Vietnam Rolls Out Major Education Reforms for 2026‑27 School Year

The Vietnamese government issued Directive No. 31/CT‑TTg to overhaul the 2026‑2027 school year. It calls for a shift from "education management" to "education development," tighter control of school finances, and a crackdown on exam‑related pressure, cheating and illegal extra tutoring. Schools must publish fees transparently and heads of institutions will be held accountable for any illicit charges or forced tutoring.

Key implementation targets include restructuring and completing the re‑allocation of schools by 31 August 2026, finalising staff adjustments and eliminating "white‑village" (unfilled) education posts by the end of 2026, and providing a unified set of textbooks nationwide by 15 August 2026. The reform also mandates the introduction of English as a second language, a two‑session‑per‑day teaching model, and accelerated digital transformation in schools, with the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Education coordinating controls on smartphones and social‑media use in educational settings.