Vietnam Studying

Visa Information. You’ll need more than just a tourist visa to study for a long period of time in Vietnam. Luckily, student visas are rather easy to obtain. You can arrange for one ahead of time by having your host institution write a letter to obtain the visa for you, or they can transfer your visa once you’re there (but you’ll have to leave the country and come back in order for the status of your visa to change). Student visas generally last for one year but can be extended, and you’ll be required to attend a minimum number of hours of class per week. Visit the website of your country’s embassy (see Embassies) to download an application form.

Study-abroad programs range from basic language and culture courses to college-level classes, often for credit. In order to choose a program that best fits your needs, research as much as you can before making your decision—determine costs and duration, as well as what kinds of students participate in the program, what sort of accommodations are provided, and any academic or age requirements that might be a part of the program. There are many programs out there, so be sure to take your time in finding the program that best fits your interests. Anyone studying economic development, particularly, will find a number of programs in Vietnam that fit his or her field of study.

Decide carefully about enrolling in a study-abroad program where most of the other students speak your home language. You may feel more comfortable in the community, but you will not have the same opportunity to practice a foreign language or to befriend other international students. For accommodations, dorm life provides a better opportunity to mingle with fellow students, but there is less of a chance to experience the local scene. Living with a family, one has the potential to build lifelong friendships with Vietnamese citizens and to experience day-to-day life in more depth, but conditions can vary greatly from family to family. Most organizations are usually more than willing to work with you to find the right fit.

Most of the programs are located in larger cities, where there are universities or other pre-existing institutions. Some of the programs offer their own study centers, whereas others offer courses through Vietnamese institutions such as Vietnam National University. You will have a better chance to interact with Vietnamese students if you chose the latter. The programs range in length from a few weeks to a year, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding something that fits your ideal commitment.

Universities

Most university-level study-abroad programs are conducted in Vietnamese, although many programs offer classes in English and beginner- and lower-level language courses. Those relatively fluent in Vietnamese ...more

Language Schools

Language schools can be independently run international or local organizations or divisions of foreign universities. They rarely offer college credit, but they’re a good alternative to university study ...more

Cooking Schools

Vietnamese food is popular right now, and the local masters are more than aware of this. For the most part, your best bet is to simply inquire at your favorite restaurant to see if there are any opportunities ...more