Study in China for Vietnamese Students: Scholarships & Application Guide 2026

Vietnam and China share a border, a deep cultural heritage, and increasingly intertwined economies. For Vietnamese students, studying in China — especially in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) — is one of the most accessible and cost-effective international education options available. Guangzhou is just a two-hour flight from Hanoi, Cantonese cuisine is familiar to many Vietnamese palates, and the large Vietnamese community in the region makes the transition remarkably smooth.

This guide walks through everything Vietnamese students need to know: affordable programs starting from ¥7,000/year, scholarship opportunities, visa requirements, and the best universities in the Greater Bay Area.

Why the GBA? The Greater Bay Area — spanning Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau — is China's most international region. It is home to a booming manufacturing and tech economy, a large Vietnamese expatriate community, and some of China's most affordable and welcoming universities.

Why Vietnamese Students Choose China

Vietnam is one of the largest source countries for international students in China. The reasons are practical:

• Geographic proximity: A direct flight from Hanoi to Guangzhou takes under two hours. You can visit home during holidays without breaking the bank.
• Cultural familiarity: Vietnamese and Chinese cultures share Confucian educational values, similar food traditions, and historical ties. The adaptation period is shorter than studying in Europe or North America.
• Affordable tuition: Chinese language programs start as low as ¥7,000/year, and full bachelor's degrees range from ¥18,000 to ¥40,000/year — a fraction of what similar programs cost in Western countries.
• Career opportunities: Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN. Bilingual graduates with Chinese proficiency are in high demand at Vietnamese companies, multinationals, and cross-border trading firms.
• Scholarships available: The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Guangdong Provincial Government Scholarship, and university-level awards can significantly reduce or fully cover tuition and living costs.

Top Programs for Vietnamese Students

1. Chinese Language Programs (Non-Degree)

If your goal is to learn Mandarin, the GBA offers some of the most affordable language programs in all of China. These programs issue X2 visas (short-term) or X1 visas (long-term), and require no prior Chinese proficiency.

• Shenzhen Polytechnic University — Long-term Chinese Language Program at ¥7,000/year (CNY), renewable from one semester up to two years. Located in Shenzhen, China's tech capital. No HSK required to enroll. View school details.
• Shantou University — Chinese Language Program at ¥7,500/semester (CNY), one-year duration. Founded with support from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. View school details.
• Guangzhou Huashang College — Chinese Language Program at ¥8,000/semester (CNY), and tuition includes a three-person dormitory room. This is the best value language program in Guangzhou. View school details.
• Foshan University — Chinese Language Program at ¥8,500/year (CNY), semester-based and renewable up to two years. Located in Foshan, the manufacturing heart of the GBA. View school details.

2. Bachelor's Degree Programs

For Vietnamese students ready to commit to a full degree, the GBA has excellent options across multiple fields:

• Guangzhou University — Chinese Language (Bachelor) at ¥18,000–20,000/year (CNY), 4–5 years. Civil Engineering and Business Administration are also available at the same rate. The application fee is waived (¥0). HSK Level 4 required. View school details.
• Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) — Chinese Language (Bachelor) at ¥20,000/year (CNY), 4 years. GDUFS is the GBA's premier school for foreign languages and international trade, with strong Vietnamese-Chinese translation programs. View school details.
• South China University of Technology (SCUT) — Civil Engineering (Bachelor, Chinese-medium) at ¥23,000/year (CNY), 4–5 years. A flagship engineering university. View school details.
• Jinan University — Known as the "university of overseas Chinese," Jinan University has one of the largest international student populations in China, making it an especially welcoming campus for Vietnamese students. View school details.

3. English-Taught Programs

If you prefer studying in English, several GBA universities offer full English-taught degrees:

• Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HITSZ) — Engineering Master's programs at ¥35,000/year (CNY), 3 years. HIT is a C9 League member with Engineering ranked #3 globally. Requires TOEFL 80 / IELTS 6.0. View school details.
• Guangzhou Medical University — Clinical Medicine (Bachelor, English-taught) at ¥40,000/year (CNY), 6 years. View school details.
• Shantou University — Clinical Medicine MBBS (English-taught), registered in the FAIMER/IMED directory. View school details.

Scholarships for Vietnamese Students

Vietnamese students are eligible for several major scholarship programs. Apply early — most deadlines fall between December and March for the following academic year.

• Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): Covers full tuition, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of ¥2,500–3,500 for bachelor's, ¥3,000–3,500 for master's, and ¥3,500 for PhD. Apply through the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi or directly to universities. Learn more in our CSC Scholarship 2026 guide.
• Guangdong Provincial Government Scholarship: Awards ¥10,000/year to outstanding international students studying in Guangdong Province. Many universities list this as an available scholarship for their programs.
• University Presidential Scholarships: Most GBA universities offer their own merit-based awards. Jinan University, for example, offers Presidential Scholarship and College of Chinese Language & Culture Scholarship options.
• Confucius Institute Scholarship: For students focusing on Chinese language learning or teaching, this scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and provides a monthly stipend. Check with the Confucius Institute in Hanoi.

Visa Guide for Vietnamese Students

Vietnamese citizens need a student visa to study in China. The type depends on your program duration:

• X1 Visa: For degree programs and language programs longer than 6 months. You will need to convert this to a Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival. Requires JW202 form and university admission letter.
• X2 Visa: For short-term language programs under 6 months. Simpler application, no Residence Permit conversion needed.

For a detailed comparison, see our X1 vs X2 Visa guide. The application process for Vietnamese students is straightforward — the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and consulates in Ho Chi Minh City process student visas efficiently.

Cost of Living in the GBA

The Greater Bay Area offers a lower cost of living than Beijing or Shanghai, while providing comparable infrastructure and job opportunities. Here is a rough monthly budget for a Vietnamese student:

• Accommodation: On-campus dormitory ¥800–1,500/month (often included in tuition for language programs)
• Food: ¥1,000–2,000/month (canteen meals ¥10–20 each)
• Transportation: ¥200–500/month (student transit discounts available)
• Miscellaneous: ¥500–1,000/month

Total estimated cost: ¥2,500–5,000/month, or roughly 8–16 million VND/month. For a detailed breakdown, see our cost of living in Shenzhen guide.

Pro tip: Many Vietnamese students in Guangzhou report that the food is familiar and affordable. Pho restaurants and Vietnamese grocery stores are easy to find in the Tianhe and Baiyun districts, making the transition especially comfortable.

Application Checklist for Vietnamese Students

1. Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended study period.
2. High school diploma and transcripts: Notarized and translated into Chinese or English. For graduate programs, bachelor's degree and transcripts.
3. Language certificate: HSK Level 4 (score ≥180) for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80 for English-taught programs. Language programs have no proficiency requirement.
4. Physical examination form: Required for X1 visa. Available at designated hospitals in Vietnam.
5. Police clearance certificate: Required by some universities.
6. Application fee: ¥0–800 CNY depending on the university (Guangzhou University is free!).

For the complete step-by-step application walkthrough, see our application guide for Chinese universities, and browse all available programs on our programs page.

From Language Student to Degree Student

Many Vietnamese students start with a one-year Chinese language program and then transition into a full bachelor's degree taught in Chinese. This pathway is popular because:

• It gives you time to reach HSK Level 4 (the minimum for most Chinese-taught degrees).
• You experience campus life before committing to a four-year program.
• Some universities offer priority admission to their own language program graduates.

For more on this pathway, read our Chinese language program with visa support guide and our foundation program guide.