International Student Support

VISA

Students who get admission to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Bach khoa) are supported to get the Visa Approval Letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department. With the letter, students can apply for visa to Vietnam from their countries of residence easier.

The process of acquiring entry visa to Vietnam:

  • Students accept Offer of Admission from the University (including required in-advance payment)
  • Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Bach khoa) then work with the Vietnam Immigration Department for students’ Visa Approval Letters.
  • Students use the Visa Approval Letter to apply for Visa to Vietnam, following instructions (including visa fee) from the Vietnam Embassy in their countries of residence. (Source: https://oisp.hcmut.edu.vn/en/admission/supporting-services-for-international-students)
  • More information should be checked at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam website: https://visa.mofa.gov.vn/Homepage.aspx

ACCOMODATION

International students will study at Ly Thuong Kiet Campus in District 10 (Map).
Therefore, we highly recommend finding an accommodation in Districts 10, 11, 5 and 6.
Finding a house or an apartment near the campus may help students save time and money in a heavily congested city like Ho Chi Minh City.
Some students search the accommodation on some travelling websites and find that they suggest some places in central districts such as Districts 1 and 3 (or even Districts 2, 4, or 9), but these places are more suitable for foreign tourists, not for studying at HCMUT.
Additionally, you should share accomadation with other friends, which may save money for living expenses.

HEALTHCARE SERVICE

The list below provides you with some contact of international clinics and hospitals that you may need for healthcare demands:
(Source: https://vn.usembassy.gov)

The list below provides you with some contact of international clinics and hospitals that you may need for healthcare demands: (Source: https://vn.usembassy.gov)

MONEY EXCHANGE AND LIVING EXPRENSES

1

In Vietnam, the official currency is the Vietnam Dong (VND). The notes are 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100 000, 200 000 and 500 000 (be careful because the note 20 000 and 500 000 are quite similar).

2

Currently, the exchange rate is about 1USD = 24500VND, 1EUR = 24000VND (for reference only, the actual rate calculated at the time of money exchange may be higher or lower).

3

You can exchange money at airports and banks. However, you should not exchange a lot of money at airports because of the low exchange rate. You should exchange a small of money at the airport to pay for a taxi, and buy some food after your flight. After that, you can go to any bank to exchange money (Ex: OCB (Ngan Hang Phuong Dong), Sacombank, VietinBank, Vietcombank, BIDV,…). When you are at HCMUT, you can easily find an OCB office next to the second gate inside HCMUT campus in District 10.

4

Living expenses in Ho Chi Minh City depends much on individual lifestyles, the below table gives you a reference about how much money you may spend monthly in this city:

Type of Living Fee Low (USD/month) High (USD/month)
Accommodation 120 250
Food 150 250
Transportation 50 100
Utilities 20 30
Personal Expense 50 100
Total (1 month) 390 USD ≈9.5 million VND 730 USD 18 million VND