Vietnam higher education restructuring and reform

Vietnam is undergoing a significant restructuring of its higher education and vocational training systems. In Hanoi, authorities have announced plans to reorganize the post-secondary system by merging 19 colleges and 10 institutions, while consolidating 29 vocational training centers into 14. This reorganization aims to establish the University of Hanoi as the sole core institution.

Simultaneously, the sector is facing administrative and financial challenges. While a surge in college applications has been noted in cities like Ho Chi Minh City, debates have emerged regarding graduation requirements and fees. At the Ho Chi Minh City University of Banking, a policy requiring students to pay “overdue tuition” for failing to meet English or IT certification deadlines has sparked controversy.

On a national level, the Ministry of Education and Training is considering a three-tier organizational model to improve global competitiveness. This strategy involves developing a small number of elite institutions, a group of key institutions, and a broader group focused on labor market human resources, shifting the focus from administrative management toward mission-based governance.