Vietnamese students rethink ‘American dream’ as costs rise and visa rules tighten
Rising tuition and tighter U.S. visa and work rules are prompting more Vietnamese students to consider universities in Singapore and Hong Kong instead.
In a study-abroad seminar in Hanoi on October 3, students from Hanoi-Amsterdam High School were reevaluating their aspirations of studying in the United States due to rising tuition costs and stricter visa rules. A 10th-grade math student, Cuong, had previously considered U.S. universities but is now exploring options in Singapore and Hong Kong, which offer modern learning environments closer to Vietnam and have more favorable tuition fees.
Tran, another 10th grader, also shifted her focus to business and economics programs at universities in Hong Kong and Singapore, viewing them as friendly and accessible Asian educational destinations.
Counselors and admissions officers at the event emphasized cost and visa restrictions as primary reasons for the shift. The cost of studying in the U.S. has increased significantly, with tuition and fees averaging $26,034 per year for out-of-state students at public institutions and $46,973 at private ones in 2026-27, according to U.S. News & World Report.
In contrast, tuition fees at top universities in Hong Kong and Singapore are considerably lower, ranging from $31,900 to $35,700 at Hong Kong University (HKU) and HK$31,900-35,700 at the Singapore Institute of Management, respectively. Additionally, the U.S. has tightened its visa policies, making it harder for international students to obtain work authorization and enter the workforce after graduation.
The application process for Asian universities is also perceived as less burdensome, focusing primarily on academic performance and language proficiency. Meanwhile, U.S. schools often require extensive essays, extracurricular activities, and various certificates. In response to these changes, sumit Education, a counseling agency, has seen a 30-40% increase in students considering Asia, with HKU receiving 192 admitted applicants in 2024, up from three in 2022 and 30 in 2023.
The university has also lowered its minimum GPA requirement for Vietnamese students from 8.0 to 7.0 to attract more applicants.
Written by urgent.news from VnExpress International's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
