Ho Chi Minh City Education Embraces AI for Quality Transformation

Ho Chi Minh City's education sector is set to implement a significant shift in its management philosophy for the 2026-2027 academic year, prioritizing quality and effectiveness, with AI adoption at the forefront. This initiative is exemplified by Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, which is pioneering AI integration into its curriculum. The school has been actively introducing AI into its educational framework, building on pilot programs. For the upcoming academic year, it aims to standardize and synchronize its AI education model across all grade levels, in line with directives from the Ministry of Education and Training for 2025. The general education objective is to ensure that 100% of students grasp fundamental AI principles and can utilize AI tools safely and responsibly for learning and daily life. This includes developing critical thinking skills to evaluate AI-generated content and ensuring information security. For specialized education, the school focuses on nurturing students talented in algorithms, programming, machine learning, and AI application development. It supports their participation in scientific research projects and international competitions such as the AI Olympics. The school's faculty is enhancing their AI capabilities through generative AI training programs, with encouragement for computer science teachers to pursue master's degrees in AI and engage in specialized research activities. To facilitate practical learning, the school is optimizing its technological infrastructure, providing access to cloud-based platforms for machine learning and deep learning. Proactive collaborations with technology corporations and universities ensure up-to-date curricula and research opportunities. These efforts have yielded notable results, including international recognition. Students from Le Hong Phong High School achieved second place at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in 2024, fourth place in 2025, and a special award in 2026. They also secured a bronze medal at the International AI Olympiad (IOAI) in 2026. The school guarantees free AI education access for all students, managing program progress and teaching quality effectively, thereby fostering a genuine digital transformation environment. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the sector is committed to advancing AI in general education, standardizing and leveraging shared educational databases, and promoting IT, AI, and STEM/STEAM education. The goal is to enhance educational management and teaching quality, aligning with digital transformation objectives. The 2026-27 academic year emphasizes a transition towards data-driven management. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tan Phat, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, stated that the theme "Innovating Thinking, Strong Transformation, Real Results" requires concrete actions. This involves shifting from administrative management to developmental governance, from experience-based operations to data-driven decision-making, and from a management mindset to one of service for learners, educators, and society. The principle of "reducing to increase" aims to streamline administrative processes to boost direct resources for teaching and improve educational quality. Key tasks for the year include breakthroughs in teaching quality, enhancing the status of educators, optimizing the network of educational institutions, strengthening data-driven management and digital transformation, ensuring equitable access to education, and fostering a safe and healthy learning environment. Through its innovative thinking, strong leadership, and tangible achievements, Ho Chi Minh City's education sector aims to maintain its leading position nationwide and cultivate a generation of creative, bold, and responsible global citizens.