Vietnam: What does "international students under state budget scholarship" mean?

What does "international students under state budget scholarship" mean?

Based on Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, international students under state budget scholarship are Vietnamese citizens going abroad for study who receive full or partial funding for training expenses, travel costs, living allowances, and other study-related costs from one or multiple sources from the following funds:

- State budget scholarships granted under agreements or cooperation agreements between the Government of Vietnam and the governments of other countries;- State budget scholarships provided through state agencies, state enterprises, and public service providers;- Scholarships granted by foreign governments, official development assistance (ODA), regional governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, or individual sponsors through the Government of Vietnam (hereinafter collectively referred to as scholarships sponsored by foreign entities).

What does "international students under state budget scholarship" mean? What are the rights and responsibilities of international students under state budget scholarship of Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the rights and responsibilities of international students under state budget scholarship of Vietnam?

Based on Article 6 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the rights and responsibilities of international students under state budget scholarship are as follows:

- Rights of international students under state budget scholarship

+ The right to return home for internships, collect materials to serve their study programs; enjoy vacations during the study period according to the regulations of the foreign educational institution; return home, visit relatives in other countries (third countries) if approved by the competent authorities of the host country;

+ Be protected consularly and their legitimate rights protected by Vietnamese representative agencies abroad during their study abroad according to regulations;

+ Enjoy full or partial training expenses, travel costs, living allowances, and other study-related costs abroad through the state budget for students specified at points a and b, Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP or through foreign-sponsored scholarships for students specified at point c, Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP.

- Responsibilities of international students under state budget scholarship

+ Strictly comply with Vietnamese laws, laws, and customs of the host country; in case of violation, depending on the nature and extent will be handled according to the relevant laws;

+ Strictly comply with the rules and regulations of foreign educational institutions and the commitments and regulations of direct management agencies (for those with working agencies), the sending agency; maintain and develop friendly relations with organizations, individuals, and local communities of the host country;

+ Register as Vietnamese citizens abroad according to current regulations and update information into the database system specified in Article 4 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP;

+ Not be allowed to voluntarily drop out; conform to the study duration, level of training, field of study, country of study, and educational institution according to the decision for study abroad by the competent authority;

+ Notify the sending agency at least 10 working days before returning home for internships, collecting materials, having holidays, or vacation according to the regulations of the foreign educational institution for students specified at points a and b, Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP;

+ Submit a progress report (Form No. 01 in the Appendix issued with Decree 86/2021/ND-CP)(Download) and a certified copy of academic results from the foreign educational institution by mail, in person, or online to the sending agency after each semester or academic year;

+ Reimburse training costs according to the provisions of Articles 12 and 13 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP if they do not complete their study obligations or do not comply with the job assignment of the competent state agency after graduation for students specified at points a and b, Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP;

+ Comply with current regulations on officials and public employees and the regulations of the Communist Party (for officials and public employees and party members);

+ Protect documents and information that have state secrets as stipulated in the Law on Protection of State Secrets 2018 and internal political protection information;

+ Not take advantage of studying or any other form to conduct activities against the Vietnamese state, affecting diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the partner country.

What does an application for extending studying time for international students under state budget scholarship of Vietnam include?

Based on Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree 86/2021/ND-CP, the application for extending the study time abroad for international students under state budget scholarship includes:

- An application for extension, specifying the reason, extension period, source of funding for the extended study time (Form No. 04 in the Appendix issued with Decree 86/2021/ND-CP)(Download);

- A copy of the written approval from the foreign educational institution on the extension of the study period;

- Written approval from the direct management agency of the student on the extension (for students who have a working agency).