Global Business in Vietnam

Program Content

Vietnam is currently the 35th largest economy in the world and one of the fastest growing trade partners with the United States. In this program, students will explore the history, culture, and economic factors that influence business practices and global trade in Vietnam. The program will include multiple tours of business and industry sites to gain first-hand experience. 

The program is centered in Hanoi, a diverse hub of economic activity in Vietnam’s capital. Major industries in the region include electronics, machinery, and technology, with numerous startups driving innovation in software development, e-commerce, and IT services. Classes will be held on the campus of Foreign Trade University, where participants will be able to interact with faculty, staff and students from Vietnam. Students will engage with local experts to discover Vietnamese food and clothing and visit company sites such as Honda, Toyota, Toto, Habeco, or Uniben. An overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is included in the program. Students will also visit the forest and river areas of the Ninh Dinh region, which are the homelands of several indigenous groups including the Dao, Hoa, Hmong, Murong, Tay and Thai. 

Global Business in Vietnam explores the dynamic and evolving environment of Vietnam, exploring the cultural, economic, and political factors that affect doing business in Vietnam. This program is fantastic for students who want to explore business practices in a different cultural setting. 

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of five credits for the program as follows:

TMKTG 490 Global Business in Vietnam (5 credits)

Global Business in Vietnam explores the dynamic and evolving environment of Vietnam, exploring the cultural, economic, and political factors that affect doing business in Vietnam. As the tenth largest and fastest growing trading partner of the United States, Vietnam presents an attractive opportunity for conducting business globally.  
 
This course will combine field visits with classroom instruction, tours, and cultural experiences that provide insights into Vietnam’s business sector.  Hanoi offers historic landmarks like the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as French colonial architecture, delicious cuisine, and a lively atmosphere. Visits will include local companies, factories, and agencies, such as the American Chamber of Commerce, based in and around Hanoi. Lectures by UWT and local faculty will focus on doing business in Vietnam, entrepreneurship, and Vietnamese culture and values. Cultural experiences will include preparing traditional Vietnamese food and exploring Vietnam’s national dress, the áo dài. Sessions held on the campus of Foreign Trade University will provide opportunities to interact with Vietnamese students and faculty. The course culminates in a 5-7 page paper on business in Vietnam due one month after returning to the US.  

Tours will include Ninh Binh and an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, two of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam. Ninh Binh combines cultural heritage and natural beauty, with stunning landscapes, winding rivers, limestone caves, and historical sites like the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, which provides insights into Vietnam's past. Ha Long Bay features thousands of iconic limestone islands rising from emerald waters, topped with lush vegetation, which provide opportunities for cruising, kayaking, and exploring its many caves and grottoes.

Learning Goals Include:

• Understand the cultural, economic, and political factors shaping the business environment in Vietnam;

• Analyze Vietnam's position as a trading partner of the United States and evaluate its attractiveness for global business operations;

• Explore the major industries in the Hanoi region and understand the role of startups in driving innovation;

• Gain firsthand experience through field visits to local companies, factories, and agencies to understand their operations and roles in global business;

• Participate in cultural experiences and lectures at a Vietnamese university to make personal connections with Hanoi residents and gain insights into Vietnamese culture;

• Experience and appreciate the cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam through tours to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, gaining insights into Vietnam's history, landscapes, and tourism industry.

Program Schedule

This program runs from March 31 to June 6, 2025. All class meetings will occurs in Vietnam between March 22-30, 2025. Students will need to attend orientation prior to going to Vietnam, register for the course in Spring Quarter, and complete a paper one mother after return.

Housing

Students will be in hotels in the residential neighborhood of Dong Da near Foreign Trade University. 

Student Eligibility

Undergraduates in good academic standing (2.0 or above), from any UW campus may apply. This program is designed for students who have an interest in business practices abroad. Students who have an interest in history and culture of Vietnam will also benefit from this study. We also welcome applications from non-matriculated students. Students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible for our study abroad programs.

Application Deadline

Applications are due on November 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions a few weeks after the deadline. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation two weeks after acceptance.

Travel Documents and Insurance 

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Vietnam.

Visas

There is visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to the Vietnam. 

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries you plan to visit by going to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance 

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $2880. 

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 Administrative Fee 
• Instruction (5 credits)
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks
• Visa cost

Payment Due Date: April 18, 2025

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal 

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by December 1, 2024, the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation