Study in Japan: Guide for Vietnamese Students

This guide explains how Vietnamese students can study in Japan, from language schools and universities to visas, scholarships, costs, and part-time jobs. Learn how to choose a city, plan your budget, and turn your Japan dream into a clear, realistic study plan.

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Why Study In Japan Is So Popular For Vietnamese Students

In the last decade, Japan has become one of the top study-abroad destinations for Vietnamese youth. Recent international education data show that Vietnam is consistently among the top three sending countries for students in Japan, alongside China and Nepal.

Fresh numbers also show that more than 36,000–43,000 Vietnamese students are now studying in Japan, and the figure is growing again after the pandemic.

There are many reasons Vietnamese students choose Japan:

• Strong universities and technology
• Safe and clean cities
• Reliable public transport
• Rich culture, anime, J-pop, and food
• Good career chances in Japan, Vietnam, and other countries

At the same time, life in Japan is not always easy:

• The language is hard at first
• Visas and documents can feel confusing
• Living costs in big cities are high

This guide will help you see the full picture so you can plan calmly and avoid common mistakes. Later, you might also want to read Working in Japan Guide for Vietnamese Expats, Cost of Living in Japan for International Students, and Checklist for Moving from Vietnam to Japan.

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Main Study Options In Japan For Vietnamese Students

Japan’s official “Study in Japan” website explains that there are several main study paths: universities, graduate schools, colleges of technology, professional training colleges, and Japanese language institutes.

Japanese Language Schools

For many Vietnamese students, the first stop is a Japanese language school. Here you:

• Study Japanese full-time (usually 1–2 years)
• Prepare for JLPT exams (N5 to N1)
• Learn academic Japanese for entrance exams
• Get support to move on to universities, colleges, or job hunting

This path is ideal if:

• Your current Japanese level is zero or basic
• You want to live and work in Japan long term
• You are not yet sure what to study at university

If language improvement is your main goal at the beginning, a detailed post like Learning Japanese Fast for Study and Work in Japan can help you build a realistic daily study plan.

Undergraduate Universities

If you want a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to:

• National universities
• Public (prefectural/municipal) universities
• Private universities

Key points:

• Many degree programs are still taught in Japanese.
• But there is a growing number of English-medium programs, especially at larger universities and in fields like engineering, international relations, and business.
• For Japanese-taught programs, you may need to take:
  • EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students)
  • University-specific exams or interviews

If you are finishing high school in Vietnam and want a full degree in Japan, this is likely your main path. You can read Applying to Japanese Universities Step by Step for more details on exams and timing.

Graduate Schools

Japan is very strong in:

• Engineering and technology
• Natural sciences
• Medicine and health
• Business and social sciences

Graduate schools often offer:

• Research-focused master’s and PhD programs
• Lab-based projects with professors
• Some programs entirely in English, especially for international students

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in Vietnam, graduate study in Japan can be combined with scholarships like MEXT Research Students.

Professional Training Colleges

Professional training colleges (senmon gakkō) focus on practical skills, such as:

• Game design and CG
• Animation and manga
• IT and web development
• Tourism and hotel management
• Fashion, hair, and beauty
• Business and accounting

These programs are usually 2–3 years and are popular with students who want to work soon after graduation rather than doing long academic research.

Short-Term And Exchange Programs

If you are already a university student in Vietnam, you can also consider:

• 3–12 month exchange programs with a Japanese partner university
• Summer or winter Japanese language programs
• Cultural programs focused on Japanese society or business

These are best if you:

• Want a “taste” of Japan before a full degree
• Want to improve Japanese quickly while keeping your main degree at home

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Table Study Paths In Japan For Vietnamese Students

Study Path	Duration	Main Language	Typical Goal After Completion	Good For Students Who…
Japanese Language School	6–24 months	Japanese	JLPT, entry to university or college	Need language foundation before anything else
Undergraduate University	4 years	Japanese or English	Bachelor’s degree	Want full degree and career linked to Japan
Graduate School	2–5 years	Japanese/English	Master’s or PhD, research career	Already have degree in Vietnam
Professional Training College	2–3 years	Mostly Japanese	Practical skills and job in specific field	Prefer hands-on training over theory
Short-Term or Exchange	3–12 months	Japanese/English	Language + cultural experience	Want short stay and academic credit

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Japan Student Visa For Vietnamese Students

To study long term, you need a Student status of residence. Official Study in Japan and visa guides explain the same basic process for all nationalities, including Vietnam.

Basic Requirements

Although exact documents can vary by embassy and school, typically you need:

• A valid passport
• Completed visa application form and ID photo
• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued in Japan
• Letter of admission from a Japanese school
• Proof of finances, such as:
  • Bank statements
  • Sponsorship from parents or relatives
  • Scholarship confirmation
• Academic documents from Vietnam (high school diploma, university transcripts, etc.)

Always check the latest requirements at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam, because details can change.

Visa Application Process For Students

1. Choose your school in Japan (language school, university, or college).
2. Submit an application with all requested documents.
3. If accepted, the school applies to immigration in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility.
4. After COE is issued, the school sends it to you in Vietnam (often as a PDF).
5. You take the COE, visa application form, passport, and other documents to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
6. After approval, you receive your student visa and can travel to Japan.

When you land in Japan, you will receive a Residence Card at major airports. Then, you must:

• Register your address at the local city or ward office
• Join a health insurance system
• Follow the rules of your student status

For more help with timing and documents, you can later read Japan Student Visa Guide for Vietnamese Citizens, and Changing from Student Visa to Work Visa in Japan.

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Cost Of Studying In Japan For Vietnamese Students

You need to plan for tuition and living costs.

Tuition Fees

The official Study in Japan site gives average first-year academic fees (admission + tuition).

A useful summary from recent cost guides:

• National and public universities: around ¥535,800–¥700,000 per year
• Private universities: around ¥800,000–¥1,200,000 per year, sometimes more for medical or special programs
• Language schools and vocational colleges: amounts differ by city and course, but often ¥600,000–¥900,000 per year

Overall, many sources agree that typical tuition for international students is ¥500,000–¥1,200,000 per year, depending on the school and program.

Living Costs

Recent 2025–2026 cost-of-living guides say that international students in Japan usually need ¥120,000–¥150,000 per month for living expenses, depending on city and lifestyle.

Below is a sample monthly budget:

Expense Category	Tokyo / Big City (approx.)	Smaller City (approx.)
Rent (share house or small room)	¥60,000–¥90,000	¥35,000–¥60,000
Utilities	¥8,000–¥12,000	¥6,000–¥10,000
Food	¥25,000–¥35,000	¥20,000–¥30,000
Phone & Internet	¥5,000–¥8,000	¥5,000–¥8,000
Transport	¥5,000–¥10,000	¥3,000–¥8,000
Other (books, fun, clothes)	¥10,000–¥20,000	¥8,000–¥15,000
Total (rough)	¥113,000–¥175,000	¥77,000–¥131,000

These numbers are averages, but they help you see why a clear budget is important. To go deeper, you can check Cost of Living in Japan for International Students, How to Save Money in Japan as a Student, and How to Send Money from Japan to Vietnam Safely.

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Scholarships For Vietnamese Students

Studying in Japan can be expensive, but there are several scholarship options that Vietnamese students can apply for.

MEXT Scholarship

The MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government) is one of the best-known programs. It supports:

• Research (graduate) students
• Undergraduate students
• College of technology students
• Professional training college students
• Japanese studies students

Benefits often include:

• Full or almost full tuition
• Monthly living allowance
• Sometimes round-trip airfare

You usually apply through:

• Embassy recommendation (via the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam), or
• University recommendation (via a Japanese university that nominates you)

JASSO And University Scholarships

Other common supports:

• JASSO scholarships and grants for short-term and degree students
• Tuition reduction programs for privately funded international students
• Scholarships from individual universities, especially for good grades or financial need

When you shortlist schools, always check the “Scholarships for International Students” section on their websites.

Scholarships From Vietnam

Sometimes, Vietnamese government agencies, organizations, or private foundations support students who want to study abroad. These programs change over time, so check:

• Ministry of Education and Training websites
• Provincial scholarship programs
• Your current school or university international office

For more structured information, you can later read Scholarships for International Students in Japan 2025.

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Working Part-Time While Studying In Japan

Most Vietnamese students in Japan work part-time to cover part of their living costs. However, there are clear legal rules.

Part-Time Work Rules

According to immigration guidance:

• You must get Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可) stamped on your residence card.
• During the school term, you can work up to 28 hours per week.
• During long school holidays, you may work up to 8 hours per day, within legal limits.
• You cannot work in adult entertainment or similar restricted industries.

Always follow these rules. Working too many hours or in banned jobs can cause big problems for your visa.

Common Part-Time Jobs For Students

Typical jobs for international students include:

• Convenience store staff
• Restaurant and café worker
• Supermarket cashier or shelf stocker
• Hotel or hostel front desk staff
• English or Vietnamese conversation tutor

Wages vary by city, but many student jobs pay around ¥1,050–¥1,300 per hour, sometimes more for late-night shifts or big cities like Tokyo.

If you want to focus on job hunting details, see Part-Time Jobs in Japan for International Students and Working in Japan Guide for Vietnamese Expats.

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Best Cities In Japan For Vietnamese Students

Vietnamese people are now one of the largest foreign communities in Japan, with more than 600,000 residents, including workers and students.

This means you can find Vietnamese food, shops, and communities in many cities.

Tokyo And Surrounding Areas

• Highest number of universities and language schools
• Many part-time job options
• Large international and Vietnamese communities

Pros:

• Big variety of programs, including English-medium degrees
• Easier networking with global companies and startups

Cons:

• Rent and daily costs are high

Osaka, Kyoto, And Kobe

• Strong universities and cultural life
• Many foreign students
• Famous for food and a friendly atmosphere

Pros:

• Slightly lower living costs than central Tokyo
• Good balance of city life and tradition

Nagoya, Fukuoka, Hiroshima And Other Cities

Industrial and regional cities like Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Kawasaki, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima often have:

• Active manufacturing and port economies
• Growing Vietnamese populations
• Cheaper rent compared to Tokyo

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Health, Insurance, And Everyday Life

When you live in Japan for more than three months, you must join a health insurance system:

• National Health Insurance (for most students) or
• Employee insurance if you later work full-time

With this insurance, you usually pay 30% of medical costs, and insurance covers the other 70%.

Other important tasks after you arrive:

• Register your address at city or ward office
• Get a My Number card (for taxes, insurance, etc.)
• Open a bank account for part-time work and paying bills
• Get a SIM card or mobile plan and a transport card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, etc.)

Health-related guides such as Japan National Health Insurance Guide for International Students, and Mental Health Support for International Students in Japan will help you stay safe and supported.

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From Vietnamese Student To Worker In Japan

Many Vietnamese students hope to stay in Japan and work after graduation. Luckily, there is a clear legal path.

In general, you can:

1. Graduate from a recognized school in Japan.
2. Receive a job offer from a company in Japan.
3. Apply to change your status from Student to a work-based status, such as:
   • Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
   • Specified Skilled Worker
   • Highly Skilled Professional

Employers usually prefer:

• At least JLPT N2 level for office jobs
• Strong technical skills or a degree related to the job
• Good communication and teamwork

If you want to stay long-term, start preparing early:

• Join job seminars at your school
• Use university career centers
• Practice Japanese for interviews
• Network with senpai and Vietnamese alumni in Japan

You can connect this article with Job Hunting in Japan Step by Step Guide for Foreigners, Changing from Student Visa to Work Visa in Japan, and Working in Japan Guide for Vietnamese Expats to understand this transition more deeply.

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Checklist For Vietnamese Students Planning To Study In Japan

Use this checklist as a simple road map:

1. Clarify your goal
   • Learn Japanese and return to Vietnam?
   • Get a degree and work in Japan?
   • Use Japan as a bridge to a wider global career?
2. Choose your study path
   • Language school, university, graduate school, or vocational college?
   • How many years can you realistically stay?
3. Check requirements
   • High school or university grades
   • Japanese (JLPT) or English scores (IELTS, TOEFL) if needed
   • Financial proof for visa
4. Plan your budget
   • Estimate tuition and at least one year of living costs
   • Research scholarships like MEXT, JASSO, and university programs
5. Apply to schools
   • Prepare documents: transcripts, recommendation letters, passport copy
   • Respect application deadlines and entrance exam dates
6. Apply for the student visa
   • Wait for Certificate of Eligibility from your school
   • Submit documents to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam
7. Prepare for arrival
   • Arrange at least your first month of housing
   • Read Renting a Room in Japan as a Student and Setting Up Utilities in Japan Electricity Gas Water Internet
8. After arrival in Japan
   • Register your address and join National Health Insurance
   • Open a bank account and get a mobile plan
   • Apply for part-time work permission if you plan to work
9. Think about the future
   • Start planning for job hunting from your second or third year
   • Improve your Japanese step by step
   • Build a network with both Vietnamese and Japanese friends and senpai

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Final Thoughts Study In Japan As A Vietnamese Student

Studying in Japan as a Vietnamese student is both a big challenge and a big opportunity. You can:

• Gain strong language and technical skills
• Enjoy life in a safe, modern country with rich culture
• Build a career that connects Vietnam, Japan, and the wider world

The keys to success are simple but powerful:

• Plan early and know your visa and financial needs
• Keep improving Japanese every month
• Take care of your health, budget, and social life
• Use your time as a student to prepare for your future career

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.