# Vietnam urban development and education policy shifts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-urban-development-and-education-policy-shifts
> Updated: 2026-10-22T12:12:46.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 5.

Vietnam is implementing domestic policy shifts focused on urban development and education. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Urban Development Law aims to grant the municipality greater authority over infrastructure and regional connectivity, while the government seeks to restructure higher education by reducing public universities by 20% to boost research capacity.

In the education sector, authorities are tightening regulations on fees and supplementary activities. Following the issuance of Circular 85/2026/TT-BGDĐT by the Ministry of Education and Training, new restrictions effective November 15, 2026, prohibit schools from collecting fees for enhanced educational activities. This circular regulates activities designed to supplement core curriculum through practical and experiential learning, typically within a two-session-per-day model. It strictly prohibits schools from reclassifying free enhanced content as demand-based activities to collect fees.

This has prompted schools in major cities to restructure their funding and scheduling models. In Ho Chi Minh City, institutions like Hiep Tan Primary School are transitioning to utilizing allocated budgets and voluntary donations in kind. Other institutions, such as Nguyen Huu Tho High School, are considering reorganizing schedules to complete core subjects between Monday and Friday to potentially allow students full weekends off.

In Hanoi, some secondary schools have temporarily suspended fees for English language programs involving foreign teachers while awaiting further guidance, with some considering a shift to voluntary, demand-based models held after regular hours. Additionally, the Hanoi People's Committee has established rules for the 2026-2027 school year regarding foreign educational cooperation, mandating a “strict prohibition of schools forcing students to participate in any foreign-linked educational programs.”

## Timeline

### 2026-10-22: Vietnam Ministry of Education issues new regulations on enhanced school activities

Vietnam's Ministry of Education issued Circular 85/2026/TT-BGDĐT, prohibiting fees for enhanced school activities and prompting schools to reorganize schedules.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-ministry-of-education-issues-new-regulations-on-enhanced-school-activities

### 2026-10-16: Vietnam schools restructure activities following ban on enhanced education fees

Circular 85 prohibits Vietnamese schools from collecting fees for enhanced educational activities, prompting schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to seek new funding models and restructure curricula.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-schools-restructure-activities-following-ban-on-enhanced-education-fees

### 2026-10-11: Hanoi bans forced participation in foreign educational programs

Hanoi has issued new regulations for the 2026-2027 school year, banning schools from forcing students into foreign-linked educational programs and requiring full transparency regarding fees and curricula.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hanoi-bans-forced-participation-in-foreign-educational-programs

### 2026-10-07: Vietnam Ministry of Education issues new regulations on enhanced school activities

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training issued Circular 85/2026/TT-BGDĐT to regulate enhanced educational activities, prohibiting schools from using them for unauthorized tutoring.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-advances-border-school-construction-program

### 2026-10-03: Vietnam implements new urban development and education policies

Vietnam implements new urban development laws for Ho Chi Minh City, enforces strict school fee regulations in Hanoi, and plans to restructure higher education to improve quality.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-implements-new-urban-development-and-education-policies

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Cite as: Vietnam urban development and education policy shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vietnam-urban-development-and-education-policy-shifts