New Policy Blueprint Enhances Institutional Autonomy and Global Training Standards
For years, vocational schools in Vietnam were largely viewed as a detour or a safety net for students unable to secure a spot at traditional universities. However, 2026 marks a major pivot as the government reframes vocational education, transforming it into a core strategic pillar aimed at supplying specialized labor for the country's next phase of socioeconomic development.
Despite high industry demand, local vocational institutes struggle with a paradox where many schools fail to meet enrollment quotas while enterprises face severe shortages of technical workers. At a recent Hanoi career fair, corporate representatives noted that direct technical roles offering competitive starting salaries of 12 to 15 million VND monthly remain incredibly difficult to fill, highlighted by a stark absence of parents participating in career counseling sessions.
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Addressing these systemic challenges, the Ministry of Education and Training has rolled out updated regulatory frameworks, shifting from a model of pre-selected investment to a standardized merit-based evaluation. The new draft scheme assesses institutions based on tangible training capacities, enterprise collaboration, and local labor market integration, allowing proactive developmental roadmaps across various regions.
Under the National Target Program for 2026–2035, the government plans to establish 34 high-quality colleges by 2030, eventually expanding the network to 90 institutions, including 12 meeting international benchmarks. This strategic overhaul allocates focused funding to 18 high-quality regional hubs and 30 schools specialized in pioneering industries, boosting regional competitiveness within the ASEAN economic zone.