Over 23 million students begin the new academic year nationwide

On the morning of September 5, over 23 million students across Vietnam attended opening ceremonies, marking the official start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Hanoi, with the largest educational system in Vietnam, continues to lead the nation with nearly 2.3 million students, 130,000 teachers, and over 2,900 schools. This year marks a significant milestone as the 2018 National Education Program is now implemented across all grade levels.

Following the 2023-2024 school year, local authorities in Hanoi have invested in upgrading school infrastructure to meet the new program’s requirements, enhancing both general education and specialized training.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School in Hanoi, where he emphasized the importance of inclusive education by offering gifts to visually-impaired students. His presence highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring quality education for all. Photos by Pham Hung

In Long Ho district, Vinh Long province, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the opening ceremony at Pham Hung High School. He praised the efforts and achievements of the teaching staff and students and reiterated that education remains the nation’s top priority. Photo by Hoai Thanh

W-IMG_BBCB8A2C74F0 1.jpg — Leaders in other regions also attended school ceremonies, including Central Propaganda Commission’s Secretary Nguyen Trong Nghia in Tien Giang and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung in Hanoi.

khai giảng — The Head of the Central Propaganda Commission, Nguyen Trong Nghia, presented a photo of President Ho Chi Minh to the school staff and students. Photo: Ngoc Hai.

Vice Principal of Luong The Vinh Secondary & High School, Van Lien Na, said: "For our school, the opening ceremony is not just the start of a new school year but also a festival of sorts for the students."

Today, the school also inaugurated special waste separation bins for paper, plastic bottles, and glass - marking the beginning of a broad initiative to separate waste in schools, turning waste into valuable resources and reducing its negative impact on the environment.

At the Ly Thai To Education System (Hanoi), the theme of this year’s opening ceremony was "Connecting Knowledge, Spreading Love."

For preschool students, the school organized a program for parents to write cards with loving messages to their children; elementary students had an art exhibition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the school and major national holidays; while high school students participated in the “Book-Giving: Sharing Love” program, where each student donated a book or story to children in remote areas.

First-grade students at Vinh Tuy Primary School, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi during the opening ceremony and their first lesson. Photo: Pham Hai

At Nguyen Sieu Secondary and High School (Hanoi), under the theme "A Year of Uniqueness," this year, the teachers and students have set three key tasks: Implementing highly effective learning strategies, embracing digital transformation, and educating about climate change.

Hoang Liet Kindergarten (Hoang Mai District, Hanoi) also celebrated the children's "Back to School Festival." Mrs. Trinh Thi Thu Huong, Principal of Hoang Liet Kindergarten, shared that this year, the school no longer faces the issue of overcrowded students like two years ago, so parents no longer have to enter a lottery for a spot.

The opening ceremony at Linh Dam Primary School (Hoang Mai District, Hanoi). Principal Ta Thi Thanh Tam noted that while the school's facilities are modern and clean, they still lack enough classrooms, so students have to rotate classes.

In Ho Chi Minh City, this year the area is expected to have over 1.7 million students across all levels, an increase of more than 24,000 students compared to the previous school year. The rise in students has been one of the city's pressures in recent years, especially in areas with rapid urbanization and high population growth.

W-Nguyễn Văn Nên.jpg — HCMC Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen attended the opening ceremony at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted. Photo: Nguyen Hue

At Nguyen Duc Canh Primary School (Lien Chieu District, Da Nang), teacher Ha Ngoc Huyen shared that this year she was assigned to be the homeroom teacher for class 1/5 with 38 students. From early morning, Huyen and other teachers were present to prepare for the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, Nha Quyen (class 3/5) was excited to return to school after the summer break. This morning, she woke up at 5 AM for her parents to take her to the school’s opening ceremony.

This year, Da Nang has around 290,300 preschool and general education students starting the new school year. The city is building an additional 35 educational facilities and continues to waive tuition fees for preschool and general education students.

W-khai giang.jpg — The welcoming ceremony for first-grade students at Nguyen Duc Canh Primary School. Photo: Ho Giap

At the school complex in Ta Mung Commune, Than Uyen District, Lai Chau Province, more than 1,000 students joined the joyful atmosphere of the back-to-school day.

Mr. Pham Van Manh, Principal of Ta Mung Boarding Secondary School, said: “Last school year, the Ta Mung School Complex was proud to have its first provincial-level outstanding students. With this result, Mr. Manh called on all teachers and students to continue uniting and striving for high achievements in the new school year.”

Students of Chieng Noi Primary School Complex. Photo: Doan Bong

On the morning of September 5, over 300 students at the Chieng Noi Primary School Complex (Mai Son District, Son La Province) attended the new school year's opening ceremony. This school was heavily impacted by the floods in July.

Speaking with VietNamNet, Mr. Ha Minh Cong, Principal of Chieng Noi Primary School, said: "For over a month, the local party committee, authorities, and teachers have worked hard to overcome the aftermath of the natural disaster and stabilize the teaching and learning activities."

In Truong Sa District (Khanh Hoa Province), on the morning of September 5, schools across the district joyfully held opening ceremonies for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Before the ceremony, the local government, organizations, officials, soldiers, teachers, parents, and students on the islands and in Truong Sa town organized cleanups, improved the environment, and spruced up the classrooms.

In a solemn atmosphere filled with flags and flowers, with new clothes and smiles on the children's faces, the soldiers and civilians on the islands showed their support and encouraged the teachers and students to overcome difficulties and strive to achieve "good teaching, good learning."

W-lễ khai giảng.jpg — Representatives of the People's Committee and Sinh Ton Primary School presented gifts to students. Photo: Navy

W-thầy giáo.jpg — Teacher Phan Quang Tuan and his students began their first lesson after the opening ceremony on Truong Sa Island. Photo: Navy

In Nam Dinh Province, the opening ceremony was attended by over 435,600 preschool and general education students, along with more than 26,000 staff and teachers.

In the context of ongoing educational reforms, teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh Primary School, shared that for the 2024-2025 school year, the school will focus on promoting new teaching methods and improving the quality of education. At the same time, they will focus on developing life skills for students through extracurricular activities.

Mrs. Thu Hien also emphasized that in the new school year, the school will continue to create a friendly and healthy learning environment where every student feels loved, respected, and given the opportunity to maximize their potential.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the Ministry of Education has set the theme "Innovation, Quality Improvement, Solidarity, and Discipline." This year marks the full implementation of the 2018 General Education Program across all grades from 1 to 12, and it will be the first year the high school graduation exam is held under the new program.

Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Kim Son, recognizes that this is a school year "with many important tasks and major challenges." One of the Ministry of Education's key priorities this year is to improve the quality of preschool and general education, particularly enhancing foreign language instruction, especially English, at all levels of education. The Ministry will develop a plan to gradually make English the second language in schools.

The development of teachers and lecturers will also be a priority, focusing on recruiting, managing, and effectively utilizing teacher quotas, addressing teacher shortages, particularly for preschool and subject teachers in line with the 2018 General Education Program.

The education sector will also prepare for the 2025 high school graduation exam, ensuring it is conducted safely, seriously, and objectively.

In preschool education, the Ministry will prepare the conditions for piloting the new preschool education program.

Over 23 million students begin the new academic year nationwide

On the morning of September 5, over 23 million students across Vietnam attended opening ceremonies, marking the official start of the 2024-2025 school year.

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