Developing generic skills (GS) for students has become central in many higher education curricula in recent times. However, there is still a lack of studies regarding how these skills are developed for students, especially in developing countries. Drawing from a PhD study, this paper reports the contribution of extra-curricular activities in developing GS for students in Vietnamese universities and analyses factors influencing the effectiveness of developing GS for students via these activities. A content analysis of relevant documents and 69 interviews with university leaders, academics and organisers of the Youth union and its associates (YUA) showed that extra-curricular activities were an integral component of a university's strategy for training students in GS. This was due to a lack of autonomy over the curriculum, which prevented most Vietnamese universities from adding skills subjects into the curriculum. Furthermore, the YUA also had a long-standing tradition of developing non-discipline-specific skills for students. The YUA were found to be successful in developing GS for students via extra-curricular activities; however, their operation was influenced by university leadership, student participation, external stakeholders' support, and the leadership of the YUA. The paper argues that extra-curricular activities were conducive to developing GS for students; therefore, they should be included in skills development programs in higher education.