Scholarships for MBBS in Vietnam: Which Universities Offer Them and How to Apply

One of the first questions serious families ask after deciding on MBBS in Vietnam is whether the already-affordable fees can be brought down even further. The answer is yes — several Vietnamese medical universities offer merit-based scholarships to international students, including Indians. They won’t replace the need for proper financial planning, but for high-performing students, they can meaningfully reduce the total cost of the program.

Here’s a clear, honest look at what’s actually available and how the process works.

How Scholarships Work for MBBS in Vietnam

Unlike scholarships in some countries that are awarded upfront at the time of admission, most Vietnamese medical universities structure scholarships as performance-based rewards from the second year onwards. In practice, this means:

  • Your first-year academic performance is what typically determines eligibility
  • Scholarships usually take the form of partial tuition fee reductions, rather than full free rides
  • They are competitive and limited in number — not every student who applies will receive one
  • Some universities also factor in NEET scores or overall academic record at the time of admission

This is an important expectation to set early: scholarships in Vietnam are best treated as a reward for consistent hard work during the program, not as a guaranteed discount you can count on before you’ve even started.

Universities Known to Offer Scholarships

Phan Chau Trinh University (PCTU) PCTU offers merit-based scholarships to a limited number of high-performing students each year, awarded based on academic performance during the program.

Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (CTUMP) CTUMP offers merit-based scholarships to international students after enrollment, based on demonstrated academic performance — one of the more consistently mentioned scholarship programs among Vietnamese medical universities.

Dai Nam University Dai Nam provides merit-based scholarships from the second year onwards, tied directly to how a student performs academically in their first year. Strong first-year results can translate into fee reductions or financial support for the remaining years.

Nam Can Tho University (NCTU) NCTU also offers scholarship and financial support opportunities for students who demonstrate strong academic performance, as part of its broader international student support system.

Vietnam National University (SEU and affiliated institutions) Some programs under Vietnam National University offer scholarships covering a significant portion of tuition — in certain cases ranging from partial to substantial fee coverage — for high-performing students, along with merit-based fee reductions from the second year.

Scholarship terms, percentages, and seat numbers change from year to year and aren’t always published in detail on university websites, so it’s worth confirming current offerings directly with the university or your consultant before making assumptions about how much you might save.

Government and Institutional Scholarship Routes

Beyond individual university scholarships, there are a couple of other paths worth being aware of:

  • Government of Vietnam scholarships — periodically offered to students from partner countries, including India, administered through Vietnam’s Ministry of Education. These are merit-based, highly competitive, and limited in number, so they shouldn’t be relied upon as a primary funding plan.
  • University-specific need-based aid — a smaller number of universities offer limited financial assistance for students facing genuine financial constraints, separate from merit scholarships.

How to Actually Apply

  1. Confirm scholarship policy before you commit to a university. Ask specifically what percentage of tuition is covered, from which year it applies, and what the eligibility criteria are — don’t rely on general claims.
  2. Focus on strong first-year academic performance. Since most scholarships kick in from the second year based on first-year results, your first year is effectively your scholarship application.
  3. Keep your documentation organized. Academic transcripts and performance records are typically what universities use to assess eligibility — there’s rarely a separate “scholarship application form” beyond maintaining strong grades.
  4. Ask your consultant to flag scholarship deadlines and criteria early, rather than discovering eligibility requirements after the window has passed.
  5. Don’t factor scholarships into your core financial plan. Budget for the full fee structure first, and treat any scholarship you receive as a bonus reduction — not a line item you depend on to make the program affordable.

A Realistic Expectation to Set

It’s worth being direct about this: scholarship seats are limited, competitive, and not guaranteed to any student regardless of how affordable Vietnam already is compared to other destinations. Families researching MBBS in Vietnam should evaluate the base cost of their chosen university as the real number to plan around, and view scholarships as a genuine possibility to work toward — not a financial safety net to count on in advance.

Final Thoughts

Scholarships can meaningfully reduce the cost of an already affordable MBBS program in Vietnam, but they reward consistent academic performance rather than being handed out at admission. If cost is a major factor in your decision, the smartest approach is choosing a university with a track record of awarding scholarships, going in with a strong academic mindset from day one, and getting clear, specific answers about eligibility before you commit.

Want help comparing which universities currently offer the strongest scholarship opportunities for your profile? Book an appointment — we’ll walk you through real, current scholarship terms university by university.