Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh says Vietnam will no longer allow non specialized universities to train in highly specific fields. Only medical universities will be permitted to train doctors, and universities without specialized expertise will not be allowed to award bachelor’s degrees in law.
Speaking at a National Assembly group discussion on Nov. 25 about national programs on healthcare, population, and education reform, Binh said Vietnam has long faced a recurring weakness: policies are sound, but implementation is inconsistent. He cited a lack of legal frameworks, inadequate resources, and weak execution as key reasons. The Politburo, he added, has ordered these issues to be resolved.
On education, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the goal of developing Vietnamese universities that can compete globally and improving soft skills while reducing rote learning.
He noted that many provinces rush to elevate colleges and vocational schools into universities, treating the number of universities as a benchmark for provincial achievement. This, he said, has resulted in institutions such as teacher training colleges, finance schools, and legal training centers being quickly restructured into universities without meeting proper standards.
According to Binh, the Politburo does not aim to create hundreds of universities but to establish clear criteria for internationally accredited institutions. Universities that do not meet the standards will be required to merge or dissolve. Criteria will include the number of professors, PhDs, and the fields of training each institution is qualified to provide.
He said the new policy will explicitly prohibit non specialized universities from offering certain programs. For example, only medical universities will be allowed to train doctors. Although more than 90 universities currently operate law faculties, non specialized schools will no longer be permitted to issue law degrees and may teach law only as a supporting subject.
He also highlighted concerns about postgraduate quality, particularly professors holding multiple part-time positions at numerous universities but rarely appearing on campus or engaging in real teaching.
Binh said the resolution aims to ensure graduates meet international standards and that Vietnam can build a high quality workforce, which he described as one of the country’s key strategic breakthroughs.
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Source: Vietnam Insider