Universities & Tuition — Vietnam

Top Universities in Vietnam for International Students

*Note: Vietnamese higher education data can be inconsistent across sources, and rankings fluctuate year to year. Figures below are approximate based on recent available data (2023-2024). Always verify current tuition, rankings, and program details directly with universities before applying, as costs and offerings change frequently.*

1. Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU Hanoi)

• City: Hanoi
• Global Ranking: ~801-850 (QS World University Rankings 2024); #1-2 in Vietnam
• Renowned For: Research output, natural sciences, social sciences, comprehensive multidisciplinary programs
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~40,000,000–80,000,000 VND (~$1,650–$3,300 USD) for standard programs; international/high-quality programs can reach 100,000,000+ VND (~$4,100+)
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese (primary); select programs in English
• International Student Percentage: ~2-3% (growing slowly)
• Notable Scholarships: Vietnamese Government Scholarship (VGS), VNU Presidential Scholarships, ASEAN scholarships
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate-High (competitive for top faculties like medicine, IT)

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2. Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM)

• City: Ho Chi Minh City
• Global Ranking: ~950-1000 (QS 2024); consistently top 3 in Vietnam
• Renowned For: Engineering, IT, business, international university partnerships
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~30,000,000–90,000,000 VND (~$1,250–$3,700 USD)
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese and English (dual-language tracks common)
• International Student Percentage: ~3-4%
• Notable Scholarships: VNU-HCM Merit Scholarships, Vietnamese Government Scholarships, university-industry partnership scholarships
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate-High

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3. Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)

• City: Hanoi
• Global Ranking: ~1000-1200 range (varies by source); strong in engineering-specific rankings
• Renowned For: Engineering, technology, applied sciences—Vietnam's leading technical university
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~25,000,000–60,000,000 VND (~$1,000–$2,500 USD); international programs higher (~$3,000-4,000)
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese; growing number of English-taught engineering programs
• International Student Percentage: ~1-2%
• Notable Scholarships: Government of Vietnam Scholarship, bilateral scholarships (French, Japanese partnerships), HUST Excellence Scholarships
• Acceptance Difficulty: High (rigorous entrance exams for engineering)

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4. RMIT University Vietnam

• City: Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi (two campuses)
• Global Ranking: Linked to RMIT Australia (~140-190 globally, QS); Vietnam campus not separately ranked but recognized internationally
• Renowned For: Business, design, IT—Western-style education delivered locally, strong industry connections
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~250,000,000–350,000,000 VND (~$10,000–$14,500 USD) per year
• Language of Instruction: 100% English
• International Student Percentage: ~10-15% (higher than public universities; large expat/Vietnamese-international mix)
• Notable Scholarships: RMIT Vietnam Scholarships, need-based aid, Vice-Chancellor's scholarships, sport scholarships
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate (holistic admissions, English proficiency critical; less exam-focused than public unis)

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5. Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU)

• City: Ho Chi Minh City
• Global Ranking: ~700-800 (QS 2024)—notably high for a relatively young university, strong research output
• Renowned For: Rapid rise in research publications, engineering, technology, modern campus infrastructure
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~20,000,000–70,000,000 VND (~$850–$2,900 USD)
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese primarily; some English-taught programs
• International Student Percentage: ~2-3%
• Notable Scholarships: TDTU Academic Excellence Scholarships, partial tuition waivers for high GPA international applicants
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate

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6. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH)

• City: Ho Chi Minh City
• Global Ranking: Not consistently in global top 1000s; strong regional/national reputation in business rankings
• Renowned For: Business, economics, finance—leading business school in southern Vietnam
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~40,000,000–100,000,000 VND (~$1,650–$4,150 USD) depending on program (international programs pricier)
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese and English (international programs)
• International Student Percentage: ~2-4%
• Notable Scholarships: UEH International Scholarships, ASEAN partnership scholarships, merit-based tuition reductions
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate

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7. Foreign Trade University (FTU)

• City: Hanoi (main campus), with HCMC and Quang Ninh campuses
• Global Ranking: Not globally ranked prominently; top-tier nationally for trade/business
• Renowned For: International business, trade, economics—historically Vietnam's premier trade-focused institution
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~20,000,000–60,000,000 VND (~$850–$2,500 USD); high-quality programs higher
• Language of Instruction: Vietnamese primarily; select English-taught tracks
• International Student Percentage: ~1-3%
• Notable Scholarships: Vietnamese Government Scholarships, FTU merit scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships
• Acceptance Difficulty: High (very competitive for Vietnamese students; historically one of hardest to enter nationally)

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8. British University Vietnam (BUV)

• City: Hanoi
• Global Ranking: Linked to UK partner institutions (e.g., University of London, Staffordshire University); not independently ranked
• Renowned For: UK-standard degrees delivered in Vietnam, business, computing, dual-accreditation model
• Annual Tuition (International Students): ~300,000,000–450,000,000 VND (~$12,500–$18,700 USD)
• Language of Instruction: 100% English
• International Student Percentage: ~15-20% (significant expat and international student community)
• Notable Scholarships: BUV Merit Scholarships, Vice-Chancellor Scholarships (up to 100% tuition for top performers)
• Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate (English proficiency and academic record-based; less exam-intensive)

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Summary Comparison Table

| University | City | Tuition (USD/year) | Language | Difficulty |

|---|---|---|---|---|

| VNU Hanoi | Hanoi | $1,650–$4,100 | VN/English | Moderate-High |

| VNU-HCM | HCMC | $1,250–$3,700 | VN/English | Moderate-High |

| HUST | Hanoi | $1,000–$4,000 | VN/English | High |

| RMIT Vietnam | HCMC/Hanoi | $10,000–$14,500 | English | Moderate |

| TDTU | HCMC | $850–$2,900 | VN/English | Moderate |

| UEH | HCMC | $1,650–$4,150 | VN/English | Moderate |

| FTU | Hanoi/HCMC | $850–$2,500 | VN/English | High |

| BUV | Hanoi | $12,500–$18,700 | English | Moderate |

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Key Considerations for International Applicants

• Visa requirements: Student visa (DH type) typically requires acceptance letter, financial proof, and health check
• Cost of living: Vietnam remains affordable—$300-600/month covers accommodation, food, transport in major cities
• Vietnamese Government Scholarships: Cover tuition, partial living stipends, and sometimes accommodation—highly competitive, often require Vietnamese language study first
• Public vs. private/international: Public universities (VNU, HUST, FTU) are dramatically cheaper but often require more Vietnamese proficiency; international-model universities (RMIT, BUV) charge Western-tier tuition but offer full English instruction and smoother pathways for foreigners

Recommendation: Confirm all figures directly through official university admissions offices and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), as tuition and program offerings for international students are expanding rapidly and change year to year.

More about immigrating to Vietnam