This study aims to explore the challenges and difficulties that rural students experience when they transition to Higher Education in Vietnam to pursue their higher studies. This study was carried out at a local University in Vietnam. It is a qualitative research study, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. The participants were all first-year students, including males and females. The interviews involved answering semi-structured questions. Multiple interviews were carried out with each participant. The study discovered that rural students experience many difficulties at university in relation to their relationships with teachers and peers, getting support, overcoming prejudice, online learning, and economic hardship.

This qualitative study explored the key challenges of teachers and students living in remote rural mountainous regions of northern Vietnam. This study was carried out in Dien Bien Province, one of Vietnam's most disadvantaged areas. Even though this issue has been studied by many researchers and educators around the world and Vietnam, it is not paid enough attention to remote and mountainous areas like Dien Bien. Information was gathered using multiple interviews with 04 teachers and 04 students at 02 High Schools in Dien Bien Province. An analysis of the results of this study resulted in the identification of key challenges shaping the teaching and learning outcomes of studied participants. Key influences identified were: technological challenges, pedagogical challenges, learning and teaching environment challenges, and social challenges. This study suggests some solutions for both government and individuals so as to have better educational outcomes.