Expanding to the Southeast Asia Market: Insights from ICEF Vietnam 2025

GoElite participated in this year's ICEF Vietnam conference held in Ho Chi Minh City from June 10–12. Represented by our regional manager, Himanshu Kumar, GoElite attended as a registered education agent to deepen our footprint in Southeast Asia and explore new recruitment opportunities for our partnered institutions.

With a focus on promoting hybrid CPT programs offered by our partner schools, we engaged with a wide array of international institutions and education consultants. Here's what we learned and how it supports our shared mission of increasing international student enrollment.

Why Vietnam?

Vietnam continues to emerge as one of the most promising student recruitment markets in Asia. With a rapidly growing middle class and increasing appetite for international degrees, the country is becoming a strategic hub for outbound education. Parents and students in Vietnam are actively seeking destinations that offer:

• Work rights after or even during study
• Long-term settlement opportunities
• Industry-relevant education models

While visa processing delays for U.S.-bound students remain a concern, ICEF Vietnam made it clear: the demand is strong, and the U.S. remains a top aspiration, provided students see a clear path to employability and stability.

What We Did at ICEF Vietnam

Over the course of the three-day event, our representative:

• Attended U.S.-focused visa update sessions
• Promoted our hybrid CPT program offerings across 7 partner universities
• Shared initial proposals and began the follow-up process for formal onboarding

Market Trends & Takeaways

Vietnam’s Potential Remains Strong

Despite a currently slow global study abroad market, Vietnam shows sustained interest in higher education abroad, particularly English-language programs with built-in work components. Relationship-building during this lull will position our partnered institutions to scale enrollment efficiently when the market rebounds.

Shifting Student Preferences

While the U.S. remains a top aspirational destination. Students are exploring more affordable and flexible options in Europe and Asia (e.g., Germany, Malta, Ireland). The key differentiator? Post-study work rights and employability.

Final Thoughts

ICEF Vietnam 2025 reaffirmed the importance of relationship-driven recruitment strategies, especially in a market like Vietnam where trust and clarity matter as much as program features. The momentum we’re building now will play a critical role in shaping Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 intakes for our partner schools.

With the right positioning, strong agent support, and compelling program formats, the U.S. remains a destination of choice—and GoElite is committed to leading the charge in unlocking that demand.