On the morning of 2 January, the University of Saigon confirmed that the State Treasury has released funds and the university has completed disbursement of more than VND58 billion in living allowances to student teachers. The payments address delays that had caused financial strain for many students and their families.
More than 1,000 pedagogy students from the 2023 and 2024 intakes have received support. Students in the 2023 cohort were paid about VND72.6 million per student, equivalent to two academic years, while 2024 cohort students received approximately VND36.3 million each, covering ten months of the 2024–25 academic year. The university said total disbursed for the 2023 cohort exceeded VND39 billion and for the 2024 cohort more than VND19 billion.
Vietnam student living allowance
La Thanh Hùng, chief of staff at the University of Saigon, said that previous reports from November 2025 had been resolved and eligible students have now received their full living allowances under the relevant regulations. He added that earlier payments to students admitted under specific assignment methods and those registering to teach in response to societal demand — including amounts paid to 2021 cohorts — have also been completed.
The university acknowledged that a number of students remain unpaid because the necessary budget allocations have not yet been transferred into the university’s account. Officials emphasised that these delays were due to the timing of fund transfers from the State Treasury rather than any administrative hold-up by the university itself.
University leaders have been closely monitoring social media and press reports about the slow rollout of allowances, which are provided under Decree 116 and amount to VND3.63 million per month per eligible student. The delay had prompted concern among students and prompted the university to intensify coordination with city authorities to expedite payments.
The university said it is working in close cooperation with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance, the Department of Education and Training, and the State Treasury Region II to complete the remaining disbursement procedures. Payments will be made into students’ bank accounts as soon as the funds are received.
In the meantime, the university has invited students facing hardship to contact the Student Affairs Office for temporary assistance. The institution stressed its commitment to supporting affected students so that financial difficulties do not interrupt their studies.
Education officials have highlighted that the living allowance scheme aims to reduce financial barriers for student teachers and encourage more candidates to enter the teaching profession, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The prompt release of the VND58 billion package will address immediate needs for more than 1,000 students, while authorities finalise the remaining transfers.
Students seeking clarification or assistance are advised to approach the Student Affairs Office directly, where staff will review individual cases and offer support where appropriate. The university and relevant departments expect to complete all remaining payments in the near term once the State Treasury releases the outstanding funds.
Key Takeaways:
- Over VND58 billion has been transferred to more than 1,000 pedagogy students at the University of Saigon.
- Students from cohorts 2023 and 2024 received monthly living allowances under Decree 116, with cohort 2023 paid about VND72.6 million per student for two years.
- The university says remaining payments await funds from the state treasury, and hardship cases can seek interim support from the student affairs office.
- Authorities are coordinating with the State Treasury and city education and finance departments to complete bank transfers promptly.
