Vietnamese students are enrolling at US universities at record levels, with nearly 4,500 F-1 visas issued in early 2024. Driven by interest in STEM fields and deepening bilateral ties, Vietnam now leads all ASEAN countries in the number of students studying in the United States.
The educational bond between Vietnam and the United States has grown significantly in recent years, with the first half of fiscal year 2024 marking a major milestone: almost 4,500 F-1 student visas were granted to Vietnamese students enrolled in US universities. This represents a 23% increase over the same timeframe in 2023. As of April 8th, 2025, this surge has propelled Vietnamese student visa approvals to their highest point in over a decade, reflecting deepening educational and diplomatic ties between the United States and Vietnam.
This growing wave of academic migration not only underscores the strong appeal of American education among Vietnamese families but also the strategic emphasis both countries are placing on educational collaboration. According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), 22,066 Vietnamese students were enrolled in US higher education institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year. When including students in K-12 education, language program participants, and other non-degree categories, the figure climbs to over 31,000—making Vietnam the leading ASEAN country in terms of student presence in the United States. Of these enrollments, nearly 48% of Vietnamese international students are pursuing STEM-related degrees, including emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, among many others.
The financial impact of Vietnamese international students is also significant. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Vietnamese student spending surpassed an estimated $816 million. A considerable portion of that was allocated to education-related travel and services. In 2024, the states reaping the most benefit for their local economies were those with the highest enrollment of Vietnamese international students: California led with 3,814 students, followed by Texas with 3,183, Massachusetts with 1,745, Washington with 1,472, and New York with 1,338.
The 2024-2025 academic year has also seen a 38% increase in applications from Vietnamese students in the United States relative to the prior year. This jump reflects both Vietnam’s deep cultural emphasis on education and the strengthening of bilateral support mechanisms. In recognition of International Education Week in November 2024, US Ambassador Marc Knapper reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to facilitating streamlined visa approvals and educational cooperation: “When international students and scholars come to the United States—and when Americans study abroad—they bring their talents, perspectives, and cultures to new communities,” he said. “And when they work with peers to advance research and knowledge, they spark innovation and forge bonds across borders that can last a lifetime.”
This commitment is underscored by the broader strategic framework between the two countries. A comprehensive strategic partnership and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US Department of State and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training have reinforced cooperation in education, opening more doors for student exchange and academic collaboration. US Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Genevieve Judson-Jourdain reiterates this sentiment in a press release of the US Embassy in Vietnam: “...the [student enrollment] data is demonstrable proof that education remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, while the nature of our current educational cooperation is already strategic.”
As reported by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States data, Vietnamese students represented the sixth-largest international student group in the United States in 2024. Four of the top six nationalities of international students come from the Indo-Pacific Region—India, China, South Korea and, of course, Vietnam. Their presence not only strengthens academic diversity on campuses but also reflects the growing interconnectedness between the United States and Asia. These groups also contribute to the United States reaching a record-breaking milestone in international student enrollment, with “more than 1.1 million international students” in the 2023-2024 academic year.
As both nations continue to deepen their educational and diplomatic ties, the presence of Vietnamese students in American universities is set to rise even further, bringing mutual academic, economic, and cultural benefits.
Emma Potts is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Emma recently graduated from Columbia University, majoring in Political Science and East Asian Languages & Cultures.