Vietnam Ministry of Education updates lecturer and teaching policies

The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has revised a draft decree regarding policies for lecturers and students studying or conducting research abroad. Under the second draft, lecturers sent abroad will receive 40% of their current salary and allowances, rather than maintaining their full pay.

To support these academic missions, the draft proposes covering essential costs, including one economy-class round-trip airfare, passport and visa fees, and transportation between airports and places of study or residence. Lecturers will also be eligible for health insurance at the minimum level required by the host country. Additionally, a monthly living allowance may be provided, with a reference maximum of 1,300 USD per month (currently applied in the US, Canada, UK, and Japan), though specific amounts will depend on the individual and the program.

Separately, regarding domestic teaching regulations, guidelines clarify that overtime pay for secondary school teachers must be calculated based on a 35-week teaching year. This ensures that teachers are compensated for all actual teaching hours, including exam weeks, and prevents schools from incorrectly reducing the number of weeks used for overtime calculations.