Not Japan or Korea! One Country Loves Studying in Taiwan — International Student Numbers Surge Past 50,000, Praising Affordable Tuition and Ideal Study-Work Destination

Taiwan's higher education is gaining significant popularity across Southeast Asia. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Education, the number of Vietnamese students enrolled in Taiwan's colleges and universities reached 52,974 in 2025—an increase of 13,364 from 2024. Vietnam has retained its position as the largest source of international students in Taiwan, accounting for approximately 30% of all foreign students.

Nguyễn Trắc Bá, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Government's Taiwan Affairs Committee under the Prime Minister's Office, stated that studying in Taiwan has become a major trend in recent years. He noted that Vietnamese students in Taiwan numbered around 30,000 just three years ago, but have now surged past 50,000, reflecting growing recognition among Vietnamese families of Taiwan's high-quality higher education.

Nguyễn Trắc Bá analyzed that the two key factors attracting Vietnamese talent to Taiwan are:

1. High-quality and affordable education: Taiwan offers excellent higher and vocational education, with tuition and living costs that are highly affordable for Vietnamese families, providing exceptional value for money (high CP ratio). 2. Strong technological development experience: As Vietnam aggressively advances in science and technology, Taiwan's proven success in tech industries attracts many Vietnamese students to pursue technology-related fields.

Comparison of Vietnamese Student Numbers in Taiwan (2024 vs. 2025)

Year: 2024 Number of Students: 39,610 Position & Market Share: Major source of international students Key Growth Drivers: Deepening Taiwan-Vietnam economic cooperation, rising demand for tech talent

Year: 2025 Number of Students: 52,974 (an increase of 13,364) Position & Market Share: Largest source of international students (approx. 30%) Key Growth Drivers: High-quality education, affordable tuition, strong appeal in tech expertise

Strengthening Taiwan-Vietnam educational partnerships, Taiwanese businesses investing in Vietnam—ranked among the top five foreign investors—are actively giving back. For example, the "Vietnam Taiwan Business Scholarship Foundation" awarded the 4th "Revitalizing Vietnam's Industrial Technology Scholarship" at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam's oldest and most prestigious engineering university. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam also granted Ministry of Education scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese youth.

Nguyễn Trắc Bá emphasized that students returning from Taiwan possess bilingual and professional advantages, giving them bright career prospects whether joining local Taiwanese companies in Vietnam or firms in Taiwan. They are expected to become vital bridges for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

In 2025, total Vietnamese visitors to Taiwan reached 427,000, a 15% year-on-year increase, according to the Overseas Community Affairs Council and the Tourism Administration's HCMC office. While older group tourists currently dominate, efforts are underway to attract younger independent travelers from Vietnam.

Mai Tiến Tần, CEO of Vietnamese travel agency Vinatat, said: "I absolutely love Taiwan—it's like my second home. We bring over 20 tour groups to Taiwan every month. We all love Taiwan and hope to bring more Vietnamese people to visit this peaceful country. What I love most is the Taiwanese people—everywhere is friendly. Second is the atmosphere, so peaceful. And third, of course, the food—so delicious, and the night markets are amazing. Not just me—every Vietnamese person who visits Taiwan enjoys exploring the night markets."

Q&A

Q1: Which country is currently the largest source of international students in Taiwan? A: Vietnam. In 2025, the number of Vietnamese students in Taiwan reached 52,974, accounting for about 30% of all international students, firmly securing the top position.

Q2: What are the main reasons Vietnamese students choose to study in Taiwan? A: Key reasons include Taiwan's high-quality education, mature development in science and technology fields, affordable tuition and living costs, and strong employment prospects in Taiwanese enterprises.