A LITERATURE REVIEW ON GENDER AND THE CHOICE OF FINANCE MAJOR AMONG VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Finance, as a prestigious academic discipline with strong career prospects, continues to exhibit gender disparities in Vietnam, shaped by societal norms and entrenched gender roles. This literature review examines how gender influences Vietnamese university students’ decisions to major in finance, integrating four theoretical frameworks. By synthesizing international and Vietnamese research, the review reveals a complex interplay among personal beliefs, family expectations, institutional support, and sociocultural norms. Female students face distinct psychological and social barriers, including lower confidence in quantitative skills, fewer female role models in finance, and cultural pressures against competitive, high-risk careers. These challenges are compounded by insufficient gendersensitive institutional practices, such as limited tailored career counseling and mentorship. This review provides a foundation for future empirical studies and offers targeted recommendations for policymakers, educators, and institutions to promote gender equity in line with Vietnam’s broader goals for economic growth and social justice