Vietnam Student Visa (DH)
The DH visa for enrolled students — language courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, and research stays at Vietnamese universities.
The DH visa is for foreign nationals enrolled in a recognised Vietnamese educational institution. It covers Vietnamese-language courses, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, exchange semesters, and research stays. Validity matches the duration of the enrolment letter from the host institution.
Rules current as of 2026-05-17. Confirm with the host institution's international office and the Provincial Immigration Department before applying.
Eligibility
Anyone with a valid enrolment letter from a recognised Vietnamese institution. There is no nationality restriction, no age restriction, and no minimum-stay requirement beyond what the programme itself demands.
Common student categories:
- Vietnamese language students at university language centres (very common — short-term programmes from 3 to 12 months)
- Undergraduate degree students at Vietnamese universities (4-year programmes; tuition ranges roughly $1,500–4,000/year at public institutions, more at private)
- Postgraduate students (MA, MSc, MBA, PhD)
- Exchange programme students for one or two semesters
- Research students and visiting scholars
Common host institutions
| Institution | Notable for |
|---|---|
| Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) | Largest in the south; strong language programme |
| Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hà Nội) | Largest in the north; major research university |
| Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology (HUFLIT) | Popular for language programmes |
| University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH HCMC and Hanoi) | Vietnamese-language certificates, social sciences |
| RMIT Vietnam | Australian university with HCMC and Hanoi campuses; English-taught degrees |
| Vietnam-Germany University (VGU) | Engineering, in partnership with German universities |
| Fulbright University Vietnam | English-taught liberal arts in HCMC |
Vietnamese-language programmes specifically attract a steady stream of expat-to-be students who use the year to settle, find work, and convert to a work permit.
Documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | 6+ months validity |
| Photos | 2×3 cm and 4×6 cm, white background |
| Enrolment letter | From the host institution, on letterhead, with programme dates and tuition status |
| Tuition receipt or scholarship letter | Confirming you've paid or are funded |
| Health check | From an approved Vietnamese hospital (some institutions require) |
| Application form | NA1 (from outside) or NA5 (from inside Vietnam) |
| Police clearance | Required by some institutions; rarely by Immigration directly |
Validity
The DH visa matches the duration of your enrolment:
- Short-term language courses (3–6 months): single or multiple entry, matching dates
- Annual programmes: 1-year multiple entry, renewable
- Multi-year degree programmes: typically issued 1 year at a time, with TRC conversion possible for stays beyond 1 year
Process
- Apply to the host institution and receive the enrolment letter.
- Pay tuition or secure scholarship funding and obtain the receipt.
- Apply for the DH visa:
- From outside Vietnam: at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
- From inside Vietnam: at the Provincial Immigration Department (PA61 in HCMC, PA72 in Hanoi).
- For stays beyond 1 year, the institution can sponsor a TRC application — see Temporary Residence Card.
Cost
- DH visa fee: $25–155 depending on duration and entry type
- TRC (if applicable): $145 for up to 1 year
- Tuition: varies wildly by institution and programme
What it lets you do
- Reside in Vietnam for the duration of the programme
- Multiple entries during validity
- Conduct study, research, and unpaid academic activities
- Convert to a work permit after graduation (very common pathway) — see work permit
What it does not do
- Authorise paid work while on the DH visa. Part-time work for foreign students is technically a grey area; teaching English on the side without a work permit is illegal and can result in visa cancellation.
- Cover dependents automatically — spouses and children need separate visas (typically TT or dependent class).
- Confer permanent residency directly — long-term residency requires graduating onto a work permit, marriage, or investor route.
Converting to a work permit on graduation
A common pathway: complete a Vietnamese-language certificate or degree → take a job with a Vietnamese employer → employer sponsors a work permit → switch from DH to LD visa class → apply for a TRC.
The graduation diploma from a recognised Vietnamese institution can serve as the qualifying credential for the work permit, removing the need for an apostilled home-country degree.
Common pitfalls
- Enrolment letter doesn't match application duration. Immigration cross-checks; mismatches mean rejection.
- Tuition not paid before applying. Visa is contingent on real enrolment, not intention to enrol.
- Working on the side. Common but illegal; risks deportation and re-entry ban.
- Letting the visa lapse during a summer break. Plan the renewal cycle around the academic year.
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