According to Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW of the Politburo (12^th tenure), Da Nang targets to become a major socio-economic centre of the country and Southeast Asia by 2030, with a vision to 2045. The city aspires to meet world standards in this transformation. A key focus of this development is education, particularly international education, which is essential for training high-quality human resources to satisfy the demands of global integration.

Swinburne students on the opening day of the new campus in Da Nang. Photo: NVCC

Developing local education

Da Nang has been honoured as one of the 10 most livable cities in the world in 2018, according to the Live and Invest Overseas Travel Magazine. Regarding the vision of turning Da Nang into an international “livable city”, Mr. Nguyen Duc Quynh, Chairman of the municipal Hotel Association cum General Director of Furama Resort Da Nang, emphasised the need for the city to continue improving important factors such as environment, healthcare, education and investment opportunities.

He noted that Da Nang has a relatively developed education system with a diverse range of schools from primary to university levels, as well as international training cooperation programmes. However, the city needs to invest more significantly in its educational environment. The goal is to create an educational environment that retains students, allowing them to pursue their studies locally while ensuring that the quality is on par with studying abroad.

As a result of COVID-19 altering study abroad habits and methods, more students are choosing to study abroad on-site. Da Nang offers numerous attractive benefits for these students. In particular, the city boasts a diverse educational environment that includes many international institutions. These institutions provide quality training programmes that meet international standards, all at reasonably affordable costs.

For example, students studying at Swinburne Vietnam, a university ranked in the top 1% of the world, only need to spend VND 550 million for 3 years of study (excluding scholarships) to have the opportunity to access advanced education and receive a degree from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia In contrast, studying abroad can be quite expensive, with tuition and living expenses reaching up to VND 3-4 billion. Additionally, when compared to studying in major cities like Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, choosing to study in Da Nang is a more financially sensible option.

Da Nang is experiencing strong growth as a technology and startup centre, drawing the attention of many large domestic and international companies. This development is creating job opportunities for students, particularly those with talents in technology, engineering, and innovation. Furthermore, students have the advantage of living and studying in the liveable city which boasts green, clean, and beautiful spaces, as well as a safe environment. The city offers numerous learning support services that not only facilitate academic success but also enhance the overall quality of life for students.

With the vision of becoming an internationally recognized livable city, Da Nang is not only attracting students from the region but also positioning itself as an ideal destination for international students. This provides them with a conducive environment for both study and an enjoyable living experience.

Opportunity to experience international studying environment in Da Nang

Da Nang is gradually affirming its position as a place where many international educational institutions gather for students of all ages. Among them, Swinburne Viet Nam, a top 1% university in the world, decided to locate its 4^th campus in Da Nang.

In sharing the reason for establishing the new campus in Da Nang, Dr. Hoang Viet Ha, Director of Swinburne Viet Nam stated “Da Nang is an exceptional choice due to its status as a tourist hub and its advantageous geographical location. It is well-connected domestically and internationally through a network of seaports and international airports. The city boasts a modern living environment and a strong emphasis on technology and innovation, making it an ideal learning environment. This appeals not only to domestic students but also to those from other countries”.

The expansion of Swinburne Viet Nam will provide young people in Da Nang and neighboring provinces with access to high-quality international education. Students will earn a bachelor's degree from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, ensuring that the educational quality meets Australian standards. They will benefit from lower study costs in Vietnam and the option to easily transfer to study abroad.

Mr. Ha also emphasised that Swinburne Da Nang is aiming to become a global connection centre. He added "Swinburne Da Nang will serve as a hub for domestic and international student exchanges, offering students the opportunity to experience semesters in one of the most livable cities in the world."

With the vision of becoming an international education centre, Da Nang is gradually affirming itself as not only a livable city but also a great destination for on-site study abroad. This is a place where cultural values, desirable living environments and world-class training programs converge, giving students the opportunity to study and develop right in a young, dynamic and potential city.

Reporting by HANH LAM - Translating by M.DUNG