# Vietnam education expansion and textbook supply challenges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-education-expansion-202627 > Updated: 2026-09-13T03:37:46.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 22. Vietnam has launched the 2026–27 academic year with a unified national opening ceremony on September 5, centered at Mường Khương Boarding School. This year follows a major restructuring by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to optimize resources through school mergers and a “data-driven governance model.” To support these reforms, the MoET is implementing a comprehensive national program aimed at enhancing preschool and general education through STEM, digital literacy, and selective AI applications. Logistical efforts have seen the Vietnam Education Publishing House (NXBGDVN) distribute hundreds of millions of textbooks and workbooks, prioritizing remote and mountainous regions. However, significant shortages have emerged in urban centers and specific provinces. In Hue, approximately 21% of students lack printed books, particularly in grade 12, following a failed bidding process, while shortages in Dak Lak affect over 40% of students. In Ho Chi Minh City, parents have faced long queues, and some have resorted to purchasing materials from unofficial online markets where prices are reportedly marked up significantly above cover prices. Despite the distribution of 228 million textbooks, a disconnect persists between total production volumes and local availability. In Ha Tinh province, shortages have forced schools to seek flexible solutions, with some parents considering photocopying books despite copyright concerns. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu emphasized that textbooks must be managed as “essential goods rather than profit-driven commodities.” The MoET has since issued a directive for local departments and the NXBGDVN to conduct thorough reviews to identify shortages at school, commune, and provincial levels. Authorities have been instructed to redistribute surplus books from areas of excess to those in need, while prioritizing boarding schools in border and remote regions. To mitigate delays, the NXBGDVN is increasing printing capacity and providing free electronic textbooks to students, parents, and teachers. ## Claims - New educational policies in Vietnam take effect on September 1, 2026. (disputed by 3 sources) - A new national education system structure with nine levels will take effect on September 7, 2026. (disputed) - Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng signed Dispatch No. 62/CĐ-TTg regarding policies for disadvantaged and minority students. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Local authorities must review and implement policies for students from ethnic minorities, disadvantaged areas, and vulnerable groups. (corroborated by 4 sources) - New policies allow retired teachers to sign full-time employment contracts. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Circular No. 61/2026/TT-BGDDT regarding open educational resources in higher education takes effect on September 1, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Ministry of Education and Training has issued directives for student affairs for the 2026-2027 academic year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Educational institutions must strengthen political, ideological, and moral education while promoting school culture. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Schools are directed to shift from reacting to school violence to prioritizing early identification, prevention, and intervention. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Ministry requires free health check-ups or screenings at the beginning of the school year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Điện Biên province must verify reports regarding schools requesting rice and essential supplies from the community. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Vietnam faces textbook shortages despite high production volumes Despite high production volumes, many Vietnamese students face textbook shortages, forcing parents to travel long distances or queue for hours as the new school year begins. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-faces-textbook-shortages-despite-high-production-volumes ### 2026-09-11: Vietnam Ministry of Education orders textbook supply review Vietnam's Ministry of Education has ordered a comprehensive review to ensure textbook availability for the 2026-2027 school year, including redistributing surplus books and providing free digital versions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ministry-of-education-orders-textbook-supply-review ### 2026-09-09: Vietnam faces textbook shortages for the 2026-2027 school year Vietnam faces localized textbook shortages for the new school year, prompting government action and the use of free digital versions to ensure students can continue their studies. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ho-chi-minh-city-parents-queue-for-textbooks-amid-shortages ### 2026-09-07: Vietnam ensures textbook supply and advances education reforms Vietnam has distributed 228 million textbooks for the new school year, while the Ministry of Education implements reforms to improve teaching quality, digital literacy, and student safety. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ensures-textbook-supply-and-advances-education-reforms ### 2026-08-31: Vietnam prepares for 2026-2027 academic year with major reforms Vietnam prepares for the 2026-2027 school year with major educational restructuring, infrastructure upgrades, and new directives from Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng to support disadvantaged students. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-implements-educational-reforms-and-infrastructure-expansion ### 2026-08-28: Vietnam Education Publishing House sees textbook queues in Ho Chi Minh City Parents in Ho Chi Minh City are queuing at the Vietnam Education Publishing House to buy textbooks, with some items still facing supply shortages despite a recent decrease in crowd intensity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-education-publishing-house-sees-textbook-queues-in-ho-chi-minh-city ### 2026-08-28: Hanoi plans free textbooks for students starting 2027-2028 school year Hanoi aims to provide free textbooks to 1.8 million students starting in the 2027-2028 school year, following a planned roadmap for budget and procurement preparation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hanoi-delays-free-textbook-policy-for-2026-2027-school-year ### 2026-08-26: Vietnam faces textbook supply shortages ahead of new school year Parents in Vietnam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, are facing textbook shortages ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, prompting urgent intervention from education authorities. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-faces-textbook-supply-shortages-ahead-of-new-school-year ### 2026-08-25: Vietnam expands educational subsidies and student support policies Vietnam is rolling out diverse educational policies, including free textbooks in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, and Khanh Hoa, and increased financial support for resident doctors and overseas researchers. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-proposes-increased-support-for-overseas-study-in-key-sectors ### 2026-08-22: Vietnam prepares for the 2026-2027 academic year Vietnam prepares for the 2026-2027 school year with infrastructure upgrades, network restructuring, and student support, despite challenges like school closures in Ho Chi Minh City. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ho-chi-minh-city-university-of-banking-adjusts-tuition-policy ### 2026-08-20: Vietnam Education Publishing House addresses localized textbook shortages Vietnam's Ministry of Education has ordered the Vietnam Education Publishing House to resolve localized textbook shortages by August 30 to ensure students have complete sets for the new school year. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-education-publishing-house-addresses-textbook-supply-challenges ### 2026-08-17: Vietnam education updates: textbook changes and tuition policies Vietnam prepares for the 2026-2027 school year with unified textbooks, new tuition exemption policies, and administrative reforms to reduce teacher workload despite localized book shortages. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-textbook-cover-designs-spark-parent-concerns ### 2026-08-15: Vietnam provinces announce 2026-2027 school year schedules Ten Vietnamese provinces have announced back-to-school dates for the 2026-2027 school year, with Ho Chi Minh City leading the earliest returns starting August 17. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-provinces-announce-2026-2027-school-year-schedules ### 2026-08-12: Vietnam localities to implement free textbook policies for 2026-2027 school year Thirteen Vietnamese localities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, plan to implement free textbook policies for the 2026-2027 school year using a borrow-and-return model. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-localities-to-implement-free-textbook-policies-for-2026-2027-school-year ### 2026-08-10: Hanoi announces free textbooks and new education policies for 2026-2027 Hanoi has announced plans to provide free textbooks and various student supports starting in the 2026-2027 school year, alongside new tuition fee regulations for high-quality public schools. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hanoi-implements-new-school-tuition-and-free-textbook-policies ### 2026-08-01: Nghe An Province to Provide Free Textbooks to Over 200,000 Students Nghe An Province will spend over VND 80 billion to provide free, loan‑return textbooks to more than 208,000 priority students for the 2026‑27 school year, the first nationwide rollout under Decree 271/2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nghe-an-province-to-provide-free-textbooks-to-over-200000-students ### 2026-07-30: Hai Phong City to Provide Free Textbooks to All Students Starting 2027‑2028 Hai Phong will give free textbooks to all 810,000 K‑12 students from 2027‑2028, two years ahead of the national schedule, costing about 241.5 trillion VND. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hai-phong-city-to-provide-free-textbooks-to-all-students-starting-20272028 ### 2026-07-21: Vietnam provides free textbooks to schools for 2026‑2027 academic year Vietnam's education publisher reports over 85% of the unified 2026‑27 textbooks have reached localities, with >99% in stock, planning to distribute 204 million textbooks and 37 million workbooks to 19 million + 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-provides-free-textbooks-to-schools-for-20262027-academic-year ### 2026-07-18: Vietnam rolls out free textbook program for students in 2026‑27 Vietnam’s decree enables free textbooks nationwide by 2029‑30, with seven areas already offering them in 2026‑27; Ho Chi Minh City plans a loan‑return system for all grades, costing about 567 bn VND. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-rolls-out-free-textbook-program-for-students-in-202627 ### 2026-07-16: Quảng Ninh launches 800 trillion VND education plan for 2026‑27 school year Quảng Ninh will spend nearly 800 trillion VND in 2026‑27 on free textbooks, milk, meals, transport and scholarships for over 539,000 students, plus an electric‑bus pilot and green‑school upgrades. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qung-ninh-launches-800-trillion-vnd-education-plan-for-202627-school-year ### 2026-07-12: Vietnam to add Lao language and expand school infrastructure for 2026‑2027 academic year Vietnam will teach Lao in schools, add 1,805 classrooms in Hanoi, roll out a unified textbook and launch an English self‑study month for teachers in 2026‑2027. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-to-add-lao-language-to-school-curriculum-starting-2026 ### 2026-07-05: Vietnam announces massive school expansion for 2026‑27 academic year Vietnam’s leader Tô Lâm pledges extensive school construction, new classroom targets and free textbook programs for the 2026‑27 school year, aiming to serve millions of students nationwide. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-announces-massive-school-expansion-for-202627-academic-year --- Cite as: Vietnam education expansion and textbook supply challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-education-expansion-202627