The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is committed to ensuring that all students, especially those from the bottom 20% of households by income, can study, graduate and find stable employment, in line with the principle that no one should be left behind. In 2025, UEH continued operating an integrated student-support system and provided emergency assistance worth nearly VND 23 billion to 11,262 learners whose families were affected by storms and floods across 24 provinces and cities, including students at risk of sudden poverty or study interruption.
Rather than offering isolated services, UEH takes a coordinated, continuous and targeted approach: identifying and counselling disadvantaged students before admission; supporting them through university; and linking them with opportunities after graduation. Financial measures include study-support scholarships, donor-funded awards, education loans, tuition exemptions/reductions and statutory study-cost assistance. Essential services include accommodation, transport, disability support and employment assistance. The Student Affairs Department verifies eligibility each semester, receives applications via UEH Student and monitors the situation of students at risk of withdrawing for financial reasons.
In addition to recurring programmes, UEH responded quickly to sudden hardship in 2025. After Storm 10 (Bualoi), it deployed approximately VND 7 billion for nearly 3,000 students in 19 provinces and cities; after storms 11–13, it expanded assistance to five additional provinces and reached nearly VND 23 billion overall. More than VND 11.2 billion in admissions and study-support scholarships was awarded to Cohort 51 entrants, including scholarships specifically for disadvantaged first-year students.
The learner care journey model is in the bottom 20%
UEH reaches out to the bottom 20% of students throughout their entire learning journey – from choosing a career, major, and university during their school years to graduation and employment. At each touchpoint, the university clearly identifies the barriers faced by disadvantaged students and arranges corresponding support programs; information about the beneficiaries is transferred between stages and units to ensure uninterrupted support.
Image: Model of touchpoints supporting the bottom 20% of students throughout the learner journey at UEH.
Support for students in the bottom 20% operates on a closed-loop system each semester, with the Student Care Committee acting as the central coordinating body:
(1) Identifying the target group: The Student Care Board receives documents proving the circumstances (certificates of poverty, near-poverty, certificates of difficult family circumstances) through the UEH Student portal right from the time of enrollment and updates each semester, forming a list of students who need support.
(2) Synchronized financial support: on this same list, the Student Care Board considers tuition fee exemption and reduction according to State regulations, academic support scholarships, sponsored scholarships, interest rate support and grants certificates of loan from the Social Policy Bank; the exemption and reduction amount is deducted directly from tuition fees.
(3) Academic monitoring: The Training Department announces the list of students expected to be subject to academic disciplinary action each semester; academic advisors monitor the academic and training results of each class and are evaluated each semester; students at risk of interruption are reconnected with scholarships, credits and individual counseling.
(4) Intervention in case of sudden risks: when natural disasters or incidents occur, the Student Care Board reviews the student’s place of residence, opens an emergency support campaign and coordinates the reduction and extension of tuition fees and credit – in 2025, nearly 23 billion VND for 11,262 students.
(5) Transition to employment: final year students are connected with job fairs, partner enterprise networks; post-graduation employment surveys assess output results.
(6) Evaluation and adjustment: Coverage, Retention, Graduation, Employment and Dropout indicators of the bottom 20% group are compiled annually from the learner management system and employment survey, as a basis for adjusting policies for the following year.
Details of the programs for each stage of the journey are presented below.
| Policies / Activities | Beneficiaries | Deployment | Results / Impacts |
| Scholarships to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. | Students in the bottom 20% group, with priority given to disadvantaged freshmen in Ho Chi Minh City and UEH Mekong. | The Student Care Board reviews applications based on individual circumstances and academic performance each semester.
Scholarships to support studies will be awarded at the Opening Ceremony of the 51st Cohort of Undergraduate Students (September 26, 2025) and the Opening Ceremony of UEH Mekong (October 6, 2025), helping new students confidently enter their first academic year.
Image: Leaders of UEH member universities award scholarships to support the studies of new students of Course 51 who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Source of evidence: Opening Ceremony of Course 51, UEH Undergraduate Program: The First Page – Write Your Own Story at UEH (UEH Portal, September 26, 2025)
Image: Awarding scholarships to support studies for new students of the 51st cohort at UEH Mekong. Source of evidence: UEH Mekong – Opening Ceremony of the 51st Undergraduate Course: The First Page – Write Your Own Story at UEH (UEH Portal, October 6, 2025) Source of evidence: UEH accompanies students in difficult circumstances in 2025 – Direct financial support, empowering their learning journey (UEH Student Care Board, December 31, 2025) |
Over 11.2 billion VND in scholarships and study support have been awarded to new students of Course 51 in Ho Chi Minh City.
730 million VND in awards and scholarships at UEH Mekong. For the whole year of 2025: 784 scholarships to support studies, totaling approximately 7 billion VND; of which 95 scholarships are for students from poor and near-poor households, worth nearly 1.1 billion VND. |
| Emergency support program for students in flood-affected areas in 2025 | Students with permanent residence in the 24 provinces and cities affected by typhoons No. 10, 11, 12, and 13 – a group at risk of falling into sudden poverty. | Phase 1 (October 2025): 19 provinces and cities affected by Typhoon Bualoi.
Phase 2 (November 2025): Expanding to include Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong. This combines four options: a 10% tuition fee reduction, scholarships, tuition payment extensions, and preferential student credit.
Image: Program to support learners affected by storms and floods in 2025 Source of evidence: UEH implements a program to support students in areas affected by Typhoon No. 10 (Bualoi) in 2025 (UEH Portal, October 3, 2025)
Source of evidence: University reduces tuition fees by 10% for over 11,200 students in flood-affected areas (VnExpress Newspaper) (UEH Portal – Press, November 24, 2025)
Image: Representatives of the New York Classical Music Association present scholarships to support students affected by floods in central Vietnam. Source of evidence: Looking back at the journey of spreading artistic values at Dream Concert Vietnam 2025 (UEH Portal, December 14, 2025) |
Nearly 23 billion VND was provided to support 11,262 students.
100 scholarships, totaling over 1.35 billion VND. The New York Classical Music Association awarded two additional scholarships, each worth 50 million VND, to students affected by the floods in Central Vietnam. The program was reported on by Education & Times Newspaper and VnExpress. |
| Student credit program | Students from poor or near-poor households, or those facing temporary financial difficulties, will be given priority; students from disaster-stricken areas will also be prioritized. | Borrow through OCB bank with an interest rate of 7.5%/year, maximum term of 6 months; UEH will subsidize a portion of the loan interest.
Tuition fees can be paid in installments with 0% interest via Sacombank credit card for students at all levels. Issuing confirmation certificates to enable students to borrow funds from the Social Policy Bank.
Source of evidence: UEH expands its program to support students affected by storms, floods, and natural disasters in 2025 (UEH Portal, November 22, 2025) |
In 2025, 83 students received student loans and 54 students paid tuition in installments, with a total loan value of VND 1,441,983,103; UEH subsidized interest payments of VND 47,370,637. UEH issued 2,200 confirmation certificates to enable students to borrow funds from the Social Policy Bank. |
| Policies on tuition fee exemption and reduction, and support for learning expenses. | Students eligible for tuition fee exemption or reduction under Decree 81/2021/ND-CP (amended and supplemented by Decree 97/2023/ND-CP) include: orphaned students with no guardians; students with disabilities; ethnic minority students whose parents or grandparents belong to poor or near-poor households; and children of people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution. Ethnic minority students from poor or near-poor households receive additional financial support for their studies according to Decision 66/2013/QD-TTg. In addition: students from disaster-stricken areas. | Students submit applications for tuition fee waivers, reductions, and financial assistance for study expenses on a semester-by-semester basis.
10% tuition fee reduction for the final semester of 2025 for undergraduate students of cohorts 48-51 from disaster-stricken areas; extension of tuition fee payment deadline for the first semester of 2026 until January 25, 2026. At UEH Mekong, tuition fees are only 60% of those at the Ho Chi Minh City campus.
Image: Awarding scholarships to new students, academic achievement scholarships, and academic support scholarships at UEH Mekong. Source of evidence: UEH Mekong: Partnering through policy – Creating a comprehensive development journey for students (UEH Portal, July 23, 2025)
Source of evidence: UEH accompanies students in difficult circumstances in 2025 – Direct financial support, empowering their learning journey (UEH Student Care Board, December 31, 2025) |
Nearly 3,000 students received a 10% tuition fee reduction in the first round of support.
455 scholarships were awarded for tuition fee waivers and study cost support, totaling approximately 6.3 billion VND; of which 53 scholarships, worth 660 million VND, were reserved for students from poor and near-poor households. |
| The initiative “Connecting Communities – Disseminating Knowledge – Taking Sustainable Action” and the Giving to UEH Fund | Students who overcome difficulties (the “Wings of Dreams” scholarship) and talented students (the “Talent Development” scholarship). | The UEH Sharing & Giving – Career Fair event series (March 24–30, 2025) includes cooperation agreements with Truong Tuoi Group, OCB, MB, and UOB Vietnam.
UEH Challenge 24h of Giving Campaign (November 2025). Alumni from various graduating classes have joined hands to contribute through the UEH Giving program.
Image: Acknowledging the total value of contributions from 782 individuals and organizations for future generations. Source of evidence: The resounding success of the UEH Sharing & Giving – Career Fair 2025 event series (UEH Portal, March 31, 2025)
Image: UEH Challenge 24h of Giving 2025 fundraising for the “Wings of Dreams” scholarship program. Source of evidence: UEH Challenge 24h of Giving 2025: Over 1,000 UEHers join the journey of proudly continuing the Giving Back tradition (UEH Alumni, November 6, 2025) |
Nearly 7.93 billion VND was contributed, including:
– 7.6 billion VND from 782 individuals and organizations; – over 208 million VND from 1,023 UEH students; – 120 million VND from alumni of Class 27. |
| Scholarships are sponsored under the themes “Wings of Dreams” and “Bright Future”. | Students from poor or near-poor households, orphans, or those with difficult family circumstances who strive to excel in their studies. | Businesses, alumni, and the UEH Student Union sponsor and award scholarships in multiple rounds throughout the year.
Truong Tuoi Group signed a cooperation agreement (March 27, 2025) to sponsor scholarships for disadvantaged students from Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai provinces.
Image: Representatives of Truong Tuoi Group awarding scholarships to UEH students. Source of evidence: Ending the journey of Truong Tuoi Group – UEH League 2025: Dormitory 43-45 Nguyen Chi Thanh crowned champion (UEH Portal, November 18, 2025)
Image: UEH Alumni Golf Club awards 30 scholarships to students. Source of evidence: UEH Alumni Golf Club awards 500 million VND in scholarships to 30 students at the Year End Party 2025 golf tournament (UEH Alumni, May 27, 2025)
Image: The “Bright Future” scholarship awarded to new students of Course 51. Source of evidence: UEH Freshman Welcome Cultural Festival, Class 51 – Connecting Hands 2025: GLOW TRACK (UEH Portal, October 14, 2025) |
Throughout 2025, scholarships from businesses, organizations, and alumni totaled 344, worth nearly 4.8 billion VND; of which 248 scholarships (over 3.3 billion VND) were allocated to students from poor and near-poor households.
UEH Alumni Golf Club: 10 “Fulfilling Dreams” scholarships, each worth 20 million VND. Truong Tuoi Group: 10 scholarships, each worth 20 million VND. “Bright Future” Scholarships: 6 scholarships (January 2025) and 10 scholarships for new students of Course 51 (October 2025). |
| Caring for learners with disabilities | Students with disabilities | Priority admission; financial support on a semester or full-course basis; dedicated elevators, walkways, and restrooms in lecture halls and dormitories; adjustments to Physical Education and National Defense Education courses to suit health requirements.
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In 2025, 11 students with disabilities will receive support from UEH. |
| Basic services: accommodation and transportation | Economics students from disadvantaged backgrounds, near-poor households, disabled students, and students living away from home. | Two dormitories in Ho Chi Minh City (135 Tran Hung Dao and 43–45 Nguyen Chi Thanh); UEH Mekong dormitory on campus, 54 rooms, affordable for students.
UEH Shuttle bus operates 5 routes connecting the Eastern Bus Station, Ben Thanh Metro Station, two dormitories, and UEH campuses.
Image: Amenities at UEH Mekong Dormitory Source of evidence: UEH Mekong: Partnering through policy – Creating a comprehensive development journey for students (UEH Portal, July 23, 2025)
Image: UEH Shuttle bus route for the new academic year Source of evidence: UEH Shuttle bus accompanies UEHers in the new academic year (UEH Portal, August 3, 2025) |
The UEH Mekong dormitory provides accommodation for nearly 500 people.
Thanks to UEH’s subsidy, the UEH Shuttle bus fare is only 5,000 VND per trip. In 2025, UEH will provide free dormitory accommodation for 31 students (3 Vietnamese students, 25 Laotian students, and 3 Cambodian students); the UEH Shuttle bus will serve 86,131 trips, with a subsidy of VND 1,106,707,750. |
| Connecting jobs and developing skills | Final-year students and job seekers, with priority given to disadvantaged groups. | UEH Sharing & Giving – Career Fair (March 2025) with over 60 recruiting companies.
The Ho Chi Minh City Internship and Job Fair – UEH Career Fair 2025, Phase 2 (October 23–26, 2025), along with the “Conquer the Recruiter 2025” competition, is being held in collaboration with TopCV.
Image: Overview of the UEH Career Fair 2025 Internship and Job Fair, Phase 2 |
Over 5,000 job opportunities were offered at the Career Fair in March 2025, attracting 6,797 attendees.
Over 3,000 job openings from more than 30 companies were offered at the second round of the Career Fair, attracting over 5,000 students and job seekers. Nearly 1,000 students registered for the “Conquer the Recruiter 2025” competition. Throughout 2025, UEH aims to connect over 8,000 job opportunities through its network of nearly 100 partner businesses; 97% of 2025 graduates will find employment within one year. |
Source of evidence: 
These examples confirm that UEH not only maintains programs specifically for students in the bottom 20% but also promptly extends support to students facing unexpected difficulties: in just the last two months of 2025, more than 11,000 students from disaster-stricken areas received tuition fee reductions, scholarships, or access to credit to continue their studies.
Goals and Results for 2025
| Target | Targets for 2025 | Actual results in 2025 |
| The bottom 20% of students receive at least one form of financial aid (coverage). | ≥ 97% (2024: 96.8%) | [Data needed] |
| Retention rate from year 1 to year 2 | ≥ 98.7% (2024: 98.5%) | [Data needed] |
| The graduation rate is on time or delayed by no more than 0.5 years. | ≥ 97% (2024: 96.7%) | [Data needed] |
| Employment rate within 6 months of graduation | ≥ 97.5% (2024: 97%) | [Data needed] |
| Number of students dropping out due to financial reasons (Dropout) | 0 (2024: 0) | [Data needed] (to verify withdrawal records due to financial reasons) |
Note: The “Bottom 20%” is determined by UEH based on household economic conditions: students belonging to poor or near-poor households according to the multidimensional poverty standard for the period 2022–2025 (Decree 07/2021/ND-CP) or having an average per capita income in the lowest 20% group according to the Vietnam Living Standards Survey (VHLSS). The indicators are compiled from the student management system (Training Department) and the 6-month employment survey of the Quality Assurance unit.
Compared to the previous year, UEH’s improvement lies in connecting programs into a continuous support journey with a central coordinating body, from pre-admission counseling to post-graduation employment; while also significantly expanding the scope of support to students facing sudden hardship. While in 2024, the University awarded 100 scholarships (approximately 1 billion VND) to students in 26 provinces affected by Typhoon Yagi, in 2025, resources have increased to nearly 23 billion VND, supporting 11,262 students in 24 provinces and cities, with a more comprehensive approach combining tuition fee reductions, scholarships, tuition fee extensions, and student loans. In addition, the support network continues to be strengthened with new cooperation agreements with Truong Tuoi Group, OCB, MB, and UOB Vietnam, ensuring a more stable source of scholarships for students facing difficulties. For the bottom 20% of students, the 2025 targets are set higher than the 2024 results (Coverage 96.8%; Retention 98.5%; Graduation 96.7%; Employment 97%). [Actual 2025 results needed for comparison]
From this, it can be seen that UEH has built a systematic and flexible support program for students in the bottom 20%: removing financial barriers right from the time of enrollment, accompanying them throughout their studies, and connecting them with jobs after graduation, so that every student has the opportunity to complete their studies.