New Zealand and Viet Nam Strengthen Education Cooperation and Student Exchange

New Zealand and Viet Nam have strengthened their commitment to education cooperation and deepening connections between tertiary education institutions, says Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to announce the renewed bilateral Education Cooperation Arrangement with my Vietnamese counterpart Minister of Education and Training, Mr Hoàng Minh Sơn, and reaffirm our shared commitment to deepening education ties in the presence of Prime Minister Luxon and General Secretary and President Tô Lâm.

Education remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship and is a priority commitment in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, says Minister Simmonds.

I was deeply honoured to give remarks at the Viet Nam-New Zealand Higher Education and Skills Forum, in the presence of the His Excellency Tô Lâm, Minister Sơn and leaders of education agencies and tertiary education institutions from both of our countries.

Our mutual interest in ensuring learners gain the skills they need for successful careers, strengthening links between education and employment, supporting innovation and research, and deepening collaboration between education providers, employers and communities was evident throughout the forum. There is much we can learn from each other.

Institutional engagement is a critical pillar in our bilateral education relationship. It strengthens opportunities for student and academic mobility and exchange, and there is strong potential for growth. During the forum it was very encouraging to witness a number of new Memorandums of Understanding signed between New Zealand institutions and their counterparts in Viet Nam, says Minister Simmonds.

These engagements support the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy priorities for International Education – boosting numbers of international students, supporting the sector to grow and increasing New Zealand’s international connectivity, as set out in the International Education Going for Growth Plan.

In the 2025 calendar year, there were 2,200 enrolled students from Viet Nam in New Zealand. This was an increase of 14% from 2024. In the year ended March 2026, New Zealand's education-related travel exports to Viet Nam reached $110.95 million, up from $106.78 million in the previous year.