Vietnam implements new urban development and education policies

Vietnam is implementing several significant policy shifts across urban development, education management, and higher education restructuring.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the new Urban Development Law, effective October 1, provides seven specific policies for the special municipality. This law aims to increase local authority regarding personnel, infrastructure investment, and regional connectivity, allowing the city to transition from mere management to creating development spaces.

In Hanoi, the Department of Education and Training has issued a strict prohibition against unauthorized fees in schools. Officials emphasized that educational institutions are forbidden from collecting any funds outside of regulations, particularly those using the Parent Representative Board as a pretext for improper collections.

Additionally, Vietnam is pursuing a plan to restructure its higher education network. The goal is to reduce the number of public universities by 20% to consolidate resources, improve research capacity, and enhance the international competitiveness of the remaining institutions.