Vietnam's Education Sector Aims for Substantial Transformation at 2026 National Conference

The Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, at the National Conference of Directors of Departments of Education and Training held in Phu Tho from July 23-24, 2026, called for the necessity of creating strong and substantive transformations in the education and training sector to implement the Party and State's directives. Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son emphasized the importance of "restoring genuine educational quality and building a system of real learning and real examinations." This signifies the need to create an environment where students acquire actual knowledge and skills, and are assessed fairly. Furthermore, the development of a roadmap for constructing a humane and fair examination system, aligned with the goals of developing competencies, was also discussed. This suggests a shift towards an education that emphasizes application and problem-solving skills, rather than mere memorization. In parallel with these educational reform movements, the international achievements of Vietnamese students were also reported. The nine Vietnamese students receiving full scholarships to study in Japan from the Fast Retailing Foundation, and all four members of the Vietnamese national team winning gold medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad 2026, symbolize the improvement in Vietnam's educational standards and its increasing international competitiveness. Vietnam, while achieving economic growth under its one-party system, positions qualitative improvement in the education sector as a national priority. Especially as relations with China become more complex, there is a growing recognition that nurturing domestic human capital is indispensable for the nation's sustainable development and enhancement of its standing in the international community. Source: Nhan Dan