More than 2,200 Vietnamese nationals are currently studying in New Zealand, placing Vietnam among the top three Southeast Asian student populations in the country.

The figure was revealed by Education New Zealand at a recent conference in Ho Chi Minh City on studying abroad.

The number of Vietnamese students pursuing bachelor degree at universities in New Zealand increased 88 per cent in the first eight months of this year.

Vietnam has more than 130,000 students studying abroad, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.

Of these, 38,000, or close to 30 per cent, study in Japan.

Meanwhile, 31,000 students are in Australia, which accounts for 23.8 per cent of all Vietnamese students overseas.