The resolution sets out bold targets for the education sector from general education to tertiary level. In higher education, the goal is to build a high-quality workforce, enabling Vietnam to become an upper-middle-income country with a modern industrial base.

The network of universities and vocational institutions will be restructured and upgraded. All universities and at least 80% of vocational schools are expected to meet national standards, with 20% of institutions upgraded to match the level of developed Asian countries.

The target is for 50% of young people to pursue post-secondary education, and 24% to achieve college or university degrees or higher. A minimum of 35% of students will be enrolled in fundamental sciences, engineering, and technology programs. The plan also includes supporting at least 6,000 PhD students and 20,000 talented learners.

Vietnam aims for its human capital index and research contributions to match other upper-middle-income countries on the Global Innovation Index (GII). Universities will be developed into national and regional hubs for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

To meet these goals, Vietnam plans to recruit at least 2,000 high-caliber international lecturers to teach and collaborate in research.

The country also aims for an average annual increase of 12% in international scientific publications and revenue from science, technology, and innovation, and 16% growth in patent registrations and intellectual property protections.

Elevating institutions to global standards

By 2030, Vietnam aspires to have at least eight universities ranked among the top 200 in Asia, and one institution ranked among the world’s top 100 in selected disciplines, based on reputable international rankings.

Universities will undergo restructuring and may face dissolution if they fail to meet quality standards. Intermediate administrative layers will be eliminated to streamline governance. The government is also considering merging research institutes with universities and transferring some institutions to local management for improved efficiency.

Investment will be directed toward modernizing infrastructure, upgrading laboratories, and establishing centers of excellence for training and research at key universities. The government will focus on developing 3 to 5 elite universities meeting international standards to nurture top talent, with priority funding for postgraduate programs and basic research aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and national priorities.

The resolution encourages the development of high-tech university towns, and innovation-oriented institutions that serve as regional innovation hubs. It promotes strong partnerships between the state, universities, and businesses.

Comprehensive reforms in curriculum and faculty development

Higher education programs will be aligned with international standards and include content on data analysis, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Gifted and postgraduate programs will be expanded and integrated with scientific research in key technology fields.

New recruitment policies will be introduced to attract exceptional foreign lecturers with competitive incentives. Meanwhile, training and professional development support for Vietnamese lecturers, both domestically and abroad, will be expanded.

A new national admissions framework will be created to ensure fair assessment of student capabilities, unified entry standards, and consistent quality of graduates.

Strict quality control will be enforced, alongside financial aid and support policies for doctoral training and critical fields such as education, healthcare, and law.

Thanh Hung