Vietnam Kicks Off New School Year with Focus on Education Reform

Millions of students across Vietnam began the new school year on September 5. The 2026–2027 academic year is expected to bring major changes, with a focus on school governance, teaching methods, and assessment. This initiative echoes the profound message delivered by President Ho Chi Minh at the first school opening ceremony of independent Vietnam, emphasizing that the nation's future greatly depends on the education and efforts of its younger generation. His vision remains relevant today, highlighting education as an investment in the country's future. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, speaking at the opening ceremony for the new school year at the Muong Khuong Inter-level Boarding School in Lao Cai province, stated that "The 2026–2027 academic year must generate substantive reform from within every school and classroom, involving every teacher, student and the entire education sector." The government is also calling for efforts to address teacher shortages and surpluses, narrow gaps in access to education, and ensure school safety. Vietnam is shifting from a “governance-oriented” approach to lawmaking toward an “adaptive” and development-enabling approach, ensuring sufficient flexibility to harness new technologies while upholding core principles and values as well as system security and safety. This spirit of reform is expected to permeate the education sector, strengthening the foundation for nurturing the future workforce of Vietnam.