Practical starting information for international students and travellers. Compare institutions, understand key processes and plan your journey.
Explore the country’s education and travel options with a clear understanding of language, cost, location and immigration requirements.
Vietnam’s higher-education sector includes national universities, specialist public institutions and international campuses. English-medium programmes are available in selected fields, but applicants should confirm the awarding body, campus, language and recognition before applying.
Compare cities and seasons before selecting a university or travel route. Requirements and practical conditions can differ by region.
Shortlist by programme fit, language, total cost, recognition and student support—not reputation alone.
Vietnam has several distinct pathways: international branch-campus education at RMIT Vietnam; private, English-medium liberal arts and sciences at Fulbright University Vietnam; newer private research-led provision at VinUniversity; and selected English-taught or joint programmes at public universities such as UEH and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. These are not interchangeable in cost, entry requirements or degree structure. Confirm the awarding institution, language of instruction, international applicant eligibility and professional recognition programme by programme.
Fees differ by course, campus and student status. Obtain a current written fee breakdown including deposits, insurance, registration, examination and laboratory charges. Compare residence halls and private housing, utilities, meals and commute.
Official starting points. Confirm the exact international programme, intake and language directly with each institution.
| University | City | Fields | Official website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam National University Hanoi | Hanoi | Sciences, engineering | Official site ↗ |
| Vietnam National University HCMC | Ho Chi Minh City | Technology, sciences | Official site ↗ |
| Hanoi University of Science and Technology | Hanoi | Engineering, IT | Official site ↗ |
| Foreign Trade University | Hanoi | Business, trade | Official site ↗ |
| RMIT Vietnam | HCMC/Hanoi | Business, technology | Official site ↗ |
RMIT University Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi): international full-degree route with business, technology and creative-industry programmes. For new 2026 undergraduate entrants, the published indicative annual tuition for many standard three-year programmes is VND 375,840,000 (about US$14,345); course load, programme and compulsory fees affect the total. RMIT lists February/March, June/July and October intakes.
Fulbright University Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City): liberal arts and sciences pathway with an English proficiency requirement and a holistic admissions process. The published Class of 2031 cycle opens 3 October 2026 and closes 26 January 2027 for the fall cycle; check the current application guide and scholarship section.
VinUniversity (Hanoi): private university offering undergraduate programmes in business, engineering/computer science and health sciences. Its published undergraduate policy for 2025–2030 includes a 35% tuition subsidy for enrolled students and competitive merit awards; award terms and maintenance conditions apply.
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH): relevant for business, economics, technology and social sciences. UEH states that many programmes are offered in English and publishes an international student scholarship policy for 2026–2027. The university’s 2026 announcement describes 100 excellence scholarships with full tuition support, dormitory accommodation and a VND 2.6 million monthly allowance during official semesters, subject to the detailed rules.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT): its international undergraduate admission page publishes English-language and academic thresholds, including IELTS Academic 6.0 or equivalent and a range of accepted school-leaving qualifications. Verify the specific international programme before shortlisting.
Scholarship opportunities include university merit awards, selected government or bilateral schemes and institution-specific tuition reductions. Eligibility, language of instruction, funding coverage and renewal standards vary widely. Ask each university for its current international scholarship regulations and confirm whether the award applies to the exact campus and programme.
Check the official annual call for nationality eligibility, deadlines, required documents, coverage and renewal conditions. Admission does not guarantee funding.
Vietnamese universities and host organisations coordinate the appropriate study-purpose visa sponsorship for international students. The correct visa category and supporting approval depend on the programme and institution; a tourist e-visa is not permission to enrol in a long-term course. Obtain written instructions from the university’s international office and verify the visa process with the Vietnamese Immigration Department before travel.
Assess grades, subject prerequisites, language and budget.
Compare course pages, tuition and recognition.
Submit verified documents and complete selection.
Follow official immigration and university instructions.
Vietnam’s geography creates different travel seasons in the north, centre and south. A practical first trip usually focuses on one or two regions, linked by domestic flights or rail.
Northern Vietnam is generally cooler from November to March; central coastal weather varies and can be wet during parts of autumn; the south has a dry season roughly from December to April and a wetter period thereafter. Check local forecasts before travel. India has direct services on selected routes to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with other gateways and dates varying by airline. Within Vietnam, use domestic flights for long distances, rail for scenic north–south travel, and licensed taxis or reputable ride-hailing in cities.
Indian ordinary passport holders generally need an appropriate visa for tourism. Vietnam’s official e-visa portal states that e-visas can be issued for up to 90 days, for single or multiple entry, subject to approval and eligible entry/exit ports. The published portal fees are US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry; fees are non-refundable if refused. The Immigration Department states a standard processing period of 3 working days, but this is not a guaranteed turnaround—apply well ahead of travel and check the approved port list, validity dates and passport details carefully. The department also recommends completing its pre-arrival form before entering Vietnam.
Indicative accommodation: hostel dorms in major cities may be around US$5–12 per night; budget private rooms and mini-hotels about US$20–40; and many 3-star hotels around US$35–70, with resort areas and peak dates often higher. Daily ground budget: roughly ₹1,600–2,400 per person for a simple backpacker day and ₹3,250–5,800 for a mid-range day with a shared room, meals and local transport, before major tours or domestic flights.
For Indian travellers, a 7-day budget trip has been estimated at around ₹35,000–55,000 per person including flights, e-visa, accommodation, food, transport and a modest activity allowance; a more comfortable trip may cost considerably more, especially with overnight cruises or domestic flights. Reference: Vietnam accommodation and food-cost guide ↗ Reference: 2026 Vietnam budget trip from India ↗
Hanoi’s official tourism guide currently lists reference admission prices including VND 40,000 for the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, VND 25,000 for One Pillar Pagoda, VND 50,000 for Ngoc Son Temple, VND 70,000 for the Temple of Literature and VND 40,000 for the Vietnamese Women’s Museum; the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake public areas are free. Check opening schedules and current ticket prices before visiting. Elsewhere, heritage sites, museums, caves, cable cars, national parks and boat excursions have separate fees and operating conditions; use official operator pages for timed slots, weather closures and safety requirements.
Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, museums and historic temples
Karst seascapes and licensed overnight or day cruises
Beaches, old-town heritage, food and nearby cultural sites
Museums, markets, architecture and day trips in the south
Caves and national-park landscapes; book permitted tours
Day 1: arrive in Hanoi and explore the Old Quarter. Day 2: city sights and food. Day 3: Ha Long Bay day cruise or overnight trip. Day 4: return and visit museums/markets. Day 5: departure. For a central or southern Vietnam itinerary, plan a separate trip or add domestic flight days.
Official-source check for planning purposes. Reconfirm the rules for the traveller’s nationality, exact purpose and intended travel date before payment or departure.
Programme and university verification: use these official sources to filter actual courses, confirm international entry routes, and check fees for the intake:
Information is for general guidance and is not legal, immigration, academic-recognition or financial advice. Tuition, scholarships, visa rules, entry fees, transport, flight schedules and travel costs can change without notice. Admission, scholarship, visa approval and travel entry are never guaranteed. Our scope of support and professional fees are discussed individually after understanding your requirements.
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