Vietnam’s ongoing digital and AI-enabled transformation in education is not an isolated innovation trend – it is a strategic, system-wide evolution aligned with the country’s broader development priorities affirmed at the 14th National Party Congress. The Congress underscored science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as central pillars of Vietnam’s next development phase, advancing a growth model grounded in productivity, quality, and competitiveness.
In education, this vision is already taking shape: digital learning platforms and national data systems are used for high-school graduation and university admissions; digital and open educational resources are expanding access; and the sector is preparing policies and legislative frameworks to accelerate AI adoption in teaching, learning, and administration. The Ministry of Education and Training has highlighted digitalisation and controlled AI use as foundational to the next strategic phase of education reform, with priorities such as infrastructure modernization, deeper institutional reform, and stronger human capital development.
Why this matters for Vietnam’s future
The strategic embrace of digitalisation and AI in education is crucial because it equips learners and educators to meet the demands of the 21st-century economy and society. As Vietnam aims to transition from traditional labour-intensive pathways toward a knowledge- and innovation-driven growth model, skills such as digital literacy, computational thinking, and adaptive problem-solving become essential to national competitiveness. Integrating AI responsibly into curriculum and systems fosters personalized learning pathways, supports teacher effectiveness, and enhances transparency and equity across regions. These efforts are not merely technological upgrades but reimagine how education supports lifelong learning, workforce readiness, and inclusive socio-economic development – ambitions that resonate directly with the Party’s high-level goals for rapid, sustainable growth.
Outlook: What to expect next
Looking ahead, Vietnam’s education sector is likely to see three interlinked waves of progress:
Expanding AI-enhanced learning ecosystems: Curriculum frameworks and teacher development programmes will deepen, introducing age-appropriate AI competencies and tools from early schooling to higher education.
Strengthening digital infrastructure and data foundations: Nationwide integration of digital platforms will support seamless administrative services, data-driven decision-making, and personalized learning analytics.
Linking education with economic transformation: Partnerships across government, industry, and academia will grow, strengthening pathways from learning to employment in technology-oriented sectors – a key priority in Vietnam’s national development agenda.
These developments position Vietnam to cultivate human capital capable of contributing to its aspirations for innovation-led growth and global engagement, while honoring the social objectives and unity reflected in recent national leadership commitments.
