Vietnamese Students in China: Scholarship and Visa Pathways
By Muntasir • Published Jan 11, 2025 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad, Scholarships & Funding, Visas & Student Mobility
China funds Vietnamese students mainly through two channels: the China Scholarship Council (CSC) programme and the Confucius Institute Scholarship, both covering tuition, housing and a monthly stipend. Entry runs on an X1 student visa built around a JW201 or JW202 form from your host university.
💵 A full CSC scholarship pays RMB 2,500 a month for bachelor's students, RMB 3,000 for master's, and RMB 3,500 for doctoral students, on top of tuition, housing and insurance.
🎓 The Confucius Institute Scholarship funds Chinese language study and adds RMB 700 a month if you live off campus.
📩 Apply for CSC scholarships either through your Chinese university directly or through the bilateral government quota.
⏱️ The X1 visa covers study programs longer than 180 days; you must register for a Residence Permit within 30 days of arriving in China.
Two funded routes into China
Most Vietnamese students who study in China on a scholarship use one of two programs: the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship, run by the Chinese government, or the Confucius Institute Scholarship, aimed at students studying the Chinese language or planning a Chinese-medium degree. Both cover the core costs of study, but they work differently and suit different stages of your education plan.
How the CSC scholarship works
The CSC scholarship comes in two forms. Type A is arranged through a bilateral agreement between governments or agencies, so you apply for the Chinese government quota through the relevant channel in Vietnam. Type B is awarded directly by the Chinese university you want to attend, so you apply through that university's international admissions office instead. Both types can fully fund your study, covering tuition, on-campus accommodation or a housing allowance, comprehensive medical insurance and a one-off travel subsidy from your port of entry to your university city.
The monthly stipend depends on your level of study, according to CSC scholarship guidelines published by Chinese universities that administer the program, such as the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences .
| Degree level | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | RMB 2,500 |
| Master's | RMB 3,000 |
| Doctoral | RMB 3,500 |
Confirm exact figures and application deadlines with your target university before you apply, since individual institutions set their own intake windows for Type B scholarships even though the stipend structure follows the national CSC framework.
Confucius Institute Scholarship for language study
If your goal is to reach fluency in Mandarin before committing to a full degree, the Confucius Institute Scholarship is the more direct route. It is administered through Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms and through partner Chinese universities, and it covers tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and medical insurance for language and degree programs taught through Chinese universities that host these programs, according to Central China Normal University's international admissions office . If you choose to live off campus rather than in university housing, the scholarship adds a rental allowance of RMB 700 a month.
Applicants for a one-year Chinese language program generally need a baseline HSK score to qualify, and the required level rises for degree-track scholarships. Check the specific HSK or BCT threshold on the page of the university or Confucius Institute you apply through, since it varies by program length and level.
How Vietnamese students apply
You have two practical starting points. First, watch for MOET's annual announcement of the bilateral scholarship quota for study in China, which channels a set number of CSC places to Vietnamese applicants each year. Second, apply directly to a Chinese university's international admissions office for its own Type B scholarship or for a Confucius Institute Scholarship, which does not depend on the government quota and often has a separate, earlier deadline. Applying directly gives you more control over your timeline and choice of city, while the bilateral quota is more competitive but fully state funded.
Whichever route you take, start gathering documents 6 to 9 months before your intended intake. You need certified copies of your transcripts and diplomas, a study plan or research proposal, two recommendation letters, a passport copy, and a language test score if your program requires Mandarin or English proficiency.
The X1 student visa
Once you hold an official offer, your visa depends on your program length. Study programs longer than 180 days require an X1 visa. Your Chinese university issues either a JW201 form, for students on a government scholarship such as CSC, or a JW202 form, for self-funded students including most Confucius Institute Scholarship recipients and Type B CSC recipients, depending on how the university classifies the award. Submit this form along with your Admission Notice, a physical examination record, and proof of financial support to the Chinese embassy or consulate in Vietnam handling your visa application, following the process described by Beijing's municipal government guidelines for student visa applications .
After you arrive: the Residence Permit
An X1 visa gets you into China, but it is not your ongoing legal status. Within 30 days of arrival, you must apply for a Residence Permit for Study at the local Exit and Entry Administration office covering your university's district. Bring your passport, Admission Notice, JW201 or JW202 form, physical examination record, proof of your accommodation registration, and a passport-style photo. Your university's international student office usually schedules this appointment as part of orientation, so confirm the date as soon as you arrive rather than waiting for a reminder.