VN Express is carrying an article about Vietnamese students that go overseas to study but can’t find work after they graduate. Interviewees lament in the article that recruiters prefer local graduates who understand the market better.
This speaks to changing attitudes in Vietnam toward studying overseas. Whereas there is still status attached to studying abroad, the practical realities when entering the workforce afterwards are becoming more well publicised. It’s not just about finding work abroad either. Returning home, students can find well paying jobs relative to the cost of living, but relative to the cost of their education their salaries are often miniscule.
This feeds into the rise of international universities in Vietnam. British University Vietnam (BUV) or Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), for example, whereby students can receive an international standard education but live at home.
On a side note, studying abroad is expensive in a Vietnamese context. With a GDP per capita of around US$4,000 few Vietnamese are able to afford flights to the USA or the United Kingdom, let alone university tuition.
See also: How to Start an English Centre in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide 2023