The Vietnamese government has issued a new decree (Decree 124/2024/ND-CP) amending and supplementing Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP, which regulates foreign cooperation and investment in the education sector. The Decree was issued October 5. It is effective from November 20, 2024.
Key points for foreign universities:
Educational Linkages (Clause 4, Article 2)
The decree clarifies that educational linkages refer to cooperation between Vietnamese and foreign institutions for integrated educational programs. New provisions also regulate the joint organisation of foreign language proficiency certification exams (Clause 8, Article 2).
Transparency and Information Disclosure (Clause 2, Article 14)
Educational institutions must clearly disclose detailed information about their programs, including the number of foreign teachers, students, and the methods of assessment on their websites and to parents and students.
Requirements for Foreign Training Programs (Clause 2, Article 17)
Foreign training programs conducted in Vietnam must be accredited by foreign educational quality organisations and must not contain content that affects national defence, security, or Vietnamese culture.
Facility and Examination Requirements (Article 18)
Foreign language proficiency exams must be held at authorised locations, with properly trained invigilators and secure examination conditions to prevent fraud (Clause 2, Article 18). Testing must be centrally conducted, unless in exceptional cases like natural disasters (Clause 3, Article 20).
Investment in Educational Institutions (Clause 3, Article 33)
Foreign higher education institutions establishing branches in Vietnam must rank among the top 500 universities globally for the past three years.
Minimum Capital Requirements (Clause 5a, Article 35)
Foreign-invested higher education institutions must meet a minimum investment capital requirement of VND 500 billion (around US$20 million). By the time of appraisal for branch establishment, at least VND 250 billion must be invested.
Reporting and Documentation (Article 65a)
Educational institutions must submit annual reports on their cooperation with foreign entities, detailing teacher qualifications, foreign management practices, and any challenges faced (Clause 1-6, Article 65a). The deadline for submission is October 31 each year.
Transitional Provisions (Article 3)
Existing educational institutions have up to five years from the decree’s effective date to fully comply with the new regulations, including financial obligations and quality assurance standards. Failure to comply will result in cessation of operations.
See also: Education in Vietnam: Industry Overview