Now it’s time for the nitty-gritty details. We recommend you pay attention to this section since this is where you’ll be able to answer the majority of your parents’ insistent questioning regarding your time abroad.

Again, you’ll have more accommodation options with language programs based in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, including residence halls on-campus, off-campus apartments, and the option to arrange your own housing if you have something really specific in mind. Staying on or near your language school in Vietnam will make getting to your classes easier and will make meeting other local and international students more convenient since you’ll probably be sharing a room.

Many language programs in Vietnam, especially the intensive ones, include homestays, meaning you will get even more language practice and experience Vietnam in an unparalleled light. If you can do a homestay, DO IT! There is truly no better way to experience a new culture and master a language abroad; you’ll be dreaming in Vietnamese in no time!

Attending language programs in Vietnam requires a student visa; however, you can arrange it after you’re already there! For anyone who has ever dealt with lengthy visa applications and consulate approval, Vietnam is a dream come true. You can enter Vietnam on a tourist visa and then apply for a student visa at the immigration offices in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City. Just make sure you have your proof of study from your language school in Vietnam and a couple of passport photos handy. Most language programs in Vietnam will help students through the visa process too, so don’t get discouraged! Just make sure to clarify with your advisor beforehand and always double-check visa requirements with your designated Vietnamese embassy.