Vietnam issues decree on preschool education and tuition support

The Vietnamese government has issued Decree No. 353/2026/NĐ-CP, establishing new regulations for preschool education for children aged 5 to 6, compulsory education, and literacy programs. Signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau, the decree is set to take effect on November 1, 2026, replacing the previous Decree 20/2014/NĐ-CP.

Under the new policy, children aged 5 to 6 will receive tuition fee exemptions, reductions, or financial support for learning costs. The decree also mandates that literacy programs for individuals aged 15 to 60 will include full support for learning materials. To ensure effective implementation, communes must achieve a mobilization rate of at least 95% for children aged 5 to 6, though this requirement is lowered to 90% for particularly disadvantaged areas.

To bolster the education sector, the decree encourages socialized investment. The state will offer tax and land incentives to businesses, communities, and international organizations that participate in supporting educational development. The policy emphasizes equitable access, prioritizing resources for ethnic minority areas, mountainous regions, and border or island territories.