Should you study in Vietnam?
Vietnam is a newer choice for Myanmar students, and the case for it is simple: English-taught degrees at international and public universities, a low cost of living, and a short regional flight from home. The trade-off is that fewer Myanmar students have gone before you, so you rely more on the guidance you get before you apply.
Taught in English- $2,500–12,000
- Tuition a year
- IELTS 5.5+
- Language needed
- Work needs a permit
- Part-time work
- $300–600
- Living costs a month
Vietnam works well if…
- You want an English-taught degree and a low living cost, with fees well below Singapore or the UAE.
- You are interested in business, technology, hospitality or manufacturing, where Vietnam’s economy is growing fast.
- You want to be close to home on a short regional flight.
Choose somewhere else if…
- You want the widest choice of internationally ranked universities. Malaysia and Singapore offer more.
- You are relying on part-time work. Foreign students need a work permit to take paid work, and it is not easy to get.
- You plan to study in Vietnamese. That means a language year first, which many families forget to budget for.
If two of these apply to you, ask us about Malaysia or Thailand, where there are more English-taught options and more Myanmar students to learn from.
From matriculation to a Vietnamese degree
Three to four years, with a foundation or language year first for some programmes.
- Before you apply · 2–4 months
IELTS and documents
Sit IELTS, which English-taught programmes usually ask for at 5.5 to 6.0, and have your matriculation transcript translated and notarised. We tell you the level your shortlist actually needs.
- Entry · up to 1 year
Foundation or language year
Some English-taught programmes add a foundation year. Degrees taught in Vietnamese need a Vietnamese language year first.
- Years 1–4
Bachelor’s degree
Three to four years depending on the university and programme. The degree is awarded by the institution you enrol in, and we confirm this for each programme.
- After graduation
Work, or continue
Working in Vietnam needs an employer-sponsored permit. Many graduates continue to a master’s elsewhere, or return home with regional experience.
One of the lowest living costs of our destinations
Fees range widely: public university programmes cost a fraction of an international private campus. Decide which kind of institution you want before you compare prices.
$6,000–12,000
The university and the visa office want evidence you can cover the first year’s fees and living costs. The exact figure depends on the institution, so we confirm it before you apply.
| Stage | Per year | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Public university, English-taught | $2,500–5,000 | 3–4 years |
| International private university | $6,000–12,000 | 3–4 years |
| Vietnamese language year | $1,500–3,000 | 1 year, if studying in Vietnamese |
| Living costs | $300–600 / mo | Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are highest |
Indicative 2026 ranges. Foreign students need a work permit for paid work, so plan the budget without any income.
Our Vietnam partners
Explore our current partner institutions and programmes. We can explain the application routes and support available for your chosen course.
Questions Myanmar families ask us
Short answers to what families ask most about Vietnam. We confirm the details for your own case on the call, because rules and figures change.
Are English-taught degrees in Vietnam recognised internationally?
A degree is awarded by the institution you enrol in, so recognition depends on that university's accreditation and the programme. We confirm both for each shortlisted programme and tell you honestly where a degree is widely recognised and where it is less so.
Do I need to learn Vietnamese?
Not for an English-taught degree, although daily life runs in Vietnamese. A degree taught in Vietnamese needs a language year first, which costs about $1,500 to $3,000.
How much IELTS do I actually need?
English-taught programmes usually ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.0, and a foundation year can bridge a lower score. We tell you the level your shortlist actually needs.
Can I work part-time while I study?
Foreign students need a work permit for paid work, and it is not easy to get. Plan your budget without any income.
How does the Vietnam student visa work?
After you accept an offer, the university supports your visa application. The requirements and the timing depend on the institution and the rules at the time. Our visa team prepares your documents and checks them before you apply.
Which city is better, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi?
Both are among the most expensive cities, and both have international programmes. Ho Chi Minh City is the larger commercial hub, and Hanoi is the capital with many long-established public universities. The right city follows the programme you choose, so we start from your shortlist and compare the two for you.
Talk to a counsellor about studying in Vietnam
David Dhakal and the Think Asia team have placed 3,000+ Myanmar students abroad across all our destinations. Thirty minutes, free, at the office or on Viber.
