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THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF VIETNAM
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
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Law No. 125/2025/QH15
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Hanoi, December 10, 2025
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LAW
HIGHER
EDUCATION
Pursuant
to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amended by Resolution
No. 203/2025/QH15;
The
National Assembly promulgates the Law on Higher Education;
Chapter I
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope
This Law
provides for higher education; organization and operation of higher education
institutions; powers and responsibilities of organizations and individuals
engaged in higher education; responsibilities of the State for management and
development of higher education.
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1. This
Law applies to higher education institutions and relevant agencies,
organizations and individuals.
2. Other
educational institutions having higher education activities shall apply
regulations of this Law within the scope of their higher education activities.
Article 3. Definition of terms
In this Law,
the terms below are construed as follows:
1. Higher
education activities mean establishment and development of training
programs; maintenance of quality; admission and training associated with
scientific research, technological development, and innovation; and quality
assessment and accreditation.
2. “Autonomy”
means the right to proactively make decisions in association with
accountability according to regulations of laws on professional and academic
activities, training, scientific research, international cooperation,
organizational structure, personnel, funding and other education
activities
3. “Accountability”
means acts of providing and updating information in a public and
transparent manner, receiving, processing and responding to information and
recommendations given by relevant parties; submitting reports and being subject
to supervision and inspection by competent authorities, organizations and the
society.
4. Academic
integrity means compliance with ethical standards and professional principles;
assurance of honesty and respect for objective truth; and avoidance of
plagiarism, distortion, falsification of data, and infringement of copyright
and intellectual property rights.
5. Academic
freedom means the rights to teach, learn, study, exchange, publish and
critique matters in accordance with the law on the basis of professional
standards and academic integrity, and in conformity with interests of the State
and society.
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7. Training
discipline means a category of training programs with the same purposes,
professional knowledge and skills.
8. Training
field means a category of training disciplines that have common knowledge
and skills.
9. Higher
education certificate means a certificate under the national education
system, confirming the accumulated higher education learning outcomes achieved
by a learner.
10. Specialized
database of higher education means a collection of electronic higher
education data organized and structured to be accessed, used, shared, managed
and updated through electronic means.
Article 4. Higher education principles
1. Comply
with the Constitution and laws.
2. Ensure
autonomy, self-responsibility and accountability of higher education
institutions; effectiveness of state management, and inspection and supervision
by competent authorities.
3. Ensure
quality, efficiency, fairness and equality in access to higher education, and
promote lifelong learning.
4. Make
sure that academic freedom is associated with academic integrity and
accountability to the community.
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6.
Promote cooperation and fair and transparent competition on the basis of
quality and efficiency.
Article 5. State’s policies on development of higher
education
1. The
State shall identify higher education as a key element in development of
high-level human resources and talent, promotion of science, technology and
innovation; development of a modern, high-quality, flexible, and interconnected
higher education system that meets requirements for socio-economic development,
national defense and security, international integration, and sustainable
national development.
2. The
State shall play a leading role, provide financial support for public higher
education institutions to train in certain fields and disciplines to achieve
regional and international standards; provide partial financial support for
public higher education institutions for upgradation; implement policies to
support private higher education institutions in sustainable development and
enhancement of competitiveness; establish mechanisms to attract and mobilize
social resources for modernization of higher education; and ensure full and
comprehensive autonomy of higher education institutions regardless of their
financial autonomy level.
3. The
State shall invest in modernization of technical infrastructure; and
upgradation of facilities, laboratories, excellent training and research
centers, key higher education institutions, and teacher training institutions
The
priority shall be given to commission and assignment of training in key basic
science, engineering, and strategic technology disciplines; and funding for
research, transfer of knowledge, and innovation associated with postgraduate
training and entrepreneurship shall be fully provided.
4. The
State shall issue policies on training, refresher training and support for
lecturers in improvement of their professional qualifications, digital skills,
and foreign language proficiency; and policies to retain and attract domestic
and foreign talents, scientists, and outstanding lecturers.
5. The
State shall implement policies on funding, scholarships, tuition fees,
preferential loans, and other support forms for learners; and give priority to
policy beneficiaries and persons living in extremely disadvantaged areas, ethnic
minority areas, mountainous regions and island, vulnerable groups, and
postgraduate learners.
6. The
State shall issue policies to promote public-private partnerships, support the
effective cooperation between the State, universities, and enterprises; enhance
international integration, and attract domestic and foreign resources to
improve the position of Vietnam higher education.
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1. The
Government shall uniformly perform state management of higher education.
2. The
Ministry of Education and Training has the prime responsibility to the
Government for state management of higher education in terms of content and
tasks as prescribed by law.
3.
Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, within their functions, tasks and
powers assigned by the Government, are responsible for conducting study and
forecasting human resource needs in disciplines and fields within their
jurisdiction; and cooperate with the Ministry of Education and Training to manage
higher education within their respective tasks and powers.
4.
Provincial People's Committees shall manage higher education in their provinces
and within their jurisdiction as delegated; support the development of higher
education institutions in their provinces; and take charge of private sector
involvement in higher education to meet human resource requirements and improve
the higher education quality in their provinces.
Article 7. Higher education development strategy
1. The
higher education development strategy defines vision, overall objectives, and
major directions for the development of higher education in each stage
according to socio-economic development and national defense and security
strategies.
2. The
higher education development strategy includes the following main contents:
a)
Orientations to development of network of higher education institutions,
thereby making sure that higher education institutions are evenly distributed
among regions and connecting such orientations with the objectives of
socio-economic development, national defense and security;
b)
Identification of priority disciplines and fields for each stage;
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d)
Orientations to basic research, applied research, new technology development,
digital transformation, and international integration.
3. The
Prime Minister shall approve the higher education development strategy.
Article 8. Training objectives, programs, degrees and
certificates
1. Higher
education training objectives are prescribed as follows:
a)
Undergraduate training aims to provide learners with a foundation
of knowledge, professional skills, and basic competencies in research,
innovation, entrepreneurship, and professional practical skills;
b)
Master’s training aims to perfect learners’ knowledge and specialized skills,
and increase their research, innovation, and professional practical
capabilities
c)
Doctoral training aims to increase learners’ capabilities of conducting
independent research, creating new knowledge, and solving practical problems.
2.
Degree-level training programs include:
a)
Bachelor's degree programs;
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c)
Doctoral degree programs, integrated master's - doctoral programs after which
corresponding degrees are issued;
d)
Intensive training programs in certain fields and disciplines after
which corresponding degrees are issued as prescribed by the Minister of
Education and Training;
dd)
Intensive postgraduate training programs in the health field after which
resident physician and physician degrees are issued as instructed, issued and
managed by the Minister of Health.
3. A
certificate-level training program shall be designed independently or a
component of the degree-level training program and recognized in the higher
education system.
Article 9. Higher education institution standards
1. Higher
education institution standards provide for requirements for conditions for
assurance of quality and performance indicators applicable to higher education
institutions; such standards are reviewed and updated periodically to ensure
they are close to and gradually integrate with regional and international
standards.
2. Higher
education institution standards serve as the basis for planning for network,
investment in development, assessment of the quality of higher education
institutions, issuance and revocation of operation licenses and suspension of
admission.
3. The
Minister of Education and Training shall set and promulgate standards
applicable to higher education institutions, provide guidance on application,
and assess compliance with these standards; preside over and cooperate with the
Minister of Health in promulgating higher education institution standards to
provide training in health-related disciplines; and preside over and cooperate
with the Minister of Justice in promulgating higher education institution
standards to provide training in law-related disciplines.
Article 10. Application of technology to higher education
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2. The
technology application shall meet the following requirements:
a) Comply
with regulations of laws on science, technology and innovation, protection of
personal data , cybersecurity and ethical principles of technology;
b)
Maintain the quality of training and research;
c)
Implement technical and administrative measures; ensure information safety and
data confidentiality;
d)
Guarantee equality in learners’ access to digital infrastructure, platforms and
resources;
dd)
Ensure transparency and accountability regarding technological solutions when
they impact management, governance, or academic decisions;
e) Raise
digital skill standards for and artificial intelligence application
capabilities of lecturers, administrators, and learners;
g)
Protect intellectual property rights and legitimate interests of higher
education institutions and relevant individuals.
3. Higher
education institutions may cooperate with enterprises, research institutes, and
other educational institutions to organize training in digital skills,
artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies for lecturers,
administrators, and learners.
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Article 11. Higher education institutions and other
educational institutions having higher education activities
1. Higher
education institutions are educational institutions under the national
education system, are juridical persons, and are organized and operate in
accordance with regulations of this Law and other relevant laws.
2. Higher
education institutions include:
a)
Universities, universities also known as academies that offer training in
various disciplines at different levels of higher education; and consist of
functional divisions, affiliated schools, faculties or equivalent units
(hereinafter referred to as “faculties”), and departments or equivalent units
that are not administrative units established or not established under
decisions of higher education institutions (hereinafter referred to as
“departments”);
b) Parent
universities that offer multidisciplinary training at all levels of higher
education; and consist of functional boards, affiliated schools, faculties, and
departments;
c)
National universities and regional universities that offer multidisciplinary
training at all levels of higher education; and consist of functional boards,
member universities, member research institutes, affiliated schools,
affiliates, faculties, and departments;
d) Higher
education institutions established under agreements between the Government of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign governments, organized and
operating in accordance with such agreements; if these agreements do not
provide for establishment, organization and operation of educational
institutions, regulations of this Law and other relevant laws shall apply.
3. Other
educational institutions having higher education activities include:
a)
Academic institutions and research institutes established by the Prime Minister
and permitted to offer doctoral training;
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c)
Organizations and units established under international treaties to which the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory, or under a decision of the Prime
Minister, and permitted to offer training at one or some levels of higher
education.
4.
Conditions, procedures for, and jurisdiction over for establishment and
operation of public higher education institutions, permission for establishment
and operation of private higher education institutions; revocation of decisions
on establishment and permission for operation; suspension of operations and
admission; merger, full and partial division, dissolution, and renaming of higher
education institutions shall comply with regulations of the Law on Education .
The naming of higher education institutions; conditions, procedures for, and
jurisdiction over recognition of national universities, regional universities,
and parent universities shall comply with regulations of the Government.
Article 12. Missions and functions of higher education
institutions and other educational institutions having higher education
activities
1. Higher
education institutions have missions and functions, including provision of
training for high-level human resources, development of talent, scientific
research, development of technology, innovation, transfer of knowledge, and
satisfaction of demands of society, the country, and humanity.
2.
Regional universities have missions and functions specified in clause 1 of this
Article; gather resources, promote regional linkages, support regional
socio-economic development; and contribute to the implementation of the
national development strategy.
3. Other
educational institutions having higher education activities conduct their
missions and functions according to their assigned professional fields and
tasks; serve the development of disciplines, fields, local areas and the nation
as prescribed by law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam is a signatory.
Article 13. National universities
1.
National universities are public higher education institutions and act as key
centers for high-quality training, talent development, scientific research,
technological development, and innovation; they shall implement the national
strategy and are prioritized for investment and development by the State.
2.
National universities play a core and pivotal role in the higher education
system; they develop cutting-edge training and research fields to achieve
pioneering standards, lead innovation, and affirm their position in the region
and in the world.
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4. The
Government provides for functions, tasks, powers of national universities.
Article 14. Powers and responsibilities of higher education
institutions and other educational institutions having higher education
activities
1. Higher
education institutions have the autonomy to exercise the following powers:
a)
Determine the number of learners to be admitted, select admission methods,
organize training, cooperate in training and issue degrees when quality
assurance conditions are met, except for teacher training, national defense and
security disciplines;
b)
Organize scientific research, technological development and innovation
activities, legally use assets, resources, intellectual property, and engage in
international cooperation;
c)
Collect, spend and distribute money; manage assets, invest in development, and
mobilize legal resources from domestic and foreign organizations and
individuals in accordance with the law, except for higher education
institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of
Public Security;
d)
Determine the number of employees and recruit domestic and foreign reputable
scientists to work at institutions, except for higher education institutions
affiliated to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public
Security;
dd)
Organize other training programs when they meet requirements of relevant laws
and the Government’s regulations;
e)
Exercise other powers according to this Law and relevant laws.
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a) Adhere
to higher education principles;
b) Ensure
quality, conduct periodic assessments and reviews, and improve the quality of
training, scientific research, technology development and transfer, and
innovation;
c)
Conduct specific missions and development strategies approved by direct
superior bodies for public higher education institutions; and approved by
investors for private higher education institutions, in accordance with the
higher education strategy;
d) Carry
out digital transformation in governance and management; build a digital higher
education model, protect information safety and intellectual property rights;
dd)
Fulfill all financial obligations to the State; take responsibilities towards
learners and society;
e) Invest
in the development of technical infrastructure and facilities; take charge of
internal quality assurance, quality assessment and accreditation;
g)
Disclose information truthfully and fully about organization, operations,
quality, and funding; receive, process, and respond to suggestions from
relevant parties; and conduct self-inspections in accordance with the law.
h) Report
and update information as required by law; the private higher education
institution is responsible for submitting a report to the Ministry of Education
and Training when there is a decision to change the investor;
i) Train
and develop lecturers and scientists;
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l)
Protect legitimate rights and interests of learners, lecturers, employees, and
relevant organizations and individuals;
m)
Fulfill other responsibilities according to this Law and relevant laws.
3. Other
educational institutions having higher education activities shall exercise
their powers and fulfill their responsibilities within the scope of higher
education activities as prescribed in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article and other
relevant laws.
4. The Government
shall elaborate this Article.
Chapter II
ORGANIZATION
AND ADMINISTRATION
Article 15. Organizational structure of higher education
institution
1.
Organizational structure of a higher education institution is prescribed as
follows:
a)
Director and vice-directors of a parent university and equivalents; principal
and vice-principals of a university and equivalents;
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c)
Science and training council; and other advisory councils;
d) Member
university of a national university/regional university that is a higher
education institution and operates according to regulations on organization and
operation of the national university/regional university and relevant laws;
dd)
Affiliated schools, campuses, faculties and departments (if any);
e)
Research centers and institutes, training units, science and technology
organizations;
g)
Divisions, boards and other units;
h)
Business and production establishments, service providers and other units
according to regulations of relevant laws.
2. Higher
education institutions must have Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)
organizations; political and social organizations; and organizations
representing learners and employees as prescribed by law.
3.
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) organizations in public higher education
institutions exercise direct and comprehensive leadership of higher education
institutions.
4. The
organizational structure of a higher education institution is specified in the
rule for organization and operation of the higher education institution. The
rule is issued by the parent university’s director, the university’s principal,
or an equivalent body, in accordance with the guidance provided by the Minister
of Education and Training and other relevant laws.
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1.
Director of a parent university or principal of a university or equivalent
(hereinafter referred to as “principal”) is a legal representative of a higher
education institution; he/she shall meet standards and exercise the rights and
fulfill the responsibilities as prescribed by the Minister of Education and
Training.
2. The
principal shall be responsible for managing and administrating operations in
accordance with the law and the rule for organization and operation of the
higher education institution.
3. The
Prime Minister appoints, dismisses, removes from office, transfers and assigns
directors of national universities; direct superior bodies appoint, dismiss,
remove from office, transfer, and assign principals and vice-directors of
public parent universities and vice-principals of public higher education
institutions; school boards appoint and dismiss principals, vice-directors of
private parent universities and vice-principals of private higher education
institutions.
4. Higher
education institutions established under agreements between the Government of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and foreign governments shall appoint,
dismiss, transfer and assign principals and vice-principals as agreed by the
parties. If these agreements do not provide for appointment, dismissal,
transfer and assignment, regulations of this Law and relevant laws shall
apply.
5. The
Government shall elaborate this Article.
Article 17. Private school board
1. A
private school board is a governing body that represents relevant parties,
decides development orientation and organizational structure, uses resources,
and supervises the implementation of the strategy and accountability of the
private higher education institution.
2. The
private school board operates collectively and democratically and makes
decisions by majority rule; it is responsible to the law and relevant parties
for its decisions; and it does not directly manage or operate the private
higher education institution.
3. The
private school board includes the investor’s representative, the higher
education institution’s leaders, lecturers, learners, employees, and relevant
parties to maintain representativeness, objectivity and appropriateness to the
institution type.
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5. The
Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe structure and membership
standards applicable to school boards, tasks, powers, and term of office;
procedures for electing, appointing, and dismissing presidents and members of
private school boards; and their operational and supervisory mechanisms.
Article 18. Science and training council
1.
Science and training council is an organization responsible for advising
academic expertise, training orientation, quality assurance, scientific and
technological research, lecturer development, international cooperation, and
academic integrity of a higher education institution.
2. The
science and training council shall be established by the principal, operate
collectively and take responsibility to the principal for provision of advice.
3. The
council comprises representatives of the higher education institution,
lecturers, scientists, enterprises, employers, alumni, local authorities, and
some experts as decided by the principal.
4.
Organization, operation, and procedures for establishment of the council are
specified in the rule for organization and operation of the higher education
institution.
Article 19. Affiliated schools, faculties, departments and
training units
1.
Schools affiliated to higher education institutions are not juridical persons,
and are delegated to manage and perform tasks related to training, scientific
research, technology development, and innovation.
2.
Affiliated schools, faculties, departments, and training units shall be
directly responsible for training, scientific research, technological
development, and innovation, and serve the community within the scope of their
assigned functions and tasks; they shall be established in accordance with
regulations of this Law and other relevant laws, and in the forms of
association, cooperation, and investment stipulated in Articles 43 and 44 of
this Law.
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Article 20. Training locations and campuses of higher
education institutions
1.
Training locations of higher education institutions in Vietnam include:
a)
Head offices where higher education activities are organized and which perform
administrative and operational functions in accordance with regulations of this
Law and rules for organization and operation of higher education institutions;
b)
Campuses where higher education activities are organized and which may or may
not have management apparatuses as decided by higher education institutions;
are not juridical persons; and perform a part of administrative and operational
functions as delegated and authorized and according to rules for organization
and operation of higher education institutions.
c) Other
training locations where all or part of training programs are organized under
the comprehensive and direct management of higher education institutions and
which meet quality assurance conditions, and include locations owned by higher
education institutions, locations legally used, joint training locations, and
practical training locations.
2.
Campuses and representative offices of Vietnam higher education institutions in
foreign countries are not part of domestic higher education institutions as
specified in clause 1, Article 15 of this Law; they must meet operation
conditions in accordance with the host country’s laws; and they must report to
the Ministry of Education and Training when doing training activities.
3. Campuses
of foreign higher education institutions in Vietnam are established, organized,
and operate in accordance with regulations applicable to private higher
education institutions established by foreign investors, according to legal
operation conditions.
4. The
Government shall elaborate conditions, procedures, and jurisdiction over
establishment, issuance of operation licenses, cessation of admission,
suspension of operations, and dissolution of campuses; and shall prescribe
criteria, standards, and conditions for assurance of the quality of training
locations.
Chapter III
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Article 21. Issuance of licenses for higher education
1. Higher
education institutions and other educational institutions having higher
education activities (hereinafter referred to as “training institutions”) must
be issued with higher education licenses by competent authorities in accordance
with the Government's regulations.
2. Higher
education license covers education level, disciplines, fields, campuses, head
office; and online training activities.
3. Other
training institutions may only conduct higher education activities within the
scope of their licenses; their licenses may be suspended or revoked in case of
violations against conditions for higher education or other relevant laws. The
jurisdiction to issue and revoke licenses for higher education shall be
exercised according to the Law on Education.
Article 22. Training program standards
1.
Training program standards prescribe general requirements for development and
implementation of training programs, including objectives, input standards,
output standards, structure, minimum learning volume, principles of testing and
assessment, and quality assurance conditions.
2.
Training program standards shall meet the following requirements:
a) Meet
requirements of each corresponding level as stipulated in the Vietnamese
National Qualifications Framework.
b)
Maintain interconnection among qualification levels, disciplines and
interdisciplinary connections, and up-to-dateness;
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d) Apply
flexible training organization methods, and facilitate lifelong learning;
dd)
Conduct periodical reviews and assess and improve training quality.
3. The
Minister of Education and Training shall be responsible for:
a)
prescribing and issuing undergraduate, master’s and doctoral training
program standards applicable to disciplines and fields; presiding over and
cooperate with relevant ministries and central authorities in establishing and
issuing training program standards applicable to health and law disciplines;
b)
presiding over and cooperating with relevant ministries and central authorities
in prescribing conditions for assurance of the quality of undergraduate,
master’s and doctoral training programs in fields related to health, law,
culture, arts, sports, national defense, and security;
c)
inspecting and supervising compliance with training program standards.
Article 23. Training program development and establishment
1. The
training program is designed as a single-discipline or interdisciplinary
program in the List of Training Disciplines; some higher-level modules may be
integrated to assist learners to develop their foundational competencies and
transition to the next training level according to the Vietnamese National
Qualifications Framework.
2. The
training program is reviewed, updated, and improved on a periodical basis to
ensure that it is appropriate to practical needs and workforce demands of the
labor market.
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The
Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security shall issue
training programs in the field of national defence and security.
4. The
Minister of Education and Training shall be responsible for:
a)
issuing the List of Training Disciplines at all higher education levels;
b)
prescribing requirements and procedures for establishing, appraising and
issuing training programs by training institutions;
c)
prescribing procedures for compiling and issuing teaching and learning
curricula and textbooks for compulsory subjects and modules shared among
training programs at all higher education levels.
Article 24. Approval and organization of implementation of
training programs
1.
Principals of training institutions shall approve training programs, except
those specified in clauses 2 and 3 of this Article, and organize the
implementation of training programs for disciplines and fields approved and
licensed.
2. The
Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe the approval of undergraduate,
master's, and doctoral training programs for teacher training disciplines and
health fields on the basis of cooperation with the Ministry of Health, and for
law fields, on the basis of cooperation with the Ministry of Justice.
3. The
Minister of Education and Training shall be responsible for:
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b)
prescribing approval of doctoral training programs for disciplines and fields
other than those specified in clause 2 of this Article.
Article 25. Admission
1. The
admission must be fair, objective, public, and transparent; a suitable roadmap
for adjustments must be formulated to protect the rights of candidates.
2.
Training institutions shall determine the number of admitted learners and
admission methods in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Education
and Training. The Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public
Security shall decide the number of admitted learners and admission methods for
training institutions in the fields of national defense and security.
3. The
Minister of Education and Training shall be responsible for:
a)
issuing admission regulations to higher education programs, including sources,
admission criteria, principles, requirements, admission procedures, admission
methods, and suspension of admission;
b)
prescribing criteria, principles, procedures and methods for determination of
the number of admitted learners;
c)
prescribing admission criteria applicable to teacher training disciplines and
health fields on the basis of cooperation with the Ministry of Health and law
fields on the basis of cooperation with the Ministry of Justice;
d)
deciding the number of admitted learners for teacher training disciplines.
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1.
Training shall be organized flexibly in order to meet the diverse learning
needs and lifelong learning requirements of learners.
2.
Training forms include:
a) Formal
training conducted on a full-time
centralized basis at training locations licensed;
b)
Continuing training conducted on a flexible schedule at training locations
licensed and meeting quality assurance requirements.
3.
Training methods include:
a)
in-person;
b)
distance;
c) a
combination of in-person and distance training.
4.
Digital higher education is a training model based on digital platforms,
updated with new technologies, and developed through training forms and methods
prescribed in clauses 2 and 3 of this Article; data and open educational
resources must be connected and shared between training institutions and
relevant parties, beyond spatial and temporal constraints
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a) Higher
education degrees shall be issued to learners after they complete corresponding
training programs.
b) Higher
education certificates shall be issued to learners after they complete modules
or part of training programs.
6.
Principals of higher education institutions, or heads of other educational
institutions having higher education activities, shall be responsible for
issuing higher education degrees and certificates.
7. The
accumulated learning outcomes of learners shall be recognized and may be
transferable among levels, forms and methods of training. The validity period
of the learning outcomes shall be prescribed by the Minister of Education and
Training.
8. The
Minister of Education and Training shall issue regulations on training at
various levels of higher education; conditions for development of various forms
and methods of training and higher education certificates; digital higher education
model; and exploitation and use of open educational resources for higher
education activities.
Chapter IV
SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Article 27. Science, technology and innovation
1. Higher
education institutions issued with certificates of registration of science and
technology organization shall be entitled to rights and preferential policies
as prescribed by the laws on science, technology, innovation and intellectual
property.
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3.
Science, technology and innovation in higher education institutions include:
a) Basic
research, applied research, new technology development, development of new
technologies, and forecast about scientific and technological development
trends.
b)
Transformation of research outcomes into training programs, development of
high-quality and interdisciplinary training, and integration of research into
innovative entrepreneurship;
c)
Training, refresher training and development of science and technology human
resources, including lecturers, scientists, postgraduate students, and talented
undergraduates in basic science, key engineering and strategic technology
fields;
d)
Performance of scientific, technological and innovative tasks; provision of
advice, criticism, and knowledge transfer for socio-economic development,
national defense and security;
dd)
Cooperation with enterprises, research institutes, and local authorities in
transfer of technology, commercialization of research outcomes, and promotion
of innovation ecosystem;
e)
Dissemination of knowledge, public announcement of research outcomes, copyright
registration or protection, access to and development of intellectual property;
g)
Application of digital technology, artificial intelligence and data analysis
tools to research, technology development, and innovation management.
4. The
Government shall provide for science, technology and innovation in higher
education institutions.
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1. Higher
education institutions may establish science and technology organizations,
innovation organizations, science and technology enterprises, enterprises
managing intellectual property and investment in science and technology
enterprises in accordance with the law; develop research groups and receive
domestic and foreign support resources in accordance with the law.
2. Higher
education institutions develop science, technology and innovation potentials
through the following forms:
a)
Cooperating and attracting domestic and foreign experts and scientists;
b)
Building and developing networks for research and technology transfer
associated with training and development of scientific information systems,
specialized journals, and intellectual property;
c)
Deciding incentives, appointing managerial positions, employing and retaining
domestic and foreign reputable scientists;
d)
Carrying out valuation, establishing ownership, using, contributing capital,
sharing benefits from intellectual property, research outcomes and technology
transfer in accordance with the law;
dd)
Investing in and upgrading technical infrastructure, research equipment,
creative spaces, laboratories, and developing and connecting scientific and
technological databases to serve research and innovation.
3. Higher
education institutions shall be responsible for science, technology and
innovation through the following forms:
a)
Connecting research with training, ensuring quality, efficiency and
transparency; adhering to ethics and integrity principles applicable to
scientific research;
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c)
Effectively managing and utilizing assets, resources and results of science,
technology and innovation;
d)
Establishing and operating Funds for Science and Technology Development
according to regulations of law;
dd)
Publicly announcing competencies and results of science, technology and
innovation; annually updating information on the National Digital Platform for
Science, Technology, and Innovation Management and specialized higher
education database.
Chapter V
LECTURERS,
ASSISTANCE PERSONNEL AND LEARNERS
Article 29. Lecturer position and title
1.
Lecturers are individuals who teach at higher education institutions and meet
training standards as required according to the Law on Educators.
2.
Lecturers include permanent lecturers, co-permanent lecturers, lecturers
working under full-time contracts after their retirement and guest lecturers.
Co-permanent
lecturer is a public employee holding a doctoral degree, working for a
public science and technology organization (excluding higher education
institutions), and assigned to teach and conduct scientific research as a
permanent lecturer at a public higher education institution.
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a)
Professor is the highest academic title, reflecting competence, scientific
prestige, and the role of a professional leader who pioneers and creates new
knowledge;
b)
Associate Professor is the academic title immediately below Professor,
characterized by deep expertise in a specific scientific field;
c) Other
titles according to the Government’s regulations.
4. The
Government shall provide for policies for professors, associate professors, and
other titles; and employment, management, and policies for co-permanent
lecturers.
5. The
Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe standards, conditions, and
procedures for appointment and dismissal of professors and associate
professors.
6. Higher
education institutions shall be responsible for appointing and dismissing
professors and associate professors.
Article 30. Rights and obligations of lectures
1.
Permanent lecturers shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations
according to the Law on Educators and relevant laws.
2.
Co-permanent lecturers shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations
according to relevant laws and regulations of training institutions.
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Article 31. Assistance personnel
1.
Assistance personnel include the persons stipulated in the Education Law and
the following persons:
a)
Assistant that is a title immediately below lecturer, and responsible for
assisting the lecturer in teaching;
b)
Researchers that carry out scientific research, technological development and
innovation tasks; assist lecturers and learners in practical works,
experiments, and other research activities in higher education institutions;
c)
Teaching assistance personnel that assist lecturers in practical works,
experiments and other professional activities.
2. The
Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe standards, conditions,
working regulations, appointment, and salaries for assistance personnel in
accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.
Article 32. Learners
1.
Learners shall exercise the rights, fulfill the obligations and be entitled to
policies according to the Law on Education, this Law and relevant laws.
2.
Learners may select training programs appropriate to their personal
competencies when meeting admission requirements; they can participate in
teaching assistant activities as regulated by training institutions; and they
shall be enabled to participate in practical training and internship at
enterprises and employers during their learning.
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Chapter VI
QUALITY
ASSURANCE AND ACCREDITATION
Article 33. Internal quality assurance system
1. The
internal quality assurance system is aimed at maintaining and developing
quality culture; continuously improving quality; disclosing information
transparently and publicly; and enhancing accountability during higher
education.
2. The
internal quality assurance system includes dedicated units or departments;
quality policies and enforcement documents; quality assurance toolkit and
procedures and systems for collecting and analyzing evidence; mechanism for
feedback from relevant parties; management information system; and necessary
physical and financial conditions for effective operation.
3.
Training institutions shall be responsible for establishing, operating, supervising
and developing internal quality assurance systems according to domestic or
international quality standards.
Article 34. Quality accreditation and assessment standards
1. Higher
education quality accreditation and assessment standards serve as the basis for
determination of the extent to which higher education quality has been
achieved.
2.
Quality accreditation and assessment standards include:
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b)
Standards applicable to training programs at all levels.
3. The
Minister of Education and Training shall issue regulations on and provide
guidance on compliance with higher education quality accreditation and
assessment standards; and recognize higher education quality accreditation and
assessment standards established by accreditation organizations.
Article 35. Quality assessment
1.
Training institutions shall carry out quality assessments by the following
methods:
a)
Periodic self-assessments;
b)
Self-assessment on the basis of periodic audits
2.
Training institutions can carry out self-assessments of quality or employ
appropriate professional consultants to carry out quality assessment.
3.
Quality assessment results may be used for quality improvement, information
disclosure, accountability, and quality accreditation in accordance with
regulations.
4. The
Minister of Education and Training shall provide for assessment of quality.
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1.
Subjects of periodic accreditation include:
a) Higher
education institutions;
b)
Training programs for teacher training disciplines and health and
law fields; training programs for other disciplines and fields prescribed by
the Minister of Education and Training.
2.
Training institutions shall select accreditation organizations authorized or
recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training to operate in Vietnam, and
apply assessment and accreditation standards as follows:
a)
Domestic accreditation organizations may apply standards issued or recognized
by the Ministry of Education and Training;
b)
Foreign accreditation organizations may apply their standards recognized by the
Ministry of Education and Training.
3.
Accreditation organizations shall ensure independence in terms of professional
operations, organization, and f in accordance with the law.
4. Higher
education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Defence and the
Ministry of Public Security, and training programs related to national defence
and security are not subject to mandatory quality accreditation but education
quality assurance activities must be organized as prescribed in 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 for accreditation of higher
education institutions, accreditation of training programs, accreditation
standards, guidelines for content, procedures and cycle of accreditation;
public announcement about accreditation results; issue regulations on
accreditors, organization and operation of education quality accreditation
organizations; regulations on supervision and assessment of accreditation
organizations and appraisal of accreditation results.
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1.
Training institutions shall proactively select ranking systems appropriate to
their development orientation; and they are responsible for the accuracy and
truthfulness of data provided for ranking organizations and for publicly
announcing ranking results.
2.
Ranking organizations must be juridical persons, have independent professional
competencies, and publicly announce methods, criteria, and data sources used;
and must be responsible for the truthfulness, transparency, and objectivity of
ranking results.
Chapter VII
FUNDING AND
ASSETS
Article 38. Funding mechanism for higher education
institution
1. State
budget expenditures on higher education shall be financed according to the
principles specified in the Law on Education and on the basis of specific
missions, quality and efficiency in operations conducted by higher education
institutions.
2. The
state budget shall fully or partially cover funding for provision of training
for human resources in some disciplines and fields as follows:
a) The
state budget shall fully cover funding for provision of training for teachers
and talents; and learners in artistic and athletic talent fields;
b) The
state budget shall partially cover funding for training in basic science
disciplines, special academic disciplines and necessary disciplines for
national development that are unpopular;
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d) The
state budget shall cover funding for commission and assignment of training for
learners in prioritized fields
3. The
Government shall elaborate this Article and the following contents:
a)
Eligibility, scholarships and tuition subsidization rate;
b)
Commission and assignment of training;
c)
Eligibility for aid and sponsorship policies for higher education;
d) Public
higher education institutions’ autonomy in terms of funding, assets and
investment, including mobilization, receipt, management, and use of domestic
and foreign legal resources; preferential mechanisms as prescribed by law; and
responsibilities for public announcement, accountability, and transparency.
Article 39. Public higher education institution’s funding
1. A
public higher education institution’s funding sources include:
a) State
budget;
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c)
Revenues from training, scientific research, technology transfer, education
support services, production, and business;
d)
Legitimate domestic and foreign loans;
dd) Other
revenues as prescribed by law.
2. Public
higher education institutions shall incur facility development investment
expenditures in accordance with the law on public investment and other relevant
laws; and expenditures on commission and assignment of tasks as prescribed by
the Government.
3. Public
higher education institutions have the autonomy in terms of funding, use of
legal revenues for training, scientific research, staff development,
infrastructure investment, and other higher education activities. To be
specific:
a)
Deciding expenditures covered by tuition fees and other non-business revenues
within their financial capacity and according to internal expenditure
regulations to make sure that the expenditure is efficient, transparent, and
public;
b)
Distributing money at the end of year in accordance with regulations on
financial autonomy mechanisms applicable to public service providers and public
higher education institutions.
Article 40. Management of private higher education institution’s
funding
1.
Private higher education institutions have the financial autonomy and
the autonomy to decide revenues and expenditures, distribution of money, and
establishment of funds in accordance with the law and rules for organization
and operation of institutions.
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3. At
least 25% of the positive difference between revenue and expenditure in the
year (annual profit) from education, training, research and technology transfer
must be used for reinvestment in development of the higher education
institution and fulfillment of the social responsibility.
Cumulative
annual profit of a non-profit private higher education institution is the
institution’s asset undistributed and used for investment in development of the
higher education institution on the no-return basis.
Article 41. Tuition fees and charges for ancillary services
serving higher education (hereinafter referred to as "higher education
service charges")
1.
Tuition fees should be sufficient to cover the cost, leave a margin of savings,
and ensure training quality. Public higher education institutions’ tuition fees
shall comply with the Government’s regulations
2. The
training institution must publicly disclose training costs, tuition fees,
admission service fees, and other service charges for each level, academic
year, and the entire course; each training institution shall be responsible for
using part of its revenue to implement tuition fee exemption and
reduction, study expense support policies for learners who are the
disadvantaged or beneficiaries as stipulated by law and the training
institution's policies.
3.
Admission service fees and higher education service charges must be sufficient
to cover reasonable and actual expenses, ensure transparency and be used for
their intended purposes
4. The
Government shall elaborate tuition fees and higher education service charges
Article 42. Management and use of assets owned by private
higher education institutions
1.
Undistributed consolidated assets include assets established as undistributed
assets according to regulations of law; assets received as grants, aid,
donations, or gifts, provided that they be managed and used jointly; and assets
that are under the common ownership and undistributed by the school community
and are managed and used according to regulations. To be specific:
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b)
Capital and undistributed assets, once transferred, shall be excluded from
valued assets of the private higher education institution;
c) In
case of dissolution, undistributed consolidated assets must be transferred to
competent state agencies for management and use for development of higher
education.
2.
Regarding assets privately owned by investors other than those specified in
clause 1 of this Article, private higher education institutions may manage,
use, and dispose them in accordance with the Law on Enterprises and other
relevant laws, transparently, for the intended purposes, and without harming
the legitimate rights and interests of learners and the community.
3.
Foreign-invested higher education institutions’ ownership of assets shall be
protected by the State in accordance with Vietnamese law and international
treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory; the
management and use of these assets shall comply with Vietnamese law,
international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a
signatory, and relevant international commitments.
Chapter VIII
COOPERTATION
AND INVESTMENT
Article 43. Cooperation and association
1. Higher
education institutions’ cooperation and association on a domestic and
international scale shall comply with the law on education, other relevant
laws, and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is
a signatory.
2.
Cooperation and association forms shall comply with the Education Law and the
following forms:
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b)
Development of a network for research, technology transfer, and
commercialization of research outcomes in association with training;
c)
Development, transfer and use of digital platforms, learning materials and
programs;
d)
Implementation of joint training programs for issuance of degrees and
certificates; recognition of the accumulated learning outcomes of learners;
dd)
Implementation of solutions for improvement of digital skills; deployment of
digital higher education models, online training platforms and sharing of open
educational resources;
e) Other
cooperation and association forms in accordance with the law.
3. Higher
education cooperation and association must meet the following requirements:
a) Be
appropriate to specific missions, functions, and tasks of higher education
institutions, and ensure that no juridical person is established
b) Comply
with Vietnamese law, and do not jeopardize national defense and security,
social order and safety, customs and traditions, morality, and national
cultural identity;
c)
Publicly announce information, and protect legitimate rights and interests of
learners and relevant parties;
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4. The
Government shall provide for conditions, procedures, jurisdiction, and
responsibilities for training cooperation and association for issuance of
higher education degrees and certificates with foreign countries.
5. The
Minister of Education and Training shall provide for domestic training
cooperation and association.
Article 44. Higher education investment
1. Higher
education investment shall comply with regulations of the Education Law, and be
appropriate to the planning and strategy for the development of higher
education and the orientation to socio-economic development.
2. Higher
education investment involving foreign elements shall comply with international
treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory, Vietnamese
law; and protect national interests, and maintain national defense and
security, culture, ideology, training quality, and sustainable development.
Chapter IX
IMPLEMENTATION
PROVISIONS
Article 45. Effect
1. This
Law comes into force from January 01, 2026, except for clause 2 of this
Article.
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3. The
Law on Higher Education No. 08/2012/QH13 amended by the Law No. 32/2013/QH13,
Law No. 74/2014/QH13, Law No. 97/2015/QH13, and Law No. 34/2018/QH14 shall
cease to be effective from the effective date of this Law, except for the case
specified in Article 46 of this Law.
Article 46. Transitional provisions
1. From
January 01, 2026, public university councils and school boards of public higher
education institutions will cease their operations and hand over all relevant records
and documents to principals. Principals shall be responsible for reporting
handover results to direct superior bodies or to the Ministry of Education and
Training in case direct superior bodies of higher education institutions are
not established, within 03 months from the date on which school boards cease
their operations.
2.
Documents issued by public university councils and school boards of public
higher education institutions shall continue to be valid until documents
replacing or annulling such documents are issued by competent authorities,
within 12 months from January 1, 2026, except for personnel decisions as
stipulated in clause 3 of this Article.
3.
Principals and vice-directors of national universities and vice-principals of
public higher education institutions recognized or appointed before January 1,
2026 shall comply with the following regulations:
a) In
case the recognition or appointment decision expires after December 31, 2025,
the principal, the vice-director of the national university, the vice-principal
shall continue to perform his/her tasks and fulfill his/her responsibilities
until the direct superior body makes a personnel decision. Within 06 months
from January 1, 2026, the direct superior body shall complete the appointment of
the principal, the vice-director of the national university and the
vice-principal of higher education institution in accordance with the law;
b) In
case the recognition or appointment decision expires before January 01, 2026,
the direct superior body shall follow procedures for appointing the principal,
the vice-director of the national university and the vice-principal in
accordance with the law.
4.
Managers other than the persons specified in clause 3 of this Article,
appointed by the school board before January 1, 2026, shall continue to perform
duties and fulfill responsibilities until the end of their term.
5. The
persons appointed as assistants before January 1, 2026 shall get to keep their
current allowances within 12 months from January 1, 2026. Higher education
institutions are responsible for reviewing and rearranging pay step and
allowances to suit job positions in accordance with this Law and other relevant
laws.
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7. Valid
applications for establishment, full and partial division, merger and
dissolution of higher education institutions, campuses of higher education
institutions, conversion of universities into parent universities, merger of
universities into parent universities, recognition of national universities,
regional universities that have been submitted to competent authorities or
persons before January 1, 2026, shall continue to be processed by such
competent authorities or persons in accordance with the law at the time of
submission of these applications, even if the jurisdiction to process such
administrative procedures has been adjusted according to regulations of this
Law.
8. Higher
education institutions to which decisions on establishment, full or partial
division and merger have been issued before January 01, 2026 shall continue to
abide by such decisions and meet higher education standards issued before
January 01, 2026 within 48 months from January 01, 2026. If higher
education standards are modified within this period, guidelines provided by the
Minister of Education and Training shall apply.
9. Valid
applications for issuance of higher education licenses that have been submitted
to competent authorities or persons before January 1, 2026, shall continue to
be processed by such competent authorities or persons in accordance with the
law at the time of submission of these applications, even if the jurisdiction
to process such administrative procedures has been adjusted according to
regulations of this Law.
10. Valid
applications for offer of new training disciplines that have been submitted to
competent authorities or persons before January 1, 2026, shall continue to be
processed by such competent authorities or persons in accordance with the law
at the time of submission of these applications, even if the jurisdiction to process
such administrative procedures has been adjusted according to regulations of
this Law.
11.
Training institutions to which decisions to offer new disciplines have been
issued before January 01, 2026 shall continue to abide by such decisions and
meet training program standards issued before January 01, 2026 within 36 months
from January 01, 2026. If training program standards are modified within
this period, guidelines provided by the Minister of Education and Training
shall apply.
12.
Campuses of higher education institutions issued with operation licenses and
training locations where higher education activities are being implemented
before January 01, 2026 shall continue to their operations and meet regulations
on campuses and training locations in this Law within 48 months from January
01, 2026. If regulations on campuses and training locations are amended within
this period, guidelines provided by the Minister of Education and Training
shall apply.
This
Law was passed by the 15th National Assembly of the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam during its 10th session on December 10th 2025.
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