Vietnam had sent 15,900 students to study in Australia by May 2009, ranking the 7th among foreign countries, a rise of 60% compared to 2008, said the International Education Agency-Australia (IEAA). The biggest increase was in the fields of general education and vocational training with over 4,090 Vietnamese students, up 107% against 2008, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said, citing the IEAA. Australia is increasingly considered a leading country for providing the best education and training services. It has diversified culture and is secure and relatively near Vietnam. The government of Australia has granted 48 scholarships worth AUD6.7 million ($6.2 million) to Vietnamese scholars and professionals to help them study, research and join professional training in the foreign country this year.
