The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam has announced plans to reduce the number of universities under its jurisdiction by five, as well as twelve vocational institutions. This decision was outlined in a report during a recent meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding administrative reforms.

Currently, Vietnam has a total of 228 universities, including both public and private institutions. Among these, 41 universities and 16 colleges are directly managed by the Ministry of Education and Training. The ministry is working on a proposal to reorganize the higher education system, which will be shared with relevant stakeholders for feedback before being submitted for approval.

The proposed reduction aligns with the government's directive to reorganize public higher education institutions. According to the Politburo's Plan 06, issued on July 28, the government aims to consolidate multi-disciplinary universities under the Ministry of Education and Training or local authorities. The plan also includes merging institutions located in the same area, except for those in specialized fields. The goal is to achieve a minimum reduction of 20% in the number of institutions by April 1, 2027.

This reform is part of a larger strategy to enhance the quality and efficiency of higher education in Vietnam, ensuring that institutions are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and society.