Circular 65/2026/TT-BGDDT prescribing conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam

CIRCULAR

Prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions

for use in Vietnam

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Pursuant to the Education Law No. 43/2019/QH14 as amended and supplemented by Law No. 123/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 279/2026/ND-CP of July 12, 2026, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

At the proposal of the Director of the Quality Control Department;

The Minister of Education and Training promulgates the Circular prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam.

Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application

1. This Circular prescribes the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam, including general education diplomas, vocational education diplomas, and higher education diplomas (below collectively referred to as diplomas).

2. This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam.

Article 2. Recognition of diplomas

1. Recognition of diplomas means the recognition of the qualification of learners as stated in the diplomas according to education systems of the countries where the head offices of the foreign education institutions are located and determination of the level of equivalence with the training levels specified in the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework where an appropriate basis for comparison is available.

Where diplomas are eligible for recognition but no determination can be made as to their equivalence to a qualification level under the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework, information concerning such diplomas shall be provided in accordance with the education system of the country in which the diplomas were awarded. The determination of equivalence with the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework shall be made on the basis of entry requirements, learning volume, and qualification level

2. Recognition of diplomas constitutes a public service and shall be conducted upon the request of diploma holders or employing organizations, provided that the consent of the diploma holders has been obtained (below collectively referred to as applicants for diploma recognition)

Article 3. Conditions for recognition of diplomas

1. Diplomas awarded to learners by foreign educational institutions operating lawfully and offering education programs meeting applicable quality assurance requirements shall be recognized upon satisfaction of one of these following conditions:

a) The educational institution awarding the diplomas has been authorized by the competent education authority of the country where it is headquartered to provide the relevant training program and to award the diploma submitted for recognition;

b) The educational institution awarding the diploma has been accredited by a competent education quality accreditation body of the country where it is headquartered, and the diploma submitted for recognition is recognized by the competent education authority of that country;

c) The education program has been accredited by a competent education quality accreditation body of the country where the educational institution is headquartered, or has been authorized for provision by the competent education authority of that country and the diplomas submitted for recognition has been recognized by the competent education authority of the country where the educational institution is headquartered.

2. Diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions to learners who completed their studies through in-person attendance in the country where the educational institution is headquartered shall be recognized upon satisfaction of the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions carrying out educational or training activities, joint education or training programs, or operating branch campuses in Vietnam shall be recognized where such educational or training activities are lawfully conducted in Vietnam; the requirements concerning program approval, enrollment, program duration, and other conditions prescribed by applicable law at the time of implementation of the program leading to the award of diplomas are fulfilled; and the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article are concurrently satisfied.

4. Diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions carrying out educational or training activities, joint education or training programs, or operating branch campuses in a country other than the country where they are headquartered (excluding Vietnam) shall be recognized upon satisfaction of the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article and one of these following conditions:

a) The educational institution implementing the educational or training activities (below referred to as the “training institution”) has been recognized as meeting applicable quality standards by the competent authority of the country where such activities are conducted, or has been accredited by the competent education quality accreditation body of that country;

b) The training institution has been authorized by the competent education authority of the country where the educational or training activities are conducted to engage in such activities or to award diplomas;

c) The education program has been authorized for implementation by the competent education authority of the country where the educational or training activities are conducted, or has been accredited by the competent education quality accreditation body of that country.

5. Diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions in respect of education programs implemented through distance education (including online delivery, combined online and in-person delivery, or a combination of distance education methods conducted through computer networks and telecommunications, correspondence, radio and television, etc.) shall be recognized upon satisfaction of the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, concurrently, where a learner resides and studies in a country, the education program must have been authorized for implementation by the competent education authority of that country.

6. Vocational education diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions shall be recognized where the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article are met together with one of the conditions prescribed in Clauses 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this Article, as applicable to the corresponding mode of training; in addition, equivalence in entry qualification requirements and compatibility in the duration of study, as measured by academic years or the number of credits accumulated upon completion of the program, shall be ensured in accordance with the requirements prescribed for the corresponding qualification levels in Vietnam.

7. Doctoral degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions under programs involving in-person education at the foreign educational institution and field research conducted in another country shall be recognized where the diplomas meet the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article and the aggregate period of in-person study and research at the training institution is not less than 12 months throughout the entire program.

8. Doctoral degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions based on the recognition of existing research outcomes and scientific works shall be recognized where the requirements prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article are met together with the following conditions:

a) The learner has been assigned a research supervisor, has fulfilled all academic requirements of the doctoral program, and has defended the dissertation before an academic committee in accordance with the regulations of the training institution;

b) The training institution confirms that the existing research outcomes and scientific works are recognized as components of the doctoral training program, and the learner’s academic and research outcomes satisfy the learning outcomes prescribed by the standards for doctoral training programs in the corresponding discipline or field in Vietnam.

9. The recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions to leaners who are affected by wars, natural disasters, epidemics, fires, force majeure events and other exceptional circumstances shall be subject to determination by the Minister of Education and Training where the learners’ academic and research outcomes satisfy the learning outcomes prescribed by the standards for training programs in the corresponding discipline or field in Vietnam.

Article 4. Competence for recognition of diplomas

1. The Director of the Quality Control Department under the Ministry of Education and Training shall recognize vocational education diplomas and higher education diplomas.

2. Directors of provincial-level Departments of Education and Training shall recognize the lower secondary education diploma, upper secondary education diploma and certificate of completion of the general education program.

Article 5. Application dossier, order and procedures for recognition of diplomas

1. The application dossier for recognition of diplomas prescribed in Clause 3, Article 3 of this Circular shall consist of:

a) An application form for recognition of diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions, in the form prescribed in Appendix I promulgated together with this Circular;

b) A copy of the diploma, or written confirmation of issuance of the diploma submitted for recognition, accompanied by a Vietnamese translation bearing certified authentication of the translator’s signature;

c) A copy of the diploma supplement (excluding pages containing information on the education system of the awarding country) or the academic transcript, accompanied by a Vietnamese translation bearing certified authentication of the translator’s signature;

d) Valid copies of diplomas and certificates directly relevant to the application.

2. The application dossier for recognition of diplomas presribed in Clauses 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Article 3 of this Circular shall consist of the documents prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article together with the following documents:

a) Entry and exit records for the duration of overseas study, as extracted from the electronic identification application (VNeID) or the National Public Service System, and a copy of the entry visa issued for the country in which the studies were undertaken. In the absence of the above data, valid copies of documents establishing the period of study abroad shall be submitted, including the passport; relevant passport pages bearing visas and entry and exit stamps consistent with the period of overseas study; certification of entry and exit information by a competent authority; a decision on assignment for overseas study and a decision on acceptance by the ministerial-level labor management authority (if any); or other documentary evidence clearly establishing the period of study abroad;

b) A written authorization permitting verification of information concerning the diploma.

3. Order and procedures for recognition of diplomas

a) The applicant for diploma recognition shall provide the information prescribed in Appendix I promulgated together with this Circular, submit the application dossier electronically via the National Public Service Portal, and make payment of the applicable fee in accordance with regulations. Where relevant information is already available in national databases, the applicant for diploma recognition shall be exempt from submitting paper documents or electronically certified copies.

b) Where the applicant for diploma recognition holds a diploma and transcript in digital or electronic form, or where authentication information is transmitted directly to the competent diploma recognition authority by the diploma-awarding educational institution or a competent authority for diploma authentication, scanned copies of the application documents prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be uploaded to the National Public Service Portal (without the requirement for electronic certification against the originals). Where the diploma is in the English language, scanned copies of the application documents prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article may be uploaded to the National Public Service Portal without a Vietnamese translation, or electronically certified copies of such documents may be uploaded, if available;

c) Where no information or documentary evidence is available to the applicant for diploma recognition for direct verification, electronically certified copies made from the originals of the documents prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be uploaded to the National Public Service Portal, or paper copies shall be submitted (except that the written authorization for verification of diploma information shall not be subject to the requirement for electronic certification of copies).

4. In the event that the applicant for diploma recognition is unable to submit the application dossier via the National Public Service Portal due to force majeure, the application dossier shall be submitted directly or transmitted through a postal service.

5. Within 20 working days from the date on which a complete and compliant application dossier is received, the competent authority for diploma recognition shall return the diploma recognition result to the applicant. Where verification of information with the foreign educational institution or clarification of matters relating to the diploma is required, the period for issuance of the diploma recognition result shall not exceed 30 working days from the date on which the application dossier is received.

6. The receipt and processing of application dossiers for diploma recognition shall be conducted without regard to administrative boundaries.

Article 6. Diploma recognition results

1. The result of diploma recognition shall be evidenced by a diploma recognition certificate. Such certificate may be issued in paper, electronic, or digital form, each having equal legal effect. The diploma recognition certificate shall be made according to the form prescribed in Appendix II promulgated together with this Circular. Where a diploma is eligible for recognition but the duration of the relevant program is not compatible with the corresponding qualification level in Vietnam, or no determination can be made as to its equivalence to a qualification level under the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework, the diploma recognition certificate shall specify information concerning the diploma in accordance with the education system of the country in which the diploma was awarded.

2. The diploma recognition results prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article shall be updated in the diploma recognition database. Information accessible through such database or displayed on the VNeID application shall constitute valid verification in substitution for written verification issued by the competent diploma recognition authority. The diploma recognition database shall be connected with the VNeID application in accordance with the established implementation roadmap.  

3. Where a diploma is ineligible for recognition under Article 3 of this Circular, or where, upon expiration of the time limit prescribed in Clause 5, Article 5 of this Circular and there is insufficient basis for verification of the information necessary to recognize the diploma, the competent diploma recognition authority shall issue a written response clearly stating the reasons.

4. The requirement to undergo the diploma recognition procedure shall be waived in respect of diplomas falling within the scope of any agreement or arrangement on mutual recognition of diplomas, or any international treaty concerning diploma recognition, signed or acceded to by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions to persons undertaking overseas study funded by the state budget pursuant to assignment by the Ministry of Education and Training and subsequently received by the Ministry upon their return to Vietnam.

Exemption from the diploma recognition procedure shall not extend to the examination and verification of the legality and validity of the diploma. Any agency, organization, or individual accepting such diploma shall conduct the necessary examination and verification in accordance with laws.

5. The diploma recognition certificate shall be cancelled where the competent diploma recognition authority determines that the diploma was issued unlawfully or that the application dossier for diploma recognition is fraudulent or contains false information. A diploma recognition certificate shall be reissued where any information recorded therein contains errors or where any other technical error has occurred. The competent diploma recognition authority shall issue a decision to cancel or reissue the diploma recognition certificate, specifying the grounds for such cancellation or reissuance. The decision on reissuance of a diploma recognition certificate shall specify that a new diploma recognition certificate is issued in replacement of the certificate previously issued. Any decision on cancellation or reissuance of a diploma recognition certificate shall be transmitted to the holder of the certificate being cancelled or reissued, the agency employing such holder (if any), and any relevant agencies or organizations (if any).

Article 7. Responsibilities of agencies competent to recognize diplomas and relevant agencies and units

1. Agencies competent to recognize diplomas shall:  

a) Rely on official sources of information in the appraisal of diploma recognition application dossiers, including information provided by: competent education authorities of foreign countries; education quality accreditation bodies recognized or authorized to operate by competent foreign authorities; national information centers for academic, diploma, or professional recognition; diploma-awarding educational institutions; training institutions; and other lawful sources of information designated by competent education authorities of foreign countries;

b) Disclose on the official website information regarding foreign educational institutions recognized or accredited by the competent authorities of the countries in which such institutions are located;

c) Establish and maintain a register of diploma recognition results in respect of the cases prescribed in Clauses 1 and 3 of Article 6 of this Circular;

d) Submit to the Ministry of Education and Training, no later than January 31 of each year, a report on diploma recognition activities;

dd) Notify the competent police authority in the locality where its headquarters are located upon discovery of any forged document contained in a diploma recognition application dossier;

e) Settle complaints and denunciations arising in connection with diploma recognition, if any.

2. Higher education institutions and vocational education institutions shall, pursuant to the conditions prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular, exercise their autonomous authority to assess diplomas for use in internal training activities and bear responsibility for the results of such assessment; establish and maintain a register specifying: the full name and date of birth of each diploma holder; the name of the diploma-awarding educational institution; the mode of training; the qualification level determined to be equivalent to a level under the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework or the qualification level under the education system of the country where the foreign educational institution is headquartered (if any), with the basis for such assessment clearly stated in accordance with this Circular; submit to the Ministry of Education and Training, no later than January 31 of each year, a report on the categories of diplomas assessed for use at the institution.

Where necessary, higher education institutions and vocational education institutions may require learners to use the public service for diploma recognition.

3. Educational institutions implementing cooperative training programs, joint education programs, or joint training programs under which foreign diplomas are awarded shall provide the competent diploma recognition authority with information concerning the implementation of such cooperation or joint arrangements, including: decisions on authorization, extension, and modification; the project proposal or joint training agreement; confirmation that the program has been implemented in compliance with the approval decision and applicable regulations; the list of graduates for each cohort; clarification of information concerning the joint training programs in which the institution has participated, upon request of the competent diploma recognition authority.

4. The Quality Control Department shall assign one (01) public service unit under its authority to perform the public service for diploma recognition. The provision of such public service shall comply with the Government’s regulations on administrative procedures implemented under the single-window and inter-agency single-window mechanisms at single-window units and on the National Public Service Portal.

The collection, remittance, management, and use of fees for verification of papers and documents in connection with the recognition of diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions shall be governed by the Minister of Finance’s Circular No. 164/2016/TT-BTC of October 25, 2016, prescribing the fee rates and the regime for collection, remittance, management, and use of fees for verification of papers and documents for recognition of diplomas awarded by foreign educational institutions to Vietnamese citizens.

5. The Higher Education Department, the International Cooperation Department, the Department of Vocational Education and Continuing Education, and other relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training shall coordinate with the Quality Control Department in handling matters falling within the scope of their respective assigned functions and tasks.

Article 8. Responsibilities of applicants for diploma recognition

1. To provide complete information and documentation required for the diploma recognition application dossier and bear responsibility for the accuracy and authenticity of all information and documents submitted to the competent diploma recognition authority.

2. To cooperate with the competent diploma recognition authority in the verification of information with foreign educational institutions or in the clarification of matters relating to the diplomas, where necessary.

Article 9. Transitional provisions

1. Diploma recognition application dossiers submitted to the competent diploma recognition authority prior to the effective date of this Circular shall continue to be subject to the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Circular No. 34/2017/TT-BLDTBXH of December 29, 2017, prescribing the recognition of vocational education diplomas and certificates awarded by foreign vocational education institutions, the Minister of Education and Training’s Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BGDDT of April 15, 2021, prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam and Circular No. 07/2024/TT-BGDDT of May 2, 2024 amending and supplementing Article 7 and replacing Appendixes II and III of the Minister of Education and Training’s Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BGDDT of April 15, 2021, prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam.

2. Doctoral degrees awarded by foreign educational institutions under programs involving in-person study at the foreign educational institution and field research in another country shall be recognized in accordance with the procedures prescribed in Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BGDDT and Circular No. 07/2024/TT-BGDDT, provided that recruitment for the relevant training program took place before the effective date of this Circular.

3. Recognition of diplomas awarded under education cooperation programs and joint training programs in respect of which conclusions were issued by inspection authorities, examination authorities, or other competent authorities prior to the effective date of this Circular shall continue to be implemented in accordance with such conclusions.

Article 10. Effect

1. This Circular takes effect on September 26, 2026.

The Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Circular No. 34/2017/TT-BLDTBXH of December 29, 2017, prescribing the recognition of vocational education diplomas and certificates awarded by foreign vocational education institutions; the Minister of Education and Training’s Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BGDDT of April 15, 2021, prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam and Circular No. 07/2024/TT-BGDDT of May 2, 2024 amending and supplementing Article 7 and replacing Appendixes II and III of the Minister of Education and Training’s Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BGDDT of April 15, 2021, prescribing the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of diplomas granted by foreign education institutions for use in Vietnam shall expire upon the effective date of this Circular, except for the cases prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 9 of this Circular.

2. Where any legal instrument cited in this Circular is amended, supplemented, or replaced, such amended, supplemented, or replacement instrument shall apply.

3. The Chief of the Office; the Director General of the Quality Control Department; heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Directors of Departments of Education and Training; heads of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions and other relevant organizations and individuals shall implement this Circular./.

* All Appendices are not translated herein.