When talking about China’s major cities, Shenzhen stands out for its unique character. Unlike Beijing or Xi’an, which are known for their long histories, or Shanghai, which has developed as an international financial centre over many decades, Shenzhen represents a different story.

It is a young, dynamic and technology-driven city that has grown alongside China’s reform and opening-up process.

Shenzhen was officially established as a city in 1979 and became China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980. More than four decades later, it has developed into a major international city with a permanent population of around 18 million. At the end of 2024, the average age of Shenzhen’s permanent residents was approximately 32.5 years, reflecting the city’s strong appeal to young people, skilled professionals and those seeking opportunities for personal and career development.

For Vietnamese students and young professionals, Shenzhen is therefore more than simply a place to study or work. It is an opportunity to experience modern urban life, discover contemporary Chinese culture and explore career prospects in one of Asia’s leading technology hubs.

1. Shenzhen – A City of Young People and Ambition

One of Shenzhen’s most distinctive characteristics is that it is a relatively young city.

Unlike many Chinese cities with thousands of years of history, Shenzhen experienced its most significant development in the modern era. People from across China have moved to the city for education, employment, business and entrepreneurship, while international residents have also come to study and work.

This has created a relatively open and diverse environment.

Many young people who move to Shenzhen have clear goals: pursuing their studies, developing professional skills, finding employment, starting a business or building a professional network.

As a result, life in Shenzhen can feel fast-paced. Young people may notice a clear difference between a city strongly driven by technology, manufacturing and innovation and cities whose identities are more closely associated with tourism or historical heritage.

The Shenzhen municipal government describes the spirit of the Special Economic Zone through qualities such as pioneering, innovation, courage and perseverance. These values can also be seen in the city’s social and professional environment.

2. Everyday Life – Modern but Practical

One of the first things international students may notice when arriving in Shenzhen is how integrated digital technology is into everyday life.

Digital payments, online shopping, food delivery and ride-hailing services are all widely used, allowing residents to manage many aspects of daily life through their smartphones.

However, Shenzhen is not simply a city of skyscrapers and shopping centres.

The city combines:

• Financial and commercial districts

• Technology and research areas

• Residential neighbourhoods

• Industrial and manufacturing zones

• Older urban areas

• Coastal areas

• Parks and green spaces

Shenzhen has more than 1,300 parks and a substantial network of green spaces. It also has approximately 260.5 kilometres of coastline and a subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of around 23°C.

This creates an interesting combination: a high-tech city where residents can still enjoy walking, running, cycling and outdoor activities in many parts of the city.

3. Transport – One of Shenzhen’s Major Advantages

For international students and young people who do not own a car, public transport is particularly important.

Shenzhen has developed an extensive metro network. Following the opening of Phase 2 of Line 13 in June 2026, the city’s urban rail network reached approximately 653.7 kilometres, with 452 stations.

The metro connects areas such as Nanshan, Bao’an and Guangming, including districts where universities, technology companies and research institutions are concentrated.

In addition to the metro, Shenzhen has an extensive bus network, taxis, high-speed rail and intercity railway services, providing convenient connections with other cities across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

For students, this is a significant advantage.

Choosing accommodation close to a university or metro station can make it much easier to travel to classes, part-time jobs, internships, shops and other parts of the city.

Shenzhen has also made significant progress in electrifying public transport and taxis, while continuing to expand infrastructure for electric vehicles.

4. Shenzhen’s Culture – More Than Technology

If Shenzhen is viewed only through images of skyscrapers, technology companies and modern shopping centres, an important part of the city’s character can easily be overlooked.

Shenzhen has historical and cultural sites such as Dapeng Fortress, Nantou Ancient Town, Hakka cultural areas and Chiwan.

At the same time, places such as Dafen Oil Painting Village, OCT-LOFT, Huaqiangbei and Shekou represent the city’s contemporary cultural identity.

These areas bring together history, art, design, commerce and technology, creating a cultural landscape that is distinctly Shenzhen.

In other words:

It is a technology city that still preserves elements of traditional culture.
It is a young city with historical neighbourhoods.
It is a modern metropolis with a diverse cultural and community life.

This combination is one of the things that makes Shenzhen particularly interesting for international students and young professionals.

5. Food Culture – A Meeting Point for Different Regions

As a city that has attracted people from across China, Shenzhen has a highly diverse food culture.

Cantonese cuisine and other dishes from southern China remain important, while restaurants serving food from many different parts of the country can also be found throughout the city.

International districts such as Shekou also offer a wide range of international cuisine.

For Vietnamese students, this can be a practical advantage.

Although adapting to local food may take some time, it is relatively easy to find international restaurants and familiar flavours when needed.

6. Studying in Shenzhen – The Advantage of an Innovation-Focused Environment

Shenzhen is home to a number of notable higher education institutions, including Shenzhen University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen Technology University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, as well as other international and internationally connected institutions.

For international students, however, the key consideration is not simply the quality of the university.

Shenzhen offers an environment where higher education is closely connected with technology, research, businesses and innovation.

This makes the city particularly interesting for students interested in fields such as:

• Information technology

• Engineering

• Electronics

• Artificial intelligence

• Data science

• Design

• Business and management

• Logistics

• Finance

• Innovation-related disciplines

When choosing a university in Shenzhen, students should therefore look beyond rankings and consider the university’s location, links with industry, internship opportunities and research environment.

7. From University to the Workplace

One of Shenzhen’s distinctive advantages is the relatively close relationship between universities and the city’s business and technology ecosystem.

The city is home to major companies such as Tencent, Huawei and BYD, while also having strong industries in advanced manufacturing, logistics, finance and research and development.

This creates an interesting environment for students who are already thinking about their future careers.

However, having opportunities available does not mean that employment will automatically be easy for international students.

Young people who want to develop their careers in Shenzhen need to build more than academic knowledge. Professional skills, Chinese language ability, communication skills, internship experience and professional networks can all make a significant difference.

For those entering technology and engineering fields in particular, the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing labour market is increasingly important.

8. A Fast-Paced City – and a Place That Requires Adaptability

Shenzhen’s rapid development is one of its greatest attractions.

At the same time, this pace can also create challenges.

Cost of living:
Housing costs can be relatively high, particularly in central districts and areas close to major technology hubs.

Academic and professional pressure:
A competitive environment can encourage personal development, but it also requires good time-management skills.

Cultural differences:
International students need time to adapt to different communication styles, lifestyles, approaches to education and workplace culture in China.

Language:
English is used in some international and professional settings, but Mandarin remains essential for everyday life. Cantonese and English are also used in certain contexts within the city.

For anyone planning to live, study and work in Shenzhen for the longer term, developing strong Chinese language skills can therefore be a significant advantage.

9. Who Is Shenzhen Suitable For?

Shenzhen may be particularly suitable for young people who:

• Want to study in a modern and international environment.

• Are interested in technology, engineering and innovation.

• Want early exposure to businesses and the professional world.

• Are considering building a career in China.

• Enjoy an active lifestyle and a fast-changing urban environment.

• Want to experience a young and rapidly developing city rather than a destination primarily defined by historical heritage.

On the other hand, those who prefer a slower pace of life, lower living costs or a less competitive environment should carefully consider whether Shenzhen is the right choice for them.

10. What Makes Shenzhen Different?

Perhaps Shenzhen’s most distinctive quality is that it is not simply a place to live or study. It is also a place where young people can observe, experience and learn from the rapid development of a modern Chinese economy and city.

A typical day in Shenzhen might begin with a metro journey to university, followed by classes on a modern campus. In the afternoon, a student may take part in research or an internship, before returning home through a lively commercial district in the evening. At the weekend, there are opportunities to walk along the coast, explore a historic neighbourhood or relax in one of the city’s many parks.

This can offer a very different experience from the traditional image many people may have of China.

For international students, Shenzhen can be a place to learn.
For young professionals, it can be a place to build a career.
And for both, it is a city worth discovering for a deeper understanding of modern China.

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