Asia’s most prestigious university launches exchange program for Vietnamese students
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For the first time ever, students at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi can apply for an exchange semester at China’s Tsinghua University, the nation’s top university and the most prestigious in Asia, for free.
According to an announcement by Vietnam National University in Hanoi, starting this year, students from their second year onward at Vietnam National University-Hanoi with strong academic achievements and proficient foreign language skills, either an IELTS score of 7.0 for English or at least an HSK 5 level for Chinese, can apply for a tuition-free semester at Tsinghua.
Applications for the fall semester (September 2025–January 2026) must be submitted by April 30, while applications for the spring semester (February–June 2026) are due by Nov. 30.
Selected students will receive free tuition for the duration of their exchange at Tsinghua, but will be responsible for their own living expenses, insurance and visa fees.
This program is part of a broader cooperation agreement signed between VNU and Tsinghua University on March 2. Similar agreements were also made with Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s National Economics University.
Tsinghua University has been recognized as the most prestigious institution in Asia by Times Higher Education. In the THE World Reputation Rankings 2025, it ranks eighth globally, surpassing both Yale University and the University of Tokyo.
In THE World University Rankings 2025, it stands at number 12, the highest position of Chinese universities, followed by Peking University, another top-tier institution in the country.
Tsinghua currently maintains exchange agreements with about 200 universities worldwide.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific Vietnamese universities are involved in this exchange program beyond the initial announcement?
Which specific Vietnamese universities are involved in this exchange program beyond the initial announcement?
Beyond Vietnam National University in Hanoi, similar agreements have also been made with Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam's National Economics University, broadening the program's reach.
Q.What are the key eligibility requirements for Vietnamese students hoping to join this exchange program?
What are the key eligibility requirements for Vietnamese students hoping to join this exchange program?
Students must be from their second year onward at a participating university, have strong academic achievements, and possess proficient foreign language skills, specifically an IELTS score of 7.0 or HSK 5 for Chinese.
Q.What financial aspects of the exchange are covered, and what costs remain the student's responsibility?
What financial aspects of the exchange are covered, and what costs remain the student's responsibility?
Selected students will receive free tuition for their exchange duration at Tsinghua. However, students will be responsible for their own living expenses, insurance costs, and visa fees.
Q.When are the application deadlines for the two available semesters of the exchange program?
When are the application deadlines for the two available semesters of the exchange program?
Applications for the fall semester (September 2025, January 2026) must be submitted by April 30. For the spring semester (February, June 2026), the deadline for applications is November 30.
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