Comparative study of university physical education between Vietnam and Taiwan: lessons for Vietnam

University physical education (PE) plays an increasingly important role in promoting students’ health, well-being, and lifelong engagement in physical activity. However, differences in educational policies, institutional conditions, and levels of digital transformation have led to substantial variations in how PE is organized and implemented across higher education systems in Asia. This study aimed to compare university physical education in Vietnam and Taiwan in order to identify structural differences, developmental gaps, and implications for future reform in Vietnam. A qualitative comparative research design was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with lecturers, administrators, and students, together with an analysis of institutional and policy documents. The analysis was guided by a four-dimensional framework comprising curriculum design, facilities and infrastructure, students’ perceptions and motivation, and technological integration. The findings indicate that university PE in Taiwan is characterized by greater curricular flexibility, higher levels of technological integration, and a stronger emphasis on student-centered and health-oriented learning. In contrast, PE programs in Vietnamese universities remain largely compulsory and fitness-oriented, with limited opportunities for personalization and comparatively modest digital support. Differences between the two systems are influenced not only by resource availability but also by institutional governance and learning culture. The study highlights the need for Vietnam to adopt a more flexible, health-oriented, and digitally enabled model of university physical education to better support student well-being and sustainable physical activity participation.