Why Vietnam? A Semester Abroad Full of Diversity

From ocean to Mauna Kea: strong teaching, free weekends, and a respectful cultural experience

Why Vietnam?

We chose this university because we were looking for an adventure and wanted to experience a new culture. We were especially interested in how students in Vietnam live and study, and how their daily lives differ from those in Europe. From the very beginning, we perceived Vietnam as an incredibly diverse country – culturally, socially, and geographically. Since we had never been to Asia before, this semester abroad was the perfect opportunity to gain new perspectives and valuable experiences outside of our comfort zone.

Our Favorite Course: Bioimage Processing

Our favorite course was Bioimage Processing. The professor was very open and friendly and presented the material in a calm, clear, and stress-free way. The accompanying lab was particularly exciting, as it allowed us to gain hands-on experience. We had the opportunity to experiment with cameras and directly test our own code. This strong practical focus made the course especially engaging and educational.

A Typical Day

Our daily student life was generally very relaxed. Since we only had classes on four days per week, we had plenty of time for leisure activities, sports, and exploring. We stayed very active, especially by playing pickleball, which is quite popular in Vietnam. In parks, people often invite you to join spontaneously, making it easy to connect with locals.

Food also plays a major role in everyday life: it is not only very affordable but also incredibly delicious. Classics like pho, bun bo hue, and banh mi were part of our daily routine. In addition, Vietnam has a strong coffee culture, offering endless opportunities to explore new cafés.

At first, the traffic seemed very chaotic due to the large number of motorcycles, but you get used to it surprisingly quickly. Overall, people are very open and friendly, which makes everyday life especially enjoyable. For getting to university, we recommend taking the metro or – more flexibly – using a motorcycle, as distances can otherwise be quite long.

Traveling and Cultural Experiences

On weekends, we often took trips to cities around Ho Chi Minh City, either by motorcycle or bus. We highly recommend Mui Ne and Da Lat – two very different places, each with its own unique atmosphere.

Another highlight were the large markets, where you can buy clothes and many other items at very affordable prices. Over time, we even built personal connections with some vendors, which often helped us get the best deals.

We also strongly recommend traveling through Vietnam as a whole. The country offers stunning natural landscapes – especially in the north – and a consistently positive and vibrant atmosphere. Hanoi, the capital in the north, is also definitely worth a visit. Additionally, Vietnam is a great starting point for trips to other Asian countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, or Hong Kong.

Tips for Future Exchange Students

• Connect with Vietnamese students to get helpful tips for exam preparation.
• Approach professors directly if you have any issues – many things can be resolved easily and quickly.
• Be open and proactive in meeting new people, and spend as much time as possible with locals.
• Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture – this exchange is what makes the experience truly valuable.
• Renting a motorcycle can be very practical, especially if the university is located outside the city (only if you feel confident in traffic).
• Join sports clubs or university activities to quickly become part of the social community.

Overall, we can highly recommend Vietnam as a destination for a semester abroad – and we would choose it again anytime.