More Vietnamese students are considering universities in China and Singapore as alternatives to traditional destinations such as the US, UK, Australia and Canada, driven by costs, proximity and the growing standing of Asian institutions.
Speaking at a study-abroad orientation seminar organized by education organization Summit, Vu Hai Truong, the University of Hong Kong's admissions representative in Vietnam, said interest among Vietnamese students in Asian universities has risen sharply in recent years.
Are costs and distance driving the shift?
At the University of Hong Kong (China), ranked 11th globally in the QS World University Rankings, only one Vietnamese student applied around four years ago. In 2026, the number surged to 300 applications, with 192 students admitted, 45 choosing to enroll and 32 receiving scholarships.
Truong said the figures partly illustrate a shift in Vietnamese students' choice of overseas study destinations.
Vu Hai Truong, the University of Hong Kong's admissions representative in Vietnam.
One factor behind the trend, he said, is cost. Compared with traditional study-abroad markets such as the US, UK, Australia and Canada, tuition and living expenses in some Asian destinations are "more accessible."
At the University of Hong Kong, Truong said the combined cost is about $25,000 a year, which is considered reasonable given the university's position in global rankings.
The quality of education at Asian universities has also risen rapidly.
"In the past, when people talked about the highest levels of academic excellence, they usually thought of Western countries. Now, those centers of excellence are increasingly emerging in Asia," Truong said.
China, for example, has universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University and Fudan University, while Singapore is home to the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. All rank highly in international university rankings.
Alongside academic quality, a wide range of scholarships is making Asia more attractive to Vietnamese students.
China, for instance, offers numerous scholarship programs for international students, ranging from Chinese government scholarships to programs funded by local authorities, cities and individual universities.
At the University of Hong Kong, the President's Scholars Scheme is offered specifically to students from eight schools in Vietnam. Such programs are among the ways Asian universities seek to attract high-achieving international students.
Geographic proximity is another factor. Travel between Vietnam and other Asian countries is generally more convenient than journeys to Europe or North America. Shorter distances also make it easier for students to visit their families while reducing some travel costs.
According to Truong, destinations such as China and Singapore give many parents a sense that their children can have an experience that is "international enough" while remaining relatively close to Vietnam.
"Parents feel a certain degree of reassurance because their children can access strong academic environments without being too far away from their families," he said.
Post-graduation employment prospects are another consideration for students choosing where to study.
Truong said University of Hong Kong students can receive two to three job offers even before graduation, with an average salary of $4,300. Graduates can also remain in Hong Kong for two years after completing their studies.
Vietnamese students are changing where they study abroad
More Vietnamese students are considering Asian destinations for overseas study.
Le Dieu Linh, deputy director of Summit Education, also said Vietnamese students' preferences for overseas study destinations are changing.
In the past, the US, Australia and the UK clearly dominated interest among Vietnamese students, she said. But as the cost of studying abroad rises and families increasingly focus on the return on their investment, students are giving Asian markets greater consideration.
"Many students still apply to universities in the US, but at the same time they are building backup options at Asian universities," Linh said.
Beyond costs, she said changes in visa policies and the geopolitical environment have also made some parents and students more cautious about choosing distant destinations.
Singapore, meanwhile, is also attracting growing interest from Vietnamese students.
A representative of the Singapore Institute of Management said Vietnamese students previously focused primarily on the UK, Australia, the US and Canada. Over the past two to three years, however, the number of Vietnamese students and parents seeking information about studying in Singapore has increased by around 20-30%.
Singapore benefits from its geographic proximity to Vietnam and an education system closely connected to the labor market. As a major regional financial, commercial and logistics hub, it also offers students interested in fields such as finance, economics, business and logistics greater opportunities to secure internships and employment during and after their studies.
"English is spoken in Singapore, so students do not have to learn another language to pursue their main academic programs. That is also a factor parents take into consideration," the representative said.
Vietnamnet.vn
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