Beware of summer study abroad programs costing hundreds of millions of VND.

This is currently the peak time to finalize bookings for summer study abroad programs – short-term study abroad opportunities for middle and high school students to experience life in countries such as the USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Harvard University is one of the prominent destinations in many current summer study abroad programs to the US - Photo: REUTERS

Parents' careful consideration becomes even more important when, for many children aged 10 to 17 or 18, this is their first time traveling abroad.

Overwhelmed with information.

According to market observations in 2025, summer study abroad programs in Vietnam continue to expand with many destination and format options. Numerous educational institutions, study abroad agencies, and English language centers offer a wide range of short-term courses in the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK, Singapore, the Philippines, and several European countries.

The most common duration is around two weeks, and these programs often combine language training, sightseeing, and cultural experiences. The goal is usually for students to both improve their English proficiency and broaden their international understanding.

For example, in 2025, a two-week summer study abroad program in the US, advertised by Unit I (Ho Chi Minh City), will take place in Boston and New York, with a planned departure in mid-June. Students will participate in intensive English classes at prestigious universities, combined with visits to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Natural History Museum, along with opportunities to interact with international students.

Meanwhile, the summer study abroad program in Australia offered by S. (Ho Chi Minh City) will also last two weeks in Sydney and Melbourne, scheduled for July. The program combines English language courses with leadership skills training, along with homestay experiences with local families. Students will visit landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and participate in sports and arts activities.

Ms. Hong Lan, a parent in District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City), is researching summer study abroad programs for her 12-year-old son in 2025 and shared her difficulties due to conflicting information. She wanted to send her son to a summer camp in Australia, but one consulting agency advised that the program would mostly be in the classroom, lacking sufficient practical activities, and suggested a program in Singapore instead, suggesting a more familiar and easier-to-adapt program.

"But at the second center, I received the opposite advice, that Australia would offer more experiences and easier access to top universities, while Singapore was quite similar to Vietnam," Lan recounted.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pham Thi Hang, a parent in Tan Binh District (Ho Chi Minh City), decided to enroll her 12-year-old son in a summer camp in Canada in 2024. The program was advertised as helping students improve their English, explore advanced education, and connect with international friends. Wanting her son to have the opportunity to access a modern learning environment, she registered him.

However, upon arriving, her son encountered many difficulties. The program was primarily designed for high school students with a packed schedule, high English proficiency requirements, and more academic activities than practical experiences. Besides communication challenges, her son also felt pressured to keep up with his older peers, leading to feelings of inferiority and discouragement.

What should you keep in mind when choosing a summer study abroad program?

Mr. Pham Hoang Phuc, a study abroad consultant at FIGO Group, said that when it comes to summer study abroad programs, many parents often think of giving their children a short experience abroad to "get acquainted" with independent living. However, behind that seemingly simple preparation are a series of details that both parents and students need to be cautious about, especially for young children going abroad for the first time.

Mr. Phuc said that many students are registered by their parents to go on trips without truly understanding the purpose of the trip. Even during visa interviews, some students carelessly answer that they are "going on a trip with friends for fun." As a result, their visas are immediately rejected.

Upon arrival, students have to adjust to the daily schedule, food, and culture. Some feel lost, homesick, crave their mother's cooking, and some even want to give up after just a few days. Many parents are surprised to receive calls from their children saying they want to return to Vietnam... immediately.

"In these cases, parents can work with the group leader to find ways to support their children, such as paying extra attention to that child, talking to them more, and guiding them to bring some familiar Vietnamese foods like instant noodles or spices to improve their meals," Mr. Phuc said.

Meanwhile, Mark Do, director of EF Vietnam, suggests that parents and students can set their expectations for their summer study abroad trip around having new experiences in an international environment. This way, students will be less afraid to try new things in the program and more open to minor "incidents" that may occur during the trip, such as missing trains or buses, unfamiliar food, or unsatisfactory accommodation.

Safety

Mr. Mark Do emphasized that safety must also be a top priority. Because the children traveling are often very young, some have never been abroad before. For example, some organizations typically don't have their own school and services (food, accommodation, sightseeing) in the host country, but instead partner with third parties ranging from schools and transportation to hotels and insurance companies. The more third parties involved in a service, the greater the potential risks.

From tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dong

The cost of summer study abroad programs for Vietnamese students in 2025 varies significantly depending on the destination, duration, and program content. Summer camps in the US, lasting from 2 to 4 weeks, typically cost between 100 and 200 million VND, including tuition, accommodation, transportation, insurance, and extracurricular activities.

Meanwhile, programs in the UK cost around 85 million VND for two weeks, not including airfare and visa fees. In Australia, the cost of a summer study abroad program ranges from 55 to 95 million VND, depending on the location and course content. Programs in Singapore are more affordable, ranging from 17 to 85 million VND, thanks to their proximity and less complicated visa requirements.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/can-trong-voi-du-hoc-he-tram-trieu-20250208090400776.htm