Hanoi Proposes School Lunch Fee Hike: Up to VND 50,000, Parental Consensus Key

Hanoi City is set to raise the maximum daily fee for school lunches in public schools. Under a draft decision by the City People's Committee on educational support service fees, the cap will be set at VND 40,000 (approximately $1.60 USD) for preschoolers and VND 50,000 ($2.00 USD) for primary to high school students. The adjustment aims to keep pace with rising costs, including food, labor, and utilities, representing an increase of VND 10,000-15,000 from the current maximum fee of VND 20,000 for breakfast and VND 35,000 for lunch. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training noted that the current rates have not kept up with inflation and do not account for differences in school scale and conditions. Many schools have already been charging VND 40,000 for lunch with parental agreement this academic year. Beyond lunch fees, the proposal also introduces maximum charges for newly regulated services: VND 15,000 per hour for life skills education organized by primary schools, and VND 100,000 per month for digital learning services. Previously, these services lacked defined caps. Other fees, such as VND 235,000 per month for after-school care services and VND 12,000 per hour for extended hours, are expected to remain unchanged. This academic year, Hanoi serves approximately 2.3 million preschoolers and students. Around 630,000 primary school students receive lunch support, with the daily amount increasing by VND 8,000 to VND 28,000-40,000 compared to the previous year. As Vietnam's economy grows, particularly in urban centers, rising living costs are a significant concern for families. While the one-party system allows for swift policy implementation, ensuring parental consensus and addressing the impact on household budgets remain crucial.