HANOI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- For many young Vietnamese, studying in China has transformed lifelong dreams into achievable goals, opening doors to opportunities for learning.

Doan Thi Kim Dung is one of the Vietnamese recipients of the annual Chinese government scholarship this year.

The Chinese embassy in Vietnam recently held a ceremony to present admission letters to 34 Vietnamese students who have been awarded Chinese government scholarships for the academic year 2025/26.

"I always dreamed of studying in China, and with this scholarship, that dream has come true," said Dung.

Born and raised in Bac Ninh, a northern Vietnamese province known for its high concentration of Chinese enterprises, Dung sees her upcoming Business Administration program in China as key to supporting her family's future in the local economy.

"My hometown has many Chinese companies, so studying in China gives me knowledge that's practical and relevant when I return home for work," she explained.

In addition to scholarships, the Chinese side has also provided an increasing number of short and mid-term training programs for Vietnamese students.

Do Gia Hien's scholarship journey began with a one-year exchange program in China in 2023, where he was impressed by the country's rapid advancement in artificial intelligence and robotics.

"Living and studying in China showed me how far they've developed in technology, and that experience pushed me to seriously consider long-term study in this field," said Hien.

After returning to Vietnam, he participated in the national science and engineering contest, where he earned second prize in the physics and astronomy category, which strengthened both his profile and his resolve to pursue further education in China.

His academic achievements helped him win a scholarship to study computer science at Harbin Institute of Technology, one of China's top universities in engineering and AI research.

"I want to access China's core developments in AI and bring that expertise home, so we can build stronger infrastructure and develop local solutions for Vietnam's national challenges," he explained.

Nguyen Hai Thanh, deputy director general of the International Cooperation Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, highlighted the growing appeal of China as a study-abroad destination, particularly among Vietnamese students.

"China is becoming an increasingly popular choice for international students, particularly from developing nations like Vietnam, thanks to its world-class universities, high-quality education, affordable tuition fees, and the wealth of opportunities it offers for academic and professional growth," he said.

Educational exchanges have been a key part of bilateral cooperation between China and Vietnam, with about 24,000 Vietnamese students currently studying in China, double the number from five years ago. ■