Vietnam's Higher Education Landscape
Vietnam has over 240 universities and colleges serving more than two million students across the country. The sector has expanded rapidly since the economic reforms of the 1990s, driven by strong government investment in education as a driver of economic development, growing private sector involvement in higher education, and increasing internationalisation. For Australian students, the result is a diverse and improving university landscape with genuine options across a range of academic disciplines and program types.
The Vietnamese higher education system is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Training (Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo). Public universities, which include all the most prestigious institutions, are government-funded and regulated. Private universities operate alongside the public system and vary significantly in quality and reputation. International branch campuses — of which RMIT Vietnam is the most prominent for Australians — bring overseas accreditation standards to Vietnamese soil.
Quality within the Vietnamese university system is uneven. The top-tier national universities — Vietnam National University systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Universities of Economics, Foreign Trade University, and a handful of others — offer genuine academic rigour and increasingly competitive international standing. Below this tier, quality and resources vary considerably. For Australian students, focusing on the well-established institutions with strong international track records is the sensible approach.
The Major Universities in Detail
Vietnam National University Systems
The Vietnam National University (VNU) systems are Vietnam's most prestigious university groupings. There are two: VNU Hanoi and VNU Ho Chi Minh City. Each is a multi-university system comprising several specialised member universities under a coordinating umbrella.
VNU Hanoi member universities include: the University of Sciences (natural sciences), University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Engineering and Technology, University of Economics and Business, School of Law, and the Vietnam Japan University. VNU Hanoi consistently ranks as Vietnam's leading research university and maintains the broadest international partnerships of any Vietnamese institution.
VNU Ho Chi Minh City is the largest university system in Vietnam by total enrolment and comprises: the University of Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Technology, University of Economics and Law, University of Information Technology, and the International University (which delivers English-medium programs). Located in Vietnam's commercial capital, VNU-HCM has particularly strong connections to industry and commerce.
University of Economics Institutions
Vietnam has prominent economics universities in both Hanoi (National Economics University — NEU) and Ho Chi Minh City (University of Economics HCMC — UEH). Both are highly regarded for business, economics, finance and management programs.
UEH in particular has invested heavily in internationalisation and now offers several programs with international double-degree arrangements. Its MBA program in English is well-regarded by Vietnamese business professionals and attracts a growing number of international students. For Australians interested in Vietnamese business or the Australia-Vietnam trade relationship, UEH provides a genuinely relevant academic and professional network.
Foreign Trade University (FTU)
The Foreign Trade University is Vietnam's specialist institution for international business, trade economics, international law and finance. Given the importance of the Australia-Vietnam trade relationship, FTU is a particularly relevant choice for Australian students interested in trade, investment or international business careers. FTU has campuses in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and a strong record of producing professionals who go on to work in Vietnam's international business sector.
Hanoi University (HANU)
Hanoi University is Vietnam's leading institution for foreign language education and is the most popular destination for Australians studying Vietnamese as a second language. HANU's Vietnamese Language and Culture program for international students is well-structured, taught by experienced Vietnamese language faculty, and supported by strong immersion infrastructure. It accepts students at all levels from absolute beginner and issues CEFR-aligned level assessments at program completion. For Australian students whose primary goal is Vietnamese language proficiency, HANU deserves serious consideration.
RMIT Vietnam
RMIT Vietnam operates two campuses — a large campus in Ho Chi Minh City's District 7 and a smaller campus in Hanoi — and is the most established Australian university presence in Vietnam. RMIT Vietnam delivers Australian degrees across business, technology, design, communication and related fields. Students graduate with RMIT Australia qualifications that are fully recognised in Australia's higher education and employment markets.
RMIT Vietnam is particularly well-positioned for Australian students who want: the security of an Australian qualification framework, the immersive benefit of living and studying in Vietnam, access to RMIT's extensive Vietnam alumni network, and the career advantages that come from the combination of Australian credentials and genuine Vietnam experience. The campus culture reflects RMIT's Australian heritage while being deeply embedded in Vietnamese social and professional life.
Vietnamese Language Programs for International Students
For Australian students whose primary goal is Vietnamese language acquisition rather than a full degree, the dedicated Vietnamese language programs at major universities are the most efficient option:
HANU International Vietnamese Language Program: Widely considered the gold standard for Vietnamese as a second language in Vietnam. Programs run from beginner to advanced levels, are typically 15–20 hours per week, and combine classroom instruction with structured cultural activities. The program explicitly prepares students for CEFR-level assessments.
VNU Hanoi Vietnamese Language Programs: Offered through VNU Hanoi's Vietnam Studies and Vietnamese Language Faculty. Strong academic rigor and extensive cultural curriculum. Particularly well-regarded for students interested in Vietnamese history, culture and society alongside language.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities: Offers Vietnamese language and culture programs for international students with a particular focus on Southern Vietnamese and Ho Chi Minh City's distinct cultural context. Well-suited to students aiming to work or live in Southern Vietnam.
When comparing Vietnamese language programs, ask specifically: How many contact hours per week? What level assessment is used for placement? Do they teach Northern or Southern Vietnamese (or both)? What is the class size? Is there a structured cultural immersion component? What CEFR level can a diligent student expect to reach in your program duration? The answers to these questions vary significantly between programs and directly affect your language outcomes.
Application Processes for Australian Students
Application processes vary between institutions but generally follow a similar pattern for international students:
Direct application: Most Vietnamese universities accept direct applications from international students through their international office or admissions office. Required documents typically include: academic transcripts (translated into Vietnamese or English, notarised), English language proficiency evidence (IELTS or equivalent for English-medium programs), a valid passport, passport photographs, and a statement of purpose. Some programs also require entry tests or interviews.
Through Australian exchange programs: Students enrolled at Australian universities with Vietnam exchange agreements apply through their home university's international office. The home university handles partner coordination, and the exchange experience is integrated into the Australian degree with credit recognition.
Through education agents: A number of Australian education agents specialise in Vietnam placements and can manage the application process. This is useful for students who find direct international applications administratively complex but adds cost. Always verify the agent's credentials and the legitimacy of any program they propose.
Timelines: Vietnamese university semesters typically start in September (first semester) and February (second semester). Language programs often have more flexible start dates. Apply at least three to four months before your intended start date to allow for document processing, visa applications and accommodation arrangements.
Accommodation and Campus Life
Most major Vietnamese universities offer on-campus dormitory accommodation for international students. Dormitories are basic by Australian standards — shared rooms, communal bathrooms, strict entry/exit times at some institutions — but provide the immediate social and language immersion that accelerates language learning faster than any other living arrangement.
Off-campus accommodation is also widely available and often preferred by students who want more independence. Furnished apartments and rooms in shared houses near university campuses can be found for AUD $200–500 per month in most Vietnamese cities. Property management apps and expat Facebook groups are the most efficient way to find suitable accommodation before arrival.
Campus life in Vietnam is more structured and formal than Australian university life. Student associations and clubs are active and provide excellent opportunities to build Vietnamese friendships — arguably the most valuable thing a foreign student can do for language development. Many Vietnamese students are genuinely interested in international students and welcome the opportunity to practice English while helping you practice Vietnamese. These reciprocal relationships are among the most enduring outcomes of Vietnamese university study.