Most scholarships let you fill in a form and hope for the best. The Vietnamese Government Scholarship works differently. You do not apply to Vietnam directly. You apply through your own government, and only if your country has a scholarship agreement with Vietnam in the first place. That single fact decides whether this scholarship is worth your time, so this guide starts there.
The program funds international students at Bachelor's, Master's and PhD level at higher education institutions across Vietnam. It is run by Vietnam International Education Development (VIED), the agency that manages international scholarships and education cooperation projects for the Ministry of Education and Training. You can read the full scholarship details first, and if you are comparing options, see all Vietnam scholarships in one place.
A scholarship built on government-to-government deals
The scholarship is typically offered through bilateral agreements between the Vietnamese government and partner countries. Applicants are usually nominated by their home country's Ministry of Education or another relevant government authority. The exact procedure depends on the agreement between Vietnam and the applicant's country, and places are given out under annual quotas and diplomatic arrangements.
For a Pakistani student, this means one thing before anything else: you need to find out whether Pakistan currently has an active agreement with Vietnam that includes this scholarship, and how many places (if any) are on offer this year. The official information does not list participating countries, so do not assume Pakistan is included. Check eligibility for your nationality by contacting the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan or the relevant Ministry of Education office before you spend money on translations or medical reports.
This route suits students who are patient with paperwork and comfortable dealing with government offices. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a quick, self-managed online application, or who needs certainty about stipend amounts months in advance.
The main facts in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the bilateral agreement |
| Study levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Fields | Vary based on bilateral agreements |
| Host country | Vietnam |
| Administered by | Vietnam International Education Development (VIED), Ministry of Education and Training |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Opening date | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Official site | VIED official website |
What funding looks like, and why the amount is not fixed
Selected students receive support for tuition fees and living expenses. The listed benefits are:
- a full or partial tuition fee waiver
- a monthly living stipend
- accommodation support
- health insurance coverage
- help with the visa and residence permit
The catch is in the detail. The exact coverage, including the monthly stipend amount and housing arrangements, is set by the terms of the bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the partner country. No single stipend figure applies to everyone, and funding can be full or partial. If you read somewhere that the scholarship pays a specific monthly amount, treat it as unconfirmed until the nominating authority or VIED tells you what applies to your country and your intake.
Plan your budget as if some costs may fall on you. Ask directly whether tuition is fully waived or only partly, whether accommodation is provided or only supported, and what the stipend is expected to cover. Get those answers in writing if you can.
The conditions you have to meet
The eligibility rules are short, but each one carries weight:
- You must be a citizen of a country that has a bilateral agreement with Vietnam.
- You must be nominated by your home country's government authorities.
- You must meet the academic requirements for your chosen level of study.
- You must be in good physical and mental health.
- You must meet the language requirement in Vietnamese or English, as required by the host university.
Notice what is missing. The official information gives no age limit, no minimum grade figure and no specific English test score. That does not mean there are none. It means the requirements are likely to come from the nominating authority, the agreement and the host university, so you should ask each of them. Fields of study also vary by agreement, which means your preferred subject may or may not be open in a given year.
Paperwork to prepare early
The documents listed for this scholarship are:
- a completed application form
- certified copies of academic transcripts and diplomas
- a medical examination report
- letters of recommendation
- a research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- proof of language proficiency
Two of these trip people up. First, keep your academic documents in the original language along with a certified translation. Second, get your medical report from a recognized hospital. A report from a small clinic may not be accepted, and redoing it costs time you may not have.
For Pakistani students, certified copies usually mean attested copies. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains how that process works, and the documents checklist for international scholarships is a good way to track everything in one place.
The application path, from embassy to visa
- Contact the Ministry of Education or the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country and ask whether the scholarship is available for your nationality this year.
- Get an official nomination from your home country's government.
- Submit the required documents to the designated authority in your home country.
- Wait for the selection results from VIED and the host university.
- Once you receive the admission letter, complete the visa application.
Step one is where most of the uncertainty sits. If the answer is that no agreement or quota exists for Pakistan this cycle, the process ends there, and you should put your effort into other options.
Timing: your home deadline comes first
There is no single published deadline. Both the opening date and the closing date vary, so confirm the current cycle on the VIED official website.
The deadline that matters most is often not Vietnam's. Your home government sets its own nomination deadline, and it is often earlier than the final submission date to Vietnam. If you only watch VIED's dates, you can miss the window entirely. Find out who handles nominations in Pakistan, ask when their internal deadline falls, and work backwards from that date.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common mistake is treating this like an open scholarship. Students prepare essays and recommendation letters before checking whether their country is part of an agreement at all. Confirm availability first. It costs a phone call or an email to the embassy.
The second mistake is ignoring the language question. Programs may be taught in Vietnamese or English, and the host university decides what proof you need. If your target program is in Vietnamese, ask what level is expected and whether any preparation is provided, rather than guessing.
Third, students pick a university late. Research Vietnamese universities that offer programs in your field before you apply, because the fields on offer depend on the agreement and your choice affects your language requirement too.
Finally, do not assume the money is fixed. Since coverage can be full or partial and the stipend depends on the agreement, you may need some savings of your own. If a bank statement is requested for your visa, our proof of funds guide covers how Pakistani students usually prepare one.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Vietnamese Government Scholarship?
Only if Pakistan has an active bilateral agreement with Vietnam that includes this scholarship. The official information does not list eligible countries, so confirm with the Vietnamese Embassy or the relevant Ministry of Education office before you apply.
Can I apply directly to VIED or a Vietnamese university?
The standard route is through the relevant government authority in your home country, which nominates candidates. Applicants are usually nominated rather than applying on their own, though procedures depend on each country's agreement.
Does the scholarship cover all expenses?
It typically covers tuition and living expenses, but funding can be full or partial and the exact coverage depends on the agreement between Vietnam and your country. Confirm the stipend and housing terms for your intake.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese?
You may need to show proficiency in Vietnamese or English, depending on the language of instruction for your program. The host university sets the requirement.
Is a research proposal required?
Only for PhD applicants. Bachelor's and Master's applicants submit the other listed documents.
When is the deadline?
It varies by cycle. Check the VIED official website, and ask your nominating authority about their own earlier deadline.
Before you start, check the VIED official website for the current cycle and read the full Vietnamese Government Scholarship page for the latest summary.