Luật Giáo dục nghề nghiệp 2025 số 124/2025/QH15 – Toàn văn

 

LAW

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amended by Resolution No. 203/2025/QH15;

The National Assembly promulgates the Law on Vocational Education.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

This Law provides for vocational education under the national education system; organization and operation of vocational education institutions; powers and responsibilities of organizations and individuals engaged in vocational education; state management of vocational education.

Article 2. Regulated entities

1. This Law applies to vocational education institutions and relevant agencies, organizations and individuals.

2. Other establishments participating in vocational education activities shall apply regulations of this Law within the scope of their vocational education activities.

Article 3. Definition of terms

In this Law, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Vocational education activities mean establishment and development of training programs; maintenance of quality; admission and organization of training; application of science, technology and innovation; and quality assessment and accreditation; cooperation and investment in vocational education.

2. Specialized database of vocational education means a component of the national database of education and training and includes a collection of electronic data on vocational education, arranged and structured to access, extract, share, manage and update information on organization, operation, results and conditions for assurance of quality of establishments having vocational education activities.

Article 4. Vocational education principles

1. Comply with the Constitution and laws.

2. Meet the objectives of development of highly skilled workforce in association with the requirements for socio-economic development and national construction and defense, and national security.

3. Connect training with labor market and job requirements.

4. Ensure full and complete autonomy of vocational education institutions regardless of their financial autonomy degree in association with accountability; maintain the effectiveness of state management, inspection and supervision by competent authorities.

5. Ensure quality, efficiency, fairness and equality in access to vocational education and international cooperation; and promote lifelong learning.

Article 5. State’s policies on development of vocational education

1. The vocational education system shall develop towards openness, flexibility, diversity, interconnection, standardization, modernization, private sector involvement, and international integration; and high-quality vocational education shall be focused.

2. The State plays a leading role in development of vocational education, strategic orientation, development facilitation and maintenance of resources so that vocational education plays a key role in development of highly skilled workforce, promotion of effective cooperation between vocational education institutions, enterprises and society.

3. Investment in vocational education shall be prioritized in socio-economic and human resource development plans. Budget for vocational education shall be prioritized in total state budget expenditure on education and training to:

a) Standardize vocational education institutions; modernize a number of key and high-quality colleges to meet international standards, in line with development orientation to priority professions in major economic centers;

b) Train highly skilled human resources in technical and technological professions; national key professions; professions that reach advanced regional and international standards; and national strategic and key programs and projects;

c) Develop vocational education in extremely disadvantaged areas, ethnic minority regions, mountainous areas, border regions, islands, and coastal areas.

4. The State shall issue policies on commission and assignment of tasks to vocational education institutions associated with output results regardless of ownership forms, and specialized professions, professions in key economic sectors, and professions with high demand but limited private investment shall be focused.

5. Vocational education institutions are encouraged to organize research, apply science and technology, and promote innovation; connect training with scientific research, production, business, and service provision; and issue incentive policies to attract and retain talents, experts, and domestic and foreign scientists to participate in vocational education activities.

6. Public-private partnership in vocational education shall be developed. Enterprises, socio-political organizations, social organizations, professional-social organizations, domestic and foreign organizations and individuals, and overseas Vietnamese are encouraged to establish vocational education institutions and participate in vocational education activities.

Article 6. Training objectives, programs, degrees/diplomas and certificates

1. Training programs include training programs at college-level, training programs at intermediate-level, vocational secondary education programs, training programs at elementary-level and other vocational training programs.

2. Training objectives are prescribed as follows:

a) The training program at college-level is aimed at providing learners with capacities to perform and cope with complex and unpredictable tasks of their professions; produce creative ideas, apply modern techniques and technologies to their work, and give guidance to and supervise others in their groups;

b) The training program at intermediate-level is aimed at providing learners with capacities to perform and cope with complex and predictable tasks of their professions; apply modern techniques and technologies to their work, work independently when there is any change to working conditions; work in groups; and give guidance and supervise others whey they perform pre-determined tasks;

c) The vocational secondary education program is aimed at helping learners complete general education, and providing learners with capacities to perform and cope with tasks in stable conditions and familiar environment of their respective professions; and apply modern techniques and technologies to their work, work independently and work in groups;

d) The training program at elementary-level is aimed at providing learners with capacities to perform and cope with basic and predictable tasks of some professions; and apply techniques and technologies to their work;

dd) Another vocational training program is aimed at providing learners with capacities to perform and cope with one or some simple tasks of one profession.

3. Degrees/diplomas and certificates are prescribed as follows:

a) The head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue a college degree to a learner completing the training program at college-level and meeting the conditions as prescribed;

b) The head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue an intermediate diploma to a learner completing the training program at intermediate-level and meeting the conditions as prescribed;

c) The learner completing the vocational secondary education program and meeting the conditions as prescribed is eligible to take the graduation exam; if he/she passes the exam, the head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue a vocational secondary diploma; if he/she does not take or pass the exam, the head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue a training completion certificate. The training completion certificate is used to apply for the exam for the vocational secondary diploma or used in specific cases in accordance with the law;

d) The head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue an elementary certificate to a learner completing the training program at elementary-level and meeting the conditions as prescribed;

dd) The head of establishment having vocational education activities shall issue a training certificate to a learner completing another training program and meeting the conditions as required by the program;

4. Degrees/diplomas and certificates in vocational education shall be managed according to the Law on Education.

Article 7. Establishments having vocational education activities

1. Establishments having vocational education activities include vocational education institutions and establishments participating in vocational education activities.

2. Vocational education institutions include colleges, immediate schools, and vocational secondary schools; they have missions to train skilled human resources at various levels of vocational education for the socio-economic development of the country. To be specific:

a) Colleges provide training programs at college-level, training programs at intermediate-level, vocational secondary education programs, training programs at elementary-level and other vocational training programs;

b) Immediate schools provide training programs at intermediate-level, vocational secondary education programs, training programs at elementary-level and other vocational training programs;

c) Each vocational secondary school shall have its own name appropriate to its fields and training profession groups; vocational secondary schools provide vocational secondary education programs, training programs at elementary-level and other vocational training programs.

3. Establishments participating in vocational education activities include vocational education centers, vocational and continuing education centers, continuing education centers, other centers having vocational education functions (hereinafter referred to as “centers”), enterprises, cooperatives, and higher education institutions. Eligible establishments participating in vocational education activities may provide programs as follows:

a) Centers, enterprises and cooperatives may provide training programs at elementary-level and other vocational training programs;

b) Higher education institutions that offer specialized disciplines or discipline groups in the artistic and athletic fields at the undergraduate level may provide training programs at college-level, training programs at intermediate-level and vocational secondary education programs for the same discipline or discipline group;

c) Higher education institutions that offer teacher training discipline group at the undergraduate level may provide training programs at college-level for the same discipline group;

d) Higher education institutions of the people's armed forces may provide training programs at college-level and training programs at intermediate-level for professions related to national defense and security;

dd) Higher education institutions that offer training disciplines included in the list of strategic technologies under the Prime Minister’ Decision at the undergraduate level may provide training programs at college-level for the same discipline group.

4. Types of vocational education institutions, conversion and recognition of vocational education institutions, conditions, procedures, and jurisdiction over establishment or permission for establishment, revocation of establishment or establishment permission decisions, change of training locations, merge, full or partial division, and dissolution of vocational education institutions shall comply with regulations of the Law on Education.

5. The Government shall provide for naming and renaming of vocational education institutions, and organization of vocational secondary schools under different names_.

Article 8. State management of vocational education

1. The Government shall uniformly perform state management of vocational education.

2. State management of vocational education shall comply with the Law on Education and be consistent with the following contents:

a) Issuing and providing guidance on compliance with vocational education institution standards, training program standards, and other quality standards; prescribing and organizing vocational education quality assurance and accreditation;

b) Building, managing, operating, accessing, and using specialized database of vocational education in a uniform manner;

c) Presiding over and cooperating in development and implementation of mechanisms for and policies on mobilization, management, and use of resources for development of vocational education;

d) Performing other tasks and exercising powers over state management of vocational education in accordance with the law.

Chapter II

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE

Article 9. Vocational education institution charter

1. Vocational education institution charter shall contain the following main contents:

a) Objectives and missions;

b) Its tasks and powers;

c) Organization of vocational education activities;

d) Rights and obligations of educators and managers;

dd) Rights and tasks of learners;

e) Vocational education institution organization and management;

g) Its finances and assets;

h) Relationship between the vocational education institution, enterprises, families, and society.

2. The Minister of Education and Training shall issue a general charter applicable to vocational education institutions, including: college charter, immediate school charter, and vocational secondary school charter. Vocational education institutions shall, according to the general charter issued by the Minister of Education and Training, formulate their rules for organization and operation and publicly announce them at vocational education institutions.

Article 10. Tasks and powers of vocational education institutions

1. Identify objectives, strategies, and plans for development of vocational education institutions in conformity with the national socio-economic development strategy.

2. Protect legitimate rights and interests of learners, lecturers, teachers, vocational instructors and organizations and individuals related to vocational education.

3. Organize vocational education activities and issue degrees/diplomas and certificates according to regulations; offer production internships to lecturers, teachers, and vocational instructors at enterprises to upgrade and improve their vocational skills; provide advice on training and employment for learners.

4. Establish and develop a system of digital diplomas, certificates and learning materials. Provide and update information on the specialized database of vocational education; manage, access and use data in accordance with regulations.

5. Invest and cooperate with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in training, scientific research and technology transfer.

6. Establish enterprises and scientific and technological organizations if eligible; apply research results and technology transfer to training, production, business, and provision of services in accordance with regulations.

7. Perform other tasks and powers as per the Law on Education.

Article 11. Organizational structure of vocational education institution

1. Organizational structure of a vocational education institution includes:

a) Principal and vice-principals;

b) School council in a private vocational education institution;

c) Science and training council;

d) Campus, another location under the ownership of the domestic vocational education institution;

dd) Functional divisions, faculties, subjects and other units that are not juridical persons, serve vocational education and are established according to regulations;

e) Other organizations (if any) established in accordance with regulations and including science and technology organizations; national defense and security education centers; public service providers affiliated to public vocational education institutions; enterprises, production, business and service establishments serving vocational education;

g) Advisory councils (if any).

2. Vocational education institutions must have Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) organizations; political and social organizations; and organizations representing learners and employees as prescribed by law.

Article 12. Principals

1. Principal is a legal representative. He/she is responsible for managing and administrating operations of the vocational education institution according to the institution’s charter, the rule for organization and operation of the vocational education institution and other relevant laws.

2. The jurisdiction to appoint or dismiss a principal shall be exercised as follows:

a) The direct superior body of the public vocational education institution has the jurisdiction to appoint or dismiss the principal of the public vocational education institution;

b) The school council of the private vocational education institution has the jurisdiction to appoint or dismiss the principal of the private vocational education institution.

3. Standards, tasks and powers; procedures for appointing and dismissing principals of vocational education institutions shall comply with regulations of the Law on Education.

Article 13. School councils in private vocational education institutions

1. School council in a private vocational education institution is a governing body that represents relevant parties, decides development orientation and organizational structure, uses resources, and supervises the implementation of the strategy and accountability of the private vocational education institution.

2. The school council operates collectively and democratically and makes decisions by majority rule; it is responsible to the law and relevant parties for its decisions; and it does not directly manage or administrate the private vocational education institution.

3. The composition of the school council must be representative, objective and appropriate to the institution type and include representatives from investors, leaders of the vocational education institution, lecturers and teachers, learners, experts and scientists, education managers, enterprises and relevant production, trading, and service establishments.

4. The investor shall elect or appoint and dismiss the president and members of the school council.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe structure and membership standards applicable to school councils, tasks, powers, and term of office, operational and supervisory mechanisms, relationship between investors and school councils and principals.

Article 14. Science and training council

1. Science and training council is an organization responsible for provision of advice on academic expertise, training orientation, quality assurance, scientific and technological research and application, lecturer and teacher development, cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals under the vocational education institution.

2. The science and training council shall be established by the principal, operate collectively and democratically and make decisions by majority rule and take responsibility to the principal for provision of advice.

3. The council comprises representatives of the vocational education institution, lecturers, teachers, enterprises, or trade associations, reputable scientists, and experts as decided by the principal.

4. Organization, operation, and procedures for establishment of the council are specified in the rule for organization and operation of the vocational education institution.

Article 15. Training locations of vocational education institutions

1. Training locations of vocational education institutions in Vietnam include:

a) Head offices where vocational education activities are organized and which perform administrative and operational functions in accordance with regulations of this Law and charters;

b) Campuses where vocational education activities are organized and which perform a part of administrative and operational functions as delegated and authorized by vocational education institutions in accordance with the law and meet conditions for establishment, organization and operation as prescribed by the Government. Vocational education institutions have the autonomy to decide the organizational structure of their campuses;

c) Other training locations where all or part of training programs are organized under the management of vocational education institutions and which meet quality assurance conditions, and include locations owned by vocational education institutions, locations legally used, joint training locations, and practical training locations.

2. Campuses of foreign vocational education institutions in Vietnam are established, organized, and operate in accordance with regulations applicable to private vocational education institutions established by foreign investors, according to legal operation conditions.

3. Campuses of Vietnam vocational education institutions established in foreign countries are not part of domestic vocational education institutions as specified in clause 1, Article 11 of this Law.

4. The Government shall elaborate conditions, procedures, and jurisdiction over establishment, issuance of operation licenses, cessation of admission, suspension of operations, and dissolution of campuses; and shall prescribe criteria, standards, and conditions for assurance of the quality of training locations.

Article 16. Vocational education institution standards

1. Vocational education institution standards provide for requirements for conditions for assurance of quality and performance indicators applicable to vocational education institutions; such standards are reviewed and updated periodically to ensure they are close to and gradually integrate with regional and international standards.

2. Vocational education institution standards serve as the basis for planning and organization of the network of vocational education institutions; invest in the development of key and high-quality vocational education institutions that meet international standards; assessment and supervision of fulfillment of quality assurance conditions; and assurance of accountability of vocational education institutions.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall promulgate vocational education institution standards; provide guidance on application, and assess compliance with these standards.

Chapter III

TRAINING

Article 17. Training program standards

1. Training program standards prescribe general requirements for development and implementation of training programs for degrees/diplomas, including objectives, input standards, output standards, structure, minimum learning volume, program structure, teaching and assessment methods, quality assurance conditions for implementation of training programs.

2. Training program standards shall meet the following requirements:

a) Be consistent with specific objectives and requirements of corresponding levels in the Vietnamese National Qualifications Framework;

b) Promote application of science and technology to design and implementation of training programs;

c) Apply flexible training organization methods, and facilitate learners’ transfer and lifelong learning;

d) Conduct periodical reviews and assessments of training quality.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall issue training program standards; provide guidance, inspect, and supervise the compliance with training program standards; and preside over and cooperate with relevant ministries and central authorities in establishing and issuing training program standards for specific professions.

Article 18. Training program development

1. Training program development shall meet the following requirements:

a) Assist learners in increasing their capacities and approaching the next training level according to the Vietnamese National Qualifications Framework;

b) Refer to occupational competency standards or national vocational skill standards (if any);

c) Regularly review, update, and supplement curriculums appropriate to the development of science and technology, the needs of the labor market, practical requirements of production and business, career trends, and learners’ capabilities.

2. The vocational secondary education program shall integrate core knowledge of the upper secondary program with vocational expertise to meet the requirements specified in clause 1 of this Article.

3. Vocational education institutions have the autonomy to compile, assess, select, and issue training programs in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Minister of Education and Training and ensure that such training programs shall meet training program standards.

The Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security shall issue training programs in the fields of national defence and security; and lists of specialized defence and security professions.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall issue a list of training professions in vocational education; list of specialized professions in the artistic and athletic fields; list of strenuous, hazardous, and dangerous training professions; list of training professions with limited admission but high job demand; regulations on upper secondary knowledge included in vocational secondary education programs; and procedures for compiling, appraising, and issuing curricula and textbooks for common subjects in degree/diploma-level training programs in vocational education.

Article 19. Issuance of licenses for vocational education

1. Regarding degree/diploma-level training programs:

a) Establishments having vocational education activities shall only grant admission and provide training when they are issued with licenses for vocational education by competent authorities;

b) The licensing coverage shall vary according to groups of professions, training location and training activities in cyberspace (if any);

c) Regarding training programs for teacher training discipline group, health, law, national defense and security fields, the vocational education license issuer shall seek opinions from specialized authorities in charge of such disciplines and fields before issuing licenses.

2. Vocational education licenses are not issued to certificate-level training programs.

3. Issuance of vocational education licenses, suspension of admission, suspension of vocational education activities, and revocation of decisions to issue vocational education licenses shall comply with regulations of the Law on Education.

Article 20. Training provision and admission

1. Establishments having vocational education activities shall include information on training programs in the specialized database of vocational education before admission and provision of training.

2. Vocational education institutions have the autonomy to determine the number of learners to be admitted and select admission methods every year, except for commission and assignment of training tasks, the cases specified in clause 5 of this Article.

3. Training organization forms and methods are prescribed as follows:

a) Training forms include formal training and continuing training;

b) Training methods include in-person training; distance training; and a combination of in-person and distance training.

4. Recognition and conversion of the accumulated learning outcomes and professional competence of learners are aimed at facilitating transfer and lifelong learning. Learning outcomes and professional competencies shall be recognized in the following cases:

a) Learning outcomes are accumulated from a training program;

b) Learners' professional competence is acquired through vocational skill certificates or other forms appropriate to content and objectives of corresponding modules and subjects in training programs.

5. The Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security shall decide the number of learners to be admitted and admission methods for establishments having vocational education activities in the fields of national defense and security. The Minister of Education and Training shall decide the number of learners to be admitted and admission methods for teacher training discipline group and key profession training programs by commissioning, task assignment covered by state budget.

6. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide guidance on clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article; issue regulations on admission, training, exam, and recognition of graduation at college-level, intermediate-level, and vocational high secondary education; and prescribe admission and organization of elementary-level training and other vocational training programs.

Chapter IV

LECTURERS, TEACHERS, VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTORS AND LEARNERS

Article 21. Lecturers, teachers and vocational instructors

1. College lecturers teach college-level programs; vocational secondary teachers teach vocational secondary programs; intermediate-level teachers teach intermediate-level programs; and elementary-level teachers teach elementary-level programs.

2. Lecturers and teachers specified in clause 1 of this Article include permanent lecturers and teachers, co-permanent lecturers, teachers and lecturers working under full-time contracts after their retirement, and guest lecturers and teachers.

3. Co-permanent lecturers are public employees working at public service providers (excluding public educational institutions) and having high qualifications, or exceptional talent, aptitude, or advanced professional skills, and assigned by public vocational education institutions to perform teaching and research tasks that are the same as those assigned to permanent lecturers.

4. Vocational instructors are other personnel as specified by the Law on Education who perform teaching and practical training tasks at enterprises and cooperatives to implement vocational education programs.

5. The Government shall prescribe standards, employment, management and policies applicable to co-permanent lecturers.

Article 22. Graduation requirements to be met by lecturers and teachers and standards to be satisfied by vocational instructors

1. Lecturers and teachers shall meet graduation requirements as follows:

a) College lecturers, intermediate-level teachers, and vocational secondary teachers who teach theory must have bachelor's degrees or equivalent or higher-level degrees;

b) College lecturers, intermediate-level teachers, and vocational secondary teachers who teach practice must have at least college degrees;

c) Elementary-level teachers must have intermediate diplomas;

2. College lecturers, intermediate-level teachers, vocational secondary teachers who teach practice, and elementary-level teachers, if they do not have the degrees/diplomas specified in points b and c of clause 1 of this Article, must have professional practice competence appropriate to their teaching levels.

3. Lecturers and teachers specified in clause 1 of this Article, if they have not graduated from the teacher training discipline, must have pedagogical competence appropriate to their teaching levels.

4. College lecturers, intermediate-level teachers, vocational secondary teachers who teach both theory and practice, shall meet regulations in points a and b clause 1 of this Article.

5. Vocational instructors shall meet the standards as prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training.

6. The Minister of Education and Training shall prescribe bachelor's degree or equivalent or higher-level degree in certain higher education disciplines that include practical training; pedagogical competence and professional practice competence of lecturers and teachers; pedagogical competence training programs and professional practice competence training program framework; assessment and recognition of pedagogical competence and professional practice competence; standards for refresher training and assessment; regulations on vocational secondary teacher training discipline codes; and employment of teachers who teach vocational secondary education programs.

Article 23. Rights and obligations of lecturers, teachers and vocational instructors

1. Permanent lecturers and teachers shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations according to the Law on Educators and relevant laws.

2. Co-permanent lecturers shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations in accordance with regulations issued by their management units and regulations issued by establishments having vocational education activities and operating co-permanent lecturer mechanisms, and other relevant laws.

3. Teachers and lecturers working under full-time contracts after their retirement, and guest lecturers and teachers shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations according to regulations issued by establishments having vocational education activities.

4. Vocational instructors shall exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations in accordance with regulations issued by establishments having vocational education activities, enterprises, cooperatives and other relevant laws.

Article 24. Policies applicable to lecturers, teachers, vocational instructors

1. Permanent lecturers and teachers shall be entitled to policies applicable to educators in accordance with the Law on Educators.

2. In addition to the policies stipulated in clause 1 of this Article, permanent lecturers and teachers in public vocational education institutions are also entitled to allowances in one of the following cases:

a) They teach both theory and practice;

b) They teach practical skills in strenuous, hazardous, or dangerous professions;

c) They are at least elite educators, elite physicians, elite artists or elite artisans or have high-level vocational skills in teaching practice.

3. The State shall issue policies to attract and assist lecturers and teachers to teach professions with limited admission but high job demand; and specialized professions in the fields of arts, sports, national defense and security.

4. The State shall issue policies to provide training and refresher training for lecturers and teachers working at vocational education institutions to teach vocational secondary education programs.

5. The State shall issue policies on commendation and honor of vocational instructors who have made outstanding contributions to teaching, research, practical guidance and connection between training and enterprises.

6. The Government shall elaborate clauses 2,3,4 and 5 of this Article.

Article 25. Learners

1. Learners are persons who are learning vocational education training programs and include students learning college-level training programs; students learning intermediate-level and elementary-level training programs and vocational secondary education programs; and learners learning other vocational training programs in establishments having vocational education activities.

2. Learners shall exercise the rights and perform the tasks in accordance with regulations of the Law on Education and the following rights and tasks:

a) Be entitled to remuneration for participation in labour and creation of products at enterprises as agreed between establishments having vocational education activities, enterprises and learners;

b) Participate in extracurricular activities, career orientation, job placement, scientific research, technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship in vocational education.

Article 26. Policies applicable to learners

1. Learners are entitled to policies according to the Law on Education and the following policies:

a) Tuition fee exemption and support policies applicable to learners in vocational secondary education programs; college-level and intermediate-level training programs for professions with limited admission but high job demand; specialized professions; and certain key economic, national defense and security disciplines and fields.

b) Boarding policies applicable to students who are ethnic minorities from poor or near-poor households, or disabled persons; and Kinh students from poor or near-poor households, or disabled persons who are stable and long-term residents in extremely disadvantaged areas, ethnic minority and mountainous areas, border areas, and islands;

c) Financial support for training, provided for learners who have graduated from upper secondary schools and are learning intermediate-level training programs; women and rural workers learning elementary-level training programs or other vocational training programs; and employees learning for career transition.

2. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

Chapter V

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ACCREDITATION

Article 27. Internal quality assurance system 

1. Vocational education institutions shall be responsible for establishing, operating and developing internal quality assurance systems according to quality accreditation and assurance assessment standards.

2. The internal quality assurance system is aimed at supporting quality culture development; continuously improving quality; and enhancing transparency and accountability during vocational education.

3. The internal quality assurance system includes organizational structure and personnel for assurance of quality; quality policies; quality policy implementation tools; mechanisms for collection and analysis of information and quality management information system.

Article 28. Vocational education quality accreditation and assessment standards

1. Quality accreditation and assessment standards serve as the basis for determination of the extent to which vocational education quality has been achieved.

2. Quality accreditation and assessment standards include:

a) Standards applicable to vocational education institutions;

b) Standards applicable to training programs.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall issue regulations on and provide guidance on compliance with vocational education quality accreditation and assessment standards; and recognize vocational education quality accreditation and assessment standards established by accreditation organizations.

Article 29. Vocational education quality assessment

1. Vocational education institutions shall carry out quality assessments by the following methods:

a) Carry out periodical self-assessments to review and improve the effectiveness of the internal quality assurance system;

b) Carry out self-assessment through periodic audits to prepare for external assessment and recognition of quality as required by law.

2. Vocational education institutions can carry out self-assessments of quality or employ appropriate professional consultants to carry out quality assessment.

3. Quality assessment results may be used for quality improvement, information disclosure, accountability, and quality accreditation in accordance with regulations.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide for assessment of quality of vocational education.

Article 30. Vocational education quality accreditation

1. Subjects of periodic accreditation include:

a) Vocational education institutions;

b) Training programs for health and law fields; training programs for teacher training professions and training programs for other disciplines and fields decided by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. Training institutions shall select accreditation organizations permitted or recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training to operate in Vietnam, and apply the following assessment and accreditation standards:

a) Domestic accreditation organizations may apply standards issued or recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Foreign accreditation organizations may apply their standards when registering their operations in Vietnam.

3. Vocational education institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, and training programs related to national defence and security are not subject to mandatory quality accreditation but education quality assurance activities must be organized as prescribed in Article 27 of this Law and regulations of the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Security.

4. Accreditation organizations shall ensure independence in professional operations and avoid conflicts over interests during education quality accreditation.

5. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide for accreditation of vocational education institutions, accreditation of training programs, accreditation standards, guidelines for content, procedures and cycle of accreditation; public announcement about accreditation results; issue regulations on accreditors, organization and operation of vocational education quality accreditation organizations; regulations on supervision and assessment of accreditation organizations and appraisal of accreditation results.

Chapter VI

ROLE, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ENTERPRISES FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Article 31. Enterprises’ roles

1. Each enterprise plays a particularly important role in vocational education and works with the State and an establishment having vocational education activities to provide training for skilled human resources, thereby meeting the demands of the labor market.

2. Enterprises directly carry out or participate in vocational education activities as prescribed by law.

3. Enterprises serve as practice and internship facilities that help learners, lecturers, and teachers access technology, practical production procedures, and improve their vocational skills.

Article 32. State’s policies applicable to enterprises

1. Encouraging enterprises to cooperate with establishments having vocational education activities in conducting research and applying science, technology, and innovation; transferring technology; and promoting digital and green transformation in vocational education and vocational skill development.

2. Honoring and commending enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to vocational education and skill development.

3. Giving financial support for training, provided for enterprises in the following cases:

a) Elementary-level training for disadvantaged people;

b) Training in professions that are prioritized and hard to attract private investment.

4. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

Article 33. Enterprises’ rights

1. Be entitled to the policies specified in Article 32 of this Law.

2. Establish vocational education institutions to train human resources directly serving production, business, and service provision in enterprises and for society.

3. Provide elementary-level training programs and other vocational training programs, for employees working in enterprises and other employees as prescribed by law.

4. Cooperate with other establishments having vocational education activities in providing vocational education training programs in accordance with regulations.

5. Record expenditures on vocational training provided by enterprises and vocational training provided for employees as deductible expense in accordance with the law on tax.

Article 34. Enterprises’ responsibilities

1. Appoint experts and technical staff to participate in vocational training, receive lecturers, teachers and learners for practical training and internships at enterprises, and provide vocational training for employees.

2. Organize training or commission vocational education institutions to train employees recruited to work at enterprises.

3. Fulfill all responsibilities as agreed upon in joint training contracts with establishments having vocational education activities.

4. Participate in development of training programs and curricula; organize teaching, provide practical guidance and internships, and assess learning outcomes of learners at establishments having vocational education activities and enterprises.

5. Pay salaries and wages to learners, lecturers and teachers who directly produce or participate in production of products during training, practice, or internships at enterprises as agreed upon by both parties.

6. Enable employees to receive training, refresher training and improve their vocational skills and qualifications.

7. Cooperate with vocational education institutions in organization of training, refresher training, and enhancement of vocational skills, recognition of vocational skill certificates and qualifications for employees at enterprises.

8. Participate in training consultation with establishments having vocational education activities in the fields of production and business, and in domestic and international vocational skill competitions.

9. Give support to retraining to improve vocational skills of employees; cooperate with establishments having vocational education activities to organize training at enterprises, thereby meeting the market demands.

Article 35. Enterprise human resource training fund

1. Each enterprise shall establish an enterprise human resource training fund to perform the following tasks:

a) Train and develop skills for its employees;

b) Assist employees to study and improve their professional qualifications;

c) Provide sponsorship for any vocational education institution that cooperates with the enterprise in accordance with the Law on Enterprises and other relevant laws.

2. The Government shall elaborate purposes, funding sources, contribution rates, spending objectives of enterprise human resource training funds.

Chapter VII

FUNDING AND ASSETS

Article 36. Funding mechanism for vocational education

1. State budget expenditures on vocational education shall be financed according to the principles specified in the Law on Education and on the basis of missions, quality and efficiency in operations conducted by vocational education institutions under a unified mechanism throughout the system.

2. The state budget shall fully or partially cover funding for provision of training for human resources in certain professions and fields according to the following mechanisms and policies.

a) Attracting and assisting lecturers and teachers to train vocational talents; and learners in professions in the artistic and athletic fields;

b) Providing financial support for training in specialized professions for national development that are unpopular;

c) Awarding scholarships to learners participating in training programs for key engineering, strategic technology and core technology professions;

d) Commissioning and assigning tasks related to training in specialized professions, professions in key economic sectors, and professions with high demand but limited private investment.

3. The Government shall elaborate this Article and the following contents:

a) Methods for determining tuition fees that must be sufficient to cover the cost, leave a margin of savings, and ensure training quality; top tuition fee limits for public vocational education institutions;

b) Eligibility, scholarships, tuition subsidization rate and preferential loans granted by the State;

c) Commission and assignment of training tasks;

d) Incentives and conditions for application of credit, aid, and sponsorship policies to vocational education;

dd) Public vocational education institutions’ autonomy in terms of funding, assets and investment, including mobilization, receipt, management, and use of domestic and foreign legal resources; preferential mechanisms as prescribed by law; and responsibilities for public announcement, accountability, and transparency.

Article 37. Public vocational education institution’s funding

1. A public vocational education institution’s funding sources include:

a) State budget;

b) Lawful sponsorships, aid, or donations given by domestic and foreign organization and individuals;

c) Revenues from training, scientific research, technology transfer, education support services, production, and business; lease of assets in accordance with the law on management and use of public assets; deposit interest and other legal revenues;

d) Legitimate domestic and foreign loans as per law;

dd) Other revenues as prescribed by law.

2. Public vocational education institutions shall incur facility development investment expenditures in accordance with the law on public investment and other relevant laws; and expenditures on commission and assignment of tasks as prescribed by the Government.

3. Public vocational education institutions have the autonomy in terms of funding, use of legal revenues for training, scientific research, staff development, investment in facilities, and other vocational education activities. To be specific:

a) Deciding expenditures covered by tuition fees, commission and assignment of tasks and other non-business revenues, including expenditures on salaries, professional operations, management and hiring of experts within their financial capacity and according to internal expenditure regulations;

b) Deciding expenditures on research, incubation and transfer of technology, covered by legal revenues in order to make sure that such expenditures are efficient, public, and transparent.

c) Distributing money at the end of year in accordance with regulations on financial autonomy mechanisms applicable to public service providers and public vocational education institutions.

Article 38. Management of public vocational education institution’s funding

1. Private vocational education institutions have the financial autonomy and the autonomy to decide revenues and expenditures, distribution of money, and establishment of funds in accordance with the law and rules for organization and operation of institutions.

2. Private vocational education institutions shall be responsible for fulfilling their financial obligations to the State; and complying with regulations of laws on accounting, audit, taxation, asset valuation, and financial disclosure.

3. At least 25% of the positive difference between revenue and expenditure from education, training, research and technology transfer must be used for reinvestment in development of the vocational education institution and fulfillment of the social responsibility. Cumulative annual profit of a non-profit private vocational education institution is the institution’s asset undistributed and used for investment in development of the vocational education institution on the no-return basis.

Article 39. Tuition fees and charges for ancillary services serving vocational education (hereinafter referred to as "vocational education service charges")

1. Tuition fees should be sufficient to cover the cost, leave a margin of savings, and ensure training quality. Public vocational education institutions’ tuition fees shall not exceed the top tuition fee limit as prescribed by the Government.

2. The establishment having vocational education activities must publicly disclose training costs, tuition fees, admission service fees, and other service charges for each level, academic year, and the entire course; and shall be responsible for setting aside a portion of its revenue to implement tuition fee exemption and reduction, study expense support policies for learners who are the disadvantaged or beneficiaries as stipulated by the State and the establishment’s policies.

3. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

Article 40. Management and use of assets owned by private vocational education institutions

1. Undistributed consolidated assets owned by a private vocational education institution are prescribed as follows:

a) Assets established as undistributed consolidated assets according to regulations of law or as required by donors, aid providers, or benefactors are assets under the common ownership and undistributed by the school community;

b) A private vocational education institution's school council shall manage and use the assets specified in clause 2 of this Article for sustainable development of the institution and for the common good; such assets must not be converted into assets under the private ownership or valued for distribution under any circumstances;

c) Capital and assets specified in clause 2 of this Article, once transferred, shall be excluded from valued assets of the private vocational education institution;

d) In case the vocational education institution dissolves, the assets specified in point a of this clause must be transferred to the competent state agency for management and use for development of vocational education.

2. Regarding assets under the private ownership of investors other than those specified in clause 1 of this Article, vocational education institutions may manage, use, and dispose them in accordance with relevant laws, transparently, for the intended purposes, and without harming the legitimate rights and interests of learners and the community.

3. Foreign-invested vocational education institutions’ ownership of assets shall be protected by the State in accordance with Vietnamese law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory; the management and use of these assets shall comply with Vietnamese law and relevant international commitments.

Chapter VIII

COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Article 41. Training association and cooperation in vocational education

1. Vocational education institutions shall cooperate with other educational institutions, state agencies, research institutes, enterprises, socio-professional organizations, international organizations, and domestic and foreign technological organizations to provide training, apply scientific research, transfer technology, promote innovation, provide practical training and internships, and develop training programs and learning models, in conformity with their functions and duties.

2. Vocational education institutions shall association with domestic establishment having vocational education activities, educational organizations, foreign educational institutions, and enterprises to:

a) Run degree/diploma-level or certificate-level training programs;

b) Establish professional training faculties, centers or units.

3. Training association and cooperation must be voluntary and equal, respect autonomy and accountability, and comply with Vietnamese law and the law of the partner country (if any); ensure the quality of training, transparency of information, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of all relevant parties.

4. Vocational education institutions are fully responsible to the law, learners and the society for their training association and cooperation; they shall issue and comply with internal regulations to manage relevant activities.

5. The Government shall provide for conditions, procedures, jurisdiction, and mechanisms for inspection and supervision of training association and cooperation with foreign partners.

6. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide for domestic training cooperation and association.

Article 42. Investment in vocational education

1. Investment in vocational education shall comply with the law on investment, the law on education, and other relevant laws.

2. Investment in vocational education shall satisfy the following regulations:

a) Be appropriate to the planning and strategy for the development of vocational education and the orientation to socio-economic development;

b) Respect the autonomy, accountability and specific nature of operations conducted by vocational education institutions;

c) Ensure training quality, publicly announce information, and protect legitimate rights and interests of learners, investors and relevant parties;

d) Meet conditions for investment in vocational education and conform to supervision mechanisms as per law.

3. Investment involving foreign elements shall comply with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory; and protect national interests, and maintain national defense and security, culture, ideology, training quality, and sustainable development.

4. The Government shall elaborate prioritized fields and forms of domestic and foreign investment in vocational education.

Chapter IX

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 43. Amendments to some articles and clauses of relevant laws

1. Some articles of the Labor Code No. 45/2019/QH14 amended by the Law No. 71/2025/QH15 and the Law No. 113/2025/QH15 shall be amended as follows:

a) Point a clause 2 Article 59 shall be amended as follows:

“a) Establishing vocational education institutions or classes at the workplace in order to train, retrain and develop vocational qualifications and skills of the employees; cooperating with vocational education institutions in providing vocational secondary education programs and training programs at elementary, intermediate and college level as per regulations;”;

b) Clause 3 Article 61 shall be amended as follows:

“3. An employer who recruits trainees or apprentices in order to employ must not collect tuition fees from such trainees or apprentices.”.

2. The phrase “và trung học nghề” (and vocational secondary) shall be added after the phrase "trung cấp” (immediate level) in clause 1 Article 4 of the Law on Education No. 73/2025/QH15.

Article 44. Entry into force

1. This Law comes into force from January 01, 2026. The Law on Vocational Education No. 74/2014/QH13 amended by Law No. 97/2015/QH13, Law No. 21/2017/QH14, Law No. 43/2019/QH14, and Law No. 84/2025/QH15 (hereinafter referred to as Law on Vocational Education No. 74/2014/QH13), shall cease to be effective from the effective date of this Law, except for the case specified in clause 2 of this Article and relevant regulations in Article 45 of this Law.

2. Clauses 4 and 5 Articles 24, and Articles 26, 32, 35, 36, 39, and 42 of this Law come into force from July 1, 2026.

Article 45. Transitional provisions

1. Vocational education institutions may admit learners who complete lower secondary education to intermediate-level programs until the end of December 31, 2030, except for the case specified in clause 2 of this Article.

2. Vocational education institutions shall terminate admission of learners who complete lower secondary education to intermediate-level programs for professions in the health field from January 01, 2026.

3. Regarding training courses to which admission is closed before January 01, 2026, establishments having vocational education activities may continue to organize training, and issue degrees/diplomas and certificates in accordance with the Law on Vocational Education No. 74/2014/QH13 until the end of these courses.

4. Colleges that are upgraded to higher education institutions and higher education institutions into which colleges are merged before January 01, 2026 may continue admitting learners to college-level programs to which the certificate of registration of vocational education or the certificate of additional registration of vocational education has been granted until the end of December 31, 2028; they shall be responsible for updating information on training programs to the specialized database of vocational education as specified in Article 20 of this Law.

5. Intermediate-level learners as prescribed in clause 1 of this Article or learners of vocational education levels prior to January 1, 2026, may continue to enjoy the policies according to the Law on Vocational Education No. 74/2014/QH13 until the end of their training courses.

6. Vocational education institutions shall apply regulations on minimum knowledge and competence acquired by learners after graduation from intermediate-level and college-level education programs to develop training programs until the competent authority issues training program standards.

7. Vocational education institutions may teach upper secondary education knowledge in accordance with the Law on Education No. 43/2019/QH14 for admission courses specified in clause 1 of this Article until the end of their courses.

8. A person who holds an intermediate diploma but does not hold an upper secondary diploma may use a certificate of completion of general education program or a certificate for achieving sufficient upper secondary education knowledge for admission to a college-level training program.

9. Within 06 months from January 01, 2026, school councils of public vocational education institutions shall terminate their operations and hand over all relevant records and documents to principals; principals shall notify their direct superior bodies (or notify the Ministry of Education and Training if direct superior bodies of vocational education institutions are not established).

10. The Board of Directors of a private vocational education institution recognized before January 01, 2026, shall continue to perform its tasks and powers until the investor decides to elect or appoint the president and members of the school council in accordance with this Law. The school council must be completely established before January 1, 2027

11. Documents issued by the school council of a public vocational education institution, or by the Board of Directors, or by an individual or organization that is the sole owner of a private vocational education institution, shall continue to be valid until they are replaced or annulled by competent authorities, except for personnel decisions executed in accordance with clauses 12 and 13 of this Article.

12. Principals and vice-principals of public vocational education institutions appointed before January 1, 2026 shall comply with the following regulations:

a) In case the recognition or appointment decision expires after January 01, 2026, the principal and the vice-principal shall continue to perform his/her tasks and exercise his/her powers until the direct superior body makes a personnel decision. Within 06 months from January 1, 2026, the direct superior body shall complete the appointment of the principal and the vice-principal of the vocational education institution in accordance with the law;

b) In case the recognition or appointment decision expires before January 01, 2026, the direct superior body shall follow procedures for appointing the principal, and the vice-principal in accordance with the law.

13. A private vocational education institution’s principal recognized before January 01, 2026, shall continue to perform his/her tasks and powers until the school council of the private vocational education institution appoints a new principal in accordance with this Law.

14. Valid applications for processing administrative procedures that have been submitted before January 01, 2026 to competent authorities specified in the Law No. 74/2014/QH13, shall continue to be processed by such competent authorities in accordance with the law at the time of submission of these applications, even if the jurisdiction to process such administrative procedures has been adjusted according to regulations of this Law;

Vocational education institutions to which decisions on establishment, permission for establishment, full or partial division, or merger of vocational education institutions or their campuses have been issued before January 1, 2026, must satisfy regulations on vocational education institution standards within 60 months from the effective date of the new legislative documents.

15. Vocational education institutions that have been granted certificates of registration of vocational education, certificates of additional registration of vocational education, or certificates of registration of training association with foreign partners before January 1, 2026, may continue admission and organization of training in the registered professions, and shall take the following responsibilities:

a) Review fulfillment of conditions for organization of training in accordance with new regulations on the licensed professions within 06 months from the effective date of the new legislative documents;

b) Register information on training programs in the specialized database of vocational education in accordance with Article 20 of this Law.

This Law was passed by the 15^th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during its 10^th session on December 10^th 2025.