Hue City to Provide Free Textbooks for Students Grades 1-12 from 2026

Hue City in central Vietnam has announced that it will provide free textbooks for students from grades 1 to 12 starting from the 2026 academic year, three years ahead of the national roadmap. On July 16, the Hue City People's Committee stated that in addition to textbooks, local educational materials would also be distributed free of charge. Specifically, the city will allocate approximately 52.8 billion VND (around $2.29 million) to purchase textbooks and distribute them to students annually through school libraries on a borrow-and-return basis. This approach aims to efficiently utilize the budget and enhance students' sense of responsibility in preserving the books for long-term use. The Department of Education and Training will lead the initiative to inspect and supplement facilities and equipment to facilitate the preservation, circulation, and reuse of textbooks, as well as establish distribution processes and provide guidance to schools. The free textbook policy is based on Politburo Resolution No. 71 and Government Decree No. 271, which are scheduled for nationwide implementation from the 2029-2030 academic year. Provinces and cities that can balance their budgets or have advanced socialized education are encouraged to implement it earlier. Prior to Hue City, Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Ninh province have also announced free textbook provisions starting next academic year. Furthermore, two communes and wards in Da Nang city and Dong Nai province have implemented this policy for students within their jurisdictions.