Study in China from Vietnam: CSC Scholarship via MOET or the Embassy, Deadlines and Degree Recognition

Vietnamese students can study in China on a Chinese Government Scholarship, through Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) or the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, or self-funded, applying straight to a Chinese university. This guide covers both official channels, last round's deadlines, what to prepare and recognising your degree at home.

Channel 1: MOET's scholarship places

For 2026 study, MOET announced 16 places that China gives Vietnamese citizens for bachelor's, master's and doctoral study under the bilateral agreement.

• What it covers: China waives tuition and provides accommodation, health insurance, study materials and a monthly stipend. Vietnam's government pays one return air ticket, passport and visa fees, travel costs and a living-cost top-up.
• How to apply: online at tuyensinh.vied.vn and at campuschina.org, plus paper copies by post to MOET's International Cooperation Department.
• Who can apply: bachelor's places went to grade-12 students with national or international prizes and to first-year university students with strong results; master's and PhD places to recent graduates with high grades and to staff of state agencies and education institutions. PhD candidates had to be under 40, and staff applying for a master's under 35.
• Language: bachelor's candidates needed HSK 3 or higher and a CSCA score report; master's and PhD candidates HSK 4, or IELTS 6.0 or a TOEFL score for study in English. Certificates had to be issued within two years of the deadline.
• Commitments: you may register for one field only and must come back to work as the state requires. Candidates who drop out or do not return repay the cost of their training.

Channel 2: the Chinese embassy's partial scholarship

The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam took applications for a partial scholarship in the 2026/2027 round:

• Master's and PhD only, with a pre-admission letter from the Chinese university.
• Tuition is waived; accommodation, living costs, insurance and travel are the student's.
• Apply online at campuschina.org as Type A, agency number 7042, then post the signed form and original documents to the embassy's Culture Office in Hanoi.
• Ages and language: under 35 for master's, under 40 for PhD; HSK 4 for Chinese-taught programs, or the university's foreign-language requirement.

Deadlines: last round and this round

Last round, MOET's online and paper deadline was 15 January 2026 (campuschina.org by 31 January), and the embassy's online deadline was 10 February 2026 (paper copies by 15 February). Neither had posted the 2027/2028 round when we last checked; this table and our application deadlines page change when they do. Chinese universities' own Type B and self-funded deadlines are there too.

Self-funded: apply to the university directly

You can apply to a Chinese university on its own online system and pay only its own fees. See how applying directly works, what a first year costs and the official fees on our tuition fees page.

Documents to prepare

This round's Chinese Government Scholarship notices (for example the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia's) ask for:

1. The application form, in Chinese or English, and a passport valid for at least 12 months from the start of your studies
2. Notarized highest diploma and transcripts, with notarized Chinese or English translations
3. A pre-admission document from a Chinese university
4. A study plan: at least 200 words for bachelor's and 800 for master's and PhD
5. Two recommendation letters for master's and PhD
6. A CSCA score report for bachelor's
7. HSK or English test certificates
8. The Foreigner Physical Examination Form (valid six months) and a certificate of no criminal record (usually issued within six months)

MOET also asks for its own Vietnamese-language file; follow the annexes to its notice. See our CSCA guide, HSK requirements and application documents checklist.

Getting your degree recognised in Vietnam

MOET's Circular 65/2026/TT-BGDĐT, issued on 11 August 2026 and in force since 26 September 2026, sets the rules for recognising degrees from foreign institutions:

• Who recognises: the director of MOET's Quality Management Department recognises vocational and higher education degrees.
• What it means: recognition confirms the level written on the degree in the issuing country's system and, where it can be compared, its level in the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework.
• On request: it is a public service you (or an employer, with your consent) apply for.

MBBS: a licence to practise in Vietnam

Vietnam's Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023 changes how practising licences are granted: instead of a review of documents, you must pass a competency assessment before the licence is issued, and the licence is valid for five years. If you plan to study MBBS in China and work in Vietnam, check with the Ministry of Health how foreign graduates take this assessment. Our MBBS guide lists the universities on China's MBBS list and their checked fees.

Free help with your application

You can apply on your own using the steps above. If you'd like help choosing universities or preparing documents, ask for free application help. Help is free for students.