Study and find schools in Vietnam

Studying in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia: according to the National Statistics Office, its average population in 2025 was 102.3 million. Higher education is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Training, which also runs the national admission system for Vietnamese school leavers. Vietnamese is the main language of instruction, but a growing number of programmes are taught in English, both at international branch campuses and in international programmes at public universities.

For international students, Vietnam combines long-established public universities with branch campuses of foreign universities that award their home country's degree.

The education system in Vietnam

Universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Large public institutions are often organised as national or regional universities made up of member universities and schools. Many also offer joint programmes with foreign partners, international master's programmes and programmes taught in foreign languages, as well as distance and e-learning options.

The universities in our directory illustrate this:

• Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) traces its history to the Indochina University, founded in 1906, and is a multidisciplinary university in the capital
• Hue University, founded in 1957 in central Vietnam, offers bachelor's, master's, international master's and doctoral programmes, joint programmes and programmes taught in foreign languages
• Can Tho University (CTU), in the Mekong Delta, offers undergraduate, graduate and international programmes, plus distance training and e-learning
• RMIT University Vietnam, founded in 2000, is the Asian campus of Melbourne-based RMIT University. It teaches in English on campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with programmes in business, technology, communication, design and fashion
• Hanoi University of Science and Technology completes the universities in our directory, with a focus on engineering and technology

Admission and recognition

Vietnamese students enter university through the ministry's national admission system. International students apply directly to the university, usually with a secondary school certificate or a bachelor's degree, transcripts and, for programmes in English, an English language certificate. Each university sets its own requirements, so check the international admissions page of the institution you are interested in.

Degrees from branch campuses such as RMIT Vietnam are awarded by the parent university abroad, which states that its qualifications are internationally recognised. If you plan to use a Vietnamese degree in Spain or Latin America, check your own country's recognition procedure before you enrol.

Student visa and residence

According to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (advice valid on 7 October 2026), Spanish citizens can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days, under a rule valid until 14 March 2028, as long as their passport is valid for at least six months. For stays of 45 to 90 days, an electronic visa can be obtained through a simplified online procedure. Any longer stay, such as a degree programme, requires a visa from the Vietnamese authorities.

RMIT Vietnam explains the usual student visa process:

• Accept the offer, pay the required fees and choose where to collect the visa
• Receive a visa invitation letter from the university
• Apply at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate you chose, with the application form, invitation letter, offer letter, passport, photo and visa fee
• Collect the visa at that embassy or consulate

According to RMIT, all its international students need a student visa, but no proof of funds is required. Foreigners in Vietnam must carry their passport and immigration documents.

Costs

Fees vary widely between public universities and international campuses. RMIT Vietnam charges tuition each semester, course by course; its estimated 2026 fee for undergraduate business programmes is 375,840,000 Vietnamese dong (VND) per year, about US$14,345. Public universities set their own, generally lower, fees for international students; ask the international office for the current figure.

Accommodation on campus can reduce costs. Hue University, for example, has three dormitories with about 670 rooms and more than 4,000 places for its students, including international students. No official source gives a typical monthly student budget.

Where to study

Hanoi, the capital, has two of the universities in our directory, VNU and Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Ho Chi Minh City, the country's economic centre, is home to RMIT Vietnam's main campus in Saigon South. Hue, in central Vietnam, is a smaller university city, and Can Tho is the main academic centre of the Mekong Delta. Common fields in our directory include information technology, economics, modern languages, education and engineering.

Culture and practical life

• Climate: the rainy season runs mainly from May to October, with torrential rain that can cause floods and landslides, and typhoons can hit the country in winter and summer
• Health: hospital equipment is very basic, and serious conditions are often treated in Bangkok or Singapore, so the Spanish ministry advises health insurance that covers medical evacuation by air
• Safety: the country is very safe overall, but theft is common in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; riding a motorbike on the roads is highly dangerous
• Language: some Vietnamese makes everyday life much easier outside the international campuses

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Vietnam in English?

Yes. RMIT University Vietnam teaches in English, and public universities such as Hue University and Can Tho University offer international programmes and programmes taught in foreign languages.

Do I need a visa to study in Vietnam?

Yes, for a full programme. Spanish citizens can stay up to 45 days without a visa and up to 90 days with an e-visa, but longer stays require a visa; universities such as RMIT provide the invitation letter for the student visa.

How much does a degree at an international university in Vietnam cost?

At RMIT Vietnam, the estimated 2026 fee for undergraduate business programmes is 375,840,000 VND per year, about US$14,345. Public universities usually charge less.

Which are the oldest universities in Vietnam?

Vietnam National University, Hanoi traces its history to the Indochina University, founded in 1906. Hue University was founded in 1957.