Vietnamese students are increasingly choosing African countries for study, drawn by scholarships, language immersion, and cultural exchange programs that offer more than traditional Western destinations.
From classrooms to camel rides
Nguyen Thi Quynh, a graduate of the Faculty of Arabic Language and Culture at Vietnam National University-Hanoi, received a scholarship to study in Egypt from 2023 to late 2024. She sought to learn Arabic in a native-speaking environment rather than relying solely on textbooks.
In Cairo, Quynh attended classes taught entirely in Arabic by local professors. Her classmates included students from the U.S., Türkiye, and Somalia, exposing her to new perspectives. For one presentation, she wore a traditional ao dai and carried a non la, the conical hat that drew comparisons with head coverings worn by Egyptian women.
Outside the classroom, she visited the Pyramids of Giza, Siwa Oasis, and Luxor. At the pyramids, locals often approached her for photos, greeting her with hugs and cheek kisses before posting the images online.
Tran Thi Nhat Linh, a first-year student at the same university, traveled to Egypt as part of an eight-person exchange group. Two locals once spent nearly two hours assisting the group with scooter rentals, staying until the vehicles were returned. The gesture made their transition smoother.
Beyond stereotypes
Vu Thi Ngoc Diem, now studying at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco, initially struggled with the local dialect. In markets, vendors spoke a version of Arabic she hadn’t learned in Vietnam, forcing her to rely on gestures.
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Morocco surprised her. Many Vietnamese assume African nations lack development, but Diem found modern infrastructure, including a high-speed railway, alongside traditional architecture. She also discovered Moroccan cuisine, particularly couscous, a dish of steamed semolina with meat and vegetables that blends Arab, Mediterranean, and African influences.
During a trip to the Sahara Desert, Diem met members of the local Vietnamese community.
Phan Thanh Huyen, head of the Department of Arabic Studies at Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, said Egypt has long been a hub for Arabic language education, Islamic studies, and Middle Eastern history. The country offers scholarships annually.
Huyen noted that daily Arabic in Egypt and Morocco differs from the formal language taught in Vietnamese classrooms. Students should research dormitory conditions, living costs, and whether their degrees will be recognized in Vietnam. They must also prepare for cultural differences—Islamic customs, local laws, and climate—that may require adjustment.
As more Vietnamese students explore these opportunities, cultural exchange continues to grow.