Nearly 26 million students enter new school year in Vietnam

Unlike in past years, this year's event also celebrated the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's education sector.

The ceremony took place at the National Convention Center in Hanoi and was broadcast live on VTV1, with online connections to schools across the country from 8:00 am to 9:30 am.

Throughout Vietnam, schools held special events to welcome new first, sixth, and tenth graders and honored students with exceptional achievements.

Festivities in Ho Chi Minh City

At Tran Phu High School in Phu Tho Hoa Ward, Nguyen Van Duoc, deputy secretary of the municipal Party Committee and chairman of the People's Committee, attended the ceremony.

Tran Phu, one of the city's leading public high schools, has recently undergone full renovations and now serves 2,000 students.

At Tan Phu Elementary, Middle, and High School in Tan Phu Ward, vice-chairman of the municipal government Bui Xuan Cuong joined the festivities.

Established in 2007, the school promotes innovation and integration, with a mission to build a happy school and a creative learning ecosystem. 

Its curriculum includes academics, foreign languages, IT, sports, and arts, and aims for internationally standardized outcomes. Students also receive training in life skills and self-leadership.

Principal Ngo Vinh Truong said, "Students must first master themselves before mastering technology and the future."

At the Binh Chanh Center for Supporting Inclusive Education Development, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and the Thien Tam Foundation donated VND408 million (US$15,443), while the Canh Cam Charity Foundation awarded 30 scholarships worth VND30 million ($1,134).

Nguyen Phuoc Loc, deputy secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in the city, praised the center's dedication to educating children with special needs and the compassion of donors.

"These acts not only offer material support but also inspire confidence and motivation for teachers and students on their journey to nurture dreams," he said.

Entire village attends opening ceremony at school with 8 students

At the Tran Island branch of Thanh Lan Elementary School in Quang Ninh Province's Co To Special Zone, all three teachers and eight students gathered on Friday morning for the school's opening ceremony.

The entire Tran Island community stopped work to attend the event, showing strong local support for education.

Emotional opening ceremonies at special schools in Da Nang

Tuong Lai Special School in Hai Chau Ward, Da Nang City, whose students are those with autism, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, and other conditions, held an emotional ceremony on Friday morning.

Many of the students sang the national anthem in sign language, moving teachers and parents to tears.

Pham Thi Nguyen, whose son has Down syndrome, said, "This is a very special day for my child and our family. He was excited since early morning, and seeing him participate made me emotional."

Dozens of parents took time off work to attend the event, which was a meaningful experience for families of children with special needs.

This year, the school welcomed 34 new students.

At the Da Nang Center for Inclusive Education Development in Hoa Khanh Ward, students waved small flags and listened to fourth-grader Nguyen Thanh Tung, who is blind, play a bamboo flute.

Center director Dang Thanh Tung said these students are not less fortunate, but living proof of willpower.

"Every step they take in education, however slow or difficult, is full of value. They are learning to take control of their futures — different, but unlimited," he said.

The center also mobilized donations to support students facing especially difficult circumstances.

Border guards carry students across streams for school opening in Quang Tri

On Friday morning, border guards from the Huong Lap Border Guard Station in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam helped students in Cu Bai Hamlet reach school through muddy roads and streams.

At the Ta Leng Stream, rising water forced soldiers to carry elementary school students on their backs and use motorbikes to complete the journey.

The station also gave nine students gift packages worth VND1.5 million ($56.80) each, including cash, school supplies, raincoats, and warm clothing. Two kindergartens received a total of VND2 million ($75.80) in support.

Schools in storm-struck village ready for new academic year

In Nu Village, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, which was hit by landslides and flash floods last year, the local education cluster held its opening ceremony on Friday morning.

Principal Nguyen Manh Khai said all schools in the cluster — Kindergarten No. 1, Phuc Khanh Elementary and Middle School — had been repaired and upgraded.

Equipment such as TVs, projectors, and audio systems was ready, and English classrooms had been set up.

The school continues to focus on holistic education, including academic knowledge, ethics, physical health, creativity, and life skills, using active and age-appropriate teaching methods.

Opening ceremonies in flood-hit areas in Nghe An, Ha Tinh

In My Ly 2 Elementary School in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam, which suffered extensive flood damage in July, the school shared its opening ceremony with a local kindergarten.

Principal Tran Sy Ha said the school is currently using the village cultural house for classes and has deployed teachers to six satellite campuses to maintain instruction.

At Son Loc Middle School in Ha Tinh Province, affected by flooding from storm No. 5, the school had to repurpose existing classrooms for practical subjects due to severe damage.

Principal Hoang The Anh said he hopes to receive support for new facilities and equipment in the coming months.

First opening ceremony of University of Health Sciences

The University of Health Sciences, part of the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, held its first-ever opening ceremony on Friday morning, welcoming more than 1,065 new students.

The school, officially established in June 2024, now trains 2,300 undergraduate and 300 postgraduate students.

Rector Prof. Dr. Phan Bach Thang said the university has grown quickly, with new administrative and clinical buildings under construction.

In 2024, the school began building three modern facilities totaling 33,400 square meters of floor space, expected to be completed by late 2025. The university also plans to open a public health faculty and expand postgraduate programs.

New school year begins in Truong Sa Archipelago

In the Truong Sa Special Zone, which includes four elementary schools — Truong Sa, Song Tu Tay, Sinh Ton, and Da Tay — teachers, soldiers, and residents worked together to clean classrooms and decorate facilities for the new school year.

Supplies such as textbooks, clothing, and learning materials were shipped from the mainland.

Bui Tien Anh, a teacher at Song Tu Tay Elementary School, said he spent his recent leave updating lesson plans and materials.

"We treat students like our own children and do our best to teach them," he said.

Ha Van Thong, head of preschool and elementary education in Khanh Hoa Province, said preparations for Truong Sa schools begin every August, with special attention given to teacher needs.

Students at Vietnam's southern tip travel by boat to attend school

At Elementary School No. 1 in Dat Mui Commune, Ca Mau Province — Vietnam's southernmost point — students traveled by boat to attend the school year's opening ceremony.

Third-grade student Phan Gia Huy said he woke up at 5:00 am to travel seven kilometers to school by boat.

At An Son Middle School in Nam Du Archipelago, An Giang Province, where the national power grid has not yet reached, officials used generators to power the ceremony.

Acting principal Nguyen Thi Huynh Tam said the school serves around 300 students and recently received support from donors who provided school supplies and 12 scholarships to reduce dropout risk caused by financial hardship.

New school year of reforms

The 2025–26 academic year brings sweeping education reforms, including the rollout of four major laws: the Law on Teachers, amendments to the Education Law, revised Law on Higher Education, and revised Law on Vocational Education.

This year also marks the implementation of a national program to develop education and training, with policies such as tuition waivers, meal support at semi-boarding schools, and investment in school infrastructure in inland and border areas.

Vietnam continues to refine its education policies, guided by the belief that education and training remain among the country's top priorities.

The school system is shifting away from a knowledge-heavy approach toward the comprehensive development of student skills, values, and character.