Vietnam schools face scrutiny over student meal safety and quality

Several schools in Vietnam are facing scrutiny regarding the quality and safety of student meals at the start of the 2026–2027 school year. In Hanoi, parents at Le Trong Tan Primary School reported discovering shrimp and chicken with foul odors during a food inspection. Local authorities have ordered the catering provider, VAS Group, to terminate contracts with the substandard suppliers and replace them with quality-assured alternatives.

Similarly, Me Linh Primary School in Hanoi has temporarily suspended its boarding meal service to re-evaluate its catering provider following social media backlash over inadequate meal portions and presentation. In Nghe An, Vinh Phu 2 Primary School addressed concerns regarding meal portions that appeared disproportionate to the 30,000 VND price point, attributing the issue to uneven distribution by the external provider.

In response to these incidents, provinces like Khanh Hoa are tightening management of school kitchens, emphasizing transparency and allowing parents to participate in supervision. Schools are increasingly utilizing digital tools, such as the HanoiCheck software, to track food origins and communicate menus to parents to ensure food safety and nutritional standards are met.