Vietnam will raise stipends for students studying overseas under state budget funding from Feb 1, 2011 in an effort to help them cover increasing daily expenses. The information is stated in a newly-amended circular issued by the ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Education and Training, the Vietnamese Government said on its website Jan 12. Students who are studying in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Japan will enjoy the highest increase to $1,200 from $1,000. Those studying in India, China, and Taiwan will receive $420 from current $350. Those in Australia and New Zealand will have the new stipend of $1,032 from $860. The students will receive the stipend in USD, except for those studying in the west of Northern Europe to receive Euros. Currently, around 60,000 Vietnamese students are studying abroad, including 4,000 are under the state budget funding, said the Ministry of Education and Training. (www.chinhphu.vn [1] Jan 12)
