Growing Demand for Online Learning in Vietnam
Vietnam has seen a significant rise in the number of learners accessing online academic courses, particularly through platforms like Coursera. As of June, approximately 1.8 million Vietnamese individuals are enrolled in courses provided by this American-based educational platform, marking a 22% increase compared to the previous year. This surge reflects a growing interest in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and even the Chinese language.
Greg Hart, CEO of Coursera, highlighted these figures during a press conference in Hanoi. He emphasized that the trend is not isolated to Vietnam but aligns with global patterns where machine learning, basic AI, programming, and data science courses are gaining widespread popularity.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines leads with 2.8 million learners on Coursera, followed by Indonesia with 2.1 million, Vietnam with 1.8 million, Singapore with 1.5 million, and Thailand with 1.1 million. These numbers highlight the region’s increasing reliance on digital education tools to enhance skills and knowledge.
One of the most notable areas of growth in Vietnam is in AI-related courses. Around 152,000 Vietnamese users have enrolled in over 800 AI-focused programs, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Hart noted that “every four minutes, a learner in Vietnam signs up for a course on generative AI (GenAI).” This rapid adoption of AI education underscores the country’s commitment to technological advancement and workforce development.
The average age of Coursera learners in Vietnam is 30, which is younger than the global average of 34. This suggests that a large portion of the population is actively seeking continuous learning opportunities, often driven by career aspirations or personal growth goals.
Vietnamese learners are increasingly turning to top U.S. universities such as Stanford, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, as well as leading technology companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft. These partnerships provide access to high-quality educational content and industry-relevant skills.
Other American online learning platforms have also reported increased engagement from Vietnamese users. For example, Khan Academy recently announced a surge in its user base, with two million accounts and over 204 million minutes of learning recorded in the past year. Vietnam ranked second globally in user numbers, moving up one spot from the previous year and just behind Brazil.
Coursera has also established strong ties with several Vietnamese institutions. The platform currently collaborates with five local universities: National Economics University, FPT University, Van Lang University, Phenikaa University, and British University Vietnam. These partnerships allow for the integration of Coursera’s extensive course offerings into formal academic programs.
Over 3,000 courses are available in Vietnamese, making it easier for local learners to access and benefit from the platform. Some of these courses are even eligible for academic credit, providing a seamless transition between online learning and traditional higher education.
For instance, FPT University has incorporated more than 80 Coursera courses into its bachelor’s programs in information technology and business. These courses make up 20% of the curriculum, demonstrating how online learning is being integrated into formal education systems.
Since its founding in 2012, Coursera has grown to become one of the world’s largest online education providers. It collaborates with over 350 universities and corporations to offer a wide range of courses. With more than 175 million learners worldwide, the platform continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of education through accessible and high-quality digital learning.
