Regulations on the Selection of Students Studying in Vietnam and Laos

Dossier: 03 sets

- For Lao international students: 01 set in Lao and 02 sets in Vietnamese or English;- For Vietnamese international students: 01 set in Vietnamese and 02 sets in Lao or English

The dossier includes:

- Application form for the Government of Vietnam scholarship (following the template);- Curriculum vitae with a 4x6 photo (photo taken not more than 06 months ago);- Health certificate issued by a competent medical authority, according to each country's regulations (not more than 6 months up to the filing date);- Certified copy of birth certificate or household registration book;- Certified copy of high school graduation certificate or equivalent accompanied by a transcript (for undergraduate applicants);- Certified copy of university graduation certificate and transcript or equivalent (for master's applicants);- Certified copy of master's degree and transcript and research outline (for doctoral candidates).

Health Conditions

- Vietnamese international students studying in Laos and Lao international students studying in Vietnam must have sufficient health according to regulations.- Before entering the study program, international students must undergo a health check. If infectious diseases, social diseases, drug addiction, or pregnancy (for female students) are detected, the Ministries of Education of both countries will communicate through diplomatic channels to repatriate the students based on actual conditions.- During the study period, international students are entitled to health insurance and healthcare policies according to the current regulations of Vietnam and Laos.

Age Conditions

- Undergraduate: No more than 35 years old as of the filing date.- Master's: No more than 40 years old as of the filing date.- Doctoral: No age limit for candidates studying political-administrative fields and no more than 50 years old for other fields as of the filing date.- Short-term training and workshop classes do not specify an age limit.

Study Conditions

Language Proficiency Requirements:

- Vietnamese international students studying in Laos must study in Lao, and conversely, Lao international students studying in Vietnam must study in Vietnamese.

In special cases, one may register to study in a foreign language depending on the reception country's program, allowed by the sending country.- Short-term training and professional development courses for Lao officials can be conducted through interpretation.

Lao international students studying undergraduate, post-graduate in fields such as arts, architecture, fine arts, circus, and sports in Vietnam must pass a talent test organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos.

Lao officials and students selected to study undergraduate and post-graduate in Vietnam, if not proficient in Vietnamese, must undergo a 04-month pre-university Vietnamese language course in Laos before studying advanced Vietnamese and a pre-university year in Vietnam. The preparatory course costs are supported by the non-refundable aid from the Government of Vietnam to the Government of Laos. Vietnamese students will undergo a 01-year pre-university Lao language course in Laos.

After completing the language preparatory program, Lao students must take a Vietnamese proficiency test, and Vietnamese students must take a Lao proficiency test. If they pass, Lao students will receive a Decision from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, and Vietnamese students will receive a Decision from the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos to pursue specialized training at institutions in both countries.

In case of failing the Vietnamese or Lao proficiency test, students are allowed to extend their language study for up to 01 year (12 months) and must bear all related costs during the period.

Specialized training institutions may refuse admission to students who are weak in Vietnamese or Lao proficiency.

Training Program:

- Vietnamese and Lao international students must study all subjects according to the general training program of the educational institutions of both countries (except for national defense and security education).- Post-graduate students are exempted from entrance exams but must undergo basic knowledge tests and additional courses as required.- During specialized studies, international students are permitted to extend their study period and receive additional funding for 01 year for college, university, and doctoral programs, and 06 months for master's programs. Beyond this period, students must bear all additional costs.

Priority for Academic Advancement:

International students with outstanding academic performance, active participation in activities, and good graduation results (from quite good grade) are given priority for further studies if approved by the sending country for inclusion in the next year's training plan.

Scholarship:

- All international students, including all categories, can receive full scholarships, partial scholarships, or be self-funded.- Scholarships include government-funded agreement scholarships and non-agreement scholarships funded by ministries, localities, enterprises, organizations, or individuals as per agreements or contracts between parties.

For self-funded students: They must be responsible for all expenses during their study period.

All Lao international students studying in Vietnam, including those under the Government Agreement, cooperation between ministries, localities, enterprise sponsorships, organizations within and outside the countries, and self-funded, must have a Decision to study from the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos.

According to Notification 25/2017/TB-LPQT, the Protocol on Cooperation is valid for 05 years and may be amended or supplemented as agreed between the two sides. In case the Protocol expires, ongoing cooperation activities within the Protocol will continue until they are completed.

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