In the academic year 2021-2022, the number of Vietnamese students studying abroad exceeded 132,000, surpassing the approximately 56,000 students from both Malaysia and Indonesia.
This significant disparity is closely intertwined with various socioeconomic challenges within Vietnam, such as brain drain and a lack of confidence in the local economic structure, among others.
However, an intriguing question arises: why is Vietnam not a preferred destination for international students?
On an annual basis, Vietnam welcomes around 4,000 to 6,000 international students. Primarily, these students fall into two categories: those studying the Vietnamese language and participants from Laos and Cambodia engaged in governmental exchange or training programs. Remarkably, there is a scarcity of self-funded international students pursuing higher education in Vietnam.
This phenomenon has become the norm, reflecting the current state of the Vietnamese education system, with few voices questioning this status quo.
To address this issue, we must first explore why Vietnamese students opt to pursue education abroad. Two primary factors come to light.
Initially, students aspire to embrace the elevated academic standards prevalent in many countries to acquire a broader international perspective. The preferred destinations for these students typically include the U.S., U.K., Australia, or Canada, with a smaller cohort opting for Japan, South Korea, Singapore, or China.
Secondly, a significant number of students seek specialized vocational training, often selecting Japan or South Korea for this purpose. These training programs essentially focus on practical skills under the guise of university education.
Should a student contemplate studying in Vietnam, the motivating factors are likely akin to those prompting Vietnamese students to seek education overseas.
For Vietnam to attract international students successfully, enhancements are imperative in both tertiary education and vocational training sectors. The current educational landscape in Vietnam lacks the sophistication and global appeal necessary to entice foreign students. The curriculum often lags behind modern international standards, necessitating a revamp to align with contemporary educational paradigms.
Moreover, in the realm of vocational training, Vietnam must cultivate a robust job market with competitive remuneration akin to Japan or South Korea. However, a 2022 report by the Asia Productivity Organization reveals that Vietnam’s productivity level merely amounts to half of Thailand’s and a mere tenth of Singapore’s. This underscores the imperative for comprehensive improvements to bolster the overall productivity and competitiveness of the Vietnamese market.
The pivotal question remains: when can Vietnam commence attracting a substantial influx of international students to its academic programs?
Reflecting on my experience as one of the pioneering Vietnamese students in South Korea back in 2000, I witnessed how a robust economy and proactive policies catalyzed a surge in international student enrollment. South Korea’s steady economic growth, accompanied by strategic initiatives like the Brain Korea scholarship, played a pivotal role in attracting students from diverse backgrounds.
It is plausible to posit that once Vietnam achieves a per capita income ranging between \(15,000 to \)20,000, the nation could witness a surge in international student enrollment. Projections suggest that by 2045, Vietnam’s GDP could soar to \(2.5 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of \)18,000.
In the interim, proactive measures can be undertaken to prepare Vietnam for its future role as an educational hub. Emphasizing the enhancement of educational quality through English-language programs, forging partnerships with foreign academic institutions for joint programs, and pursuing international accreditations are vital steps to bolster Vietnam’s educational appeal.
Furthermore, allocating resources for scholarships and fostering collaborations with international entities for professional training can amplify Vietnam’s allure as a study destination.
In the short term, efforts to promote Vietnam as a cost-effective study destination should be coupled with a steadfast commitment to elevating educational standards to align with global benchmarks. Failure to address these imperatives may perpetuate the trend of Vietnamese students seeking educational opportunities abroad, undermining confidence in the domestic education system.
Giap Van Duong, a Vietnamese educator and former researcher at the Temasek Laboratories of the National University of Singapore.