Vietnam surpasses China to lead foreign student numbers in RoK
VOV.VN - Not only maintaining its leading position as the primary country of origin for students with migration backgrounds, Vietnam this year surpassed China for the first time in the number of foreign students at universities in the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Foreign students enrolled at higher education institutions in the Republic of Korea (RoK) totaled 307,464 as of April 1, 2026, surpassing the 300,000 mark for the first time, according to the 2026 Basic Educational Statistics Report released by the RoK Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) on October 29.
Notably, Vietnam surpassed China for the first time to become the country with the largest number of students in the RoK.
The country accounted for 96,834 students, representing 31.5% of total international students. China ranked second with 78,890 (25.7%), followed by Uzbekistan, Nepal, and Mongolia. Among total foreign students, 223,191 pursued degree programs, accounting for 72.6%. Asian students comprised 92.1% of the total, with 61.3% enrolled in social sciences and humanities and 18% selecting engineering fields.
The number of international students in the RoK rose from 12,314 in 2003 to over 100,000 in 2016. This trend is linked to the attraction of Korean culture, particularly K-pop and television dramas, alongside study demand and job prospects at Korean enterprises. Amid a shrinking school-age population, many universities, especially regional institutions, have stepped up international recruitment. However, foreign students remain largely concentrated in the capital area.
The rapid increase also poses challenges in student management and illegal residence control. According to the RoK Ministry of Justice, as of August 2026, the country recorded 9,946 illegal residents holding university study visas (D-2) and 21,719 under language training visas (D-4-1 and D-4-7). The RoK is focusing on student recruitment and management while creating conditions for international students to contribute to its educational system and economy.
Vietnam–RoK friendship strengthened through world culture festival
A world culinary culture festival took place in Hwaseong city, Gyeonggi province, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on October 18, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between local residents and foreign communities, with Vietnamese cuisine and culture taking centre stage this year.
