Studying abroad has always been a big dream of Vietnamese youth. However, the majority of students, when given the opportunity to study abroad, will choose to not to return home but stay abroad. This is a “brain drain” problem, and will greatly affect Vietnam’s economic development.
On October 30, VnExpress reported: “About 80% of self-funded international students do not return home.” The news reported that, according to the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 70-80% of self-funded international students stay abroad to work after finishing their studies, citing high income and good treatment.
One of the competitions that honors many talents like Road to Olympia in Vietnam, but is often called “incorrectly” “Road to Olympia for Australia” because up to now, among the Olympia champions who have studied abroad in Australia, only 3 champions have returned home.
The case of famous male student Chu Ngoc Quang Vinh – a participant in the program “Road to Olympia” publicly declared: “My goal is to find every way to live abroad in the future.”
According to data from the Australian Department of Education, as of the end of July 2024, there were about 37,000 Vietnamese students studying in the country, ranking 5th among international students studying in Australia.
Ho Chi Minh City-based National Assembly member Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, previously asked at the parliament hall why the majority of Vietnamese students study abroad and choose to stay there. The legislator also cited the students who received scholarships to study in Australia from the “Road to Olympia” competition, and most of them did not return home after completing their studies. However, up to now, the Vietnamese government has not found an answer for public opinion.
Through research, thoibao reporters found that many Vietnamese students after completing their studies abroad decided not to return home for a number of reasons:
In developed countries, job opportunities and income levels are significantly higher than in Vietnam, especially in high-tech fields such as information technology, healthcare, finance, and scientific research. Staying to work in developed countries not only helps them have a high income, but also provides an opportunity to learn and develop professional skills in an international environment.
Many international students believe that developed countries have better working conditions, facilities and office culture, encouraging creativity and personal development. Staying abroad, they have the opportunity to develop a more stable career, with better treatment and welfare policies than in Vietnam.
Countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, or many European countries have attractive settlement policies, allowing foreign students to stay and work after completing their studies, and apply for a residence card. This benefit helps international students have the opportunity to become citizens or permanent residents, and stabilize their lives.
In addition, an attractive issue that attracts Vietnamese international students to stay is that public services such as infrastructure, health care services, education and social security create better living conditions for them and their families.
After many years of living and studying abroad, many international students have become accustomed to the culture, lifestyle and society of the host country. Returning to Vietnam can be difficult, while staying abroad can help them maintain a lifestyle that they feel is suitable.
The Vietnamese have a saying “good land attracts birds” and so do people, wherever there is a good, safe and peaceful living environment, people will proactively seek refuge and live.
Hopefully this is thoibao.de’s answer for General Secretary To Lam, and the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam to understand and propose practical solutions.
Tra My – Thoibao.de
