Study in China for Vietnamese students
Vietnam sends students to China overland-short distances — many through the Chinese-taught HSK route, with CSC scholarship routes (Type A embassy and Type B university) central to the decision.
Language paths
Chinese-taught (HSK) · English-taught
Typical tuition (published)
CNY 35,000–200,000/yr · USD 95,000/yr
typical range — pending verification
Intakes in tracked programs
Sep
Matching programs tracked
12 (Bachelor, Master)
Study paths
Vietnamese students take both routes to a Chinese degree, and geography makes the decision easier to test: a short flight or an overland crossing means a preparatory year is a realistic, low-risk investment.
The Chinese-taught route dominates bachelor enrollment: one year of intensive Mandarin to HSK 4–5, then a full degree in Chinese at nearly any university in our corpus. Tuition is lower than the English track and the Mandarin outcome pays off directly in Vietnam's China-facing job market. Our two paths guide and HSK guide cover the mechanics.
The English-taught route skips Chinese entirely for admission — a smaller but real set of business, economics and computer science programs, wider at master's level than at bachelor level.
Scholarships are decisive for many Vietnamese applicants: the CSC runs Type A through the Chinese embassy in Hanoi and Type B directly through universities, and provincial awards add options. Start with the CSC Type A vs Type B guide and our scholarships hub; budget from the costs overview and city pages.
Timing is the practical detail that decides outcomes: for September entry, applications run from winter into spring, and scholarship notices close earlier than self-funded ones. Prepare translations of transcripts and certificates early — notarized copies take days to weeks, and the spring rush is real.
Featured programs for Vietnamese students
| Program | University | Level | Tuition (official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA in International Business (bilingual Chinese–English) | Southwestern University of Finance and Economics | Bachelor | CNY 35,000/yr * |
| MSc in Finance (Hanqing Advanced Institute of Finance) | Renmin University of China | Master | CNY 40,000/yr * |
| MSc in Computer Science | Nanjing University | Master | CNY 50,000/yr * |
| MSc in Computer Science | Zhejiang University | Master | CNY 50,000/yr * |
| MSc in Finance (Peking University HSBC Business School, Shenzhen) | Peking University | Master | CNY 60,000/yr * |
| International MBA | Wuhan University | Master | CNY 90,000/yr * |
12 matching programs tracked for these fields and levels — browse all English-taught programs. * upper end of the published range — the profile page shows the official wording.
Tuition & budget
Published annual tuition — typical range across the programs below: CNY 35,000–200,000/yrUSD 95,000/yr typical range — pending verification; each figure is the university's own published number, never converted.
Living costs (dorm, food, transport, insurance) are covered per city rather than per nationality — see the costs overview and our city guides, which include monthly budgets and halal-food notes.
Scholarships for Vietnamese students
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) · Full coverage
Covered universities are listed in the annual country-specific announcement documents — check the yearly notice for your home country; quotas vary by country and program level
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) · Full coverage
Open to applicants to CSC-designated universities (illustrative DFC list below); each university sets its own quota and program list per year
CSC Type A is applied at the Chinese embassy in your country (country quotas) and Type B directly through the university. Country-specific and globally open awards are both listed — quotas vary by country and year, so confirm in each official notice. See the CSC Type A vs Type B guide and the scholarships hub.
Visa & arrival
Admitted students receive an admission letter and a JW202 form (JW201 for CSC scholars) and apply for an X1 visa — study over 180 days — at the Chinese embassy in Hanoi or consulates serving your area; semesters under 180 days take an X2. Convert the X1 to a residence permit within 30 days of arrival at the local Entry-Exit Administration with your university's help.
Processing peaks before the September intake, so file as soon as the JW form arrives. Documents, health checks and registration are covered step by step in our student visa guide.
Sources & last verified: Chinese embassy/consulate visa pages for Vietnamese applicants · National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn) — as of 2026-10-04.
Frequently asked questions
Can Vietnamese students study in China without knowing Chinese?
Yes — through English-taught programs in business, economics and computer science. But most Vietnamese students take the Chinese-taught route, which needs HSK 4–5, usually after a preparatory year.
Which scholarships are open to Vietnamese students?
The Chinese Government Scholarship Type A is applied through the Chinese embassy in Hanoi; Type B goes directly to universities. Provincial awards also exist. Quotas vary by country and year — always confirm in the official notice.
Is a preparatory Chinese year funded?
Some CSC arrangements can cover a preparatory year, depending on the annual notice. Check the current CSC circular and the university's offer letter rather than assuming.
What degree level do Vietnamese students usually choose?
A mix — bachelor's degrees in business and economics, and master's programs where English-taught seats are wider. The programs below show what we track for both levels.
Where do Vietnamese students usually study?
Across the country, with strong communities in Guangxi, Yunnan and Guangdong. Our city guides cover living costs and student life city by city.
Explore next
Every figure on this page links back to its official source — dig into the data pages directly.
Sources & last verified: program and tuition figures from each university's official pages (corpus last verified 2026-09-21); visa & arrival notes as of 2026-10-04 — Chinese embassy/consulate visa pages and the National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn). Page editorial review: 2026-10-04. See data notes.