Learn Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh City: University Course Fees
The Center for Vietnamese Language for Foreigners runs 2-month regular courses for VND 7,200,000 to VND 8,400,000. The Faculty of Vietnamese Studies group course cost VND 3,400,000 for 40 periods in its 1 February 2023 fee table. A DH study visa needs a sponsor, and a tourist visa cannot be converted to one.
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Budget VND 7,200,000 to VND 8,400,000 for a regular 2-month course at the Center for Vietnamese Language for Foreigners. A cheaper route is the Faculty of Vietnamese Studies: its group classes started at VND 3,400,000 for 40 periods in the fee table that applied from 1 February 2023.
Both belong to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), VNU-HCM. The Faculty teaches open group and private classes. The Center runs courses, a test and homestays for foreigners.
Quick picks
- Best for a full-time start: the Center’s regular course, 2 months at 2 periods a day.
- Cheapest per period, in a group: Faculty open groups at VND 95,000 a period in the 2023 table.
- One to one: a private class at VND 480,000 a period for 1 student.
- Evening schedule: the Center’s evening courses at VND 3,600,000.
- Online: the Center’s VND 3,420,000 to VND 6,840,000.
- A certificate for work or study: the Vietnamese Proficiency Test, held in March, May, July, September and November.
How the options compare
| Option | Format | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Center regular course | 2 months, 3 to 14 students | VND 7,200,000 to VND 8,400,000 |
| Center intensive course | Group | VND 7,200,000 |
| Center evening course | Evening | VND 3,600,000 |
| Faculty open group, beginner | In person, 5 to 14 students | VND 3,400,000 for 40 periods |
| Faculty private class | At the school, 1 student | VND 480,000 per period |
| Faculty online group, beginner | 5 to 8 students | VND 3,230,000 for 40 periods |
Faculty prices are from its 1 February 2023 table. Ask for the current total before you pay.
Center for Vietnamese Language for Foreigners
The Center’s short-term course is 80 periods and covers beginner to advanced levels. It also lists these courses with fees:
- Regular courses: VND 7,200,000 to VND 8,400,000.
- Intensive courses: VND 7,200,000.
- Evening courses: VND 3,600,000.
- Online courses: VND 3,420,000 to VND 6,840,000.
- Listening-speaking skills: VND 4,000,000.
- Reading-writing skills: VND 4,000,000.
- Vietnamese test preparation: VND 2,000,000 to VND 2,400,000.
Classes can be customised for individuals and businesses at any time slot, from morning to evening and weekends. A homestay with a Vietnamese family is available.
Good for
- Learners who want a named skills course, such as listening-speaking or test preparation.
- Learners who work days and need an evening class.
Skip if
- You want a per-period price: the Center prices whole courses, not periods.
The office is Room C002 at 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Sai Gon Ward (formerly Ben Nghe Ward, District 1). The hotline is 028 38 225009, and the email is vlc@hcmussh.edu.vn. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30-11:30 and 13:00-19:30.
Faculty of Vietnamese Studies: open group classes
The 2023 table applied from 1 February 2023. In-person open group classes run with 5 to 14 students, and a class opens once 5 students have enrolled.
| Level | 40 periods | 80 periods | 100 periods | One period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | VND 3,400,000 | VND 6,800,000 | none listed | VND 95,000 |
| Intermediate | VND 3,800,000 | VND 7,600,000 | none listed | VND 105,000 |
| Advanced | VND 4,000,000 | VND 8,000,000 | VND 10,000,000 | VND 115,000 |
One period is 50 minutes of actual teaching. Tuition does not include the course book. The online course book for levels E1 and E2 costs VND 220,000.
Pay at least 5 working days before the start date and the group class gets a 3% discount. The usual schedule is 3 days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2 days on Tuesday and Thursday, or 5 days Monday to Friday.
Good for
- Learners who want a fixed course with a fee per level.
- Learners who want to pay per period: single periods are priced.
Skip if
- You need a start date this week: a group opens when 5 students enrol.
Faculty private classes: priced by group size
A private class (lop dat rieng) is priced per period for each student. At the school it costs VND 480,000 for 1 student and VND 240,000 each for 2 students. A group of 5 to 7 students pays VND 140,000 per period each for Vietnamese.
Good for
- Learners who want a timetable of their own, or a group of friends splitting the fee.
Skip if
- You are on a tight budget: a single student pays VND 480,000 per period, against VND 95,000 in a beginner open group.
The Vietnamese Proficiency Test
The Center organises the Vietnamese Proficiency Test in March, May, July, September and November each year. Email vlc@hcmussh.edu.vn for the registration date.
Study visa (DH)
The DH visa is the study visa. It is issued to a foreigner who comes for an internship or to study, and it is valid for no more than 1 year.
You cannot switch a tourist visa to a study visa after you arrive. Only investors, family of the sponsor and people with a work permit or exemption can convert a visa’s purpose. A DH visa goes through a sponsoring organisation, which files the request with the immigration authority.
Email the Center before you book and ask whether it sponsors short-course learners. For the full symbol list, see Vietnam visa types.
Before you enrol
- Ask for the current fee total in writing: the Faculty’s table is dated 1 February 2023.
- Budget for the textbook: tuition does not include the course book.
- Pay at least 5 working days before the start date for the 3% group discount.
- Decide the format: in person with 5 to 14 students, online with 5 to 8, or private.
- If you need a study visa, ask about DH sponsorship before you pay, since the DH visa is for study.
For a first-week plan, see the first week checklist.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (University of Social Sciences and Humanities Dinh Tien Hoang campus on Google Maps (opens in a new tab), University of Social Sciences and Humanities on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Thy Dang, Cao Thien Nguyen, Tran Chung Nguyen, Pichuhina Nataliia.
Not confirmed: Whether the university sponsors a DH visa for short-course learners: email vlc@hcmussh.edu.vn before you book. The Center's fee ranges carry no date, so confirm the total when you enrol.
Common questions
How much does a Vietnamese class cost per period?
A beginner group class at the Faculty costs VND 95,000 per period in its 1 February 2023 fee table. A private class for 1 student costs VND 480,000 per period. One period is 50 minutes.
Are there online Vietnamese classes in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. The Center's online courses cost VND 3,420,000 to VND 6,840,000. The Faculty's online beginner group of 5 to 8 students cost VND 3,230,000 for 40 periods in the 2023 table.
How many students does a group class need?
A Faculty group class opens once 5 students have enrolled. Center group classes have 3 to 14 students.
Is there an official Vietnamese test?
Yes. The Center organises the Vietnamese Proficiency Test in March, May, July, September and November each year.
Where is the Center for Vietnamese Language for Foreigners?
Room C002, 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Sai Gon Ward (formerly Ben Nghe Ward, District 1). The hotline is 028 38 225009.
Which visa is for studying?
The DH visa is issued to a foreigner who comes for an internship or to study. It is valid for no more than 1 year. A sponsoring organisation files the request.
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a study visa in Vietnam?
No. A visa's purpose can be converted only for investors, family of the sponsor, and people with a work permit or exemption, and study is not on that list.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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