Vietnam is embarking on a transformative educational journey by making English a compulsory second language in its schools.
This ambitious plan, officially approved in October 2025, seeks not only to boost students’ proficiency but to build a robust “English ecosystem” across the nation — positioning the country for deeper global integration and stronger competitiveness.
A Strategic Vision for the Future
The newly approved national project, titled “Making English the Second Language in Schools for the Period 2025–2035, with a Vision to 2045”, mandates the teaching of English from Grade 1 in all primary schools by 2030.
This changes the previous policy whereas English only became compulsory in Viet Nam's schools from Grade 3.
This phased strategy involves three main stages: laying the foundations (2025–2030), expansion (2030–2035), and full integration (2035–2045).
By 2035, the goal is for every general education student—from preschool through to Grade 12—to regularly use English in both study and communication.
Why English Matters for Viet Nam’s Competitiveness
The push to elevate English to a second-language status reflects Vietnam’s broader ambition to become more globally competitive. English is the dominant language of international research publications and global communication.
By mastering this language, students will be better equipped to access cutting-edge knowledge, collaborate internationally, and contribute to Vietnam’s transition into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
Political leaders view English proficiency as a key tool for deeper integration and sustainable development.
Building an ‘English Ecosystem’
This initiative is about far more than classroom instruction. The project calls for creating entire school environments in which English is regularly used for teaching, school management, and extracurricular activities.
Schools will be evaluated on multiple criteria — teaching quality, use of English in learning environments, digital learning tools, teacher capacity, and international cooperation.
By 2045, the plan envisions not only students, but institutions — including universities — operating under a fully mature English-speaking ecosystem.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its lofty goals, the policy faces significant practical hurdles. A major concern is the lack of qualified English teachers, especially in remote and under-resourced regions.
The government estimates that by 2030, Vietnam will need approximately 12,000 additional English teachers for preschools and another 10,000 for primary schools, alongside the retraining of roughly 200,000 current teachers.
In areas where recruitment has already begun, some provinces struggle to fill open teaching positions, forcing them to rely on online lessons or external centers, raising equity concerns.
Long-Term Benefits
If fully implemented, this policy could profoundly reshape Vietnam’s human capital. Students who grow up studying and communicating in English are more likely to pursue higher education, research, and careers on a global scale.
The use of English-medium instruction and AI-powered learning tools is expected to deepen their critical thinking skills and prepare them for a future where cross-border collaboration is the norm.
Over time, a generation of globally-competent Vietnamese citizens could drive innovation, attract foreign investment, and elevate the country’s standing in the global economy.
An Excellent Plan but Needed to be Done Right
Vietnam’s decision to institutionalize English as a second language is bold and forward-looking. It reflects a clear recognition by the government of the role language plays in global competitiveness.
While the path ahead involves serious challenges — particularly in teacher training and infrastructure — the promise is substantial.
By 2045, a deeply embedded English ecosystem in Vietnamese education could help unlock new opportunities and drive long-term national growth.
