Age-Wise Education System in Vietnam (2025 Guide for Parents & Students)

Vietnam’s education system follows a structured path from early childhood to higher education, emphasizing both access and quality. It begins with non-compulsory preschool (ages 0–6), followed by compulsory primary (ages 6–11) and lower secondary education (ages 11–15). Upper secondary education (ages 15–18), though not mandatory, is widely attended and leads to the national High School Graduation Examination, crucial for university entry. Higher education includes colleges, universities, and postgraduate studies, alongside vocational tracks starting from age 15.

The government invests heavily in education (15.45% of total expenditure in 2022), and significant reforms—such as the 2018 competency-based curriculum and updates to graduation exams—aim to modernize the system. Despite achievements like high enrollment and completion rates, challenges persist, including regional disparities, teacher shortages, and a skills gap between education and labor market demands. The system reflects Vietnam’s strong commitment to human capital development amid ongoing modernization efforts.

Navigating Knowledge: An Age-Wise Look at Vietnam’s Education System

Vietnam’s education system is a comprehensive structure guiding students through a 12-year general education path, complemented by crucial preschool and higher education stages. Rooted in a commitment to learning, the system has seen significant development and ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing quality and meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving world. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the age-wise educational journey in Vietnam, incorporating available data and recent developments.

The Vietnamese government has consistently prioritized education, with significant budget allocation reflecting this commitment. In 2022, public spending on education accounted for 15.45% of total government expenditure, a rise from 14.82% in 2021, and consistently remaining a substantial portion of the national budget (around 17-18% between 2011-2020, though slightly below the 20% target set in the 2019 Law on Education). As a percentage of GDP, education spending was 2.89% in 2022.

1. Preschool (Mẫu giáo / Nhà trẻ)

Ages: 0–6 years

Levels:

• Nhà trẻ (Nursery): 0–3 years
• Mẫu giáo (Kindergarten): 3–6 years Compulsory: No

Preschool education in Vietnam focuses on nurturing basic social skills, language development, and early cognitive abilities in young children. While not compulsory, there is a strong emphasis on expanding access. Enrollment in pre-primary education reached 92.45% in 2021, indicating a high level of participation. Both public and private kindergartens are widely available, catering to diverse needs. Efforts have been made towards the universalization of preschool education as part of broader reforms.

2. Primary Education (Tiểu học)

Ages: 6–11 years

Grades: 1 to 5

Compulsory: Yes

Enrollment Age: Typically starts at age 6

Primary education is the foundational stage and is compulsory for all children in Vietnam. The curriculum includes core subjects such as Vietnamese language, mathematics, nature and society, moral education, arts, and physical education. The primary school completion rate was notably high at 115.85% in 2022, which can sometimes indicateér enrollment of students outside the typical age range. Enrollment in primary school was reported at 122.49% in 2023 (gross enrollment rate). As of the 2017-2018 academic year, there were 14,937 primary schools across the country, with 8,041,842 students enrolled and 396,600 teachers. Universal primary school enrollment has been largely achieved.

3. Lower Secondary Education (Trung học cơ sở)

Ages: 11–15 years

Grades: 6 to 9

Compulsory: Yes

Lower secondary education continues the compulsory schooling phase, building upon the foundation laid in primary school. The curriculum expands to include a wider range of subjects such as Vietnamese literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history, geography, civics, a foreign language (most commonly English), technology, and physical education. Enrollment in secondary education stood at 97.25% in 2022. In the 2017-2018 academic year, there were 10,939 lower secondary schools with 5,373,312 students and 306,110 teachers. Efforts have also focused on achieving universal lower-secondary education.

4. Upper Secondary Education (Trung học phổ thông)

Ages: 15–18 years

Grades: 10 to 12

Compulsory: No, but widely attended

Upper secondary education is a crucial stage that prepares students for higher education or vocational training. While not compulsory, a large proportion of students continue their education at this level. The curriculum offers both a general education track and technical/vocational streams. A key milestone at this level is the High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ thi tốt nghiệp THPT), which is mandatory for students wishing to pursue higher education.

Recent data indicates a significant number of students participating in this exam. For the 2025 exam, 1,165,289 candidates registered, an increase from 1,071,395 in 2024. Of the 2025 candidates, 96.33% are students following the 2018 General Education Program. Significant reforms to the exam are being implemented starting in 2025, including a focus on assessing competencies rather than just knowledge, a combination of continuous assessment (school records from Grades 10, 11, and 12) and exam results for graduation eligibility (with a 50-50 ratio), and changes to how foreign language certificates are utilized. The 2023 exam saw over one million registered candidates, with 876,102 taking the English test, where the distribution of scores indicated suitability for graduation recognition despite English scoring lowest among subjects.

Enrollment in upper secondary education has seen growth, with the net enrollment rate increasing from 27% in the early 1990s to over 70% in recent years. As of 2023, there were approximately 2.4 million students in upper secondary education.

5. Higher Education (Giáo dục đại học / cao đẳng)

Ages: 18+ Types:

• Colleges (Cao đẳng): 2–3 years
• Universities (Đại học): 4–6 years (depending on the field)
• Postgraduate: Master’s degree (Thạc sĩ – 2 years), Doctoral degree (Tiến sĩ – 3–5 years)

Higher education encompasses a range of institutions providing college, university, and postgraduate programs. Admission is largely based on the results of the High School Graduation Examination, although universities are increasingly incorporating other admission methods. The tertiary enrollment rate was 42.22% in 2022. In 2023, approximately 1.9 million students were enrolled in higher education. As of 2018/19, there were 236 higher education institutions, with 171 public and 65 private. While enrollment has grown significantly over the past two decades, challenges remain in aligning higher education outputs with labor market needs. Reforms are ongoing to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education.

Alternative/Parallel Tracks:

Vocational Education (Giáo dục nghề nghiệp): Available after lower secondary school (age 15+) and upper secondary school.

• Vocational Secondary Schools (Trung cấp): Typically 2–3 years.
• Colleges of Technology (Cao đẳng nghề): Typically 2–3 years.

Vocational education plays a crucial role in equipping students with practical skills for the workforce. This track provides alternative pathways for students who may not pursue traditional academic higher education. Efforts are being made to strengthen vocational training and better align it with industry demands.

Key Reforms and Challenges:

Vietnam’s education system is in a continuous state of reform. The implementation of the 2018 General Education Curriculum across all levels is a major undertaking, aiming to shift towards a competency-based approach. Other notable changes include empowering schools in textbook selection (reverting to a previous model), increasing the base salary for teachers (to VND 2.34 million per month from July 2024), and revising teacher promotion standards to focus on evaluation rather than exams.

Despite significant progress, the system faces several challenges:

• Regional Disparities: Unequal access to quality education persists between urban and rural areas, with disparities in resources, infrastructure, and teacher quality.
• Teacher Shortages and Quality: A shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in certain subjects and regions, and the need for continuous teacher training remain critical issues.
• Pressure on Public Schools: Rapid urbanization puts a strain on public school capacity, leading to overcrowding.
• Overemphasis on Examinations: While reforms are addressing this, a historical focus on rote learning for exams has been a concern.
• Mismatch between Education and Labor Market: Ensuring graduates possess the practical skills required by employers is an ongoing challenge.

The Vietnamese government continues to work on addressing these challenges through policy reforms, increased investment, and a focus on modernization and international integration as outlined in strategic resolutions like Resolution 51.

Summary Table:

Vietnam’s education system is a dynamic landscape, characterized by a strong commitment to educational attainment, ongoing reforms, and efforts to address existing challenges to ensure a skilled and knowledgeable population for the future.

FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Vietnam

What is the structure of Vietnam’s education system?
Vietnam’s education system includes preschool (0–6 years), primary (6–11), lower secondary (11–15), upper secondary (15–18), and higher education (18+), with vocational paths available from age 15.

Is preschool education in Vietnam compulsory?
No, preschool is not compulsory, but participation is high, with over 92% enrollment in pre-primary education as of 2021.

At what age do children start primary school in Vietnam?
Children typically start primary school at age 6, and it is a compulsory stage of education.

What subjects are taught in primary education?
Subjects include Vietnamese language, mathematics, nature and society, moral education, arts, and physical education.

Is lower secondary education mandatory in Vietnam?
Yes, lower secondary education is compulsory for children aged 11–15, covering Grades 6 to 9.

What subjects are introduced at the lower secondary level?
Students study literature, math, science (biology, chemistry, physics), history, geography, civics, technology, a foreign language, and physical education.

Is upper secondary education compulsory in Vietnam?
No, upper secondary education is not compulsory, but it is widely attended by students aged 15–18.

What is the purpose of the High School Graduation Examination?
It is required for high school graduation and university admission, assessing both knowledge and competencies under new reforms.

What changes are being made to the High School Graduation Exam from 2025?
Reforms include competency-based assessment, combining exam results with school records, and changes to foreign language certificate use.

What are the options after lower secondary education besides upper secondary school?
Students can enter vocational education, including vocational secondary schools or colleges of technology, offering practical skills training.

What is the enrollment rate for higher education in Vietnam?
The tertiary enrollment rate was 42.22% in 2022, with about 1.9 million students enrolled in higher education institutions in 2023.

What types of higher education institutions exist in Vietnam?
There are colleges (2–3 years), universities (4–6 years), and postgraduate programs like master’s (2 years) and doctoral degrees (3–5 years).

How is Vietnam addressing education quality and relevance?
Ongoing reforms aim to improve quality, align education with labor market needs, empower schools, and raise teacher salaries and standards.

What challenges does Vietnam’s education system face?
Key issues include regional disparities, teacher shortages, overcrowded urban schools, exam-centric learning, and gaps between education and job market skills.

How much does Vietnam spend on education?
In 2022, education accounted for 15.45% of total government spending, reflecting consistent prioritization over the years.

What is the 2018 General Education Curriculum?
It’s a major reform aiming for a competency-based approach, emphasizing skills over rote memorization and standardizing learning outcomes across levels.

What are vocational education pathways in Vietnam?
Vocational tracks start from age 15 and include vocational secondary schools and colleges of technology, focusing on workforce-ready skills.

How many primary schools and students were there in Vietnam in recent years?
In 2017–2018, there were nearly 15,000 primary schools with over 8 million students and close to 400,000 teachers.

Is English taught in Vietnamese schools?
Yes, English is a mandatory subject in lower and upper secondary schools and plays a major role in exams and university admissions.

What efforts are being made to improve access in rural areas?
Government initiatives focus on infrastructure, teacher deployment, and resource allocation to bridge the urban-rural education gap.

What is Resolution 51?
It’s a strategic policy document guiding Vietnam’s education reforms, emphasizing modernization, integration, and competency-based education.

What is the gross enrollment rate in primary education?
As of 2023, the gross enrollment rate was 122.49%, indicating high participation, including overage and underage students.

How does vocational education align with industry needs?
Reforms aim to update curricula, strengthen partnerships with employers, and provide skills relevant to labor market demands.

Are private schools common in Vietnam?
Yes, both public and private institutions operate at all levels, especially in preschool and higher education, offering families more choices.

What role do foreign language certificates play in education?
Foreign language certificates are used in university admissions and graduation criteria, though new reforms are redefining their role.