This regulation is part of a government decree on scholarship and training cost repayment, issued in 2/2026. This marks the first time detailed regulations have been provided for cases eligible for waiving or exempting study abroad repayment costs.

Specifically, students receiving scholarships and training funds from the state budget, or through bilateral agreements, will be required to repay costs if they fail to comply with state agency work assignments within 12 months of graduation.

Those who return to Vietnam to work after studying abroad but voluntarily quit before completing the required service period must also make repayments. The required work duration is twice the study period for college and university students, and three times for master's and doctoral candidates.

Repayment costs include tuition fees, scholarships, and other approved course-related expenses. Candidates must make the payment within 120 days of the repayment decision, which is twice the previous timeframe.

Despite these requirements, four categories of individuals are eligible for waiving or exempting repayment costs. One category is for students who have passed away, in which case the repayment obligation is waived.

For exemptions, there are three specific cases. The first applies to students confirmed by a medical facility as being unfit for work due to health reasons. The second covers those who have returned and worked for less than the stipulated time but have been reassigned, rotated, or seconded to a different position by a state agency.

The third case involves students who, due to objective reasons or force majeure, are unable to comply with the state agency's assignment. In such instances, the agency will review the circumstances and decide on the repayment exemption.

Last year, nearly 250,000 Vietnamese individuals studied abroad, from secondary school to postgraduate levels, marking a record high. Approximately 4,000 of these students received state budget scholarships, while the remainder were self-funded or relied on other scholarship sources.

Currently, Vietnam lacks comprehensive statistics on the number of students who return to the country after graduation. However, according to the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2024, approximately 70-80% of self-funded students remained abroad. Additionally, some students on cooperative scholarships also did not return, though their exact numbers are unclear.

Duong Tam