Opportunities and Challenges in Fostering Learners’ Entrepreneurial Intentions and Behaviors in the Context of Higher Education in Vietnam

University learners' entrepreneurship is increasingly framed as an essential source of innovation and local economic development, yet a persistent gap remains between expressed entrepreneurial intentions and actual startup activity. Focusing on Vietnam, where national initiatives (e.g. Project 844, Project 1665) and expanding university support have stimulated learner startups. The study assesses internal factors (self-efficacy, attitude, risk propensity) against external enablers (incubators, mentoring, funding, policy implementation) to identify the principal barriers and mediating pathways that shape conversion rates from idea to venture. The paper offers implications for higher-education institutions and ecosystem actors, arguing that experiential learning, structured mentoring, and accessible seed funding are critical to narrowing the intention-behavior gap. By integrating individual and ecosystem perspectives, the research provides practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of support for sustainable entrepreneurship implications in Vietnam.