Saigon Institute of Technology (Saigontech)

Saigontech is a university which focuses in IT & business administration (marketing, accounting, and investing). It is established in 2001 and located in Quang Trung Software City (QTSC) which is a software park. Within 6 years, it has developed very fast from 400 students to 3,000 students now.


The school enforced strict rules on the students where the students must speak English at all times. Whoever is caught speaking Vietnamese or other languages except English, will have their GPA deducted by 2%. I think that this is a very effective method in training the students to speak good English. I have noticed that in every where of the school; be it in the classrooms or corridor, there will be a notice: “English is the communication language at Saigontech. Please observe it!” This is a notice in school to remind the students to speak English at all times.


Saigontech follow the American way where the students have to undergo several examinations; 3 tests plus 1 additional test. There are SAT tests, interview and replacement tests for English. Students must score at least 550 points in order to pass.


The university has attracted many students from other countries; China, Taiwan, Korea, etc. Local students come to Saigontech to continue or further their studies. The reason why Saigontech has attracted many students is because the school offers degree rather than certificate and most importatntly it teaches the students English. Thus, when the graduates are looking for a job, it would be easier with a degree and able to speak English. The graduates from Saigontech are usually quite well paid; US$300-500 a month. It is considered quite a lot in Vietnam.



The trip to Saigontech has let me learnt that schools are concentrating/focusing in teaching and training their students to speak good English as there is a demand of people speaking English in the market. The reason is because the country is developing thus there are more and more foreign investors coming to Vietnam to invest. And normally, they require workers who speak English as English is a common language in the world and this would reduce the problem that they (foreign corporations & companies) faced which is the language barrier.