Private HE in Vietnam: Challenges in the new era

Abstract

Over three decades since their inception, Vietnam’s Private Higher Education (PHE) have played a pivotal role in advancing the national education landscape. Their development has followed a dynamic trajectory—characterized by rapid expansion in the first decade, a slowdown in the second, and increasing differentiation in recent years. This evolution has been closely shaped by state policies and legal frameworks. With the upcoming issuance of Resolution No. 71 NQ/TW on comprehensive educational reform and a revised Law on Higher Education slated for 2026, PHE are seen to encounter both significant opportunities and complex challenges. This paper employs document analysis to examine the challenges these institutions face in mobilizing resources for investment and growth. It concludes with policy recommendations for the upcoming Law on Higher Education.