Choose a school, and pay attention to tuition fees.

Tuition fees at universities for students enrolling in the 2025 academic year will continue to increase according to the schedule stipulated in Government Decree 97/2023.

In 2025, the National Economics University plans to increase tuition fees for all regular full-time programs by 2-3 million VND compared to last year. Specifically, tuition fees for standard full-time programs in the 2025-2026 academic year will range from approximately 18 million VND to 25 million VND per year, depending on the major/program (last year's tuition fees ranged from 16-22 million VND per year). The university has not yet announced tuition fees for application-oriented programs or programs taught in English. The university also clearly stated the tuition fee increase roadmap for students in the 2025-2026 cohort, with a maximum increase per year, in accordance with Government Decree No. 81/2021.

Students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade during a class. Photo: HUIT.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry announced that tuition fees for the 2024-2025 academic year will average around 32-33 million VND/year (regular program) and 40-45 million VND/year (enhanced English program). For the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition fees will be based on the regulations of Decree 97/2023 but will not increase by more than 5% compared to the previous academic year.
Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport has announced that tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year for newly admitted students are expected to range from over 13 to over 47 million VND per year, an increase of approximately 10% compared to the previous academic year.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade collects tuition fees per course, therefore the average annual tuition fee does not increase throughout the entire course. It is projected that tuition fees for the 2025-2029 cohort will increase by 3-7% compared to the 2024-2028 cohort, approximately 108-130 million VND/4 years of study.
Some universities are expected to increase tuition fees due to changes in school type in the upcoming academic year, while the tuition fee disclosure varies greatly from school to school. Some schools charge per credit, some per semester, some per year, or the total for the entire course. Candidates and their families should carefully research tuition fees and the fee increase schedule of each school to prepare for the 4 or 5 years of university study. This is especially important for schools that announce tuition fees per semester, as some schools have 3-4 semesters per academic year.

For private universities, tuition fees also vary greatly. Last year, universities charged tuition fees ranging from under 20 million VND to nearly 200 million VND per academic year. Furthermore, programs accredited by public universities can determine their own tuition fees based on socio-economic norms issued by the university, independent of Decree 97; parents should carefully research this. Additionally, universities' admission plans should clearly state the projected tuition fees for each year to avoid unexpected increases.

One suggestion from the universities is that diverse scholarship funds for high-achieving students, underprivileged students, etc., and the current student loan policy, which allows for quick disbursement upon completion of procedures, provides an opportunity for candidates from disadvantaged families to pursue their university education according to their aspirations and interests.
Furthermore, according to Associate Professor Pham Thu Huong, Vice Rector of the Foreign Trade University, many candidates are still hesitant between choosing a major and a university based on their passion and interests or one that tends to offer good income and career advancement opportunities in the future. Based on practical experience, Professor Huong believes that if candidates have all the necessary conditions to pursue their passion and interests without having to consider other factors such as current financial capabilities and future job opportunities, then choosing a major based on interest is appropriate. However, if they still have to consider the conditions to ensure a comfortable life and other factors, they should view this issue positively. Let your interests and passions become driving forces and opportunities within your chosen profession.

“In the context of a constantly changing society with many unpredictable factors, I believe that each individual must prepare themselves to adapt. At the university level, students should broaden their horizons and cultivate the ability for lifelong learning, thereby ensuring they can choose a major and career based on their interests while also being ready to adapt to market changes,” Associate Professor Pham Thu Huong stated.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/tuyen-sinh-dai-hoc-2025-chon-truong-luu-y-hoc-phi-10299805.html