Do international students on a state budget scholarship of Vietnam receive scholarships if they have to extend their study period due to a pandemic?

Do international students on a state budget scholarship of Vietnam receive scholarships if they have to extend their study period due to a pandemic?

Pursuant to Clause 6, Article 9 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the extension of study duration abroad is as follows:

Extension of Study Duration Abroad

...

6. Overseas students stipulated in Points a and b, Clause 1, Article 3 of this Decree who need to extend their study duration due to war, natural disaster, epidemic but still ensure study results confirmed by the foreign educational institution shall still receive scholarships, with the maximum consideration period for scholarship issuance being 12 months. Based on the student's request, the sending agency shall be responsible for cooperating with Vietnam's overseas representative agency to inspect and consider each specific case and grant in accordance with the stipulated policies. In the case of prolonged war, natural disaster, or epidemic, the continued provision of funding shall be considered and decided by the competent authority.

Thus, State budget scholarship students who need to extend their study duration due to the epidemic still receive scholarships if they ensure study results confirmed by the foreign educational institution.

Du học sinh học bổng ngân sách nhà nước phải kéo dài thời gian học tập do dịch bệnh thì có được cấp học bổng hay không?​ (Image from the Internet)

How many cases are there for state budget scholarship students returning to Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the reception of State budget scholarship students returning to Vietnam is as follows:

Reception of State Budget Scholarship Students Returning to Vietnam

1. Returning students include:

a) Completed the stsdy program, qualified to be granted diplomas/certificates of graduation or have received diplomas/certificates of graduation;

b) Completed the study program but awaiting defense or completion of procedures as stipulated by the foreign educational institution to be granted diplomas/certificates of graduation and temporarily return to Vietnam;

c) Did not complete the study program and return to Vietnam.

....

Thus, there are 3 cases for State budget scholarship students returning to Vietnam:

- Completed the study program, qualified to be granted diplomas/certificates of graduation or have received diplomas/certificates of graduation;

- Completed the study program but awaiting defense or completion of procedures as stipulated by the foreign educational institution to be granted diplomas/certificates of graduation and temporarily return to Vietnam;

- Did not complete the study program and return to Vietnam.

What are responsibilities of the sending agency for state budget scholarship students in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 11 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the rights and responsibilities of the direct management agency and the sending agency for State budget scholarship students are as follows:

Rights and Responsibilities of the Direct Management Agency and Sending Agency for State Budget Scholarship Students

...

4. Responsibilities of the sending agency

a) Decide on the selection route, send Vietnamese citizens abroad to study, and receive students returning to Vietnam according to the provisions of this Decree;

b) Preside and cooperate with the direct management agency to manage students, provide funding for students (if any) during their study period abroad according to the provisions of this Decree and other relevant current regulations;

c) Provide information on training costs allocated to students during their study period abroad for the direct management agency to consider recovering training costs as stipulated in Article 12 and Article 13 of this Decree for cases failing to fulfill study obligations or not complying with the work arrangement upon graduation;

d) Recover training costs for students with no working agency, failing to fulfill study obligations, and required to reimburse training costs according to the stipulations in Article 12 and Article 13 of this Decree.

Thus, the responsibilities of the sending agency for State budget scholarship students are as follows:

- Decide on the selection route, send Vietnamese citizens abroad to study, and receive students returning to Vietnam according to the provisions of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP

- Preside and cooperate with the direct management agency to manage students, provide funding for students (if any) during their study period abroad according to the provisions of this Decree and other relevant current regulations;

- Provide information on training costs allocated to students during their study period abroad for the direct management agency to consider recovering training costs as stipulated in Article 12 and Article 13 Decree 86/2021/ND-CP for cases failing to fulfill study obligations or not complying with the work arrangement upon graduation;

- Recover training costs for students with no working agency, failing to fulfill study obligations, and required to reimburse training costs according to the stipulations in Article 12 and Article 13 Decree 86/2021/ND-CP.