Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP on elaboration of the Law on Education

 

DECREE

ON ELABORATION OF CERTAIN ARTICLES OF THE LAW ON EDUCATION

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government No. 63/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Law on Education No. 43/2019/QH14 as amended by Law No. 123/2025/QH15;

At the proposal of the Minister of Education and Training;

The Government promulgates the Decree on elaboration of certain articles of the Law on Education.

Article 1. Scope

This Decree provides elaboration of certain articles of the Law on Education, including: clause 2 Article 47; point dd clause 2 Article 66a; Article 79; clause 1 Article 85; Article 86; clause 3 Article 102.

Article 2. Regulated entities

This Decree applies to education institutions within the national education system, learners, and relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 3. Conversion of private nursery, kindergarten and preschool into non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool

1. Conversion application includes:

a) Written request for conversion into non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool (Form 01 enclosed with this Decree);

b) Written commitment of investors representing at least 75% of total contributed capital of the private nursery, kindergarten and preschool to be converted into non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool, ensuring non-profit operation, no capital withdrawal, and no dividend distribution; accumulated annual profits shall be under undivided common ownership for continued reinvestment in development of the private nursery, kindergarten and preschool;

c) Draft regulation on organization and operation; draft internal financial regulation of the non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool;

d) Copies accompanied by originals for comparison or electronic copies or certified electronic copies from originals or copies issued from master registers or certified true copies of the audit report; agreement on settlement of capital contributions for investors not agreeing to conversion into non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool (if any); documents and materials relating to land, assets, finance, organization and personnel of the private nursery, kindergarten and preschool converting into a non-profit private nursery, kindergarten and preschool.

Where competent authorities are able to utilize such information from specialized databases or from regulatory agencies, the education institution is not required to provide such documents and only needs to provide information for verification and data extraction;

dd) Impact assessment report of the conversion on personnel, finance, property and handling plan (Form 02 enclosed with this Decree);

e) Where the application contains documents in foreign languages, such documents must be translated into Vietnamese; the translation must be certified in accordance with law.

2. Procedures for processing conversion application are as follows:

a) For private nursery, kindergarten and preschool established upon request of domestic and foreign investors, 01 set of application shall be submitted to the commune-level People’s Committee; for those established upon request of foreign diplomatic missions or intergovernmental international organizations, 01 set of application shall be submitted to the Department of Education and Training. Application components shall comply with clause 1 of this Article and be submitted online via the National Public Service Portal or via postal service or in person at the competent Public Administration Service Center;

b) Within 13 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application in accordance with clause 1 of this Article, the commune-level People’s Committee or the Department of Education and Training shall organize consultation with relevant agencies and units and appraise the application before submitting it to the President of the commune-level People’s Committee or the Director of the Department of Education and Training for decision on conversion.

The decision on conversion (Form 03 enclosed with this Decree) shall be publicly disclosed on the web portal or website of the issuing authority;

c) Where the application does not meet the requirements, within 3 working days from the date of receipt, the commune-level People’s Committee or the Department of Education and Training shall notify in writing to the private nursery, kindergarten and preschool, clearly stating the reasons.

Article 4. Conversion of private general education institutions into non-profit private general education institutions

1. Conversion application includes:

a) Written request for conversion (Form 01 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree);

b) Written commitment of investors representing at least 75% of the total contributed capital of the private general education institution converting into a non-profit private general education institution, ensuring non-profit operation, no capital withdrawal and no dividend distribution; annual accumulated profits shall be under indivisible consolidated ownership to be reinvested in the development of the private general education institution;

c) Draft regulation on organization and operation; draft internal financial regulation of the non-profit private general education institution;

d) Copies accompanied by originals for comparison, or electronic copies, or certified electronic copies from originals, or copies issued from the master register, or certified true copies from originals of audited financial statements; agreement on settlement of capital contributions for investors not consenting to conversion into a non-profit private general education institution (if any); documents and materials relating to land, assets, finance, organization and personnel of the private general education institution converting into a non-profit private general education institution.

Where the competent authority is able to obtain the above information from specialized databases or from state authorities, the education institution is not required to provide such documents and shall only provide information for verification and data extraction;

dd) Impact assessment report of the conversion on personnel, finance, property and handling plan (Form 02 enclosed with this Decree);

e) Where the application contains documents in foreign languages, such documents must be translated into Vietnamese; the translation must be certified in accordance with law.

2. Procedures for processing conversion application are as follows:

a) For private primary schools, private lower secondary schools and private multi-level schools with the highest level being lower secondary, invested by domestic investors and meeting operational conditions, 1 application shall be submitted to the commune-level People’s Committee; for private upper secondary schools, private multi-level schools with the highest level being upper secondary, invested by domestic investors and meeting operational conditions, and private general education institutions invested by foreign investors and meeting operational conditions, 1 application shall be submitted to the Department of Education and Training; for private general education institutions proposed by foreign diplomatic missions or intergovernmental international organizations, 1 application shall be submitted to the Province-level People’s Committee. Application components shall comply with clause 1 of this Article and be submitted online via the National Public Service Portal or via postal service or in person at the competent Public Administration Service Center;

b) Within 13 working days from the date of receipt of a complete application as prescribed, the commune-level People’s Committee, the Department of Education and Training or the Province-level People’s Committee, within their competence, shall solicit opinions from relevant agencies and units, appraise the application and submit it to the Chairperson of the commune-level People’s Committee, the Director of the Department of Education and Training or the Chairperson of the Province-level People’s Committee, as appropriate, for decision on conversion.

The decision on conversion (Form 03 enclosed with this Decree) shall be publicly disclosed on the web portal or website of the issuing authority;

c) Where the application does not meet the prescribed requirements, within 3 working days from the date of receipt, the commune-level People’s Committee, the Department of Education and Training or the Province-level People’s Committee, within their competence, shall issue a written notification to the private general education institution clearly stating the reasons.

Article 5. Conversion of private vocational education institutions into non-profit private vocational education institutions

1. Conversion application includes:

a) Written request for conversion (Form 01 in the Appendix enclosed with this Decree);

b) Written commitment of investors representing at least 75% of the total contributed capital of the private vocational education institution converting into a non-profit private vocational education institution, ensuring non-profit operation, no capital withdrawal and no dividend distribution; annual accumulated profits shall be under indivisible consolidated ownership to be reinvested in the development of the private vocational education institution;

c) Draft regulation on organization and operation; draft internal financial regulation of the non-profit private vocational education institution;

d) Copies accompanied by originals for comparison, or electronic copies, or certified electronic copies from originals, or copies issued from the master register, or certified true copies from originals of audited financial statements; agreement on settlement of capital contributions for investors not consenting to conversion into a non-profit private vocational education institution (if any); documents and materials relating to land, assets, finance, organization and personnel of the private vocational education institution converting into a non-profit private vocational education institution.

Where the competent authority is able to obtain the above information from specialized databases or from state authorities, the education institution is not required to provide such documents and shall only provide information for verification and data extraction;

dd) Impact assessment report of the conversion on personnel, finance, property and handling plan (Form 02 enclosed with this Decree);

e) Where the application contains documents in foreign languages, such documents must be translated into Vietnamese; the translation must be certified in accordance with law.

2. Procedures for processing conversion application are as follows:

a) Private secondary vocational schools and private post-secondary schools shall submit 1 application to the Department of Education and Training; private colleges shall submit 1 application to the Ministry of Education and Training. The application components shall comply with clause 1 of this Article and be submitted online via the National Public Service Portal, via postal services, or directly to the provincial Public Administrative Service Center or the receiving and result-returning division of the Ministry of Education and Training, as appropriate;

b) Within 13 working days from the date of receipt of a complete application as prescribed, the Department of Education and Training or the Ministry of Education and Training, within their competence, shall solicit opinions from relevant agencies and units, appraise the application and submit it to the Director of the Department of Education and Training or the Minister of Education and Training, as appropriate, for decision on conversion.

The decision on conversion (Form 03 enclosed with this Decree) shall be publicly disclosed on the web portal or website of the issuing authority;

c) Where the application does not meet the prescribed requirements, within 3 working days from the date of receipt, the Department of Education and Training or the Ministry of Education and Training, within their competence, shall issue a written notification to the private vocational education institution clearly stating the reasons.

Article 6. Procedures for appointment of education institution administrators

1. Procedures for appointment of administrators of public education institutions

Procedures for appointment of administrators of public education institutions shall be carried out in accordance with regulations of the Party and relevant laws.

2. Procedures for appointment of administrators of people-founded and private education institutions

Procedures for appointment of administrators of people-founded and private education institutions shall be directed and organized for implementation by the governing board on the basis of collective principles and decisions by majority after obtaining opinions from investors.

Resolutions of the governing board on personnel of administrators of people-founded and private education institutions shall be valid when agreed by investors representing at least 75% of total contributed capital of the people-founded and private education institution.

3. Procedures for appointment of principals and vice-principals of private vocational education institutions

a) The governing board of the private vocational education institution (hereinafter referred to as the governing board of private education institutions) shall report to investors for consideration and approval of standards and personnel plan for principals and vice-principals of the private education institution proposed by the governing board, meeting procedures as prescribed in clause 2 of this Article, and clearly stating the process for determining personnel for principals and vice-principals of the private vocational education institution and the application, supporting documents (curriculum vitae, diplomas, certificates, written consent of the person proposed for appointment as principal or vice-principal);

b) After receipt of complete application from the governing board of private education institutions, investors shall issue a written approval allowing the governing board to decide on appointment of principals and vice-principals of the private vocational education institution; in case of disagreement, a written response stating reasons must be provided;

c) Where the term of office of the principal of the private vocational education institution expires simultaneously with the term of the governing board, the principal shall continue to perform duties until the governing board decides on appointment of the principal for the subsequent term, based on proposal of the governing board of the subsequent term.

4. Procedures for appointment of administrators of education institutions established under agreements between the Government of Vietnam and foreign governments shall comply with such agreements. Where the agreements do not provide, implementation shall follow agreements between the parties.

Article 7. Academic encouragement scholarship

1. Beneficiaries eligible for consideration and award of academic encouragement scholarship:

a) Students of specialized upper secondary schools (hereinafter referred to as specialized schools), students in specialized upper secondary programs within higher education institutions who achieve the highest level in conduct and academic performance assessment levels within the scholarship consideration period and have an average score of specialized subjects of the relevant semester of at least 8.5 or achieve at least a consolation prize or higher in national excellent student competitions organized or co-organized by the Ministry of Education and Training or regional or international competitions of that academic year selected by the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Students of gifted schools who achieve conduct results from Good level or higher, academic performance from Satisfactory level or higher and obtain medals in national competitions organized or co-organized by the line ministry or regional or international competitions of that academic year selected by the line ministry;

c) Learners studying at vocational education institutions and higher education institutions who achieve academic and conduct results from Good level or higher and are not subject to disciplinary action at the level of reprimand or higher during the scholarship consideration period.

2. Scholarship levels for beneficiaries specified at points a and b clause 1 of this Article:

a) For specialized schools and gifted schools: the scholarship level for each student shall be decided by the Province-level People’s Council but shall not be lower than three times the tuition fee used as the basis for tuition fee exemption for public upper secondary schools in the locality;

b) For specialized upper secondary programs within higher education institutions: the scholarship level for each student shall be prescribed by the rector of the higher education institution but shall not be lower than the tuition fee used as the basis for tuition fee exemption for public upper secondary schools in the locality where the institution is located.

3. Scholarship levels for beneficiaries specified at point c clause 1 of this Article:

a) Good scholarship: the scholarship level shall be equal to or higher than the current tuition fee ceiling of the discipline, major or occupation payable by the learner at the institution as prescribed by the rector or director (hereinafter collectively referred to as the rector) for learners whose cumulative grade point average and conduct results are both at Good level or higher. For private institutions, the minimum scholarship level shall be prescribed by the rector.

For training disciplines or occupations where tuition fees are not charged, the unit price assigned by the State for ordering and assignment of training tasks for the group of training disciplines of the institution shall apply;

b) Excellent scholarship: the scholarship level shall be higher than the Good scholarship level as prescribed by the rector for learners whose cumulative grade point average is Excellent or higher and conduct results are Good or higher;

c) Outstanding scholarship: the scholarship level shall be higher than the Excellent scholarship level as prescribed by the rector for learners whose cumulative grade point average and conduct results are both at Outstanding level;

d) The cumulative grade point average and conduct results specified at points a, b and c of this clause shall be determined in accordance with regulations of the Minister of Education and Training; the cumulative grade point average used for scholarship consideration under this Decree shall be calculated from the first attempt examination or test results of each subject.

4. Sources of scholarship:

a) For specialized schools and gifted schools, academic encouragement scholarships shall be allocated from local budget expenditure estimates to grant to at least 30% of specialized students of the school.

For specialized upper secondary programs within higher education institutions, academic encouragement scholarships shall be allocated from lawful revenues of the higher education institution and lawful revenues of the specialized upper secondary school;

b) For vocational education institutions and higher education institutions, academic encouragement scholarships shall be allocated at least 8% of total tuition revenue for public institutions and at least 2% of tuition revenue for private institutions.

5. Consideration and award of scholarships for beneficiaries specified at points a and b clause 1 of this Article:

a) For specialized schools and gifted schools: the rector shall determine the number of scholarships for each class and based on the annual scholarship fund to grant scholarships to students in order of priority from international prizes, regional international prizes, national prizes to specialized subject scores (for specialized schools) or academic performance results (for gifted schools);

b) For specialized upper secondary programs within higher education institutions: the rector shall determine the number and level of scholarships for each grade level and class based on the annual scholarship fund to award scholarships to students in order of priority from international prizes, regional international prizes, national prizes to specialized subject scores;

c) Scholarships shall be granted per semester and for 9 months in an academic year;

d) In addition to academic encouragement scholarships under this Decree, the President of the Province-level People’s Committee may provide other entitlements and policies for students of specialized schools and gifted schools under local management.

6. Consideration and award of scholarships for beneficiaries specified at point c clause 1 of this Article:

a) The rector shall, based on the academic encouragement scholarship fund, determine the number of scholarships for each grade level and field of study. Where the number of eligible learners exceeds the number of scholarships, the rector shall decide on the award of scholarships;

b) The rector shall, based on academic performance and conduct results of learners, award scholarships in order from Outstanding level downward until all available scholarships have been allocated;

c) Scholarships shall be granted per semester with a maximum total duration of 10 months in an academic year. For learners studying under modular or credit-based training, scholarship consideration and award shall be based on the number of accumulated modules or credits in the academic year; the workload of modules or credits equivalent to one semester shall be prescribed by the education institution in accordance with the standard study workload of the training program and publicly disclosed in the scholarship regulation of the institution.

Learners eligible for policy scholarships, social allowances or preferential policies shall still be considered for and awarded academic encouragement scholarships in accordance with this Decree.

Article 8. Policy scholarship

1. Beneficiaries and entitlement levels:

a) Students studying under the state-sponsored bonded training program; students of university preparatory schools and ethnic minority boarding general education schools; trainees of vocational education institutions for war invalids and persons with disabilities shall be entitled to a scholarship equal to 80% of the statutory pay rate per month;

b) Trainees from poor households studying at vocational education institutions for war invalids and persons with disabilities shall be entitled to a scholarship equal to 100% of the statutory pay rate per month.

2. Principles of entitlement:

a) Policy scholarships shall be granted only once throughout the entire study period of students and trainees specified in clause 1 of this Article. Policy scholarships shall be paid twice in an academic year, each payment covering 6 months, the first payment in October and the second in March. Where learners (hereinafter collectively referred to as learners) have not received policy scholarships within the prescribed time, they shall receive arrears in the subsequent payment period;

b) Where a learner is eligible for multiple policies at the same time, only the highest policy shall be granted; where a learner studies multiple programs or at multiple education institutions simultaneously, only the highest policy applicable to one program at one education institution shall be granted;

c) Learners eligible for policy scholarships under this Article and simultaneously eligible for preferential allowances, social allowances or academic encouragement scholarships shall still be entitled to these policies in accordance with regulations;

d) Policy scholarships shall be granted for 12 months per year; the duration of entitlement shall not exceed the maximum number of years or semesters required to complete the corresponding training program. For the final academic year, the scholarship shall be granted based on the actual number of months of study.

For students of ethnic minority boarding general education schools and university preparatory schools who repeat a grade, the policy scholarship shall still be granted for the first repeated academic year;

dd) Policy scholarships for modular or credit-based training programs shall be granted based on converted training duration but shall not exceed the training duration of equivalent programs under academic year-based training, calculated as follows:

Where:

e) Policy scholarships shall not apply to learners pursuing a second undergraduate degree, commissioned training, distance learning, joint training or work-study programs.

3. Application for policy scholarship:

Application form with certification from the education institution where the learner is studying (Form 04 enclosed with this Decree) and certificate of poor household status (if applicable). Where competent authorities are able to utilize such information from specialized databases or from regulatory agencies regarding poor households, learners are not required to submit the certificate and only need to provide information for verification and data extraction.

4. Procedures for consideration and award of scholarships:

a) For students under the state-sponsored bonded training program:

Within 10 working days from the date of enrollment, students shall submit 1 application to the Department of Education and Training via one of the following methods: online via the National Public Service Portal, via postal service, or in person at the province-level Public Administration Service Center at the place of permanent residence. Each student shall submit only one application for scholarship throughout the entire study period at the education institution.

Within 10 working days from the end of the application receipt period, the Department of Education and Training shall receive and appraise applications, compile lists, prepare budget estimates (Form 05 enclosed with this Decree), and perform payment of policy scholarships to students in accordance with regulations (Form 06 enclosed with this Decree). Where the application does not meet requirements, the Department of Education and Training shall notify the learner within 3 working days from receipt of the application.

Students shall receive policy scholarships through direct payment at the Department of Education and Training, bank transfer or other lawful payment methods (if any) according to the scholarship payment schedule;

b) For students of university preparatory schools and ethnic minority boarding general education schools:

Within 10 working days from the date of enrollment, students shall submit 1 application to the education institution where they are studying for consideration and award of policy scholarships. Each student shall submit only one application throughout the entire study period.

Within 10 working days from the end of the application receipt period, the education institution shall receive and appraise applications, compile lists and budget estimates (Form 05 enclosed with this Decree) and submit to the direct managing authority for issuance of scholarship decisions (Form 06 enclosed with this Decree). Where the application does not meet requirements, the education institution shall notify the learner within 3 working days from receipt of the application.

Students shall receive policy scholarships directly at the education institution according to the prescribed schedule;

c) For trainees of vocational education institutions for war invalids and persons with disabilities:

Within 10 working days from the date of enrollment, the vocational education institution shall notify trainees of the policy scholarship entitlement, application submission timeline, and guide trainees to submit 1 application as prescribed. Each trainee shall submit only one application throughout the entire study period at the vocational education institution.

For trainees of public vocational education institutions: within 10 working days from the end of the application receipt period, the institution shall appraise applications, compile lists and prepare budget estimates for implementation of learning cost support policies (Form 05 enclosed with this Decree) and submit to the direct managing authority for approval, and to financial authorities for submission to competent authorities for approval (Form 06 enclosed with this Decree). Where the application does not meet requirements, the institution shall notify the learner within 3 working days from receipt of the application.

For trainees of private vocational education institutions: trainees shall submit an application (Form 04 enclosed with this Decree) to the institution for certification within 3 working days from receipt and guidance on submission of application to the commune-level People’s Committee at the place of permanent residence via online submission, postal service or in person at the commune-level Public Administration Service Center. Within 10 working days from receipt of complete and valid applications, the commune-level People’s Committee shall appraise, approve the list of beneficiaries and prepare budget estimates (Form 05 enclosed with this Decree) and submit to financial authorities for approval by competent authorities (Form 06 enclosed with this Decree). Where the application does not meet requirements, the commune-level People’s Committee shall notify the learner within 3 working days from receipt.

Trainees who submit complete applications shall receive policy scholarships from the date the vocational education institution or commune-level People’s Committee receives complete applications.

5. Funding for policy scholarships:

a) Funding for policy scholarships from the state budget shall be balanced within annual state budget estimates for education, training and vocational education according to budget decentralization;

b) Local budgets shall ensure funding for policy scholarships for students under the state-sponsored bonded training program; trainees who are war invalids and persons with disabilities at vocational education institutions under local management; and students of university preparatory schools under local management;

c) Local budgets shall ensure funding for policy scholarships for students of ethnic minority boarding general education schools under local management. The central budget shall provide support on the principle of targeted transfers from the central budget to local budgets for the implementation of social security policies promulgated by competent authorities and applicable in each period;

d) The central budget shall ensure funding for policy scholarships for students studying at university preparatory schools and ethnic minority boarding general education schools under ministries and central agencies.

6. Methods of payment of policy scholarships:

a) For students under the state-sponsored bonded training program: Based on the allocated education recurrent expenditure estimate, the Department of Education and Training shall, within its competence, manage funds and organize the granting of policy scholarships to eligible students in accordance with regulations.

Scholarship payment shall be made through direct cash payment or bank transfer or other lawful transfer methods (if any) to learners;

b) For students of university preparatory schools and ethnic minority boarding general education schools: Based on the allocated education recurrent expenditure estimate, education institutions shall manage funds and organize the granting of policy scholarships to eligible students in accordance with regulations;

c) For trainees of vocational education institutions for war invalids and persons with disabilities:

For trainees studying at public vocational education institutions: the education institution where the trainee is studying shall be responsible for fund management and organizing the payment of policy scholarships in cash or via bank account transfer or other lawful transfer methods (if any) to trainees.

For trainees studying at private vocational education institutions: the commune-level People’s Committee where the trainee resides shall be responsible for fund management and organizing the payment of policy scholarships to trainees through one of the following methods: direct cash payment or bank transfer or other lawful transfer methods (if any).

7. Management, use and finalization of funds:

a) Budget estimation, allocation, management, use and finalization of funds shall comply with the Law on State Budget, its guiding documents and the current state budget classification;

b) Annually, ministries, sectors, central agencies and Province-level People’s Committees shall compile and report to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance on results of funding allocation for students at the end of the academic year.

Article 9. Conferment of the title of honorary doctorate

1. Eligible persons for conferment:

a) Educators and scientists;

b) Political and social activists.

2. Conditions for conferment:

a) Overseas Vietnamese or foreign nationals with significant contributions to the cause of education and science of Vietnam, recognized by a Vietnamese higher education institution offering doctoral programs based on the level of contribution to its key training or research fields or development orientation and its criteria for conferment to persons specified at point a clause 1 of this Article;

b) Overseas Vietnamese or foreign nationals with significant contributions to the cause of education and science of Vietnam, having international reputation, with notable contributions to friendship and socio-economic development of Vietnam, recognized by a Vietnamese higher education institution offering doctoral programs based on the level of contribution to its key training or research fields or development orientation and its criteria for conferment to persons specified at point b clause 1 of this Article.

3. Procedures for conferment:

a) Higher education institutions shall convene meetings of the academic and training council to consider conferment, ensuring compliance with subjects and conditions specified in clauses 1 and 2 of this Article;

b) Based on the resolution of the academic and training council, the director or rector of a public higher education institution shall issue the decision on conferment and organize the conferment ceremony or decide on annulment of the conferment decision (if any);

Based on the resolution of the academic and training council, the director or rector of a non-public higher education institution shall submit to the governing board for consideration and approval. Based on the resolution of the governing board, the director or rector shall issue the decision on conferment and organize the conferment ceremony or decide on annulment of the conferment decision (if any);

c) Where necessary, the rector or director of the higher education institution shall send a written request to the Ministry of Public Security or diplomatic mission of the country of the nominee for opinions confirming that the nominee does not violate Vietnamese law, the law of the host country or international treaties to which Vietnam is a party.

4. Higher education institutions offering doctoral programs shall design, print, issue and manage honorary doctorate diplomas. The diploma must clearly state the title “honorary doctorate”, must not state “doctoral degree” and must not indicate the field of study; information of the recipient shall be publicly disclosed on the website of the higher education institution and the decision on conferment shall be sent to the Ministry of Education and Training (hard copy or electronic copy) after each conferment for monitoring and statistics.

5. The title of honorary doctorate shall not be used as a substitute for academic degrees or titles in administrative, academic or legal transactions. Conferment shall not be granted to persons under legal liability investigation or involved in serious disputes or complaints related to ethics or academic reputation.

Where a recipient violates Vietnamese law, the law of the host country or international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, the competent authority specified at point b clause 3 of this Article shall consider and decide on annulment of the honorary doctorate title.

Article 10. Conferment of the title of honorary professor

1. Eligible persons for conferment:

a) Educators and scientists;

b) Political and social activists.

2. Conditions for conferment:

a) Meeting conditions specified in clause 2 Article 9 of this Decree;

b) Holding a doctoral degree.

3. Procedures for conferment shall comply with clause 3 Article 9 of this Decree.

4. The decision on conferment must clearly state the title “honorary professor”. Higher education institutions shall publicly disclose information of recipients on their websites and send the conferment decision to the Ministry of Education and Training (hard copy or electronic copy) after each conferment for monitoring and statistics.

5. The title of honorary professor shall not be used as a substitute for academic degrees or titles in administrative, academic or legal transactions. Conferment shall not be granted to persons under legal liability investigation or involved in serious disputes or complaints related to ethics or academic reputation.

Where a recipient violates Vietnamese law, the law of the host country or international treaties to which Vietnam is a party, the competent authority specified at point b clause 3 Article 9 shall consider and decide on annulment of the conferment decision of honorary professor.

Article 11. Reduction and exemption of public service fees for students

1. For public transport services:

a) Students shall be entitled to reduced fares for means of transport such as trains, buses, metro and ferries;

b) Public transport service providers shall issue discounted tickets to students upon presentation of student cards.

2. For public services in entertainment and visits to museums, historical sites and cultural works:

a) Students shall be entitled to reduced service fees when directly using services including museums, historical sites and exhibitions;

b) Cultural and entertainment establishments shall issue discounted tickets to students upon presentation of student cards.

3. Based on specific conditions, the President of the Province-level People’s Committee shall decide on exemption and reduction levels of public service fees for students within its competence.

4. Students with disabilities shall be entitled to exemption or reduction of public service fees for transport, entertainment and visits to museums, historical sites and cultural works in accordance with the Government’s Decree guiding the Law on Persons with Disabilities.

Students who are beneficiaries of social policies shall be entitled to train fare exemptions or reductions in accordance with law.

Article 12. Notification of capital transfer in private schools

1. Within 14 working days from the effective date of capital transfer, the private school shall publicly disclose the list of transferee investors on its website and notify (Form 07 enclosed with this Decree) the direct managing authority and the commune-level People’s Committee (for private nursery, kindergarten and preschool; private primary schools, lower secondary schools and multi-level schools with the highest level being lower secondary) or the Department of Education and Training and the commune-level People’s Committee (for private upper secondary schools and multi-level schools with the highest level being upper secondary) or the Province-level People’s Committee and the commune-level People’s Committee (for private vocational education institutions and private higher education institutions) where the school is headquartered of the change of investors.

2. In case of capital transfer between domestic and foreign investors, within 30 working days from completion of the transfer, the education institution shall carry out procedures for requesting amendment and supplementation of the decision permitting educational operation.

Article 13. Entry into force

1. This Decree comes into force as of March 15, 2026.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 84/2020/ND-CP dated July 17, 2020 of the Government on elaboration of certain articles of the Law on Education.

3. Article 6, Article 12; clauses 4, 5 and 6 Article 35 of Decree No. 142/2025/ND-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government on delineation of powers of two-level local governments in state management under the Ministry of Education and Training and Article 6 of Decree No. 143/2025/ND-CP dated June 12, 2025 of the Government on devolution and delegation in state management under the Ministry of Education and Training shall cease to have effect from the effective date of this Decree.

4. Amend provisions at point b clause 3 Article 4 of Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP dated September 3, 2025 of the Government on tuition policies, exemption, reduction, support of tuition fees, support of study costs and service prices in education and training as follows:

“The People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities shall submit to the People’s Councils at the same level for decision on specific tuition fee levels as a basis for tuition fee exemption for preschool children, general education students and learners of general education programs in public education institutions; and decide on tuition fee support levels for preschool children, general education students and learners of general education programs in people-founded and private education institutions within their management competence for local application.

The People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities shall decide in detail the list of revenue items, fee levels and management mechanisms for collection and expenditure of admission services and services supporting educational and training activities in public education institutions within their competence for local application”.

5. Annulment of provisions related to recognition of private vocational education institutions converting into non-profit private institutions specified at clause 2 Article 40 and clause 3 Article 41 of Decree No. 15/2019/ND-CP dated February 1, 2019 of the Government on elaboration of and guidelines for certain articles of the Law on Vocational Education as amended by Decree No. 24/2022/ND-CP.

Article 14. Transitional provisions

1. Applications for conferment of the title of honorary doctorate or honorary professor submitted to the governing board of public higher education institutions for consideration before January 1 shall be transferred to the director or rector of such public higher education institutions for consideration and decision in accordance with the competence prescribed in this Decree.

2. Applications for conversion of private nursery schools, kindergartens, preschools, general education institutions and vocational education institutions into non-profit private nursery schools, kindergartens, preschools, general education institutions and vocational education institutions submitted to competent authorities in accordance with Decree No. 142/2025/ND-CP, Decree No. 143/2025/ND-CP and Decree No. 15/2019/ND-CP as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 24/2022/ND-CP before the effective date of this Decree shall continue to be processed in accordance with those legal instruments until completion of the conversion.

3. Applications for consideration and grant of policy scholarships and merit-based scholarships submitted to competent authorities in accordance with Decree No. 84/2020/ND-CP and Decree No. 142/2025/ND-CP before the effective date of this Decree shall continue to be processed in accordance with those legal instruments until completion of scholarship payment.

4. Private schools that have completed capital transfer prior to the effective date of this Decree shall publicly disclose the list of transferee investors on their websites and notify the direct managing authority and the commune-level People’s Committee or the Department of Education and Training or the Province-level People’s Committee, as decentralized (state management authority for education where the school is headquartered), in accordance with Article 12 of this Decree within 14 working days from the effective date of this Decree.

5. Within 30 working days from the effective date of this Decree, private schools that have completed capital transfer between domestic and foreign investors prior to the effective date of this Decree shall carry out procedures for requesting amendment and supplementation of the decision permitting educational operation in accordance with the Government’s Decree on foreign cooperation and investment in the field of education.

Article 15. Implementation responsibilities

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of Governmental agencies, Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities, and relevant agencies shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decree./.