Science, technology emerge as new pillar of Vietnam-Australia education ties

According to the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, about 25,000 Vietnamese students studied in Australia in 2021.

The figure rose to 26,434 a year later, making Vietnam one of Australia's major sources of international students.

By 2025, data from the Provider Registration and International Student Management System, an online database run by the Australian Government Department of Education, showed that 36,840 Vietnamese students had started or continued their studies in Australia.

The number had increased by almost 40 percent in three years from 2022.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ranks Vietnam as Australia’s fourth-largest source of international students.

In the first five months of 2026, Vietnam remained among the top five sources, accounting for about five percent of all international students in Australia.

The education connection built through generations of Vietnamese alumni is also expanding.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates more than 160,000 Vietnamese alumni of Australian universities, including over 7,500 who received Australian government scholarships.

At the same time, Australian higher education programs in Vietnam have expanded rapidly, with enrollment rising from 7,368 in 2019 to 17,697 in 2024.

Education cooperation now goes beyond student exchanges to include joint research, innovation, and workforce development.

Nguyen Nhut Hung, Southeast Asia partner manager at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), said the development of bilateral ties was creating more opportunities in high-tech fields as Vietnam prioritizes training skilled workers.

In April last year, UTS and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City launched two UTS bachelor’s programs in information technology and artificial intelligence in the Vietnamese city.

Two months later, the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre opened in Hanoi, focusing on AI, 5G and 6G, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and quantum technology cooperation.

"Further cooperation opportunities are considered substantial, especially as Vietnam is strongly promoting science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and highly-skilled workforce development," Hung said.

Vietnam and Australia have identified stronger links between universities, expanded student and faculty exchanges, joint research and transnational education as key areas for future cooperation.

Science and technology are also emerging as a new pillar.

"The two countries can further develop joint research programs, joint laboratories, doctoral training, technology transfer and university-industry partnerships in areas such as AI, semiconductors, digital technology, energy, and healthcare," Hung said.