Ho Chi Minh City to pilot English integration in preschools

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has announced a pilot plan to integrate English into preschool education from 2026 to 2029. The program targets children aged 3 to 5 at qualified public preschools and advanced integration schools.

Key principles of the pilot include strict adherence to voluntary participation based on parental consent, ensuring no academic overload for children, and maintaining the integrity of the current national preschool curriculum. The initiative aims to build foundational English communication skills as part of a broader strategy to establish English as a second language in schools.

The program will be funded through socialized models rather than the state budget and will operate on a non-profit basis. Schools are required to maintain transparency regarding curricula, teaching materials, schedules, and all associated costs.