Many students preparing to study, for example, at the Sai Gon Tourism, Culture and Arts College are surprised about the tuition payment schedule.— Photo tuyensinh247

Many students preparing to study, for example, at the Sai Gon Tourism, Culture and Arts College are surprised about the tuition payment schedule.

"The college asked us to pay full-year tuition, around VND11-13 million (US$600), while at other colleges, they require to pay twice a year," Nguyen Ngoc K from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang was quoted as saying in the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.

At Nguyen Tat Thanh University, students were scheduled to pay nearly VND19 million ($930) for two semesters.

"But when I came to fill out my forms to study, I was asked to pay another VND10 million ($500)," said Ngo Que Anh from the coastal province of Ba Ria Vung Tau.

The university explained that they had divided each school-year into three semesters, unlike most universities which are divided into two.

They told the students they could pay it all at the beginning of the school year or at the beginning of the third semester.

In addition, tuition is often calculated based on the number of certificates given in one semester. However, some colleges and universities do not inform students of this regulation or which certificates will be awarded during the semester.

Besides these concerns, tuition is being increased 10 per cent each year.

Other schools have three semesters, or several even request tuition from VND40 – 100 million ($2,000-5,000) each year.

New students will face many other fees, such as medical insurance, school entrance, student card and others. Each school sets its own price for these fees.

According to State regulations, medical fees for students are set at VND290,000 ($14). Most college and universities request higher payments.