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Vietnam Launches Free Public School Tuition, Aiming 20% State Budget for Education
Free Public Schooling in Vietnam: A National Milestone
Vietnam has announced a nationwide free public school tuition policy for all students, a landmark decision that underscores a broader shift in national priorities. After some years of relatively modest growth in education spending, the government is now placing human capital at the center of its State budget strategy.
This move toward tuition-free public education in Vietnam began with waiving tuition from preschool to high school in major provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City at the start of 2025, followed by similar initiatives in Da Nang, Ba Ria–Vung Tau, and Hai Phong. Now, its effectiveness has officially been extended nationwide.
Targeting 20% Budget for Education: What’s Next?
In the 2025 State budget, education spending rises to just over 16% of total expenditures, a marked increase from the low of 13.5% in 2023. More importantly, policymakers have set an ambitious long‐term target of allocating 20% of the budget to education. A substantial portion of this increase is made possible by savings from recent government streamlining efforts that have been swiftly implemented over the past few months.
This sustained commitment not only removes financial barriers for millions of students but also enables improvements in infrastructure, teacher training, and digital learning. By directing more resources into schools today, Vietnam is laying the foundation for a more skilled and productive workforce in the future.
At a time when many countries are making headlines for increasing military spending, Vietnam’s move stands out—not only as an investment in the next generation but also as a signal of its commitment to neutrality and long-term development.
