A historic number of students from Vietnam and Laos have applied for scholarships to study in Taiwan, with over 200 applications received for the first time, officials reported on Friday, August 2.

The Taiwan representative office in Vietnam granted scholarships to 51 students from these Southeast Asian countries. Due to the high number of applicants, officials plan to request the Ministry of Education (MOE) to increase the scholarship quota. The 49 Vietnamese and two Laotian students attended an orientation seminar on visa rules and student life in Taiwan. Currently, 27,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Taiwan, providing a robust community for newcomers.

Taiwan's educational affordability and the presence of Taiwanese investors and tourists in Vietnam have contributed to the surge in applications. Vietnam and Laos are among the 18 countries included in Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, launched in 2016 to enhance cooperation in various fields, including education.

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