The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has issued Circular No. 53/2026/TT-BGDĐT, establishing new regulations for graduate admissions and training. These guidelines are designed to promote transparency, objectivity, and equal opportunity for all candidates applying for master's and doctoral programs.

According to the new regulations, the admissions process must be open and fair, allowing all eligible candidates to compete on equal footing based on the requirements of the training programs and the quality assurance conditions of the educational institutions. Graduate programs will adhere to established curricula, ensuring consistency in output standards, training quality, and the value of diplomas across various educational formats and student demographics.

Students who complete their training programs and meet the specified conditions will be recognized as graduates and awarded diplomas. Additionally, those who finish one or more modules of the master's or doctoral programs will receive higher education certificates or acknowledgment of their academic achievements.

Educational institutions are granted autonomy and are responsible for their operations, ensuring accountability and fairness in the admissions and training processes. They will determine the format, organization, and study plans for each training program, complying with the Higher Education Law and the new regulations.

For doctoral training, only formal education methods will be utilized. PhD candidates will be managed, supervised, and evaluated by their institutions throughout their training, participating in professional activities, teaching, and research. This includes full-time study and research at the institution according to a specified study plan, where they must register for at least 30 credits within an academic year.

The standard duration for master's training is calculated from the date of admission until the submission of the thesis or completion of other graduation requirements. For doctoral candidates, the training period ranges from three to four years, with institutions responsible for ensuring that most candidates complete their programs within this timeframe.

Moreover, the regulations stipulate that the results of academic performance and certificates will be valid for credit recognition and transfer within the maximum duration of the training program. Students who do not graduate within this timeframe, including those who have been dismissed, may reapply for admission.

In terms of faculty qualifications, instructors for doctoral programs must hold the title of professor or associate professor, or possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field. Those without such titles must have at least two years of teaching or research experience since obtaining their doctoral degree, along with relevant scientific research outcomes.

These new regulations reflect Vietnam's commitment to improving the quality of higher education and ensuring that the training of future professionals meets international standards.