The Ministry of Education and Training is currently collecting public feedback on a draft proposal for a National Assembly resolution aimed at reforming the preschool education curriculum.
The proposed reforms are designed to improve the quality and effectiveness of early childhood education by 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045.
The changes focus on modernizing the preschool curriculum through a competency-based approach, promoting holistic child development in areas such as physical health, emotional well-being, intelligence, language skills, and aesthetics. Additionally, the reform seeks to establish a strong foundation for personality development, preparing children for first grade while instilling core Vietnamese values.
To achieve these objectives, the ministry has outlined four major reforms, namely a competency-based approach focused on social-emotional development; a rights-based approach ensuring quality, equity, inclusion, fairness, and respect for individual differences; greater autonomy for educational institutions and teachers in developing preschool curricula; and regulations on daily activities to align with children’s developmental needs while ensuring appropriate working conditions for preschool educators, in line with the Labour Law.
While introducing new elements, the revised curriculum will retain the core principles of the existing program, including a child-centered approach, active learning, and communication skills development.
It will also incorporate modern educational methods, personalise the learning experienc,e and encourage greater family and community involvement in early childhood education.
The reform plan will be implemented in two phases. Between 2025 and 2028, preschool managers and teachers will undergo training, and the new curriculum will be piloted in selected preschools over three academic years, starting this autumn and ending in spring 2028.
This phase will also include an independent evaluation of the pilot program. From 2029 to 2030, the curriculum will be finalised and officially approved, followed by nationwide implementation starting in the 2029-2030 academic year.
The total estimated budget for the preschool curriculum reform is VNĐ140 billion (US$5.5 million).
The largest portion, VNĐ75 billion, will be allocated for piloting and implementing the program.
The development and review of the new curriculum will require an investment of VNĐ20 billion, with an additional VNĐ15 billion allocated for the production and distribution of teaching materials during the pilot phase.
A further VNĐ30 billion will be dedicated to training preschool managers and teachers. Separate funding will cover staff salaries and professional development through a dedicated project aimed at training teachers and administrators for preschool and general education from 2026 to 2030.
Infrastructure upgrades will be financed under the Preschool and General Education Infrastructure Enhancement Programme, running through 2030. The draft resolution is scheduled for submission to the 15th National Assembly for discussion and approval in October 2025. If passed, the reform will be enacted following a single-session review.
