Law on Higher Education 2025, No. 125/2025/QH15

LAW

On Higher Education^[1]

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law on Higher Education.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

This Law provides higher education activities; the organisation and operation of higher education institutions; the rights and responsibilities of organisations and individuals engaged in higher education; and the responsibilities of the State in the management and development of higher education.

Article 2. Subjects of application

1. This Law applies to higher education institutions and relevant agencies, organisations and individuals.

2. Other education institutions conducting higher education activities shall apply the provisions of this Law within the scope of such higher education activities.

Article 3. Interpretation of terms

In this Law, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Higher education activities means activities concerning formulation and development of training programmes; quality assurance conditions; enrolment of students and organisation of training, associated with scientific research, technological development and innovation; and quality assessment and accreditation.

2. Autonomy means the right to make decisions independently in association with accountability in accordance with law in respect of academic and professional matters, training, scientific research, international cooperation, organisational structure, personnel, finance and other higher education activities.

3. Accountability means the provision, updating, disclosure and transparency of information; the receipt, handling and response to information and recommendations from stakeholders; and reporting and being subject to supervision and examination by competent agencies and organisations and society.

4. Academic integrity means compliance with ethical standards and professional principles; ensuring honesty and respect for objective truth; and refraining from plagiarism, misrepresentation, data falsification or violations of copyright and intellectual property rights.

5. Academic freedom means the right to teach, learn, research, exchange, publish and provide criticism in accordance with law on the basis of professional standards and academic integrity, in conformity with the interests of the State and society.

6. Training programme means a system of education and training activities designed and implemented in order to achieve training objectives and to award higher education diplomas or certificates to learners.

7. Discipline means a classification unit of training programmes having the same objectives, knowledge content, and professional and occupational skills.

8. Field means a classification unit of disciplines sharing professional and occupational characteristics.

9. Higher education certificate means a certificate within the national education system certifying the accumulated higher education learning outcomes of a learner.

10. Specialised database on higher education means a collection of electronic data on higher education that is arranged and organised for access, exploitation, sharing, management and updating through electronic means.

Article 4. Principles of higher education activities

1. Complying with the Constitution and law.

2. Ensuring the autonomy, self-responsibility and accountability of higher education institutions; the effect of state management; and the examination and supervision by competent authorities.

3. Ensuring quality, efficiency, fairness and equality in access to higher education, and promoting lifelong learning.

4. Ensuring academic freedom in association with academic integrity and responsibility towards the community.

5. Developing talents; and linking the training of highly qualified human resources with scientific research, technology and innovation.

6. Promoting cooperation and fair, transparent competition based on quality and efficiency.

Article 5. The State’s policies on development of higher education

1. The State shall determine higher education as the core in developing highly qualified human resources, nurturing talents, and promoting science, technology and innovation activities; and develop a modern, high-quality, flexible and interconnected higher education system, meeting requirements for socio-economic development, assurance of national defence and security, international integration, and sustainable national development.

2. The State shall play the leading role and provide funding support to public higher education institutions providing training in a number of disciplines and fields reaching regional and international levels; provide partial funding support for public higher education institutions to upgrade their standards; implement policies to support private higher education institutions to develop in a sustainable manner and improve competitiveness; establish mechanisms to attract and mobilise social resources for the modernisation of higher education; and ensure full and comprehensive autonomy for higher education institutions, regardless of the level of their financial autonomy.

3. The State shall invest in the modernisation of technical infrastructure; upgrade physical facilities, laboratories, centres of excellence for training and research, key higher education institutions, and teacher training institutions.

Priority shall be given to commissioning and assigning training tasks in basic sciences, key engineering disciplines and strategic technologies; and ensuring funding for research, knowledge transfer and innovation in association with postgraduate training and entrepreneurship.

4. The State shall adopt policies on provision of training, upskilling and support for lecturers to enhance their professional qualifications, digital capacity and foreign language proficiency; and policies on attracting, and offering special treatment to, talents, scientists and outstanding lecturers at home and abroad.

5. The State shall implement policies on finance, scholarships, tuition fees, preferential credit and other forms of support for learners, prioritising policy beneficiaries, persons in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, and island areas, vulnerable groups and postgraduate learners.

6. The State shall adopt policies to promote public-private partnership; support the effective implementation of cooperation among the State, education institutions and enterprises; enhance international integration; and attract domestic and overseas resources to improve the standing of Vietnam’s higher education.

Article 6. Responsibilities for state management of higher education

1. The Government shall perform the unified state management of higher education.

2. The Ministry of Education and Training shall act as the focal-point agency responsible before the Government for performing the contents and tasks of state management of higher education in accordance with law.

3. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall, within the ambit of their functions, tasks and powers as assigned by the Government, study and forecast human resource needs of the sectors and fields under their management; and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training in performing the management of higher education within the ambit of their functions, tasks and powers.

4. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall perform the management of higher education in their localities within the scope of their authorised or delegated powers; support the development of higher education institutions in their localities; and implement the socialisation of higher education to meet human resource requirements and improve the quality of higher education in their localities.

Article 7. Higher education development strategy

1. The higher education development strategy shall determine the vision, overall objectives and major orientations for the development of higher education in each period, ensuring conformity with the strategies for socio-economic development, national defence and security.

2. Principal contents of the higher education development strategy:

a/ Orientations for the development of the network of higher education institutions, ensuring region-based balance and alignment with socio-economic development, national defence and security objectives;

b/ Identification of priority disciplines and fields in each period;

c/ Development and improvement of the capacity of lecturers, administrators, and scientific and technological personnel in higher education institutions;

d/ Orientations for basic research, applied research, development of new technologies, digital transformation, and international integration.

3. The Prime Minister shall approve the higher education development strategy.

Article 8. Training objectives, programmes, diplomas and certificates

1. Training objectives of levels of higher education:

a/ Undergraduate training aims to equip learners with foundational knowledge, professional skills, and basic capacity in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and professional practice;

b/ Master’s level training aims to deepen specialised knowledge and skills, and enhance learners’ capacity in research, innovation and professional practice;

c/ Doctoral training aims to develop capacity for conducting independent research, creating new knowledge and addressing practical problems.

2. Diploma-awarding training programmes include:

a/ Undergraduate programmes awarding a bachelor’s diploma;

b/ Master’s programmes awarding a master’s diploma, or integrated undergraduate and master’s programmes awarding diplomas corresponding to the completed level;

c/ Doctoral programmes awarding a doctoral diploma, or integrated master’s and doctoral programmes awarding diplomas corresponding to the completed level;

d/ Specialised training programmes in certain specific disciplines and fields awarding diplomas as prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training;

dd/ Postgraduate specialised training programmes in the health sector awarding diplomas of resident doctor and specialist doctor, as guided, organised and managed by the Minister of Health.

3. Higher education certificate-awarding training programmes shall be designed as independent programmes or as components of diploma-awarding training programmes, which are recognised within the higher education system.

Article 9. Standards of higher education institutions

1. Standards of higher education institutions specify requirements regarding quality assurance conditions and operational indicators of higher education institutions; and shall be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with, and gradual integration into, regional and international standards.

2. Standards of higher education institutions shall serve as a basis for planning the network of higher education institutions; investment in the development, and quality assessment of higher education institutions; issuance and revocation of operation licences; and suspension of enrolment.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe and promulgate standards of higher education institutions, and guide the application and assessment of compliance with such standards; assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Minister of Health in, promulgating standards of higher education institutions providing training in health disciplines; and assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Minister of Justice in, promulgating standards of higher education institutions providing training in law disciplines.

Article 10. Application of technology in higher education

1. Higher education institutions shall proactively apply digital technologies, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies, in a controlled manner, in the management and organisation of higher education activities.

2. The application of technology in higher education must meet the following requirements:

a/ Complying with the law on science, technology and innovation, the law on personal data protection, the law on cybersecurity, and ethical principles in technology;

b/ Ensuring the quality of training and research;

c/ Implementing technical and governance measures; ensuring information security and data confidentiality;

d/ Ensuring equal access of learners to digital infrastructure, platforms and resources;

dd/ Ensuring transparency of, and accountability for, technological solutions in case they affect managerial, governance or academic decisions;

e/ Improving standards on digital capacity and artificial intelligence application capacity of lecturers, administrators and learners;

g/ Ensuring intellectual property rights and lawful interests of higher education institutions and relevant individuals.

3. Higher education institutions may cooperate with enterprises, research institutes and other education institutions in organising upskilling and training courses in digital capacity, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies for lecturers, administrators and learners.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide in detail the application of technology in higher education.

Article 11. Higher education institutions and other education institutions conducting higher education

1. Higher education institutions are education institutions within the national education system, having the legal person status, and organised and operating in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

2. Higher education institutions include:

a/ Universities, and those named academies, providing multi-disciplinary training at various levels of higher education, having an organisational structure comprising functional divisions, subordinate schools, faculties or equivalent units (below collectively referred to as faculties), and departments or equivalent units other than administrative units, established or not established at the discretion of the higher education institution (below collectively referred to as departments);

b/ General universities providing multi-disciplinary training at all levels of higher education, having an organisational structure comprising functional divisions, subordinate schools, faculties and departments;

c/ National universities and regional universities providing multi-field training at all levels of higher education, having an organisational structure comprising functional divisions, member universities, member research institutes, subordinate schools, attached units, faculties and departments;

d/ Higher education institutions established under agreements between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign governments; these institutions have the organisational structure and operate in accordance with such agreements; in case such agreements have no provisions thereon, the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws shall apply.

3. Other education institutions conducting higher education activities include:

a/ Academies and research institutes established by the Prime Minister which are permitted to provide doctoral training;

b/ Schools, schools with other names under state agencies, political organisations, socio-political organisations and the people’s armed forces which are permitted to provide training in one or several level(s) of higher education within the scope of their respective fields of management;

c/ Organisations and units established under treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party, or under the Prime Minister’s decisions, which are permitted to provide one or several level(s) of higher education.

4. The conditions, order, procedures and competence for establishment, and operation of public higher education institutions; grant of permission for establishment and operation of private higher education institutions; revocation of decisions on establishment and permission for establishment and operation; suspension of operation and suspension of enrolment; and merger, division, separation, dissolution and renaming of higher education institutions must comply with the Law on Education. The naming of higher education institutions; and the conditions, order, procedures and competence for recognition of national universities, regional universities and general universities must comply with regulations of the Government.

Article 12. Mission and functions of higher education institutions and other education institutions conducting higher education activities

1. Higher education institutions have the mission and functions of training highly qualified human resources, developing talents, conducting scientific research and technological development, promoting innovation, transferring knowledge, and serving the society, country and mankind.

2. Regional universities shall perform the mission and functions specified in Clause 1 of this Article; mobilise resources, promote regional linkages, support socio-economic development of the region, and contribute to the implementation of the national development strategy.

3. Other education institutions conducting higher education activities shall perform their mission and functions in accordance with their specialised fields and assigned tasks; serve the development of sectors, fields, localities and the country in accordance with law and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

Article 13. National universities

1. National universities are public higher education institutions which have the mission as key centres to conduct high-quality training, talent development, scientific research, technological development and innovation, and to perform national strategic tasks; and which are prioritised by the State for development investment.

2. National universities shall play a core role and serve as pillars of the higher education system; develop advanced spearhead training and research fields, lead innovation, and affirm their position in the region and the world.

3. National universities have appropriate organisational structures and mechanisms, and shall be guaranteed the necessary conditions to perform their mission and role as prescribed in this Law and other relevant laws.

4. The Government shall define the functions, tasks and powers of national universities.

Article 14. Powers and responsibilities of higher education institutions and other education institutions conducting higher education activities

1. Higher education institutions have autonomy to exercise the following powers:

a/ Determining enrolment quotas, selecting admission methods, organising training and joint training, and awarding diplomas when satisfying quality assurance conditions, except teacher training, national defence and security disciplines;

b/ Organising scientific research, technological development and innovation activities; lawfully utilising and exploiting assets, resources and intellectual property; and conducting international cooperation activities;

c/ Implementing the collection, spending and distribution of financial results; managing assets; conducting development investment; and mobilising lawful resources from organisations and individuals at home and abroad in accordance with law, except higher education institutions under the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security;

d/ Determining the number of personnel and recruiting reputable scientists at home and abroad to work at the institutions, except higher education institutions under the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security;

dd/ Providing training at other training levels when satisfying the requirements set in relevant laws and the Government’s regulations;

e/ Exercising other powers as prescribed by this Law and other relevant laws.

2. Higher education institutions shall perform the following responsibilities:

a/ Ensuring adherence to the principles of higher education activities;

b/ Ensuring quality; periodically assessing, reviewing and improving the quality of training, scientific research, technology development and transfer, and innovation;

c/ Implementing the specific mission and development strategy approved by their managing agencies, for public higher education institutions, or by investors, for private higher education institutions, in conformity with the higher education development strategy;

d/ Implementing digital transformation in governance and management; developing a digital higher education model; ensuring information security and intellectual property rights;

dd/ Fulfilling financial obligations to the State; and responsibilities to learners and society;

e/ Investing in development of technical infrastructure and physical facilities; implementing internal quality assurance, quality assessment and accreditation;

g/ Disclosing in a truthful and adequate manner information on organisation, operation, quality and finances; receiving, handling and responding to recommendations from stakeholders; and conducting self-assessment in accordance with law;

h/ Reporting and updating information in accordance with law; for private higher education institutions, reporting to the Ministry of Education and Training upon decisions on change of investors;

i/ Providing training, upskilling for, and developing the contingent of lecturers and scientists;

k/ Participating in the formulation and critical review of education and training policies;

l/ Protecting lawful rights and interests of learners, lecturers, employees, and related organisations and individuals;

m/ Performing other responsibilities as prescribed by this Law and other relevant laws.

3. Other education institutions conducting higher education activities shall exercise their rights and perform their responsibilities within the scope of higher education activities specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article and relevant regulations.

4. The Government shall detail this Article.

Chapter II

ORGANISATION AND GOVERNANCE

Article 15. Organisational structure of higher education institutions

1. The organisational structure of a higher education institution is prescribed as follows:

a/ Director and deputy directors or equivalent title holders, for higher education institutions other than universities, rector and vice rectors or equivalent title holders, for universities;

b/ University council, for private general universities and private universities (below collectively referred to as university council of private higher education institutions); university council, for higher education institutions established under agreements between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign governments;

c/ Science and training council, and other advisory councils;

d/ Member universities, for national universities and regional universities, which are higher education institutions operating in accordance with the organisation and operation regulations of the national universities or regional universities and relevant regulations;

dd/ Subordinate schools, branch campuses, faculties and divisions (if any);

e/ Institutes, research centres, training units, and science and technology organisations;

g/ Sections, divisions and other units;

h/ Production, business and service establishments, and other units as prescribed by relevant laws.

2. Higher education institutions shall have organisations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, socio-political organisations, and organisations representing learners and employees in accordance with law.

3. The organisation of the Communist Party of Vietnam within a public higher education institution shall exercise direct and comprehensive leadership over such institution.

4. The organisational structure of a higher education institution shall be stipulated in the organisation and operation regulation of the institution, issued by the director/rector of the higher education institution or equivalent title holder in accordance with guidance of the Minister of Education and Training and relevant regulations.

Article 16. Directors and deputy directors of general universities, rectors and vice rectors of universities

1. The director of a general university/rector of a university or equivalent title holder (below collectively referred to as director/rector of a higher education institution) is the legal representative of the higher education institution, who must meet the standards and exercise the rights and perform the responsibilities as prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. The director/rector of a higher education institution shall manage and operate activities of the higher education institution in accordance with law and the organisation and operation regulation of the institution.

3. The Prime Minister shall appoint, relieve from duty, remove from office, transfer and assign directors of national universities; managing agencies shall appoint, relieve from duty, remove from office, transfer and assign rectors, deputy directors and vice rectors of public higher education institutions; school councils shall appoint and relieve from duty rectors, deputy directors  and vice rectors of private higher education institutions.

4. The appointment, relief from duty, transfer, rotation and assignment of rectors and vice rectors of higher education institutions established under agreements between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign governments must comply with such agreements; in case such agreements have no provisions thereon, the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws shall apply.

5. The Government shall detail this Article.

Article 17. University councils of private higher education institutions

1. The university council of a private higher education institution is the governing body representing stakeholders, deciding on development directions, organisational structure and resource utilisation, and supervising the implementation of strategies and accountability of the private higher education institution.

2. University councils of private higher education institutions shall operate on the principles of collective governance, democracy, and majority vote, and be accountable to law and stakeholders for their decisions; and not directly manage or operate the private higher education institutions.

3. The university council of a private higher education institution shall be composed of representatives of investors, the leadership of the higher education institution, lecturers, learners, employees and other stakeholders, ensuring representativeness, objectivity and suitability to the type of the institution.

4. Investors shall elect, appoint and relieve from duty the chairperson and members of university councils of private higher education institutions.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe the structure, standards of members, tasks, powers and term of office; procedures for election, appointment and relief from duty of chairpersons and members; and operational and supervisory mechanisms, of university councils of private higher education institutions.

Article 18. Science and training councils

1. The science and training council of a higher education institution is an organisation with the function of advising on academic matters, training orientations, quality assurance, scientific and technological research, development of the lecturing staff, international cooperation and academic integrity of the higher education institution.

2. The science and training council shall be established by the director/rector, operate on the principle of collective decision-making, and be accountable to the director/rector for the content of its advice.

3. The science and training council of a higher education institution shall be composed of representatives of the leadership of the higher education institution, lecturers, scientists, enterprises, employers, alumni, local administrations, and certain experts as decided by the director/rector.

4. The organisation, operation and procedures for establishment of the science and training council of a higher education institution shall be stipulated in the organisation and operation regulation of the higher education institution.

 Article 19. Subordinate schools, faculties, departments and training units

1. Subordinate schools of higher education institutions do not have the legal person status and shall be delegated with powers to manage and perform tasks of training, scientific research, technological development and innovation.

2. Subordinate schools, faculties, departments and training units shall directly conduct training, scientific research, technological development and innovation activities, and serve the community within the ambit of their assigned functions and tasks; and shall be established in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws, including also forms of association, cooperation and investment as specified in Articles 43 and 44 of this Law.

3. The establishment, division, separation, merger, dissolution and decentralisation of management of subordinate schools, faculties, departments and training units shall be stipulated in the organisation and operation regulations of higher education institutions, this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 20. Training locations and branch campuses of higher education institutions

1. Training locations of a domestic higher education institution include:

a/ The main campus, which is the place where higher education activities are organised and governance and management functions are performed in accordance with this Law and the organisation and operation regulation of the higher education institution;

b/ The branch campus, which is a place where higher education activities are organised, with or without a management apparatus as decided by the higher education institution; the branch campus does not have the legal person status; and shall perform part of the governance and management functions as delegated or authorised in the organisation and operation regulation of the higher education institution;

c/ Other training locations, which are places where the whole or part of activities under training programmes are organised; other training locations are subject to the comprehensive and direct management of the higher education institution and must meet quality assurance conditions, including locations owned by the higher education institution, locations under its lawful use rights, joint training locations, and practical training locations.

2. Branch campuses and representative offices of Vietnamese higher education institutions in foreign countries shall not belong to the organisational structure of domestic higher education institutions as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 15 of this Law; must meet operation conditions in accordance with the law of host countries; and shall report to the Ministry of Education and Training upon the implementation of training activities.

3. Branch campuses of foreign higher education institutions in Vietnam shall be established, organised and operate in accordance with the provisions applicable to private higher education institutions established by foreign investors, and must meet operation conditions as prescribed by law.

4. The Government shall provide in detail the conditions, order and competence for the establishment, licensing of operation, suspension of enrolment, suspension of operation and dissolution of branch campuses; and specify criteria, standards and conditions for ensuring the quality of training locations.

Chapter III

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Article 21. Licensing of higher education activities

1. Higher education institutions and other education institutions conducting higher education activities (below collectively referred to as training institutions) shall be licensed to conduct higher education activities by competent agencies in accordance with the Government’s regulations.

2. The scope of licensing higher education activities includes training levels, disciplines, fields, branch campuses and main campuses; and training activities conducted in the digital space.

3. Training institutions may only organise higher education activities within the scope of their licences and will have their operation suspended or such licences revoked in cases of violation of conditions for higher education activities or other relevant provisions. The competence for issuing licences and revoking decisions on issuance of licences for higher education activities must comply with the Law on Education.

Article 22. Training programme standards

1. Training programme standards provide general requirements for the development and implementation of a training programme, including objectives, entry requirements, outcome standards, structure, minimum learning volume, principles of assessment and evaluation, and quality assurance conditions.

2. Training programme standards must ensure the following requirements:

a/ The requirements of each corresponding level as prescribed in the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework;

b/ Connectivity between levels, between disciplines and across interdisciplinary fields, and up-to-date content;

c/ Combination of scientific and technological research and application in the design and implementation of training programmes;

d/ Allowing flexible modes of training organisation, facilitating lifelong learning;

dd/ Periodical review and evaluation to improve the quality of training.

3. The Minister of Education and Training has the following responsibilities:

a/ To provide and promulgate training programme standards by discipline and field at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels; assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors in, formulating and promulgating standards for training programmes for disciplines in the fields of health and law;

b/ To assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries and sectors in, specifying conditions for ensuring quality in the implementation of training programmes at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels for disciplines in the fields of health, law, culture, arts, sports, national defence and security;

c/ To examine and supervise the implementation of training programme standards.

Article 23. Formulation and development of training programmes

1. Training programmes shall be designed as single-discipline or interdisciplinary programmes and included in the List of training disciplines; and may integrate certain modules at higher levels to support learners in developing foundational competencies and accessing subsequent training levels in accordance with the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework.

2. Training programmes shall be periodically reviewed, updated and improved to ensure relevance to practical needs and human resource demands of the labour market.

3. Training institutions shall proactively develop their training programmes in conformity with training programme standards; and develop talent training programmes and other training programmes in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

The Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security shall promulgate training programmes in the fields of national defence and security.

4. The Minister of Education and Training has the following responsibilities:

a/ To promulgate the List of training disciplines at all levels of higher education;

b/ To specify requirements and procedures for formulation, appraisal and promulgation of training programmes of training institutions;

c/ To specify procedures for compilation and promulgation of curricula and textbooks for teaching and learning compulsory subjects and modules for shared use among training programmes at all levels of higher education.

Article 24. Approval and implementation of training programmes

1. Directors/rectors of training institutions shall approve training programmes, except those specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article, and organise the implementation of training programmes within the scope of approved and licensed disciplines and fields.

2. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe the approval of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral training programmes in teacher training disciplines in the field of health on the basis of coordination with the Ministry of Health, and in the field of law on the basis of coordination with the Ministry of Justice.

3. The Minister of Education and Training has the following responsibilities:

a/ To specify the conditions, order and procedures for approval, suspension and termination of implementation of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral training programmes;

b/ To prescribe the approval of doctoral training programmes for disciplines and fields not specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 25. Enrolment

1. Enrolment must adhere to the principles of fairness, objectivity, openness and transparency; and follow an appropriate roadmap for adjustments, ensuring the interests of applicants.

2. Training institutions shall determine enrolment quotas and admission methods in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Education and Training. The Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security shall decide on enrolment quotas and admission methods for training institutions in the fields of national defence and security.

3. The Minister of Education and Training has the following responsibilities:

a/ To promulgate regulations on enrolment at all levels of higher education, covering sources of applicants, minimum entry quality thresholds, principles, requirements, procedures for organising enrolment, admission methods, and suspension of enrolment;

b/ To specify the criteria, principles, order and methods for determining enrolment quotas;

c/ To specify minimum entry quality thresholds for teacher training disciplines and disciplines in the field of health on the basis of coordination with the Ministry of Health, and for disciplines in the field of law on the basis of coordination with the Ministry of Justice;

d/ To decide on enrolment quotas for teacher training disciplines.

Article 26. Organisation of training and awarding of diplomas and certificates

1. Training shall be organised flexibly to meet diverse learning needs and lifelong learning requirements of learners.

2. Forms of training include:

a/ Full-time training, which shall be conducted on a full-time, centralised basis at licensed training locations;

b/ Continuing training, which shall be conducted on a flexible schedule at licensed training locations meeting quality assurance conditions.

3. Methods of training organisation include:

a/ In-person learning;

b/ Distance learning;

c/ Blended learning combining in-person learning and distance learning.

4. Digital higher education is a model of training organisation based on digital platforms, incorporating new technologies, and implemented by the forms and methods of training specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article, ensuring connectivity and sharing of data and open educational resources between training institutions and stakeholders, without limitations of space or time.

5. Higher education diplomas and certificates are legally valid in certifying the level and competence of learners, and shall be awarded according to the following provisions:

a/ Higher education diplomas shall be awarded to learners upon completion of a training programme at the corresponding level;

b/ Higher education certificates shall be awarded to learners upon completion of a module or part of a training programme.

6. Directors/rectors of higher education institutions or heads of other education institutions conducting higher education activities shall award higher education diplomas and certificates.

7. Accumulated learning outcomes of learners shall be recognised and transferable between levels, forms and methods of training; the validity period of accumulated learning outcomes must comply with regulations of the Minister of Education and Training.

8. The Minister of Education and Training shall promulgate regulations on training at various levels of higher education; specify conditions for implementing forms and methods of training, higher education certificates, the digital higher education model; and the exploitation and use of open educational resources in higher education activities.

Chapter IV

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ACTIVITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Article 27. Science, technology and innovation activities

1. Higher education institutions possessing certificates of registration as science and technology organisations are entitled to the rights and incentive and support policies prescribed in the laws on science, technology and innovation, and intellectual property.

2. Science, technology and innovation activities in higher education institutions shall be linked to training and the development of lecturers, researchers, scientists and learners.

3. Science, technology and innovation activities in higher education institutions include:

a/ Basic research, applied research, development of new technologies, and forecast of science and technology development trends;

b/ Incorporating research results into training programmes; developing high-quality, interdisciplinary and research- and innovative startup-integrated training;

c/ Training, upskilling and developing human resources in science and technology, including lecturers, scientists, postgraduate learners and talented undergraduate students in basic sciences, key engineering disciplines and strategic technologies;

d/ Implementing science, technology and innovation tasks; providing consultancy, counter-arguments and knowledge transfer to serve socio-economic development, national defence and security;

dd/ Cooperating with enterprises, research institutes and local authorities to transfer technology, commercialise research results and promote the innovation ecosystem;

e/ Disseminating knowledge, publishing research results, registering copyright or protecting, exploiting and developing intellectual assets;

g/ Applying digital technologies, artificial intelligence and data analytics tools in research, technological development and innovation management.

4. The Government shall specify science, technology and innovation activities in higher education institutions.

Article 28. Development of science, technology and innovation potential

1. Higher education institutions may establish science and technology organisations, innovation organisations, science and technology enterprises and enterprises managing intellectual assets and capital invested in science and technology enterprises in accordance with law; develop research groups and receive support resources from domestic and foreign entities in accordance with law.

2. Higher education institutions shall develop their science, technology and innovation potential in the following forms:

a/ Cooperating with and attracting experts and scientists at home and abroad;

b/ Forming and developing research and technology transfer networks linked to training; developing scientific information systems, specialised journals and intellectual assets;

c/ Deciding on remuneration regimes; appointing managerial position holders; and utilising, and providing special treatment to, reputable scientists at home and abroad;

d/ Valuating, establishing of ownership of, and rights to exploitation, capital contribution and distribution of benefits from intellectual assets, and research and technology transfer results in accordance with law;

dd/ Investing in and upgrading technical infrastructure, research equipment, innovation spaces and laboratories; and developing and connecting science and technology databases to serve research and innovation activities.

3. Higher education institutions shall be held responsible for science, technology and innovation activities in the following forms:

a/ Linking research with training; ensuring quality, efficiency and transparency; and complying with ethical rules and integrity in scientific research;

b/ Implementing internal governance and management of science, technology and innovation activities within the scope of their autonomy in accordance with law;

c/ Managing and effectively using assets, resources and outcomes generated from science, technology and innovation activities;

d/ Establishing and operating Science and Technology Development Funds in accordance with law;

dd/ Disclosing information on capacity and results of science, technology and innovation activities; and annually updating information on the National Digital Platform for Science, Technology and Innovation Management and the specialised database on higher education.

Chapter V

LECTURERS, SUPPORTING PERSONNEL AND LEARNERS

Article 29. Positions and titles of university lecturers

1. University lecturers are persons who teach at higher education institutions and meet the standard qualifications as prescribed by the Law on Educators.

2. University lecturers include permanent lecturers, concurrent permanent lecturers, contract lecturers working on a full-time basis after retirement, and visiting lecturers.

Concurrent permanent lecturers are public employees holding doctoral diplomas of public science and technology organisations, excluding higher education institutions, who are tasked to conduct teaching and scientific research activities like permanent lecturers at public higher education institutions.

3. Titles of university lecturers include professor, associate professor and other title holders, specifically as follows:

a/ Professor is the highest title, reflecting competence, scientific reputation, and the role of academic leadership, and exploration and creation of new knowledge;

b/ Associate professor is the title immediately below professor, possessing in-depth expertise in a specific scientific field;

c/ Other title holders as prescribed by the Government.

4. The Government shall prescribe regimes and policies applicable to professors, associate professors and other title holders; and the employment and management of, and policies applicable to, concurrent permanent lecturers.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall specify standards, conditions and procedures for the appointment and relief from duty of professors and associate professors.

6. Higher education institutions shall appoint and relieve from duty professors and associate professors.

Article 30. Rights and obligations of university lecturers

1. Permanent lecturers shall exercise rights and perform obligations in accordance with the Law on Educators and other relevant laws.

2. Concurrent permanent lecturers shall exercise rights and perform obligations in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of training institutions.

3. Visiting lecturers and contract lecturers working on a full-time basis after retirement shall exercise rights and perform obligations in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Education and Training and training institutions.

Article 31. Supporting personnel in higher education

1. Supporting personnel in higher education include those provided in the Law on Education and the following persons:

a/ Teaching assistants, who are holders of the title adjacent to the lecturer title and perform the task of assisting lecturers in teaching activities;

b/ Researchers, who perform scientific research, technological development and innovation tasks; and assist lecturers and learners in practical work, experiments and other research activities in higher education institutions;

c/ Teaching support personnel, who perform the task of assisting lecturers in practical work, experiments and other professional activities.

2. The Minister of Education and Training shall specify standards, conditions, working regimes, appointment and salary arrangement for supporting personnel in higher education in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 32. Learners

1. Learners shall exercise their rights and perform their obligations, and are entitled to policies as prescribed in the Law on Education, this Law and other relevant laws.

2. Learners may choose training programmes suitable to their individual capacity, provided that they meet enrolment conditions; participate in teaching assistance activities in accordance with regulations of training institutions; and be provided with opportunities for practical training and internship at enterprises and employers in the process of study.

3. Learners may participate in scientific research, technological development, innovation and startup activities; and be supported in registering for protection of intellectual property rights, inventions, utility solutions, works and research results developed at training institutions.

Chapter VI

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACCREDITATION

Article 33. Internal quality assurance system

1. The internal quality assurance system shall function to maintain and develop a quality culture; ensure continuous quality improvement; ensure transparency and disclosure of information; and enhance accountability in higher education activities.

2. The internal quality assurance system shall include: a specialised unit or section; quality policies and implementing documents; a quality assurance toolkit comprising processes and systems for collecting and analysing evidence; mechanisms for stakeholders to give feedback; a management information system; and physical and financial resources necessary for the effective operation of the system.

3. Training institutions shall establish, operate, monitor and develop their internal quality assurance systems in conformity with domestic or international quality standards.

Article 34. Standards for quality assessment and accreditation

1. Standards for the assessment and accreditation of higher education quality shall serve as a basis for determining the level of achievement in higher education quality.

2. Standards for quality assessment and accreditation include:

a/ Standards applicable to higher education institutions;

b/ Standards applicable to training programmes at various levels.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall promulgate, and guide the implementation of, standards for the assessment and accreditation of higher education quality; and recognise standards for the assessment and accreditation of higher education quality accreditation organisations.

Article 35. Quality assessment

1. Training institutions shall conduct quality assessment in the following forms:

a/ Periodical self-assessment;

b/ Accreditation cycle-based self-assessment.

2. Training institutions shall organise quality assessment themselves or outsource quality assessment work to suitable professional consultants.

3. Quality assessment results shall be used for quality improvement, disclosure of information, discharge of the accountability, and for the purposes of quality accreditation in accordance with regulations.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall specify quality assessment.

Article 36. Quality accreditation

1. Subject to periodical accreditation are:

a/ Higher education institutions;

b/ Training programmes in teacher training disciplines, and in the fields of health and law; and training programmes in other disciplines and fields as prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. Training institutions shall select accreditation organisations that are licensed or recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training to operate in Vietnam and shall apply assessment and accreditation standards according to the following provisions:

a/ Domestic accreditation organisations shall apply standard sets issued or recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training;

b/ Foreign accreditation organisations shall apply foreign standard sets recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. Accreditation organisations shall ensure independence in terms of professional expertise, organisation and finance in accordance with law.

4. Higher education institutions under the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, and training programmes related to national defence and security shall not be subject to mandatory quality accreditation but shall organise education quality assurance activities in accordance with Article 33 of this Law and regulations of the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide the accreditation of higher education institutions and training programmes; accreditation standards; guidance on the content, procedures and cycles of quality accreditation; public disclosure of accreditation results; regulations on accreditors; the organisation and operation of accreditation organisations; and the monitoring and evaluation of accreditation organisations and appraisal of accreditation results.

Article 37. Ranking

1. Training institutions shall proactively select ranking systems appropriate to their development orientations; and shall be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of data provided to ranking organisations, and make public ranking results.

2. Ranking organisations must have the legal person status and independent professional capacity; shall disclose the used methods, criteria and data sources; and shall be responsible for the integrity, transparency and objectivity of ranking results.

Chapter VII

FINANCES AND ASSETS

Article 38. Financial mechanisms for higher education

1. State budget funds for higher education shall be allocated in adherence to the principles prescribed in the Law on Education and based on the specific mission, quality and operational efficiency of higher education institutions.

2. The state budget shall cover the whole or part of funding for human resource training in certain disciplines and fields under the following mechanisms:

a/ Covering the whole of funding for teacher training and talent training; and for learners in disciplines in the fields of arts and sports;

b/ Covering part of funding for training in basic sciences, specialised disciplines and disciplines essential for national development but difficult to attract learners;

c/ Granting scholarships to learners in doctoral programmes and in key engineering disciplines and disciplines related to strategic technologies and core technologies;

d/ Commissioning or assigning task of training learners in disciplines in priority fields.

3. The Government shall detail this Article and prescribe the following contents:

a/ Eligible beneficiaries and conditions for entitlement to, and level of, scholarship and tuition fee support;

b/ Mechanisms for commissioning and assigning training tasks;

c/ Conditions for application of policies on aid and donations for higher education;

d/ Autonomy in terms of finance, assets and investment of public higher education institutions, including the mobilisation, receipt, management and use of lawful resources at home and abroad; preferential mechanisms as prescribed by law; and responsibilities for information disclosure, transparency and accountability.

Article 39. Finances of public higher education institutions

1. Financial sources of public higher education institutions include:

a/ State budget funds;

b/ Lawful funding, aid, donations and gifts from organisations and individuals at home and abroad;

c/ Proceeds from training, scientific research, technology transfer, education support services, and production and business activities;

d/ Lawful loans borrowed at home and abroad;

dd/ Other revenue sources as prescribed by law.

2. Public higher education institutions shall make investment development expenditures for physical facilities in accordance with the law on public investment and other relevant laws; and for the implementation of commissioned or assigned tasks as prescribed by the Government.

3. Public higher education institutions shall exercise financial autonomy and use lawful revenue sources for training, scientific research, personnel development, investment in physical facilities and other higher education activities, specifically as follows:

a/ Deciding on expenditure items and levels from the sources of tuition fees and other non-business revenues in accordance with financial capacity and internal expenditure regulations, ensuring efficiency, publicity and transparency;

b/ Conducting year-end distribution of financial results in accordance with regulations on financial autonomy applicable to public non-business units and public higher education institutions.

Article 40. Financial management of private higher education institutions

1. Private higher education institutions shall exercise financial autonomy and may themselves decide on revenue and expenditure levels, distribute financial results and establish funds in accordance with law and their organisation and operation regulations.

2. Private higher education institutions shall fulfil their financial obligations to the State; and comply with the laws on accounting, auditing, tax, asset valuation and financial disclosure.

3. At least 25% of the annual revenue-expenditure variance from education, training, research and technology transfer activities shall be used for re-investment in development of the higher education institutions and for fulfilment of social responsibilities.

The accumulated annual revenue-expenditure variance of not-for-profit private higher education institutions shall constitute indivisible assets of the institutions and shall be used for development investment on a non-refundable basis.

Article 41. Tuition fees and charges of services in support of higher education activities

1. Training institutions shall determine tuition fee rates based on the principle of ensuring cost recovery with reasonable accumulation while maintaining training quality; tuition fee rates of public higher education institutions must comply with the Government’s regulations.

2. Training institutions shall disclose information on training expenses, and tuition fee, enrolment service charge and other service charge rates applicable to each training level, academic year and entire training course; and shall allocate part of their revenues to implement the policy on tuition fee exemption and reduction and financial support for learners in difficult circumstances and those as policy beneficiaries in accordance with law and their own policies.

3. Enrolment service charge rates and charge rates of other services in support of higher education activities shall be determined on the principle of covering reasonable and actual costs incurred, ensuring transparency and proper use.

4. The Government shall provide in detail tuition fees and charges of services in support of higher education activities.

Article 42. Management and use of assets of private higher education institutions

1. Indivisible consolidated assets include assets determined as indivisible in accordance with law; assets provided as donations, aid, or gifts on the condition of being subject to joint management and use; and assets under indivisible joint ownership of the school community and shall be managed and used according to the following regulations:

a/ The university council of private higher education institutions shall manage and use indivisible consolidated assets for the purpose of sustainable development of the institutions and the common interests; such assets may not be converted into assets under private ownership or valued for division in any circumstances;

b/ In case of capital transfer, indivisible consolidated assets shall not be included in the value of the to-be-valuated assets of private higher education institutions;

c/ In case of dissolution, indivisible consolidated assets shall be transferred to competent state agencies for management and use for the development of higher education.

2. For assets under private ownership of investors not falling into the case specified in Clause 1 of this Article, private higher education institutions have the right to manage, use and dispose of such assets in accordance with the Law on Enterprises and other relevant laws but shall ensure transparency, proper use and cause no harm to lawful rights and interests of learners and the community.

3. The ownership over assets of foreign-invested higher education institutions shall be protected by the State in accordance with Vietnam’s law and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party; and the management and use of such assets must comply with Vietnam’s law, treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party and relevant international commitments.

Chapter VIII

COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT

Article 43. Cooperation and joint activities

1. Domestic and international cooperation and joint activities of higher education institutions shall be conducted in accordance with the law on education, other relevant laws, and treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

2. Forms of cooperation and joint activities in higher education must comply with the Law on Education, and include:

a/ Establishing specialised units, faculties, branch campuses, research institutes, innovation centres and key laboratories;

b/ Developing networks of research, technology transfer and commercialisation of research results associated with training;

c/ Developing, transferring and using training programmes, learning materials and digital platforms;

d/ Implementing joint training programmes awarding diplomas and certificates; and recognising accumulated learning outcomes of learners;

dd/ Implementing solutions to enhance digital capacity; deploying digital higher education models, online training platforms and sharing open learning material resources;

e/ Other forms of cooperation and joint activities as prescribed by law.

3. Cooperation and joint activities in higher education must meet the following requirements:

a/ Being conformable with the specific mission, functions and tasks of higher education institutions, not leading to the formation of new legal persons;

b/ Complying with Vietnam’s law and not causing harm to national defence and security, social order and safety, fine customs, ethics and national cultural identity;

c/ Ensuring transparency of information and protection of lawful rights and interests of learners and stakeholders;

d/ Complying with treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party.

4. The Government shall specify the conditions, order, procedures, competence and responsibilities for cooperation and joint training activities with foreign partners for awarding higher education diplomas and certificates.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe domestic cooperation and joint training activities.

Article 44. Investment in higher education

1. Investment activities in higher education shall be conducted in accordance with the Law on Education, ensuring conformity with the master plan and strategy on higher education development and socio-economic development orientations.

2. Investment activities in higher education involving foreign elements must comply with treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party and Vietnam’s law; and must ensure national interests, national defence and security, culture, ideology, training quality and sustainable development.

Chapter IX

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 45. Effect

1. This Law takes effect on January 1, 2026, except the case specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

2. Clause 4, Article 10; Clause 4, Article 14; Clause 4, Article 15; Clause 4, Article 20; Clause 4, Article 23; Clause 3, Article 24; Clause 8, Article 26; Clauses 4 and 5, Article 29; Clause 2, Article 31; Clause 3, Article 34; Clause 4, Article 35; Clause 3, Article 38; and Clauses 4 and 5, Article 43, of this Law take effect on July 1, 2026.

3. Law No. 08/2012/QH13 on Higher Education, which has a number of articles amended and supplemented under Law No. 32/2013/QH13, Law No. 74/2014/QH13, Law No. 97/2015/QH13 and Law No. 34/2018/QH14, ceases to be effective on the effective date of this Law, except the cases specified in Article 46 of this Law.

Article 46. Transitional provisions

1. From January 1, 2026, university councils of public general universities and public higher education institutions cease operation and shall hand over all relevant dossiers and documents to the directors/rectors of the institutions. The directors/rectors shall report the handover results to the managing agencies, or to the Ministry of Education and Training, for higher education institutions without a managing agency, within 3 months from the date of cessation of operation of the university councils.

2. Documents issued by university councils of public general universities and public higher education institutions remain valid until replaced or annulled by documents of competent authorities, but for no more than 12 months, counted from January 1, 2026, except personnel-related decisions specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

3. Rectors deputy directors of national universities, and vice rectors of public higher education institutions who are appointed or recognised before January 1, 2026, shall comply with the following provisions:

a/ Those whose recognition or appointment decision expires after December 31, 2025, shall continue to perform their duties and tasks until the managing agencies issue a personnel-related decision. Within 6 months, counted from January 1, 2026, managing agencies shall complete the appointment of rectors, deputy directors of national universities, and vice rectors of higher education institutions in accordance with law;

b/ In case the recognition or appointment decision of these persons expires before January 1, 2026, managing agencies shall proceed with appointment procedures in accordance with law.

4. Holders of other managerial titles other than those specified in Clause 3 who are appointed by university councils before January 1, 2026, shall continue to perform their duties and tasks until the expiry of their appointment term.

5. For teaching assistants appointed before January 1, 2026, applicable allowances shall be retained for 12 months, counted from January 1, 2026. Higher education institutions shall review and re-arrange salary grades and allowances based on job positions in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

6. Public higher education institutions shall review their specific mission and development strategy in conformity with this Law and submit them to their managing agencies for approval within 12 months, counted from January 1, 2026.

7. Valid dossiers for establishment, division, separation, merger or dissolution of higher education institutions or branch campuses of higher education institutions, conversion of universities into general universities, combination of universities into general universities, or recognition of national universities or regional universities submitted before January 1, 2026, shall continue to be processed by competent agencies or persons under the law applicable at the time of submission, even in case the competence for settlement of such administrative procedures has been adjusted under this Law.

8. Higher education institutions for which establishment, division, separation or merger decisions are issued before January 1, 2026, shall continue to comply with these decisions and must meet standards on higher education institutions issued before January 1, 2026, within 48 months, counted from January 1, 2026. In case standards on higher education institutions are amended or supplemented within such period, guidance of the Minister of Education and Training shall apply.

9. Dossiers of application for licences for higher education activities submitted to competent agencies or person before January 1, 2026, shall continue to be processed by such agencies or persons in accordance with the law applicable at the time of submission, even in case the competence for settlement of such administrative procedures has been adjusted under this Law.

10. Dossiers of application for opening training disciplines submitted to competent agencies or person before January 1, 2026, shall continue to be processed by such agencies or persons in accordance with the law applicable at the time of submission, even in case the competence for settlement of such administrative procedures has been adjusted under this Law.

11. Training institutions for which decisions on opening of training disciplines are issued before January 1, 2026, shall continue to comply with such decisions and must meet the standards of these programmes within 36 months, counted from January 1, 2026. In case such standards are amended and supplemented during such period, guidance of the Minister of Education and Training shall apply.

12. Branch campuses of higher education institutions for which operation licences are issued, and training locations which have been carrying out higher education training activities, before January 1, 2026, may continue operation and must comply with this Law’s provisions on branch campuses and training locations within 48 months, counted from January 1, 2026. In case the provisions on branch campuses and training locations are amended and supplemented during this period, guidance of the Minister of Education and Training shall apply.-

This Law was passed on December 10, 2025, by the 15^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at its 10^th session.

Chairman of the National Assembly
TRAN THANH MAN