Vietnam Education Foundation 2.0 Program 2025

The VEF 2.0 Program is derived from the highly successful Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) Fellowship Program – a program created by the U.S. Congress to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam through educational exchange activities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The candidates applying should be Vietnamese.
• Applicant must be a college graduate or undergraduate, receiving at least a Bachelor’s degree no later than August 1, 2025.
• The academic excellence of the candidate is taken into consideration and the candidate should have at least 7.0/10.0. Grades 
• English Language Proficiency of the candidate is also considered and the applicant should have a TOEFL iBT score of at least 80 or an IELTS score of at least 6.5. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an English-speaking country is accepted as an equivalent.
• Applicants must take the GRE and submit the score to VEFSTA.
• Applicants must intend to study a field in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (such as public health, biomedical science, epidemiology, and immunology).

Documents required:

• Candidates need to submit the academic transcripts.
• Evidence of English Language Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS scores).
• Statement of Purpose and Resume of the candidate should be submitted.
• Letter of Recommendation (two) should be added.
• Applicants must list at least 3 U.S. universities together with the relevant departments.
• Any other documents supporting the application of the candidate shall be submitted.

Selection Criteria:

• The candidates are selected based on academic merit.
• TOEFL/IELTS and GRE scores of the candidate are considered.
• Qualities like leadership and potential contribution to the development of science and technology in Vietnam.

Benefits of VEF 2.0 Program:

• The VEF 2.0 Program has no requirements regarding visa or future work commitment. The Fellows will study in the U.S. under the F-1 visa granted by their prospective university.
• The VEF 2.0 Program provides letters of recommendation from prominent U.S. professors and VEF Alumni who have Ph.D. degrees from leading U.S. universities.
• The VEF 2.0 Program offers regular offline and online advising meetings and a broad network of VEF Alumni and Fellows who are studying at U.S. universities and can serve as mentors to support applicants during the application process.
• The VEF 2.0 Program offers support with application fees to U.S. universities and travel/settling-in grants for the winners of the program (VEF 2.0 Fellows) before they depart for the United States.
• The VEF 2.0 Program will organize a 4-day Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) for VEF 2.0 Fellows, tentatively in the first week of June 2025.