The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is deeply committed to the mission of “leaving no one behind in education”, particularly for students from low-income and lower-middle-income developing countries and regions, in alignment with the principles of SDG 1 – No Poverty and SDG 4 – Quality Education.
UEH operates a comprehensive scholarship policy valued at VND 70 billion per year across all academic levels, along with a dedicated scholarship scheme for international students from developing countries. These initiatives aim to support both international learners studying at UEH and Vietnamese students from low-income regions such as the Mekong Delta, which the World Bank classifies as a lower-middle-income area.
In 2024, UEH implemented a series of scholarship and international cooperation programmes to support students from developing countries and low-income regions. These included full and partial scholarships, partner-funded grants, low-interest tuition credit, and free dormitory accommodation. Highlight activities include: scholarships for students from Ghana, Laos and Cambodia; the “Mekong Talent 100” programme with universities in Taiwan and Australia; and emergency scholarships for students from 26 provinces affected by Typhoon Yagi.
These initiatives demonstrate UEH’s strong commitment to ensuring equal access to education, providing sustainable financial inclusion, and attracting talented students from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, thereby contributing to poverty eradication, wealth distribution, and the sustainable development of human resources across developing countries and low-income regions.
These policies directly benefited more than 20 international students from low-income countries, over 300 students in disaster areas, and dozens of students from the Mekong Delta through scholarships and study-credit support. These outcomes expand access to basic services, reduce financial barriers, and strengthen social protection systems, while improving quality of life and educational equality for disadvantaged classes.
| Policy / Programme | Beneficiaries | Implementation | Results |
| Scholarships and other financial support for international students from developing countries | International students from developing countries (Laos and Cambodia) studying at UEH. | UEH also emphasizes financial assistance for international students, especially from low and lower-middle income countries. To ensure equitable access and favorable learning conditions, UEH offers scholarships and free dormitory accommodation to qualified students. In 2024, UEH granted scholarships covering tuition for one student from Ghana and 19 students from Laos and Cambodia, who were also provided free dormitory housing. | A total of 20 international students from low and lower-middle income countries received practical support, motivating them to continue their studies and graduate successfully. |
| Study support Scholarships and credit program for freshmen from the Mekong Delta (Low-Income Region) | Vietnamese students at all levels from low-income families, disadvantaged backgrounds, remote and rural areas, and low-income regions such as the Mekong Delta | UEH awarded study support scholarships to freshmen from the Mekong Delta – a low-income region, including:
UEH also launched a student credit program by mobilizing resources from partner banks to facilitate low-interest loans and promote financial inclusion. Under this policy, students can borrow tuition fees for up to three months, and the university covers the interest rate based on the lowest level applied by participating banks, thus supporting students’ economic stability and continuity in education. |
– 15 study support scholarships for first-year students from disadvantaged Mekong Delta families, including: 5 full and 10 partial scholarships, increasing the proportion of low-income students continuing their studies and graduating.
– 40 students received Study Support Scholarships with an average value of 9.5 million VND each.
-16 students from the Innovation, Robotics, and Agribusiness programs received first-semester scholarships. – UEH Mekong facilitated the issuance of 486 loan confirmation documents to enable students to borrow from local Social Policy Banks. |
| Emergency support scholarships for students from disaster-affected regions | Students from 26 low- and lower-middle-income provinces affected by Typhoon Yagi | In order to share and to accompany the difficulties of students affected by storm No. 3 (Yagi storm) and the flood caused by the storm, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has implemented “Financial Aid” and “Tuition Payment Extension” programs to support students from 26 Northern Provinces affected by storm No. 3 in 2024. | With a total fund of 1 billion VND, 100 scholarships worth 10 million VND each were awarded, helping to reduce dropout risks in disaster zones. |
| KEB Hana Bank awarding 25 scholarships to students of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) | KEB Hana Bank (International cooperation from South Korea, an upper-middle income country) assisted disadvantaged Vietnamese students (a low-middle income country) with academic excellence.
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KEB Hana Bank and UEH jointly awarded the scholarships to encourage learning efforts and support students’ living expenses, promoting education equality and financial inclusion between countries of different income levels.
KEB Hana Bank – awarding a scholarship plaque to UEH |
– KEB Hana Bank Representative awarded scholarships to 25 UEH students with a total of 10,000 USD. Each scholarship worth 400 USD would help the students partly to overcome financial hardship and improve quality of life.
– Reflecting UEH’s commitment to international cooperation for equitable and sustainable education, in line with the goals of poverty eradication and income equality. |
| Launching Mekong Talent 100 Scholarship: Promoting Sustainable Development And High-Quality Education For The Mekong Delta | Vietnamese students from lower-middle-income regions (Mekong Delta) | UEH launched the Mekong Talent 100 Full Scholarship Program, in partnership with international universities from Australia and Taiwan, to foster sustainable human resource development and education equality for students in low-income regions. The program covers tuition fees, living expenses, and provides career development opportunities.
Mekong Talent 100 Scholarship Announcement Ceremony |
25 full scholarships for Master’s Programs, sponsored by FJCU and WSU, were awarded to talented individuals, aiming for career development in the Mekong Delta. This fosters talent development in lower-middle income areas and impacts community development. |
| Other student support programs | All students at UEH, prioritizing students from developing countries and Vietnamese students from disadvantaged, remote, and low-income areas (e.g., Mekong Delta). | In 2024, besides financial and scholarship support, UEH provided various accompanying programs such as service support, dormitory housing, health care, counseling, inclusion support, gender equality initiatives, special needs support, emergency aid, skill enhancement programs, career orientation, and networking. | UEH ensures that every individual – regardless of income, class, or background – is provided with opportunities to access, participate in, and complete higher education, contributing to poverty eradication, income equality, and sustainable development for vulnerable groups. |
Compared to the previous year, UEH expanded not only the scale but also the international scope of support policies for disadvantaged students. The comprehensive scholarship policy valued at 70 billion VND creates a sustainable ecosystem for learners. Significant expansions include international cooperation scholarships for Vietnamese students and new full scholarships for students from the Mekong Delta, shifting focus from solely financial aid to sustainable human resource development combining tuition support, career opportunities, and alumni network engagement.
The 2024 scholarship and partnership programs demonstrate UEH’s strong commitment to assisting poor students from low and lower-middle income regions with clear policies, effective implementation, and transparent evidence.
Open related links:
1. Department of Student Affairs – UEH announces benchmark scores for 2024 regular university admission methods, admission plan and scholarship and study credit programs – https://tuyensinh.ueh.edu.vn/bai-viet/ueh-cong-bo-diem-chuan-cac-phuong-thuc-xet-tuyen-dai-hoc-chinh-quy-2024-ke-hoach-nhap-hoc-va-chuong-trinh-hoc-bong-tin-dung-hoc-tap/
2. September 13, 2024 – UEH Implementing Financial Aid Programs for Students in Northern Provinces Affected by Storm No. 3 (YAGI) in 2024 – https://future.ueh.edu.vn/en/uncategorized/ueh-implementing-financial-aid-programs-for-students-in-northern-provinces-affected-by-storm-no-3-yagi-in-2024/
3. January 11, 2024 – KEB Hana Bank awarding 25 scholarships to students of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/keb-hana-bank-awarding-25-scholarships-to-students-of-university-of-economics-ho-chi-minh-city-ueh-71296
4. July 21, 2024 – Launching Mekong Talent 100 Scholarship: Promoting Sustainable Development And High-Quality Education For The Mekong Delta – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/launching-mekong-talent-100-scholarship-promoting-sustainable-development-and-high-quality-education-for-the-mekong-delta-72166
5. February 7, 2025 – Looking back on a year of accompanying learners at UEH: A journey of comprehensive care and support, towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – https://ueh.edu.vn/en/news/looking-back-on-a-year-of-accompanying-learners-at-ueh-a-journey-of-comprehensive-care-and-support-towards-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-73361 Í›
6. Department of Student Affairs – Student activities and events – https://dsa.ueh.edu.vn/en/student-activities-and-events/
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