1. Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to ensure that the international students at VinUniversity’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) achieve sufficient proficiency in the Vietnamese language, specifically to enable effective for effective communication during clinical clerkships.
2. Scope
This guideline applies to all international full-time students enrolled in the Medical Doctor (MD) and Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programs at the College of Health Sciences, beginning with the 2025-2026 cohort. It is also open to other VinUniversity students interested in learning Vietnamese.
3. Structure of the Vietnamese Language Program
The Vietnamese Language Program includes two components:
- General Communication: Required for CHS students; available for all VinUniversity students interested in learning Vietnamese.
- Medical Vietnamese: Required for CHS students only.
The detailed program:
| Level | General Vietnamese (Hours) | Medical Vietnamese (Hours) | Total Hours | Credits |
| Beginner – A1 | 60 | 0 | 60 | 4 |
| Elementary – A2 | 60 | 30 | 90 | 6 |
| Intermediate – B1 | 60 | 60 | 120 | 8 |
| Upper-Intermediate – B2.1 | 75 | 37.5 | 112.5 | 7.5 |
| Upper-Intermediate – B2.2 | 75 | 52.5 | 127.5 | 7.5 |
* Note:
- Medical Vietnamese is mandatory for CHS undergraduate students, while other students may join voluntarily.
- The framework is grounded in Circular No. 17/2015/TT-BGDDT, which outlines the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners.
- The structure of the program is subject to change based on student needs, outcomes, and program requirements, with approval from the relevant governing committees at both the College of Health Sciences level and VinUniversity level.
4. Expected Outcomes
4.1 CHS international students: Must achieve B2 proficiency in speaking and listening, and B1 in writing and reading prior to entering the clinical training phase (beginning in the 4th year for MD students and the 3rd year for Nursing students).
4.2 CHS international students in the MD program: upon enrollment must demonstrate Vietnamese ability at the level of A2. VinUni will offer proficiency exams for all international MD students.
4.3 Non-CHS international students: Encouraged to take the course if interested, but without specific outcome requirements.
4.4 Vietnamese language studies will be recorded on the transcripts of international students who fulfill the course requirements and pass the exams specified by the course director.
5. Consequences for Students Not Achieving the Required Proficiency Level
5.1 CHS international students who fail to achieve the required B2 proficiency in speaking and listening, and B1 in writing and reading, will not be permitted to advance to Year 3 (BN program) or Year 4 (MD program), regardless of their academic performance in other subjects.
5.2 CHS, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and external vendors, will organize a Vietnamese language proficiency exam at regular intervals to help students reassess their proficiency level. If students achieve the required proficiency, as demonstrated by the exam results, they may then progress to the clinical training phase. Program Directors, with the approval from the Dean, have the discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.
5.3 Only the Vietnamese Language Program described in item 3 of this document is sponsored by VinUniversity. CHS international students are responsible for finding additional learning resources, such as learning materials or instructors, if needed, to help them achieve the required proficiency and they are responsible for covering any associated costs.
6. Collaboration Between the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences
6.1 Assigned College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) faculty and staff are responsible for organizing training activities, including contracting with the vendor, scheduling courses during the summer and academic year, and monitoring non-CHS students.
6.2 Assigned CHS faculty and staff are responsible for developing the Medical Vietnamese component, including creating learning materials and assessment plans, and monitoring and assessing CHS students to ensure they meet the required outcomes.
6.3 The program directors of the MD and Nursing programs, along with designated faculty members from CHS and CAS, will review, update, and revise the Vietnamese Language Program curriculum annually or as needed based on student needs, outcomes, and program requirements.
ABBREVIATION AND DEFINITION
| Term | Definition |
| BN Program | Bachelor of Nursing |
| CHS | College of Health Sciences |
| MD Program | Medical Doctor Program |
| CAS | College of Art and Sciences |