Vietnam formally approves free tuition for public school students

The policy applies to Vietnamese citizens and people of Vietnamese origin living in the country who have yet to determine their nationality.

With 440 out of 441 delegates voting in favor on June 26, the resolution ensures tuition exemption for students enrolled in public educational institutions within the national education system.

Those attending private or non-public schools will receive state-backed tuition support, with specific amounts to be set by each provincial People’s Council. 

These must remain within the fee limits established by the central government.

The central budget will support provinces that lack the capacity to fully fund the program, ensuring equal access to education across regions.

The central government estimates the total cost of nationwide tuition waivers and support for the 2025-26 school year to be approximately VND30.6 trillion (US$1.2 billion), including VND22.4 trillion ($860 million) for waiving tuition for five-year-olds, elementary, and middle school students.

An additional VND8.2 trillion ($315 million) will be required to expand full coverage in line with recent directives from the all-powerful Politburo.

On June 26, the National Assembly also voted to universalize preschool education for three- to five-year-old children by 2030, with 436 out of 439 deputies in favor.

This goal includes building more schools and classrooms, upgrading facilities, and ensuring adequate numbers of qualified teachers.

The initiative will combine state investment with private funding, and aims to close educational gaps among different regions.

Both resolutions reflect the Vietnamese Party and state’s commitment to educational equity, aiming to guarantee that 'no one is left behind' and that all children, regardless of location or background, have access to quality education.

During a meeting on February 28, the Politburo announced that all public school students, from kindergarten to high school, will be exempt from tuition fees from the 2025-26 academic year.

Currently, elementary school students in public institutions are already exempt from tuition fees, as stipulated by the Education Law.

Additionally, preschool students have been exempt from tuition fees since September 1, 2024, as per Government Decree 81.

The Vietnam Government Portal reported that 10 provinces and cities had already offered tuition-free education in public K-12 schools during the 2024-25 academic year, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Yen Bai, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Long An, and Vinh Phuc.

According to local news site VnExpress, Vietnam currently has around 23 million K-12 students, with existing monthly tuition ranging from VND50,000 ($2) to VND650,000 ($25) depending on school level and locality.