Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In Viet Nam, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes sits at 37.59% as of 2024. The last time government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was measured was in 2013 at 27.36%. The same year, Viet Nam’s initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 22.66%.
Tuition-free status
Public tertiary education is not free in Viet Nam. However, the government does set a tuition fee ceiling for public universities with variations depending on the sector.
Governance
There is no single body responsible for the entire tertiary education system. The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is responsible for managing higher education (universities). The Education and Training Divisions are responsible for the management of scholarships and support for students with disabilities.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is responsible for the TVET sector (colleges). The two national universities, which also consist of several specialised universities, are managed directly by the Prime Minister’s Office. There are also several hundred Government research institutes (GRIs) which operate individually as well as more than 200 specialized universities and colleges which are overseen by other ministries (such as the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Ministry of Home Affairs and provincial governments.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The distribution of the central education budget to local areas in Viet Nam is governed by Prime Minister’s Decision No. 30/2021/QD-TTg, which sets out the allocation of the state budget from 2022 onwards. This budget is not influenced by or related to higher education spending.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
The public government does not fund private institutions. However, it does reimburse them for specific tuition exemption programmes.
Allocation and equity
Universities receive just 22% of their revenue from government subsidies, while tuition accounts for 55%. Public universities in Vietnam receive recurrent funding through their respective line ministries. The government allocates recurrent funding to universities through block grants based on historical norms, not with links to student numbers or performance. There are grants provided to universities to help cover tuition exemptions for students from certain backgrounds, such as ethnic minorities and veterans.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
The Ministry of Education and Training sets guidelines for enrollment quotas, which universities may use to determine their own enrollment targets. These targets are based on socio-economic development needs, the planning of human resources, and the current conditions of the facilities. MOET does implement admission quotas for students from remote areas.
According to Joint Circular No. 42 42/2013/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH-BTC, persons with particularly severe disabilities are considered for direct admission to universities and colleges. They are entitled to priority policies when registering for admission.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Students may be eligible for tuition fee exemption.
Viet Nam does not have a nationwide scholarship programme for higher education studies. Universities may implement their own scholarship funds or participate in larger programmes started by private organizations.
Disabled students, under Joint Circular No. 42 42/2013/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH-BTC, are eligible to receive a monthly scholarship equal to 80% of the basic salary.
The student loan program (SLP), currently managed by Vietnam Social Policy Bank (VSPB), is the only form of student aid currently available at the system level. The borrowing limit only covers the basic tuition cost.
Under Decree 20/2021/ND-CP, children who do not have sources of nurturing are provided monthly social allowances until the age of 16 or if they continue their education, until the age of 22.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
No information was found.
Accommodation
No information was found.
Textbooks
According to Joint Circular No. 42 42/2013/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH-BTC, disabled students who belong to poor households or regions are eligible to receive VND 1,000,000 per person/per school year to help cover school supplies and books. The circular also provides extra funds to educational institutions for purchasing supplies for disabled students.
