The plan is part of a national proposal approved by the government on Dec. 10 that aims to train high-quality human resources by sending Vietnamese citizens to study in Russia, China, Eastern Europe and former Soviet states from 2026 to 2035. The program prioritizes disciplines in which these countries have established strengths.
Under the scheme, about 1,000 students a year are expected to study in Russia, with the remaining 500 sent to other partner countries. The total number may vary depending on scholarship quotas offered by host governments, domestic demand and Vietnam’s state budget.
Priority fields include defense and security, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, quantum technology, blockchain, energy technology, advanced materials, rare-earth technology, aviation and aerospace, semiconductors, nuclear technology, railways, biotechnology, medicine and pharmaceuticals and law.
Scholarships will be available at multiple levels, including short-term training, undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Undergraduate scholarships will focus on first-year students with strong academic records, particularly those from ethnic minority groups, low-income households, families of fallen soldiers, mountainous or island areas, or children of Vietnamese diplomats stationed abroad.
High school students and first-year university students who have won awards at provincial, national or international academic competitions, as well as arts or sports contests, will also be eligible.
For master’s and doctoral programs, candidates include civil servants, public employees, staff at educational institutions and graduates with excellent academic results, including those with a GPA of at least 8 out of 10 or an equivalent standard. Ministries, local authorities and state-owned enterprises may also nominate candidates.
Admissions are scheduled to begin in 2026. As of 2025, Vietnam has education cooperation agreements with 18 countries, with Russia offering the largest number of scholarships at 1,000 slots.
Host countries will waive tuition fees and provide monthly living allowances and dormitory accommodation. Vietnam will cover round-trip airfare, travel expenses, passport and visa fees, and health insurance, and will supplement living costs by $84-480 per month if support from host countries falls short.
Comments are closed.