Why Vietnam is emerging on the scholarship map

Vietnam is building new, internationally‑oriented universities with strong scholarship budgets to attract talent across South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. VinUniversity and Fulbright University Vietnam in particular offer substantial scholarships for high‑achieving IGCSE, A Level and IB students.

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1. VinUniversity Scholarships

Most popular for:
Students targeting Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences and interdisciplinary programmes at VinUniversity in Hanoi.

Coverage

• VinUniversity has previously offered:
  • Full and partial tuition scholarships (up to 100% of tuition)
  • In some cases, living stipends and housing support
• There are also named excellence and diversity scholarships.

Eligibility

• Strong academic performance at A Levels / IB / national curricula.
• Evidence of leadership, extracurricular achievements and community impact.
• Good English proficiency for English‑medium programmes.

How many & odds

• VinUniversity actively recruits top talent, so good students have realistic chances at partial scholarships; full awards are reserved for exceptional profiles.

How to apply

• Apply through VinUniversity’s online application system.
• Complete the scholarship section with:
  • Transcripts and predicted grades
  • CV or activities list
  • Personal essays
  • Referee contacts
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interviews or assessment tasks.

Deadlines & duration

• Applications usually open many months before the academic year; early rounds may offer better scholarship chances.
• Scholarships typically cover the full 4‑year programme, with GPA renewal conditions.

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2. Fulbright University Vietnam Scholarships

Most popular for:
Students interested in Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, Data Science and related fields at Fulbright University Vietnam.

Coverage

• Fulbright has a need‑blind, need‑based financial aid model combined with merit consideration.
• Students can receive significant tuition reductions and sometimes support towards living costs.

Eligibility

• Strong academic record at A Levels / IB / high school diplomas.
• Clear evidence of intellectual curiosity, leadership and service.
• Demonstrated financial need for higher aid levels.

Odds

• Competitive, but the university has a mission to support diverse, high‑potential students, so strong applicants with need may have good odds of substantial aid.

How to apply

• Apply for admission via Fulbright’s online portal.
• Complete detailed financial aid forms and submit:
  • Family income and asset information
  • Supporting documents (tax returns, payslips etc.)

Deadlines & duration

• Early application rounds often carry priority for aid.
• Awards are generally multi‑year if academic and conduct standards are maintained.

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3. Scholarships at Vietnamese Public Universities

Leading universities such as Vietnam National University (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and major technical institutes may offer:

• Merit scholarships (tuition discounts) for top entrants.
• Fee waivers or discounts for students with excellent performance after Year 1.

Coverage

• Typically 10–50% of tuition, renewed annually for students with high GPAs.

Eligibility

• Strong entrance exam or high school results.
• Continued academic excellence during the degree.

Application & timelines

• Often automatic for top‑ranking entrants, with separate applications for continuing‑student awards.
• Aligned with national and university intake calendars.

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What % of fees do Vietnam scholarships cover?

• At VinUniversity and Fulbright, top awards can cover up to 100% of tuition, with a smaller number including living support.
• At public universities, partial tuition reductions of 10–50% are more typical.
• Combined with relatively low living costs, even partial scholarships can make Vietnam a very affordable option.

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Eligibility, odds and key dates

• Eligibility: strong academic record, good English level, and a convincing personal story and motivation.
• Odds: competitive but less intense than ultra‑selective Western universities; good regional students should consider Vietnam seriously.
• Timelines: early rounds (often in the last year of school) are important for maximum scholarship consideration.
• Duration: most awards are intended for the full 4‑year degree, subject to GPA and conduct.

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Tips for families in South East Asia, South Asia & the Middle East

• Consider Vietnam as part of a “smart value” portfolio along with Malaysia and Thailand.
• For top students, target full or high‑percentage scholarships at VinUniversity or Fulbright.
• For others, aim for partial aid combined with family funding, taking advantage of lower living costs.

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How Tutopiya can help with Vietnam scholarships

Tutopiya supports IGCSE, A Level and IB students aiming at Vietnam by:

• Strengthening Maths, Sciences and writing skills for competitive programmes.
• Helping craft compelling personal essays and activity profiles.
• Comparing Vietnamese options and scholarship odds with Singapore, Malaysia and Europe.

If Vietnam is on your radar, Tutopiya can help you design a balanced, multi‑country university and scholarship plan.