Vietnam orders inspections of distance-learning English degrees amid quality concerns

The directive was issued by Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Quan at a meeting on Wednesday.

Distance-learning enrollment surges

According to Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, deputy director of the Department of Higher Education, enrollment in distance-learning English Language programs jumped 60.5 percent from 32,489 students in 2023 to 52,129 in 2025.

The number of institutions offering such programs nearly doubled from 20 to 39 over the same period.

Meanwhile, enrollment in full-time and part-time second bachelor's degree programs in English Language rose 61.2 percent to 17,113 students.

For 2026, universities registered 38,224 admission slots for distance-learning English language programs, alongside 5,810 for full-time and 6,534 for part-time second bachelor's degree programs.

The rapid expansion has raised concerns about whether institutions have sufficient teaching staff, digital learning resources, and facilities to properly assess students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

The Department of Higher Education recommended targeted inspections, particularly at institutions with large or rapidly growing enrollments, as well as standardized curricula and consistent graduation requirements across different modes of study.

Police to join inspections, C1 proficiency required

Deputy Minister Quan acknowledged the growing demand for second bachelor's degrees in English Language but stressed that expansion must not come at the expense of education quality.

He instructed the Department of Higher Education to review enrollment data, conduct targeted inspections at selected institutions, and examine distance-learning operations nationwide.

The department was instructed to work closely with a unit under the Ministry of Public Security throughout the inspection process, from planning to implementation.

Quan also called for standardized curricula to ensure that second bachelor's degree programs in English Language meet the same learning outcomes as full-time programs.

He emphasized that students must demonstrate C1-level English proficiency, equivalent to Level 5 under Vietnam's six-level foreign language proficiency framework, before receiving their bachelor's degrees.

Institutions must provide evidence of students' proficiency, with a C1 certificate required for graduation, he said.

The ministry will also develop regulations setting standards for distance-learning platforms.