Ten key achievements highlight Vietnam’s education gains in 2025
Vietnam always sees education as a decisive factor for the nation’s future and a key driver of socio-economic breakthroughs.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Ministry of Education and Training has listed ten landmark achievements in Vietnam’s education sector in 2025, highlighting major policy reforms, institutional improvements and student excellence.
These achievements are regarded as historic milestones for the sector, including:
1. Adoption of Resolution 71-NQ/TW sets national agenda
The Politburo on August 22 issued Resolution 71-NQ/TW, a landmark directive reaffirming education as Vietnam’s highest national policy and defining education as a decisive driver of rapid development.
Party General Secretary To Lam presents the First-Class Labor Order to the MoET at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the education sector held on September 5. Photo: Anh Kiet/The Hanoi Times
“Investing in education is investing in the country’s vital essence. It’s the foundation for future growth, productivity and competitiveness,” General Secretary To Lam said at a national conference on key Party resolutions.
2. Free tuition and two-session schooling
Besides Resolution 71, the Politburo introduced numerous strategic measures to reform and expand education. Particularly, the Vietnamese government has implemented tuition-free education from preschool to the end of high school in public schools nationwide, along with two-session schooling in selected areas.
The Government also subsidizes lunch programs for students in border communes and plans to build 248 inter-level boarding schools in border areas, with 100 set to be completed by 2026.
3. Breakthrough regulatory reforms
In 2025, the MoET formulated 99 legal documents, including four major education laws which were passed by the National Assembly: Law on Teachers, revised Law on Education, Law on Higher Education (revised), and Law on Vocational Education (revised).
The Party and State also approved a national program to modernize education for 2026-2035.
4. First Party Congress of the MoET for setting strategic direction
The MoET’s first Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term was held on August 21, outlining strategic orientations for continued reform and quality improvement to meet national socio-economic goals.
The first congress also sets a new phase for development with strategic momentum and opportunities in the 2025-2030 period.
5. Nationwide 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s education sector
The September 5 back-to-school ceremony coincided with nationwide commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the education sector.
The unprecedented event was attended by top national leaders from the Party and State, local officials, more than 26 million students and 1.6 million teachers in over 50,000 institutions.
6. Institutional reform and streamlined administration for learners
The MoET finalized a reorganization plan under Decree 37/2025/ND-CP, streamlining its structure to 18 departments, reducing one general department and six units.
The ministry also assumed management of vocational education from the Ministry of Labor and transferred its inspection division to the Government Inspectorate.
7. Completion of new national curriculum and textbook reform
For the first time, Vietnam completed a full cycle of curriculum and textbook updates.
The MoET also started preparing for a unified national textbook system from the 2026-2027 academic year, which will be provided free-of-charge to all students by 2030.
The 2025 national high school graduation exam was the first to include students under the 2018 curriculum. The exam saw the largest number of candidates, with more than 1.1 million, a 10% on-year increase.
8. Excellence in academic competitions
All 37 students taking part in international and regional Olympiads in 2025 bagged medals, with 13 gold, 16 silver and 8 bronze, the highest overall medal count to date.
The Vietnamese team joined the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad 2025. Photo: VGP
The AI International Olympiad team ranked 4th among 60 countries, winning three gold, a silver and three bronze medals. Meanwhile, at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the US, Vietnamese students achieved unprecedented success: two second-place, one third-place, three fourth-place and four special awards from sponsors, the best result since Vietnam began participating in 2013.
9. Breakthroughs in higher education
Sixteen Vietnamese universities are named in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for the first time. Enrollments of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) surged, with first-choice registrations rising 10.5%.
Admission scores increased for teacher training, strategic technology and semiconductor-related programs, signaling renewed public trust in these disciplines. International research publications also reached record highs.
10. Digital transformation in the whole education system
The MoET completed nationwide digital education databases covering 24.55 million records in 2025.
All high school graduation and university/college admission applications were processed entirely online via the National Public Service Portal.
Digital diplomas were synchronized with national databases and VNeID, allowing students to access their academic credentials directly through the digital ID platform. Over 10 million student records and 1.5 million digital diplomas were issued.
