“This is a very positive sign of the increasingly strong education ties that we share,” said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David B. Shear of the report.  “And we welcome even more Vietnamese students to come to the U.S., where they can take advantage of the highest quality and most diverse higher education system in the world.”

Another contributing factor is greater access to comprehensive and accurate information about study in the U.S. through EducationUSA advising offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and an increased level activity by United States colleges and universities to attract students from Vietnam.

This year’s Open Doors report shows that the total number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 5 percent to 723,277 during the 2010/11 academic year. This represents a record high number of international students in the United States.

The Open Doors 2011 report is being release to coincide with International Education Week, an opportunity to recognize the value of international educational exchange in developing mutual understanding and respect around the world.  IEW, held the third week of November each year, is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. First held in 2000, IEW today is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide.  This year the U.S. Embassy will hold a series of contests and events to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange.

To view a video message from U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David B. Shear announcing $1 million in graduate-level scholarships for Vietnamese students, visit www.youtube.com/achanoi.

Source: US Embassy