Brain Drain Or Brain Mobility: A Shift In Perspective

Vietnam ranks 3rd among the countries with the most international students in the world. Studying abroad is always a dream, a hope for a better future not only for Vietnamese people but also for people from many developing countries around the world.

Many Vietnamese students studying abroad choose to settle overseas after graduation, raising serious concerns about "brain drain"—a trend seen as diminishing the country’s return on investment in developing its young, skilled workforce.

Why Is It The Case?

Recent statistics from the Migration Profile 2023 reveal that up to 80% of self-financed Vietnamese students do not come back after completing their education abroad. This number also reflects the trend of the majority of overseas students, as 90% of Vietnamese pursue education abroad with their own self-financed funds, according to an overview report.

Meanwhile, a 2022 survey conducted in 12 areas showed that among 8,850 students studying overseas, only 1,160 returned to Vietnam. This figure dropped to 543 in 2023.

As the country seeks to transform into a knowledge-based economy, the demand for STEM experts is increasing. In attempt of nuturing a new generation of talents, Vietnam has invested heavily in education, especially sending top students to top universities in the world through government-funded scholarships, hoping that they could return and contribute to their countries.

However, with many trained individuals choosing to remain abroad, the country faces a shortage of qualified human resources in key sectors.

Understand Why Coming Back Is Not An Option

One of the major reasons Vietnamese students stay abroad is the availability of better employment prospects and competitive salaries. Countries like the United States, Canada, and Germany, among others, offer foreign graduates extended visa options and easier pathways to gain residency, as well as the chance to work in industries with high earning potential.

On the other hand, this trend might be driven by a mix of professional and personal reasons. In specialized fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Vietnamese students prefer studying in the U.S. or Canada, as they offer more developed research environments, infrastructure, and career-building opportunities than those currently available in Vietnam.

Moreover, for some, coming back to Vietnam too soon feels like an admission of failure, as if they haven’t taken full advantage of the opportunities available in a foreign country. This perspective can be reinforced by the competitive atmosphere among students abroad, where staying longer and achieving career milestones are sometimes seen as measures of success.

Is Reverse Brain Drain The Only Solution To Vietnam's Talent Shortage?

To be fair, it's not like all these talented graduates leaving their country for good.

A survey showed that 87% of overseas Vietnamese are open to relocate back home for a new job opportunity. Among them, a majority (56%) decided to stay abroad 1-6 years before moving back. For these students, gaining several years of experience abroad allows them to build a strong foundation that can later benefit Vietnam when they choose to return.

A prime example is Pham Nam Long, founder and CEO of Abivin (an award-winning AI-driven SaaS platform providing transportation management solutions). He studied at Abbey College Cambridge, earned dual master’s degrees from the University of Bristol and the University of Cambridge and after graduation, worked at Google in the U.S. In 2014, driven by the commitment to contribute to Vietnam, Nam Long returned to his homeland, establishing Abivin.

However, in today’s interconnected world, it's time for us to adopt a new perspective of 'brain drain,' which tradditionally portrays the migration of talent as a loss for developing countries. Many now view international migration as a dual-purpose phenomenon, one that can benefit both Vietnam and the global community.

The Migration Profile 2023 suggests turning challenges into opportunities by adopting the concept of “brain mobility”, which enables migrants to contribute in various ways without necessarily having to return home permanently.

International labor migration could also help reduce the pressure on domestic employment and contribute to through business partnerships, further fueling technological advancement of Vietnam.

Moreover, research on educational migration in Vietnam shows that many overseas Vietnamese, although residing in foreign countries, support Vietnam’s economic growth by sending remittances, forming business networks, and contributing to policy formulation. Therefore, this model can enable Vietnam to overcome the phenomenon of one-way brain drain from Vietnam to the world.

In addition, strong networks of Vietnamese professionals abroad are also developing, among which is the Overseas Vietnamese community, a global network focusing on connecting and empowering Vietnamese professionals. These networks would function as an intellectual bridge, strengthening ties and enabling knowledge transfer without necessitating a physical return.