In a recent meeting held on September 9, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Tiến Châu emphasized the need to ensure that every student has access to adequate textbooks, stressing that the lack of availability should not hinder teaching and learning. This directive comes as Vietnam prepares for the 2026-2027 academic year, which marks the implementation of a standardized textbook system nationwide. However, many areas are currently experiencing textbook shortages, causing difficulties for parents and students in acquiring necessary materials for their studies.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Châu requested detailed reports from relevant agencies regarding the current supply situation of textbooks. He raised concerns about the distribution process and questioned whether existing bookstores and distributors are capable of delivering books to remote areas. Additionally, he inquired about the responsibilities of these distributors in ensuring adequate supply and the procurement processes for public educational materials.

According to the Vietnam Education Publishing House, as of September 9, approximately 235.6 million textbooks and 84 million exercise books and reference materials have been published. The current shortages are attributed to disruptions in the purchasing channels at educational institutions and challenges in the operational timeline.

Deputy Prime Minister Châu highlighted that the ongoing textbook shortages indicate shortcomings in forecasting, ordering, production, inventory management, and distribution processes. He insisted that the management and supply of textbooks should be treated similarly to essential goods, focusing on timely and adequate provision rather than profit margins. He instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to coordinate efforts to identify specific areas and quantities of textbooks that are still needed, as well as those that are in surplus.

Furthermore, he directed the Ministry of Education to ensure transparency in the sales process by publicizing points of sale, contact information, and online ordering channels for parents and students. The Deputy Prime Minister also called for a comprehensive review of the state management of textbooks, from demand assessment to production, distribution, and monitoring.

The government is taking steps to evaluate the production and distribution networks and to develop plans for reasonable reserves to avoid dependency on orders from intermediary units. The Ministry of Education has been tasked with urgently reviewing the entire network of distributors and intermediaries and proposing improvements to the management mechanisms for production, inventory, and distribution of textbooks.

Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister has requested a review of pricing mechanisms to ensure that textbook prices are set transparently and reasonably, minimizing unnecessary intermediary costs. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been instructed to enhance market oversight of textbook sales and to report any competitive issues or legal violations to the government promptly.