- Vietnam approves nationwide tuition-free public education from preschool to high school, effective from the 2025–2026 academic year.
- The policy ensures full fee waivers for public schools and partial support for private institutions, formalized by a National Assembly resolution.
- The move aims to expand equal access, reduce dropouts, and strengthen human capital, benefiting over 23 million students nationwide.
On February 28, 2025, Vietnam’s Politburo took a landmark step in educational reform by officially deciding to waive tuition fees for all students enrolled in public education institutions, spanning preschool through high school, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year. The decision followed a government report on budgetary capacity and administrative efficiency and represented a major policy commitment to expanding access to education nationwide. Subsequently, on June 26, 2025, the National Assembly passed a resolution formalizing tuition exemption and financial support measures, which provide full tuition relief for students in public schools and partial financial assistance for those attending private institutions following the standard curriculum.
The opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 academic year on September 5, 2025, underscored the importance of this initiative. General Secretary To Lam highlighted education as a key national priority, emphasizing equal access, raising the overall educational baseline, and ensuring no child is left behind. He called for special attention to be given to remote, border, island, and underprivileged regions, alongside enhanced investments in school infrastructure, teacher development, school nutrition programs, and digital learning platforms.
The tuition waiver was described as a milestone in Vietnam’s educational development, complemented in some areas by local authorities providing free school lunches for full-day students. According to the General Secretary, education plays a dual role: it transmits knowledge while also fostering character development, physical health, and emotional resilience, shaping a generation capable of leading the country into a new era.
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Public response to the tuition-free initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents, in particular, welcomed the policy as a meaningful step toward equal learning opportunities and relief from financial pressures, especially for low- and middle-income households. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Vice President of the University of Education under Vietnam National University in Hanoi, described the policy as a reflection of the Party and State’s forward-thinking vision and humanitarian values. He noted that the tuition waiver aligns with global trends toward a knowledge-based economy, eases financial burdens, encourages greater school attendance, and helps reduce dropout rates caused by economic hardship.
Similarly, Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Educational Psychology and Sciences, emphasized that the policy contributes to a progressive and sustainable society. By removing tuition barriers, students can concentrate on learning, improve academic performance, and participate fully in an egalitarian educational system, regardless of family income.
The Ministry of Education and Training reports that Vietnam has approximately 23.2 million students across preschool, primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary education, with fewer than 10% attending non-public schools concentrated in urban areas. The state budget is estimated to require around USD 1.23 billion annually to fully implement the tuition waiver, signaling a strong and sustained investment in the country’s human capital and future socio-economic development.
