Vietnam’s Preschool Curriculum Reform: A Step Towards Modern Education

In a significant move to modernise early childhood education, Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training has unveiled a draft proposal for a National Assembly resolution to overhaul the preschool curriculum. With an estimated budget of VNĐ140 billion (US$5.5 million), the reform aims to transform the foundation of the country’s education system by 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045. This ambitious plan, currently open for public feedback, seeks to prioritise holistic child development while embedding core Vietnamese values into the learning process.

The proposed changes come at a time when Vietnam is striving to align its education system with global standards, ensuring that young children are equipped with the skills and competencies needed for a rapidly changing world. If approved by the National Assembly in October 2025, this reform could mark a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking educational framework.

Competency-Based Early Learning

At the heart of the reform is a shift towards a competency-based curriculum, moving away from traditional rote learning to focus on social-emotional development, physical health, intelligence, language skills, and aesthetics. The ministry has outlined that the revised curriculum will aim to prepare children for first grade while fostering personality development through a child-centred approach. This includes promoting active learning, communication skills, and greater family and community involvement in early education.

The draft proposal highlights four key pillars of reform. First, a rights-based approach will ensure quality, equity, inclusion, and respect for individual differences among young learners. Second, educational institutions and teachers will be granted greater autonomy to tailor curricula to local needs and developmental stages. Third, daily activities will be regulated to align with children’s developmental requirements while ensuring fair working conditions for preschool educators, in compliance with Vietnam’s Labour Law. Finally, the curriculum will integrate modern educational methods, personalising learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of students.

While introducing these innovative elements, the ministry has emphasised that the core principles of the existing programme—such as active learning and a child-first focus—will be retained. This balance between tradition and modernity reflects Vietnam’s broader educational philosophy of preserving cultural identity while embracing global best practices.

Two-Phase Implementation Plan

The rollout of the new curriculum is structured in two distinct phases to ensure a smooth transition. From 2025 to 2028, the ministry will focus on training preschool managers and teachers, with a pilot programme implemented in selected schools over three academic years, starting in autumn 2025 and concluding in spring 2028. This phase will also include an independent evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the pilot and make necessary adjustments.

The second phase, spanning 2029 to 2030, will involve finalising the curriculum based on pilot feedback and securing official approval. Nationwide implementation is slated to begin in the 2029-2030 academic year, marking a significant milestone in Vietnam’s education reform journey. The phased approach is designed to minimise disruption while allowing for rigorous testing and refinement of the new framework.

The financial commitment to this initiative is substantial, with VNĐ75 billion allocated for piloting and implementation, VNĐ20 billion for curriculum development and review, VNĐ15 billion for instructional materials during the pilot phase, and VNĐ30 billion for training educators. Additional funding for staff salaries, professional development, and infrastructure improvements will be covered under separate projects, including the Preschool and General Education Infrastructure Enhancement Programme through 2030.

Addressing Equity and Inclusion in Education

One of the standout features of the proposed reform is its emphasis on equity and inclusion. Vietnam, with its diverse population and varying levels of access to education across urban and rural areas, faces significant challenges in ensuring that all children receive a quality start in life. The rights-based approach outlined in the draft resolution seeks to address these disparities by prioritising fairness and respect for individual differences.

For instance, the curriculum aims to cater to children from ethnic minority communities and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring that they are not left behind in the push for modernisation. Greater autonomy for teachers and institutions will also allow for localised adaptations, enabling educators to address the unique needs of their students. This flexibility could prove particularly beneficial in remote regions, where access to resources and trained educators is often limited.

Moreover, the focus on family and community involvement signals a shift towards a more collaborative model of education. By encouraging parents and local communities to play an active role in early childhood development, the ministry hopes to create a supportive ecosystem that extends beyond the classroom. This approach aligns with global trends in education, where parental engagement has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes.

Challenges and Speculative Impacts

While the proposed reform has been broadly welcomed by education stakeholders, it is not without challenges. The ambitious timeline—full implementation by 2030—raises questions about the capacity of Vietnam’s education system to adapt at such a rapid pace. Training thousands of preschool teachers and managers within a few years will require significant coordination and resources, particularly in rural areas where professional development opportunities are often scarce.

There are also concerns about funding. While the VNĐ140 billion budget is substantial, it remains to be seen whether it will be sufficient to cover all aspects of the reform, especially if unexpected costs arise during the pilot phase. If additional funding is not secured, there is a risk that the quality of implementation could be compromised, particularly in under-resourced regions. This concern is speculative at this stage, as no evidence suggests that the budget will be inadequate, but it underscores the importance of careful financial planning.

Another potential hurdle is public acceptance. Although the ministry is currently seeking feedback on the draft proposal, past education reforms in Vietnam have sometimes faced resistance from parents and educators wary of change. If the new curriculum is perceived as overly complex or disconnected from cultural values, it may struggle to gain widespread support. Again, this is a conditional concern, as public sentiment remains unclear until the feedback process concludes.

On the positive side, if implemented effectively, the reform could have far-reaching benefits for Vietnam’s education system and society at large. A modern, competency-based preschool curriculum may better prepare children for the demands of the 21st century, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and emotional resilience from an early age. This, in turn, could contribute to long-term economic growth by creating a more skilled and adaptable workforce. While these outcomes are speculative and depend on successful execution, they align with the ministry’s vision of education as a driver of national development.

Broader Context: Vietnam’s Education Ambitions

The preschool curriculum reform is part of a broader push by the Vietnamese government to overhaul its education system. Over the past decade, the country has made significant strides in improving access to education, with near-universal enrolment rates at the primary level. However, quality remains a concern, particularly at the preschool level, where outdated teaching methods and limited resources have hindered progress.

By prioritising early childhood education, Vietnam is acknowledging the critical role that the early years play in shaping a child’s future. Research globally has shown that investments in preschool education yield high returns, with benefits ranging from improved academic performance to reduced inequality. For a country like Vietnam, which aspires to become a high-income nation by 2045, such investments are not just desirable but essential.

The reform also reflects Vietnam’s commitment to international education goals, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all. By aligning its preschool curriculum with global standards, Vietnam is positioning itself as a leader in education reform within the Southeast Asian region.

A Step Forward, With Cautious Optimism

As the draft resolution awaits discussion and approval by the National Assembly in October 2025, there is cautious optimism about the potential of Vietnam’s preschool curriculum reform to reshape early childhood education. The emphasis on competency-based learning, equity, and community involvement offers a promising framework for addressing longstanding challenges in the education system.

However, success will depend on meticulous planning, adequate funding, and the ability to adapt to feedback from educators, parents, and communities. While the long-term impacts remain speculative—ranging from improved learning outcomes to broader societal benefits—the ministry’s vision is clear: to create an education system that nurtures the potential of every child, regardless of background or circumstance.

For now, the focus remains on gathering public input and refining the proposal ahead of its submission to the National Assembly. As Vietnam takes this critical step towards modernising its education system, the eyes of educators, policymakers, and parents are firmly on the future—a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very start.