Viet Nam has recently succeeded to increase the enrolment rates, especially in secondary education. The gross enrolment rate in secondary education increased from about 64% in 2000 to 77 % in 2008 and 90% in 2010. The gross enrolment rate in primary education was over 100 % in 2010 (UIS n.d.).

However, disparities exist in specific regions and between persons of different economic, social and ethnic background, and much remains to be done to achieve the targets of the sector policy especially to reach the disadvantaged “unreached” population groups. There are a number of ethnic minority children, especially girls, and children with disabilities who have no access to quality education, particularly at secondary level (UNESCO 2009, UIS n.d.). 

Although remarkable progress has been made in recent years, poor quality is still evident at all levels of education in Viet Nam. Poor educational outcomes are caused by insufficient school hours, irrelevant curriculum and under-qualified teachers, weaknesses which in the long run are significant human resource obstacles, impeding faster growth. 

One of the main goals in Viet Nam is to systematically improve the quality of education at all levels, including non-formal education, in order to increase lifelong learning opportunities for all. Policies and actions have been aimed at expanding access to quality education, including in isolated and remote areas. The Government further aims to support and encourage the development of educational training institutions and non-state technical and vocational training. Consequently, these improvements of the education sector are expected to contribute to the country’s industrialization and modernization as well as sustainable development (UNESCO 2007, 2009). 

Viet Nam is making efforts to expand their financial support for education; hence the share of education expenditure in GDP and in total government expenditure has increased significantly. The share of education expenditure in GDP and in total government expenditure increased from 2.2% of GDP in 1992 to 3.5% in 1998 and 5.3% in 2008. The share of education of total government expenditure rose from 11% in 1992 to about 17% in 1998 and 19.8% in 2008 (World Bank n.d.(b)). However, in order to reach the Government’s sector targets, the budget allocation for education must increase to 6.9% of GDP and 20% of total government expenditure by 2020, as stated in the long-term Vietnamese Education Development Strategy. 

Financial management is a complex process that includes cooperation between the central and local parts of the government. Funds from the central government are distributed on the disadvantaged areas and further supplemented at the local level. The central government provides fee relief and scholarships for students who are policy beneficiaries such as ethnic minorities, disadvantaged students and excellently performing students at all levels of schooling (UNESCO 2006).

The Government of Viet Nam have designed and formulated plans and goals for effective implementation of education management and quality improvement: 

Five Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2011-2015

• After the SEDP 2006-2010, targets of SEDP 2011-2015 include: (i) rapid development in close combination with sustainable development (ii) vigorous development of productive forces at increasingly higher scientific and technological levels while improving production relations and the socialist oriented market economy institutions, and (iii) shaping of an increasingly independent and autonomous economy in the context of far reaching international integration. 

Millennium Development Goals(MDGs)/Viet Nam Development Goals(VDGs)

• The Government is committed to achieving the MDG goals and formulated VDG goals, which includes the elimination of gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005.

National Action Plan for Education for All

• The Government targets quality basic education for all and the Education for All Action Plan emphasizes providing equal access for boys and girls to affordable and quality formal education services. The plan also aims to ensure that all adults, both men and women, have access to quality literacy and post literacy programmes.

Education Development Strategic Plan 2001-2010

• The Education Development Strategic Plan for 2001-2010 provided the overarching goals, measures and steps for the development of education and training towards the direction of diversification, standardization, modernization and social participation, with the aim to build a practical and effective education system. 

In addition, the Government has issued a number of decisions including, (i) Decision No. 161/2002/QD-TTg on ‘Preschool Education Development’, (ii) The Prime Minister Decision No. 112/2005/QD-TTg on “Building learning society in the period 2005-2010”, (iii) Resolution No. 14/2005/NQ-CP on the ‘Fundamental and Comprehensive Reform of Higher Education in Viet Nam 2006-2020’.