Vietnam rolls out free textbook program for students in 2026‑27

The Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 271/2026/NĐ‑CP on 3 July 2026, setting a nationwide plan to provide free textbooks from the 2029‑2030 school year. Ahead of that schedule, seven localities — Da Nang’s Hòa Vang ward, Quảng Ninh province, Ho Chi Minh City, Cà Mau province, Đồng Nai’s Đồng Xoài ward, Đồng Nai’s Bù Đăng ward and Huế city — have launched free‑textbook schemes for the 2026‑27 academic year. Ho Chi Minh City proposes extending a loan‑return model to all grades 1‑12, covering roughly 567 billion VND in costs, with provisions for reimbursement of lost or damaged books. The program aims to lower families’ education expenses and promote equitable access to learning resources across Vietnam.