Living in Vietnam

Living and studying in Vietnam will you give an opportunity to explore a unique, historic, exotic, and rapidly developing country. Our students enjoy a range of flexible study options, world-class facilities, enthusiastic staff, and a host of student clubs and activities that make for an unforgettable experience. At RMIT University Vietnam you will experience an education that prepares you for success, exposes you to new ideas and equips you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen career. 

No matter which program you select in Vietnam, it’s likely that you’ll be placed in a major city, where the country’s main institutions are based. Knowing you’ll be an urban dweller, your program considerations should address how a particular program furthers your studies and, of course, which city interests you as a place to live. Keep in mind what activities the surrounding region offers for your time outside the classroom, too.

Housing

Most study abroad students are provided with dorm accommodations, meaning you’ll be bunking with fellow program participants and sharing facilities. However, with Vietnamese culture so different from Western customs, choosing a homestay program is a fulfilling and sometimes overlooked housing option. Live like a local and brush up on your Vietnamese language skills by staying with a family.

Social Life & Student Culture

The social life of a study abroad student never seems to slow down. After class, you might team up with friends to explore historic areas like Hanoi’s Old Quarter, taste an unfamiliar Vietnamese dish at a group dinner, or discover what the local nightlife is like. Of course, your peers will also be crucial to your studies, and together you’ll learn how to balance education with adventure.

Health & Safety

As a study abroad destination, Vietnam is a very safe choice. Other than the typical risks of city living, like petty theft, there are no major threats cited by the U.S. Department of State. Some months may yield typhoons, and in these instances be sure to heed warnings by local officials.If you come prepared, your health will stay in good shape in Vietnam. For long-term stays, you may need to consider vaccinations or medication for malaria, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis. Check with your family physician before leaving the country.

About Vietnam

For study abroad students, a semester abroad in Vietnam blends a fun urban lifestyle with a rich cultural experience. As many programs are based in major cities like Hanoi, spare moments will find you haggling with street market vendors after class, enjoying a vibrant nightlife, and taking care when traversing motorbike-laden streets.

Most visitors know that there’s more to Vietnam than the urban scene, and it’s common for students to take weekend getaways into the countryside. On these leisurely escapes, you can pedal past terraced rice fields or float in the waters of Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site.

Of course, no study abroad experience would be complete without the educational component. In Vietnam’s universities, you’ll acquire a fresh perspective on your area of study and may even tackle entirely new subjects, like Vietnamese language courses.

Money Currency used in Vietnam is the dong (VND) which is difficult to find or exchange outside Vietnam, so change money on arrival and try to get rid of any leftover currency before leaving the country. Despite the fact that prices are widely advertised in US Dollars, payment is often expected in dong only, especially outside major tourist destinations. Payment by credit card merits a 3% surcharge and there are ATMs everywhere in major cities for withdrawals.

Health

Tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are endemic in rural Vietnam. Malaria isn't as much a concern in the bigger cities such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, but always remember to take mosquito liquid repellent with you. It may be very useful, especially in the countryside and crowded neighborhoods.

Safety

Practice common sense. It is generally quite safe in Vietnam, but theft is common so be sure to keep your belongings close at all times.

Transportation

Although more expensive than buses, trains are undoubtedly the most comfortable way to travel overland in Vietnam. There is one major train line in Vietnam, the 1723 kilometer trunk between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, on which the Reunification Express runs. HCMC to Hanoi is more than 30 hours, and overnight hops between major destinations are usually possible, if not entirely convenient. It's a good way to see the countryside and meet upper-middle class locals, but unless you are traveling in a sleeper car it is no more comfortable than buses. Taxi-motorbikes, known as xe ôm are available everywhere and they will constantly harass you offering you a ride (no matter if the drivers speak English or not). It's advisable not to pick them since they will always make you pay much more than to locals and they will surely take you around for hours before getting you to the point you requested. In some cases they will take you wherever they want (tourist attractions or shops you didn't request to go) and sometimes they will wait for you to come back (even if you don't want them to wait) and will ask you for more money for having been waiting. Even if you speak some Vietnamese, this is not useful, since they will cheat you anyway or they will act as if they don't understand even if they do.

Listed Institutes in Vietnam

Vietnam has many higher education institutions, including public and private universities. Those of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are national universities; whilst the Thai Nguyen University, the Hue University and the University of Da Nang are regional universities.These each offer a wide variety of specialized programs, including science, information and communication technologies, finance, accounting, as well as engineering and international studies. Most programs are taught in English.

• Vietnam National University
• Da Nang University
• Can Tho University
• Nguyen Tat Thanh University
• RMIT
• CFVG
• Vietnamese-German University

Student visa for Vietnam

Obtaining a Visa A student visa is usually arranged after your arrival. It's acceptable to enter Vietnam on a tourist visa, enroll in a Vietnamese language course and then apply at the immigration department for a change in your visa status. In reality, the easiest way to do this is to contact a travel company and have them help you make the application.

Student visa

If you wish to pursue your higher studies in Vietnam, you must apply for a long-stay student visa. It is possible to enter the country on a tourist visa to enroll in a university, after which you will apply for sponsorship. You can then apply for student visa at the Immigration Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Working in Vietnam