Vietnam Kicks Off New School Year with Focus on Education Reform

Vietnam kicked off its new school year on September 5, with the 2026-2027 academic year expected to bring substantive reforms in school governance, teaching methods, and assessment. The government has called for efforts to address teacher shortages and surpluses, narrow gaps in access to education, and ensure school safety. 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, stressed that the academic year "must generate substantive reform from within every school and classroom, involving every teacher, student and the entire education sector." His remarks echoed the enduring message of President Ho Chi Minh that the nation's future hinges on the education and efforts of its younger generation. Earlier, on September 3, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had asked ministries, sectors, and localities to clearly define tasks and key solutions in each area, particularly efforts to achieve the 10% growth target for this year during the Government’s regular meeting for August. This aligns with the emphasis by Party General Secretary and President To Lam that the value of the Party's resolutions and directives must be measured by their ability to address practical problems and bring about tangible changes for the people. In parallel, 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 focus on educational reform underscores Vietnam's prioritization of human capital development as a cornerstone of its socio-economic advancement under its one-party system. Recognizing the critical role of quality education in sustaining economic growth and enhancing international competitiveness, the nation is investing in its future workforce. This strategic emphasis on talent cultivation is also significant in the context of Vietnam's relations with China, as it aims to reduce economic dependence and bolster domestic industries and technological capabilities.