
The United States is the top destination for international students, with over 948,000 international students in total. In 2023, Vietnamese students constituted the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the country, with 24,763 students from Vietnam studying at all levels in the US. This is a notable increase from the 2019 figure of 30,684 Vietnamese students studying in the US, which at the time also placed Vietnam as the fifth-largest sender of international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Vietnamese students in the US | 30,684 (as of March 2019) |
| Percentage of total international enrollment | 2.62% (as of March 2019) |
| Ranking among countries sending students to the US | 5th (as of March 2019) |
| Change in F-1 visa issuance from 2015 to 2018 | -8.62% |
| Percentage pursuing STEM | 47.1% |
| Percentage pursuing business/management | 25.6% |
| Number of international students in the US in 2022/23 | 948,000+ |
| Number of Vietnamese students in K-12 education in 2022 | 53,517 |
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What You'll Learn

Popularity of four-year institutions
The United States is the top destination for international students, with over 948,000 international students in total. Vietnamese students now constitute the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the country, up from sixth place in the previous year. According to the Institute of International Education's (IIE) annual "Open Doors" report, Vietnamese students studying in the United States increased across almost all levels of study. This includes a 6.5% increase in graduate programs, a 23.3% increase in non-degree programs, and a 4.4% increase in Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs.
The popularity of four-year institutions among Vietnamese students in the United States can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a strong desire among Vietnamese parents to provide their children with international education and better academic and cultural preparation for higher education. This is particularly true for families with increased household income, who want to ensure their children have access to the best educational opportunities. The United States, with its world-renowned schools and sought-after education, becomes an attractive option for these families.
Another factor contributing to the popularity of four-year institutions is the strategic nature of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam. The U.S. Mission to Vietnam is committed to deepening educational cooperation through enhanced linkages and dual programs between American and Vietnamese institutions. This includes facilitating joint research and increasing opportunities for meaningful exchanges between Vietnamese and American students, faculty, and staff. The educational collaboration between the two countries is a key indicator of the strength of their bilateral ties.
Additionally, Vietnamese students have demonstrated strong academic performance in strategically important subjects across U.S. institutions, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, as well as business and management studies. In the 2021/2022 academic year, new international student enrollment in the United States rebounded, with an 80% increase, and Vietnam maintained its position as the second-leading country of origin for international students studying at U.S. community colleges.
To promote U.S. educational institutions in Vietnam, the U.S. Mission has Educational Advisors in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City who organize annual education fairs and other events to provide information and attract Vietnamese students and parents. Schools can also benefit from partnering with local education agents and utilizing popular social media platforms and search engines to reach their target audience effectively.
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Growing interest in graduate study
Vietnamese students are increasingly choosing to pursue graduate studies in the United States, a testament to the strong educational ties between the two countries. The United States remains the top destination for international students, and Vietnamese students constitute a significant portion of this population.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, there were 22,066 Vietnamese students enrolled in U.S. universities and colleges, with the total number rising to over 31,000 when including all levels of study. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with Vietnam now ranked as the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the United States.
Several factors contribute to the growing interest in graduate studies among Vietnamese students in the United States. Firstly, there is a strong desire among Vietnamese parents to provide their children with international educational experiences. Many parents recognize the value of overseas education in preparing their children for higher education, particularly in terms of language proficiency, academic preparation, and cultural exposure. The cost of studying abroad is also becoming more feasible for many Vietnamese families, as the expense is comparable to that of private schools in Vietnam.
Secondly, the United States offers a wide range of academic programs and resources that appeal to Vietnamese students. Nearly 50% of Vietnamese students in the United States choose to study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Vietnam's goals of strengthening its workforce in high-tech industries align with the academic interests of Vietnamese students in the United States. Additionally, the availability of scholarships, academic exchanges, and research opportunities further enhances the appeal of graduate studies in the United States.
The strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam also plays a role in fostering educational cooperation. The U.S. Mission to Vietnam actively promotes linkages between American and Vietnamese institutions, facilitates joint research, and increases opportunities for cultural exchange. These initiatives strengthen the educational ties between the two countries and encourage more Vietnamese students to pursue graduate studies in the United States.
Lastly, the reputation of the United States as a leading destination for higher education cannot be overstated. The country's world-renowned universities, diverse campus environments, and emphasis on employment skills and internships attract Vietnamese students seeking to advance their academic and professional careers. The United States offers a unique blend of academic excellence and cultural immersion that is highly valued by Vietnamese students and their families.
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Vietnamese students in US community colleges
Vietnamese students are the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the United States. In the 2022-23 academic year, there was a 5.7% increase in the number of Vietnamese students at US universities and colleges, totalling 21,900. This number is lower than the pre-pandemic high of 23,777 students in 2019-20.
Vietnam is the second-leading country of origin for international students at US community colleges, constituting 7.6% of all international community college students. Vietnamese students studying in the United States have increased across almost all levels of study, including graduate programs (+6.5%), non-degree programs (+23.3%), and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs (+4.4%).
The United States remains the top destination for international students, with over 948,000 international students overall. The US Mission to Vietnam is committed to deepening educational cooperation between the two countries through enhanced linkages and dual programs, facilitating joint research, and increasing opportunities for students and staff from both countries to exchange ideas and knowledge.
To encourage more Vietnamese students to enrol in California community colleges, thirty-second Vietnamese radio scripts are being developed to provide information about financial aid, guaranteed pathways to transfer to a four-year university, and career education training programs. These radio advertisements will run in December and January on KALI-FM in Los Angeles and KVVN-AM in San Francisco.
Vietnamese high school students make up 13.4% of total international high school enrollment in the US, with many parents expressing a strong desire to send their children overseas due to the similar costs and to better prepare them for higher education in the US.
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Vietnamese students in STEM
Vietnamese students now constitute the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the United States, with 30,684 students studying at all levels as of March 2019. This number has likely increased since then, as Vietnamese students continue to demonstrate a strong presence in strategically important subjects such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and business/management studies. In the 2021/2022 academic year, 47.1% of Vietnamese students in the US pursued STEM majors, with Vietnam sending more students to the US than any other country when assessed based on overall economic size and GDP output.
While there is a strong desire among many Vietnamese parents to send their junior high and high school children overseas, the road to successful STEM education in Vietnam faces several challenges. These challenges are particularly evident in Vietnamese high schools, where teachers struggle with various difficulties in designing, preparing, and teaching STEM modules. For example, teachers in Vietnam may face inadequate preparation for STEM education, a lack of curriculum frameworks and teaching materials, insufficient technical and spatial resources, and conflicting beliefs about STEM education and its goals.
The criteria for teacher evaluation in Vietnam, which focuses on student performance in high-stakes exams rather than their outcomes in STEM, also influences the motivation of teachers to invest time and effort in STEM integration. Additionally, the challenges of interdisciplinary knowledge, teaching methods, and curriculum design further complicate the implementation of STEM education in Vietnamese high schools. However, it is worth noting that these challenges are not unique to Vietnam, as many developing countries in Asia face similar obstacles in STEM education implementation.
Despite these challenges, Vietnamese students have demonstrated strong attainment in STEM, outperforming their peers in several other nations. This achievement is particularly notable given the limited socioeconomic status of most Vietnamese families. Cultural factors, such as the normalization of lifelong studies and the valuing of knowledge-seeking, may contribute to this success. Additionally, Vietnam has a large population of high school students, and STEM education is highly regarded by the country's Ministry of Education and Training.
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US student visa issuances
The F-1 visa is the most common type of student visa for those wishing to pursue academic studies in the United States. It is required for attendance at an accredited U.S. college, university, or private secondary school, as well as for any course of study exceeding 18 hours per week. An F-1 visa can also be issued for up to 12 months of study at a public secondary school (grades 9 to 12). Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of F-1 visa holders require derivative F visas, while spouses and children of M-1 visa holders require derivative M visas.
To obtain an F-1 or M-1 visa, students must provide various documents, including school transcripts, public examination certificates, standardized test scores, and diplomas. Additionally, students applying for an F visa to undertake Optional Practical Training (OPT) must provide proof of USCIS approval of their practical training program or a pending application.
Between 2015 and 2018, there was a sharp decline in US student visa issuances, with a decrease of 42.53% from 677,928 to 389,579. During this period, the number of F-1 visas issued to Vietnamese students decreased by only 8.62% from 17,848 to 16,309. As of March 2019, there were 30,684 Vietnamese students studying in the US at all levels, with Vietnamese students comprising 2.62% of total international enrollment.
The United States remains a top destination for international students, with Vietnamese students constituting the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the country. In the 2021/2022 academic year, new international student enrollment rebounded, increasing by 80%, with an overall 4% increase in the total number of international students enrolled in US institutions. This increase was observed across all US states, with growth in new enrollment in 44 out of 50 states.
To maintain their student status, F-1 or M-1 visa holders must resume their studies within five months of transferring schools or programs. Students who leave the United States for a break in studies of five months or more do not need to apply for a new F-1 visa if their current visa is still valid. However, their admissibility to the United States will be determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon their return.
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Frequently asked questions
As of November 2022, there were 24,763 Vietnamese students in the USA.
The number of Vietnamese students in the USA has been steadily increasing. In 2019, there were 30,684 Vietnamese students in the USA, which was an increase of 31% from 2014.
Vietnamese students in the USA mostly attend four-year institutions, with a growing interest in graduate study.
STEM and business/management are popular subjects for Vietnamese students in the USA, with 47.1% and 25.6% of students pursuing these majors respectively.











































