English will become a compulsory subject from grade 1.

Making English the Second Language in Schools

The Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2371/QD-TTg dated October 27, 2025, approving the Programme entitled “Making English the Second Language in Schools for the 2025–2035 period, with a vision toward 2045” (the Programme).

Accordingly, the overall objective of the Programme is to make English the second language in schools in Viet Nam, where English is widely, regularly, and effectively used in teaching, communication, administration, and other educational activities; to establish an ecosystem for the use of English in educational institutions from Level 1 to Level 3; and to improve the quality of teaching English and teaching in English, thereby contributing to building a generation of global citizens capable of meeting Viet Nam’s requirements for international integration.

For kindergarten level

The objective of the Programme is to enable children to experience and become familiar with English; to develop and strengthen their ability to communicate in English, thereby ensuring good preparation for learning English at the general education level. The goal set for the next five years is that all schools must meet the conditions for children to be introduced to English, with at least 10% of schools reaching Level 1. By 2045, the proportion of schools reaching Levels 1, 2, and 3 is expected to be 50%, 20%, and 10%, respectively.

For general education

The objective of the Programme is to help students form and develop their competence and skills in using English to enhance thinking ability, character, and learning capacity across subjects, educational activities, exchanges, and experiences both inside and outside school, thereby contributing to the comprehensive development of Vietnamese people in the era of deep international integration.

Accordingly, all schools are required to teach English as a compulsory subject from grade 1. Among them, at least 20% of schools must reach Level 1 in teaching this language, 5% Level 2, and 2% Level 3. In the following years, the number of schools reaching Level 3 will gradually increase to 15%, while Levels 2 and 1 will account for 20% and 50%, respectively.

At present, English is taught as a compulsory subject from grade 3. Schools with adequate facilities and qualified teachers may start teaching from grade 1, but as an elective subject with two periods per week.

Levels 1, 2, and 3 are defined based on criteria such as the linguistic and communication environment, educational programs and teaching activities, learning materials and resources, digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence, teacher quality, and international cooperation.

For higher education

For the 2025–2030 period, at least 20% of higher education institutions nationwide (excluding those that use a foreign language other than English for training) must reach Level 1; 5% of higher education institutions must reach Level 2, and 3% must reach Level 3.

For the 2030–2035 period, at least 30% of higher education institutions nationwide are required to reach Level 1 (excluding those that use a foreign language other than English for training); by 2040, at least 40%, and by 2045, at least 50%.

For vocational education and training

The objective of the Programme is to enhance English proficiency in communication and career orientation, meeting the demands of both domestic and international labor markets; and to develop an effective English-using environment in vocational education and training institutions.

For the 2025–2030 period: At least 15% of vocational education and training institutions nationwide must reach Level 1; efforts will be made for 5% of such institutions to reach Level 2.

For the 2030–2035 period: At least 35% of vocational education and training institutions nationwide must reach Level 1; efforts will be made for 10% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 5% to reach Level 3.

By 2040: At least 40% of vocational education and training institutions nationwide must reach Level 1; efforts will be made for 15% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 10% to reach Level 3.

By 2045: At least 50% of vocational education and training institutions nationwide must reach Level 1; efforts will be made for 20% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 15% to reach Level 3.

For continuing education

The objective of the Programme is to improve English proficiency among learners in continuing education, diversify forms and contents of English learning to meet the diverse needs of society, and contribute to enhancing the quality of the national human resources.

For the 2025–2030 period: At least 20% of continuing education institutions nationwide — those offering English training and training in other subjects in English — are expected to reach Level 1; the target is for 5% of continuing education institutions to reach Level 2.

For the 2030–2035 period: At least 40% of continuing education institutions nationwide — those offering English training and training in other subjects in English — are expected to reach Level 1; the target is for 10% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 5% to reach Level 3.

By 2040: At least 50% of continuing education institutions nationwide — those offering English training and training in other subjects in English — are expected to reach Level 1; the target is for 15% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 10% to reach Level 3.

By 2045: At least 60% of continuing education institutions nationwide — those offering English training and training in other subjects in English — are expected to reach Level 1; the target is for 20% of institutions to reach Level 2 and 15% to reach Level 3.

An additional 22,000 English teachers are needed for preschool and primary education levels.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), the Programme is applied to all educational institutions at the preschool, general education, higher education, vocational education, and continuing education levels nationwide. It is estimated that the Programme will affect approximately 50,000 educational institutions, with nearly 30 million children, pupils, and students, and around 1 million administrators and teachers across all levels and disciplines.

The implementation period of the Programme is 20 years (from 2025 to 2045), carried out in three main phases. Stage 1 (2025–2030) focuses on foundation building and standardization, ensuring a solid foundation for English to be used regularly and systematically within the educational environment; Stage 2 (2030–2035) focuses on expansion and strengthening, promoting more frequent and effective use of English; Stage 3 (2035–2045) focuses on completion and enhancement, under which English is used naturally, developing an English-using ecosystem in the environment of education, communication, and school governance.

Regarding resource conditions, after the Programme is promulgated, central and local agencies and organizations within its scope of regulation shall be responsible for implementation. For the preschool education level, in order to successfully implement the Programme, each preschool education institution needs to have one job position for an English teacher. Accordingly, it is estimated that an additional 12,000 job positions for English teachers at public preschool education institutions nationwide will be generated.

For the primary education level, to establish a solid foundation and ensure the successful achievement of the Programme’s objectives, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) proposes implementing English as a compulsory subject from Grade 1 of the General Education Curriculum (currently compulsory from Grade 3). This will result in the creation of approximately 10,000 additional English teacher positions in primary schools nationwide.

In addition, it is necessary to train and provide professional and pedagogical capacity development in English for at least 200,000 teachers teaching in English from now until 2035 in order to meet the requirements and objectives of the Programme.