If Resolution 29-NQ/TW from 2013 emphasized a “comprehensive and fundamental reform,” Resolution 71 moves sharply toward a “strategic breakthrough,” recognizing education not only as a central mission but as the decisive factor for the nation’s future.

This resolution shows a stronger political commitment tied directly to the national development goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

For a long time, Vietnam's education system simultaneously implemented three systems: elite education, workforce-oriented education, and mass education. Resolution 71 calls for a harmonious balance between mass education and elite cultivation.

For the first time, the notion of elite education is emphasized alongside mass education. This highlights a shift toward prioritizing high-quality human resources to push Vietnam toward higher national goals. It clarifies the role of higher education in producing top-level professionals and talents, while the mission of workforce education remains with general education.

The resolution stresses a shift in mindset, awareness, and institutional framework into a new space - not confined to schools or traditional systems, but expanded to connect with science-technology, the market economy, global integration, and digital transformation.

Rather than simply reforming existing components, Resolution 71 positions education as vital to national survival and success, transitioning from reactive reform to proactive nation-building via education.

The key breakthrough here is the change in strategic perspective: education is not just about transmitting knowledge, but building the future; not only about equity and access, but nurturing talent; not just confined to internal improvement, but outward expansion into global, sustainable development.

Breakthrough in goals

Specificity is the most striking feature of Resolution 71.

Vietnamese education is now being benchmarked against global education indices like the Human Development Index (HDI) and Global Innovation Index (GII), aligning with the ambition to become a developed country by 2045.

Systemic weaknesses are no longer approached as minor tweaks, but challenges to be boldly addressed. For example: by 2030, 20% of higher and vocational education institutions must meet modern standards on par with developed Asian countries; and 35% of students should be enrolled in core science disciplines.

According to UNESCO and OECD, natural sciences and math majors comprise 31% of students in China, 32–34% in South Korea, and 36–37% in Singapore. Vietnam’s 35% target clearly positions it alongside Asia’s most advanced education systems.

Policies for educators also undergo a radical shift: recruitment of 2,000 top foreign lecturers, a 12% increase in international academic publications, and the goal of having 8 Vietnamese universities in Asia’s top 200, with one in the global top 100 in select fields.

The resolution places higher education at the center - described as the “nursery for national talents,” producing the leading force that defines Vietnam’s competitiveness and global standing.

Looking to 2045, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 20 education systems, with at least five universities in the global top 100 in specific disciplines. This mirrors the strategic investment models seen in China (Project 985, 211), Korea (SNU and KAIST), and Singapore (NUS and NTU).

Vietnam now follows a smart roadmap: set ambitious yet achievable targets, focus funding, and make higher education the cornerstone of a high-quality workforce strategy.

Breakthrough in action, financial reform in higher education

To achieve the vision set forth, Resolution 71 outlines drastic and actionable tasks: removing bureaucratic bottlenecks (such as replacing school boards with Party secretaries), delegating authority, untying institutional knots, and mobilizing diverse resources.

Crucially, the resolution introduces special incentives for educators: a minimum 70% teaching allowance for teachers and 30% for support staff. It emphasizes talent recruitment and retention across the education system.

Previously, institutional autonomy was often limited to financial self-reliance. Now, full autonomy is proposed - including in hiring, appointments, and administration.

Where past laws called for education to receive at least 20% of the national budget, Resolution 71 now mandates: at least 5% of total state spending must go to education, with 3% earmarked specifically for higher education.

From 2016–2020, Vietnam’s education budget accounted for 18–20% of total state spending, but higher education only received about 0.27–0.35% of GDP - roughly 1.5–1.8% of national spending - far below OECD’s average of 1.1% of GDP. Raising this to 3% for universities is a major financial leap to end chronic underinvestment and support education’s internationalization.

Resolution 71 also demands talent development projects in higher education - rebalancing the previously overemphasized focus on equity and mass education. Elite training is now seen as the “jet engine” to lift Vietnam past the middle-income trap.

Historically, equity in education was narrowly interpreted as universal access, which inadvertently sidelined elite development. Now, both are balanced. The future requires not only a broad labor base but also a leading class of scientists, technologists, and managers.

Countries like the U.S. (with the Ivy League), China (Tsinghua and Peking University), and Singapore (NUS and NTU) all built their economic takeoffs on elite academic institutions.

Unused government facilities will now be prioritized for education - either allocated to public institutions or leased to private ones - along with access to preferential credit. This signals a pro-private-education shift and a drive for resource efficiency.

A national values framework will be embedded across all grade levels, emphasizing ethics, practical learning, and employability - an evolved continuation of the “comprehensive human development” goals set at the 13th Party Congress.

Digital transformation is also prioritized, with data-driven platforms and cross-sector integration across labor, markets, and the digital economy. These changes require strong teacher training and solid infrastructure: schools must be well-equipped, teachers well-housed, and top students attracted to the teaching profession.

By 2030, a unified, government-provided textbook set will be distributed free nationwide. Higher education will be elevated as a primary driver for high-level human capital and talent development.

Historically, elite professionals - scientists, engineers, and strategists - have defined national trajectories. Japan after the Meiji Restoration, South Korea in the 1960s, and Singapore in recent decades all succeeded through talent-focused education. Resolution 71 continues this legacy by placing universities at the heart of Vietnam’s development strategy.

As an education administrator, I believe Resolution 71 is Vietnam’s most transformative education policy to date. It takes clear, strong steps to place education at the core of national development - backed by vision, commitment, and actionable strategies.

Achieving this will require the full engagement of the political system, every level of government, and the entire society - with teachers leading the way as the frontline force.

Resolution 71 is a landmark policy, demonstrating the Party’s unwavering political will to prioritize education and training as Vietnam’s central development pillar. Its breakthroughs in vision, goals, and implementation are all mapped to global benchmarks.

If successfully realized, this resolution will not only help Vietnam escape the middle-income trap, but also pave a solid path toward becoming a strong, developed nation by mid-century.

Pham Van Gieng