by Thanh Xuan
HANOI, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A Vietnamese girl in a white dress stepped out of the Chinese Embassy with her oval face brightened in early summer sunlight.
Le Phuong Thao, 24, completed procedures to apply for a student visa to study in China in the coming autumn.
"Lucky me. I queued up here from 7 a.m. this morning. Too many applicants are still waiting outside the embassy," Thao told Xinhua, pointing to dozens of people standing in long lines along the embassy's front wall.
Thao, who has received a letter of admission from Guilin University of Electronic Technology in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is going to pursue a business management course at the Chinese university.
"My family runs a small electronics business whose key partners are Chinese firms. My parents want me to study this major so I can help develop our business," she said.
According to Tran Xuan Bach, director of Viet-Trung (Vietnam-China) Education, a study-abroad consultancy company in Hanoi, China has become a favorite destination for Vietnamese students.
"Compared to the same period last year, the number of our customers has so far this year doubled, or even tripled," Bach told Xinhua, adding that applicants are youngsters from not only Hanoi, but also other northern localities such as Hai Phong, Bac Ninh and Bac Giang which house many Chinese investment and trading companies.
With over six years studying in China, Bach pointed out that Chinese education has many advantages that benefits Asian learners, especially Vietnamese ones.
"Chinese universities offer a wide range of high-quality programs but charge affordable tuition fees. With many scholarships available, their courses are even the most affordable options among leading universities in the world," he said.
Master's degree programs in economics, construction and communications are the most popular choice of Vietnamese applicants, who are mainly in their early 20s and about to graduate from local universities, according to Bach. Besides, Chinese traditional medicine is pursued by many Vietnamese youths.
Nguyen Van Trung from the capital Hanoi has graduated from the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China's southeastern Fujian province. Now, Trung runs a traditional medicine clinic in Hanoi.
"I'm glad that I chose China to study abroad. In my opinion, it is the best place in the world to learn traditional medicines," Trung told Xinhua.
Trung plans to further study at the same Chinese university next year. "I have everything I need to study, to research at the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Professors there are very helpful and knowledgeable," he said.
Like Trung, many Vietnamese students who have finished studying in China and returned to Vietnam to work have given highly positive feedback on the Chinese education's quality. Many of them were impressed by the development of Chinese cities and advanced teaching and learning facilities, and profound knowledge of lecturers.
Most of Vietnamese youths find it very easy to adapt to living and studying in China. "The geographical and cultural closeness between the two countries helps us feel comfortable as if we were at home. That's why we love studying in China," Trung explained.
Like many Vietnamese people who want to study in China, fourth-year student Nguyen Thanh Huyen is attending a Chinese language course at the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University. Huyen is studying hard to get a certificate of Chinese language proficiency next year so as to apply for a postgraduate course in Beijing.
"I'm really passionate about Chinese culture, films and music. Once I make it to China, I will travel as much as I can, so that I can see all the beautiful places, taste delicious specialties of different Chinese cities and provinces, and explore all kinds of their customs," Huyen said.
Officially going into operation in 2014, the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University, which often organizes Chinese classes and activities to promote teaching and learning of Chinese in Vietnam and facilitate cultural exchanges, has welcomed an increasing number of learners.
"Our classes are always fully booked. Sometimes we have to open up to 14 classes at the same time to serve over 300 students," the institute's head Do Thanh Van told Xinhua.
According to her, many Chinese language learners at the institute are seeking for a scholarship to study in China.
"They believe that speaking Chinese and studying in China can help them secure a good job after graduation. They believe that they will have better opportunities thanks to China's rapid development," she noted.
Van finished her higher education in China, which has shaped her career and made her life meaningful as it is today, she said.
"Now, I can help Vietnamese students realizing their dreams of studying abroad. They can go to China and enjoy their youth, then define what they should do next for their future. I feel I am useful and I love that," Van said, smiling brightly.
