈥淥nly six per cent of outbound higher education students [from Vietnam] choose the UK [in 2020/21], down from 13% in 2013/14.鈥�

But the UK is performing well in terms of its TNE provision in Vietnam, with about 80 UK institutions enrolling over 5,000 Vietnamese students. Vietnam is the UK鈥檚 10th largest country for TNE and the top growth market in Asia.

Otherwise:

• Germany hosts over 7,000 Vietnamese students, and it also enrols nearly 3,000 students at the Vietnamese – German University (VGU) in Ho Chi Minh City.
• France enrols about 5,000 Vietnamese students.
• Malaysia hosts about 1,000, and the Malaysian and Vietnamese governments are working on .
• Vietnam is a top 3 market for New Zealand, with 5,000 students enrolled at all levels 鈥� particularly K-12 鈥� before the pandemic.

Broadly speaking across sub-sectors, Vietnam is top student market for Korea, the second largest for Japan, the 5th largest student market for the US, the 6th largest for Australia, and the 8th largest for Canada.

In terms of growth trends, Canada and the US have not yet regained the numbers of Vietnamese students they had pre-pandemic. Australia has exceeded the 2019 volume, and Vietnam is a growth market for Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Top influences

In a 2022 INTO Universities survey, more than 4 in 5 student-respondents stressed the importance of parents as key influencers in their study abroad choices. Parent-respondents echoed the point and indicated that they especially influence choices around study destination, choice of institution, and field of study. Ms Bich Ngoc Vu, INTO鈥檚 senior country director for Vietnam, noted: 鈥淲e in the international education sector must understand that, at least in the context of Vietnam, we are oftentimes communicating with a multi-generational audience, and figure that into our approach to better serving students.鈥�

The INTO survey found a distinct preference for online versus print marketing materials and information, and 92% of students said that face-to-face interaction with university representatives and agents is very important to them.

In terms of motivations, Vietnam has always been a price-sensitive market. Even though the economy is growing faster than many and more families can afford study abroad, scholarships are important as competition for Vietnamese students heats up. The US Trade Department observes:

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

INTO鈥檚 research shows that post-graduation work opportunities are also a key factor in Vietnamese families鈥� study abroad decision-making, and the option to work while studying matters to a significant proportion. The top concern for prospective Vietnamese students is not being able to afford the cost of studying and living, and many are also worried about safety.

Geographical considerations

The notes that it鈥檚 important to be aware of regional differences in Vietnam regarding what families prioritise in study abroad:

鈥淚n the southern regions, location and financial aid/scholarship packages are key drivers for families. In contrast, in the north of Vietnam, families pay more attention to the ranking of the schools and key performance statistics such as test scores and the number of graduates that move on to 2 and 4-year colleges and universities.鈥�

In 2022, found that:

鈥淩oughly 40% of demand comes from here followed by 30% from the capital city Hanoi. However, there are opportunities in other key cities for institutions since Vietnam is a diverse country with different skills and development needs in each region鈥� for instance, Danang and Hoi An are growing hospitality and tourism industry centres.鈥�

notes:

鈥淗anoians are more conservative and more of a challenge to convince, while Saigonese are more open minded and more willing to experiment with new ideas. Therefore, it will typically take more time for you to follow up with prospective parents/students in Hanoi than in HCMC. While traditional advertising channels such as newspapers and magazines are still preferred in HCMC, digital channels such as news sites, social networks and forums have more impact in Hanoi. Word-of-mouth and referrals from alumni and family members also affect the decision-making process of parents in Hanoi more than with those in HCMC. Institutional ranking and prestige of the foreign institution also much matter to Hanoians, meanwhile Saigonese care more about practical benefits that really fit what they need. Scholarships and tuition fee discount will help you win a student in Hanoi, but not always in HCMC.鈥�

Marketing considerations

The US Trade Department鈥檚 on Vietnam notes:

鈥淭he most popular social media sites for Vietnamese students are Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Tik Tok. Vietnamese parents are highly engaged on Facebook. These users aged 18 鈥� 35, account for 75% of the Facebook users in the country. It is also a popular platform for streaming videos.

Regarding search engines, Google takes the top position among Vietnamese users. Standing second is a local alternative: Coc Coc These search engines will lead users to educational opportunities, such as the official institutions鈥� websites. Thus, investing in and updating your website is an effective way to promote the institutions.

LinkedIn is the most popular platform that students use to search for job opportunities. Users receive job advertisements and get alerts on free training programs.鈥�

What does the changing composition of Vietnamese outbound mean?

Lack of quality K-12 schools 鈥� and universities 鈥� in their country has traditionally been the top driver of demand for study abroad among Vietnamese families. This has created ample opportunities for foreign K-12 schools, pathway programmes, and English-language training providers.

But this is changing 鈥� and fast. Increasing proportions of Vietnamese students are enrolling in international K-12 schools and TNE at the tertiary level 鈥� in Vietnam. This means that more Vietnamese families are choosing domestic options for good parts of students鈥� school careers. It will be more challenging for Western institutions to compete at the K-12 and undergraduate level especially given the growing popularity of Korea and Japan as study destinations among Vietnamese families.

Scholarships could be a crucial element of recruitment strategies, and highlighting post-study work opportunities and work placements will also provide an edge. The British Council also notes: 鈥淥nce in the UK, Vietnamese students need access to a careers service where they can access information about local employers and relationships with them, so that they will be better prepared before returning home, and then can get employment in Vietnam more quickly.鈥�

Given the intense competition for Vietnamese students, on-the-ground representation via agents, in-country representatives, and school/university staff and faculty is a must.

Speaking with , education consultant Hien Do provided this advice to US educators recruiting in Vietnam; the advice is relevant for institutions in other countries as well:

• 鈥淧rovide application assistance. The university application process to get into a Vietnamese university is more straightforward than the process used by US institutions. So, applying to the US can be intimidating. Providing clear insight on the must-have vs nice-to-have aspects of applying to your institution can go a long way. Also talking about the selection process, including any specific test score or GPA requirements, can help students set their expectations.

• Focus on the personal touch. Be responsive. Handle emails and inquiries promptly so prospects feel less intimidated and more seen. Connection matters so much and can make all the difference when it comes down to the prospect鈥檚 decision. [Dao recalled what an impact it made when Michigan State University sent someone to the airport to pick up her nephew on his big flight to the US: 鈥楬is parents could not stop talking about it. He was half a world away and it made a big difference. It was a big deal.鈥欌��

Finally, a key consideration for Western schools and universities today in terms of Vietnam is whether they can begin, or expand, . These institutions have become much more interested in collaboration and joint/dual degrees than in the past, and partnerships have become one of the best new pipelines leading students from in-country to overseas studies.

Helpful links

• A list of international schools in Vietnam .
• 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 are Duy Tan University, Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, and Hue University.
• Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training
• Information on Vietnamese universities

For additional background, please see:

• Get first-hand market insights and connect with agents from Vietnam and throughout the region at , 11鈥�13 June 2024, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• 鈥�Southeast Asian students increasingly considering studying abroad closer to home鈥�
• 鈥�Parents and in-person counselling key factors in recruiting Vietnamese students鈥�
• 鈥�International school openings, enrolments, and revenues continue to expand鈥�
• 鈥�UK transnational education expands at fastest rate ever鈥�

The post Market snapshot: A guide to international student recruitment in Vietnam appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Outbound mobility flows

The report shows that 132,000 Vietnamese students were abroad in 2021/22, representing 37% of the market. Malaysia and Indonesia each sent more than 50,000, while Thailand sent 32,000. 

English-speaking destinations remain popular among Southeast Asian families, but there is now also significant interest in regional alternatives.

According to UNESCO data, Australia hosts the highest number of outbound Indonesian students, followed quite closely by Malaysia; the US, Japan, and UK round out the top five destinations. Malaysian students remain most interested in the UK, Australia, and US but some are also choosing Japan and Jordan. Vietnamese students, meanwhile, are more likely to be studying in Asian destinations than Western ones, as illustrated in the charts below.

China is not captured in UNESCO data but, leading into the pandemic, it was also very competitive in Southeast Asia. The Chinese government has not released international enrolment data for the years 2020鈥�23, but in 2019, China hosted 28,600 Thai students, 15,000 Indonesian students, 11,300 Vietnamese students, and 9,500 Malaysian students 鈥� making it the top destination for a very hefty proportion of Southeast Asian students.

The report notes that Western institutions face more competition than before in Southeast Asia given Japan鈥檚 drive to increase its foreign enrolment to 400,000, Korea鈥檚 target of 300,000 by 2027, and Taiwan鈥檚 goal of 320,000 by 2030. These competitors are increasingly tying post-study work opportunities into their offer 鈥� a huge selling point for international students.

Asian destinations offer students from the region not only cost savings (due to proximity), but also a robust set of top-ranked universities. For example, 33 Asian universities ranked within the 2024 Times Higher Education top 200, up from 28 in 2023. The US still has a higher number of institutions in that top rank (56), but it also has a very strong currency in 2024 that makes it more expensive to study there.

The allure of TNE

Along with intra-regional mobility, transnational education (TNE) is becoming more entrenched in Southeast Asia not least because it offers even more of a cost benefit (e.g., no travel, no accommodation expenses. The report notes:

鈥淲e are seeing significant and sustained interest from international institutions to engage in TNE partnerships in Vietnam, including increased interest from higher ranked universities, as well as from local universities for full in-country delivery of international degrees.”

Acumen鈥檚 experts consider Vietnam to be a market where there is solid room for expansion, saying it presents 鈥渃onsiderable opportunities for institutions able to offer full in-country delivery, through branch campus, 鈥榗ampus within a campus鈥� models, franchise and other types of 4+0 arrangements.鈥�

Australian providers are deepening their TNE presence in the region, notes the report, and becoming more invested in a niche market: professionals wanting to fast-track their careers through micro-credentials and shorter degrees. Overall, Acumen estimates there are now about 20,000 Vietnamese students enrolled in Australian TNE programmes, with RMIT, Swinburne, and Western Sydney University the market leaders.

Southeast Asian students are increasingly drawn both to both stand-alone programmes and to programmes that transition to a study abroad experience, says the Acumen team, and TNE (including progression agreements) are a highly important recruitment channel in the region, 鈥減articularly in Malaysia where financial constraints and post-pandemic travel hesitancy mean this option is becoming increasingly attractive.鈥�

International schools鈥� popularity

Enrolments are trending upward in bilingual and international schools in the region: 600,000 students were enrolled across 1,905 international schools in 2022 鈥� an increase of almost 25% compared with 2017. Acumen鈥檚 executives believe this demonstrates 鈥渢he growing ability and willingness of families to pay for an international education, at an earlier age鈥� and that higher enrolments will also serve to better prepare Southeast Asian students for study abroad.

There are variations across markets:

鈥淚n Vietnam for example, the fastest growing market segment has been premium bilingual schools (rather than full international schools.) In Malaysia, which has a mature international school segment, A-levels are becoming less popular due to a range of factors. This includes the emergence of alternative and more cost-competitive university pathways, as well as the academic rigour of A-levels, which is less attractive to some students seeking a less challenging route to tertiary education.鈥�

Southeast Asian families鈥� growing interest in international and bilingual schools does present a competitive threat for some providers. The report warns that 鈥渇oundation pathways are facing intense competition from this market segment,鈥� and that Indonesian families , in particular, perceive 鈥渋nternational school qualifications 鈥� as offering more flexibility and portability for students than foundation pathways, which are perceived as locking students into a particular institution.鈥�

New directions for agents

Acumen鈥檚 experts note that Southeast Asian families鈥� common use of education agents fits into a larger context of using agents or intermediaries in general, for banking to real estate. Parents鈥� reliance on agents remains strong amid a prevalent post-pandemic legacy of increased concern about sending children abroad. Parents look for 鈥渋ndividualised, humanised service which is difficult for education providers to deliver from a different country and time-zone and without a deep understanding of local cultural preferences.鈥�

Agents may be called on for more specific advice and services, as noted in this passage from the report:

鈥淎s consumers sharpen their focus on ROI from international education, agents will become less focused on providing general information to families and will concentrate instead more on specialised advice, pastoral care and graduate outcomes, beyond what institutions may be able to offer directly.鈥�

Shifting patterns in Malaysia

Malaysian demand for foreign education is changing in important ways. For example, Acumen research shows that while the UK remains the top market for Malaysian students, Australia is once again becoming more competitive. In contrast, undergraduate Malaysian enrolments are declining in the US, likely due to the Ringgit鈥檚 weakness relative to the US dollar.

The report also charts increasing (1) postgraduate demand among Malaysian students bound for the UK and Australia and (2) interest in TNE delivered in Malaysia. The following charts from the report show how the UK has been able to maintain its dominant position in Malaysia in no small part because of its TNE provision in the market. 

Getting it right in Southeast Asia is a must

Supply/demand dynamics in Southeast Asia make this region a crucial one for many student recruiters. As Acumen points out:

• Supply: 鈥淪ome local education systems in Southeast Asia face both capacity and quality constraints, opening up further opportunities for international education providers. In 2021/2022 only 550,000 places were available for new enrolments at Vietnamese universities, for 795,000 applicants – a shortfall of almost 250,000 places.鈥�

• Demand: 鈥淭he region鈥檚 economic development has led to a rising middle class with the financial capacity to pursue higher education, including TNE programmes offered by foreign institutions. Southeast Asia is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, led by Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.鈥�

Read the for Acumen鈥檚 comprehensive review of the region鈥檚 potential and advice for recruiting effectively in an ever-more competitive context.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�Recruiting in the massive 鈥� and unique 鈥� international student market of Indonesia鈥�
• 鈥�Malaysia exceeds target for new international student applications in 2022鈥�
• 鈥�South Korea aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027鈥�
• 鈥�Vietnam remains a key growth market in Southeast Asia鈥�
• 鈥�UK: Transnational education expands at fastest rate ever鈥�

The post Southeast Asian students increasingly considering 鈥渟tudying abroad鈥� closer to home appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

For example, South Korea and Japan now host the greatest numbers of Vietnamese students in terms of overall enrolments (i.e., across levels and sectors, including language learning). According to Vietnam-based agent , South Korea is the top host (enrolling 66,000 Vietnamese students in 2022), and Japan is second with just over 49,000 in 2021 (consistent with the figure provided by . However, the Korea Educational Development Institute (KEDI) counts only ; according to the KEDI count, Japan is the top destination, followed by South Korea.

After that, top enrollers of Vietnamese students are as follows:

• US: 29,742 (2022 as per SEVIS)
• Australia: 21,315 (as of consulted June 2023)
• Taiwan: 20,000 (as per )
• Canada: 16,140 (2022)
• New Zealand: 13,475 (2022 as per Education New Zealand)
• China: 12,000 (2020 and 2021 according to )

Singapore, Germany, the UK, France, Finland, Ireland, and the Netherlands also host significant numbers of Vietnamese students.

Vietnam ranks in the top 10 student source markets for:

• Australia:
• Canada: #8
• Japan:
• New Zealand: #4
• South Korea:
• The US (#6 overall, #5 for K-12, #2 for community colleges)
• Taiwan ()

The indicates that 132,560 Vietnamese students were enrolled in higher education abroad in 2020. But Vietnamese students contribute to many other sectors, including K-12, non-degree, and language learning.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) says there were about 190,000 Vietnamese students studying abroad in the 2019/20 academic year, while estimate more than 200,000 abroad.

Looking at the data we鈥檝e noted so far 鈥� the enrolments, the prominence of Vietnam in top 10 sending countries for so many destinations, the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese currently studying abroad 鈥� it鈥檚 already apparent why Vietnam is a hot zone for recruiters across all world regions.

But that鈥檚 not all. Consider the following demographic indicators:

• More than a quarter (28%) of 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 population is between and the higher education system is strained in terms of capacity.
• More than 20 million Vietnamese .
• And from : 鈥淰ietnam has the fastest growing middle class in Southeast Asia 鈥� and the tertiary enrolment rate has increased from 10% in 2001 to 29% in 2019.鈥�

What are the push factors?

Education is a top-of-mind concern for families across Vietnam. In 2018, HSBC determined that spending on education accounted for 47% of the total household expenditure in the country. 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 English-language daily, , puts the national preoccupation with education this way: 鈥淰ietnamese families have maintained an age-old tradition of scrimping on everything else except education.鈥�

But Vietnamese families have long lamented the state of their education system, and it鈥檚 been said that the poorer a Vietnamese family is, the more determined they are to send their children abroad.

are a serious problem in many cities and regions and families in rural areas are frustrated by . As the following chart from UN黑料官网 shows, upper secondary completion rates vary dramatically according to region and income bracket.

Families are motivated by a goal of lifting their children out of poverty and limited job prospects. 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 informal economy (aka 鈥渟hadow economy鈥� 鈥� jobs that aren鈥檛 taxed or monitored by government) accounts for , and the informal sector has been growing in recent years in contrast to a downward trend in comparable countries.

At the same time, Vietnam is also a success story according to many criteria, and an expanded middle-class means that many more families can afford to send their children abroad. says:

鈥淓conomic reforms since the launch of 膼峄昳 M峄沬 in 1986, coupled with beneficial global trends, have helped propel Vietnam from being one of the world鈥檚 poorest nations to a middle-income economy in one generation.鈥�

The World Bank notes the following achievements:

• Between 2002 and 2021, GDP per capita increased 3.6 times, reaching almost US$3,700.
• Poverty rates (US$3.65/day, 2017 PPP) declined from 14 in 2010 to 3.8 percent in 2020.
• 痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 average duration of (learning-adjusted) schooling is 10.2 years, second only to Singapore among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries.

In 2023, both poorer and wealthier Vietnamese families are upset about rising tuition costs in their country 鈥� costs that make study abroad an even more attractive option. The government announced an intention to raise tuition fees in 2022/23 鈥渢o respond to the aspiration for better teaching and learning quality,鈥� but also noted that the effect of COVID on families鈥� wealth had prompted 鈥渕any localities have to keep, or even waive, their tuition fees at the general education level for the 2022鈥�23 school year.鈥�

Demand for K-12 education abroad is rising

Perhaps the biggest push factor for affluent Vietnamese families with high-school-aged children is the tuition charged by international schools in their country: up to US$34,700 a year. A couple of quotes from parents interviewed for a 2022 article in the popular Vietnamese news portal illustrate the depth of families鈥� frustration on this count:

鈥淓ven the famous Harvard demands only US$54,000/year. Anyone who sends his/her kids to such schools must be a fool. Money can buy many things, but never the intelligence.鈥�

鈥淎 waste of money, more so if paid out of own pockets. Speaking of own experience having sent own kids to international schools (companies paid), a total rip-off. Many teachers at these schools are not even qualified to teach and kept moving on to the next country/adventure after a few years. If you have money to spend, better send your kids to really top schools abroad. Just a marketing gimmick preying on many rich parents looking to buy bragging rights or because their kids are not competitive enough in the local schools. These international schools really don’t make your kids smarter.鈥�

High international school fees in Vietnam equate to a rich recruiting ground for K-12 schools abroad. An conducted in 2022 found that while undergraduate programmes remain the most popular option for Vietnamese students, the high school sector is growing the fastest.

Transnational providers enrol thousands of Vietnamese

A 2023 survey by (under the Sannam S4 Group), whose 1,000 participants included high-income parents with students aged 8-22, found that 85% of parents were open to their children enrolling in TNE programmes (this rose in major cities compared to regions). Nearly half (48%) said they would prefer their children enrol in either overseas or TNE programmes compared to 34% who preferred local options.

Half of parents would pay up to US$8,400 per year for a TNE programme in Vietnam.

Acumen provided details on the scale of TNE in activity in Vietnam:

鈥淭here are more than 400 joint programmes approved between Vietnamese and international institutions, and 5 foreign invested campuses (including RMIT and British University Vietnam). At least 15,000 students are now studying Australian programmes in Vietnam, with the UK, US and New Zealand also offering many programmes.鈥�

E-learning market potential is huge

Vietnam is among the top 10 fastest-growing markets for e-learning (20% from 2019鈥�2023), and the market was valued at US$3 billion in 2021, up from US$2 billion in 2019. reports that 鈥淰ietnam is host to 200 EdTech startups and is also among the top five countries receiving foreign investments in educational technology.鈥�

According to , founder of FPT Online University (FUNiX), 鈥淰ietnam and some other countries like India, the Philippines and Mexico, which face major population pressure, have had to opt for e-learning to keep up with the education levels in developed countries.鈥�

Demand for English-language learning is as high as ever

Vietnam is ranked 60 out of 111 countries in terms of English proficiency, according to EF Education First. Last year, the Vietnamese government made English a compulsory school subject for students in Grade 3-12, and that 鈥渁ll high schools, colleges and universities in Vietnam must have at least one foreign language and global integration club by 2030.鈥�

But Vietnamese families aren鈥檛 waiting for their education system to catch up with the demand for English among employers, and ELT programmes abroad remain as popular as ever.

How do Gen Z Vietnamese make decisions about study abroad?

According to an conducted in 2022 among 1,000 Gen Z students and 500 parents in Vietnam, the top priorities for students considering higher education abroad were to improve English-language skills and enhance career prospects. Other major findings include:

• 4 in 5 students said their parents were the top influencers in their decisions about study abroad.
• Cost and safety were the top concerns of parents.
• Online content was the most important source of information, followed by discussions with university representatives and school counsellors.
• More than 9 in 10 participants also emphasised that agents/school representatives must engage with them face-to-face in addition to online.
• English-speaking countries are the major destinations considered by Vietnamese Gen Zs 鈥� but over half were considering a foreign degree from an Asian university as one of their top 3 choices.
• The top priorities in terms of destination choice were (1) Get the right experience and exposure for the field I want to pursue, (2) The quality of the education is much higher in this country, (3) Opportunities for international students to work after my degree. The ability to work while studying was ranked #4 in terms of importance.

IDP research has found that in 2023, Canada is perceived to offer the most value of all destinations in terms of post-study work visa policies and post-graduate employment opportunities.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�Parents and in-person counselling key factors in recruiting Vietnamese students鈥�

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Questions around the administration of language proficiency tests in Vietnam came to a head this month when the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced new requirements for test providers on 8 November 2022. In effect, the MOET statement set out that exams for foreign language proficiency can only be given by organisations that have received official permission from the Ministry to do so.

The move follows a series of suspensions of testing schedules announced in September and October, including proficiency exams for Chinese (HSK, HSKK), Korean (TOPIK), and Japanese (NAT-Test). Sittings for other exams, including PTE, were postponed as early as 10 September.

Following the Ministry’s 8 November announcement, the two major IELTS providers operating in Vietnam, the British Council and IDP, said that they too were postponing testing until further notice. 鈥淲e apologise to inform you that all IELTS tests arranged by the British Council in Vietnam have now been suspended till further notice,” said a British Council email to registered test takers on 10 November. 鈥淭his decision is beyond our control and will affect all foreign language examinations in Vietnam. The resumption of the test depends on the consent of the Ministry of Education and Training, with whom we are collaborating to obtain the required approvals as quickly as possible.”

Needless to say, the widespread suspension of testing will affect thousands of Vietnamese students applying to study abroad next year, with many requiring test scores to support admissions applications to universities in North America or Europe as early as January 2023.

Proficiency exam results are also used by universities within Vietnam, either during admissions processes or as part of graduation requirements. With many other tests now suspended, the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City has asked its nine member-universities to adopt Vietnam’s VSTEP exam (Vietnamese Standardized Test of English Proficiency) for purposes of admissions and graduation evaluation. The VSTEP has been offered by the MET since 2014 but has not been widely adapted by Vietnamese universities to this point.

Why is this happening?

The November statement from the MOET explained that the Ministry has a number of concerns around test administration in the country. Speaking afterward to media, Deputy Minister Nguyen Nguyen Huu Do said that not all official requirements for local test administration had been met, leading in turn to concerns around fraud and the use of forged documents by test takers. “This can cause bad public opinion, affect the rights of exam takers, and the rights and interests of organisations that seriously implement exams and issue certificates,” he added. “In addition, other negative effects can be confusion in choosing the right certification, causing loss of state tax revenue and reducing the attractiveness and transparency of the business investment environment in the field of education in Vietnam.”

鈥淭he Ministry has guided related parties and conducted urgent appraisals, but the dossiers of request for approval from many exam organisations have not [yet] met the requirements,” said the Deputy Minister.

In a further comment to media outlets on 12 November, the MOET said it intends to prioritise approvals for the resumption of major foreign language exams, notably IELTS. “If the dossier meets the requirements, the ministry will process as quickly as possible to ensure compliance, within about 20 days. Afterwards, the approval will be publicly posted on the ministry’s information portal,” Deputy Minister Do noted.

For additional background, please see:

• “Parents and in-person counselling key factors in recruiting Vietnamese students“
• “痴颈别迟苍补尘鈥檚 growing middle class fueling demand for study abroad“
• “Navigating a more complex landscape for English proficiency testing“

The post Language proficiency testing widely suspended in Vietnam appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

INTO University Partnerships recently shared findings from of 1,000 Vietnamese “Generation Z” students, all between 16 to 25 years old and all actively considering study abroad.

The survey found that Vietnamese students are primarily motivated to study abroad by a desire to improve their English skills and by an interest in gaining skills and qualifications that will boost their careers.

Survey respondents, both students and parents, also clearly indicated that costs of study abroad and safety (especially with regard to how the pandemic is impacting health and well-being of students) were their key concerns around study abroad.

Further, more than four in five student-respondents stressed the importance of parents as key influencers in their study abroad choices. Parent-respondents echoed the point and indicated that they especially influence choices around study destination, choice of institution, and field of study.

鈥淎s the ones who typically support their children to pursue an international degree, parents play a very significant role in the choices Gen Z students make around studying abroad,鈥� said Ms Bich Ngoc Vu, INTO鈥檚 senior country director for Vietnam. 鈥淲e in the international education sector must understand that, at least in the context of Vietnam, we are oftentimes communicating with a multi-generational audience, and figure that into our approach to better serving students.鈥�

Face-to-face is key

Roughly nine in ten survey respondents 鈥� both students and parents 鈥� said that online information sources were most important in their research for study abroad. These include search engines, institutional websites, and social channels. Perhaps not surprisingly, given this heavy emphasis on digital channels, printed brochures or prospectus were rated as the least-helpful sources.

A similar proportion (92%) said that face-to-face engagement is important or very important, including meeting with university representatives or education agents and seeking advice from teachers and school counsellors.

鈥淥ur research makes clear that students and their parents are after a streamlined study abroad experience from discovery to enrolment,鈥� said Ms Vu. 鈥淔ace-to-face engagement with university representatives and recruitment agents enables them to make the best study abroad decisions when faced with overwhelming amounts of information.鈥�

Most popular destinations

Respondents were also asked to rate their top three choices (and number one choice) for study destination. Not surprisingly, given the heavy emphasis on attaining or improving English language skills among Vietnamese students, English-speaking destinations were the clear leaders in this respect.

“It is a little surprising that the UK appears as the most in-demand source market for a foreign degree in this survey, given that historically, significantly larger numbers of Vietnamese have enrolled in US higher education,” adds INTO. “However, UK degrees are also a popular choice via transnational education arrangements. There are almost twice as many Vietnamese students enrolled onto a UK degree wholly overseas versus within the UK.”

Students further explained that gaining advantage for their careers, quality of education, and opportunities to work during and after study were among the key factors influencing their choice of study destination.

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However, the country鈥檚 growing middle and upper classes are generally dissatisfied with the domestic tertiary education system, not least because many Vietnamese university graduates are not finding work and because only a fraction of the 90% of young Vietnamese who want to go to university find a place. Those who can afford to send their children to school abroad do so 鈥� and at increasingly younger ages.

Ken Cooper is the chairman of , an education agency with offices in Philadelphia and Ho Chi Minh City. Mr Cooper has considerable expertise in recruiting in Vietnam and, in the following video segment from our recent discussion, he highlights the importance of the country鈥檚 burgeoning middle class as a driver of demand for study abroad.

As Mr Cooper highlights, the fields of study most in demand are business, tourism, and STEM subjects, including engineering. The US, a traditional destination for Vietnamese students, remains a popular choice but Mr Cooper notes as well that interest in Canada has increased considerably in recent years. 鈥淟ots of students see Canada as an option to broaden their lives in ways that are in addition to education,鈥� he says. 鈥淚ncluding immigrating and working [in Canada].鈥�

In our second interview segment below, Mr Cooper expands on the factors that influence the choice of destination for Vietnamese students. In addition to Canada and the US, he adds that 鈥淛apan has become a very big destination for Vietnamese students. It鈥檚 closer. There are some economic variables there that play out, and there is a big desire to be in the Japanese education system.鈥�

In our next interview segment, Mr Cooper highlights the importance of professional standards in recruiting Vietnamese students, particularly given the rapid growth of the agent sector in the market.

Our final excerpt expands on the current context for education agents in Vietnam, with a quick review of the regulatory requirements for agents operating in the country.

As we reported in 2016, the government has moved to ease the financial guarantees previously required of agents in Vietnam. Mr Cooper notes, however, that new policies are being developed by the Ministry of Education and Training in this area and that many of the regulations regarding registration, training, and experience in overseas study are expected to remain in place.

For additional background, please see:

• Vietnam: Regulatory change expected to spur international school enrolment
• Vietnam removes agency certification requirements
• Growing demand for vocational training in Vietnam
• America and Japan reporting big gains in Vietnamese enrolment

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