Viet Nam's Hồ Chí Minh City (HCMC) has introduced a new policy banning all academic classes—including private tutoring—after 8 p.m., in a move aimed at reducing student stress and promoting healthier routines for young learners already stretched thin by packed school schedules and evening cram sessions.
HCMC officials say the decision comes amid growing concerns over the mental and physical toll of long study hours, with many students attending both regular school and night tutoring, often returning home exhausted and sleep-deprived well past dinnertime, which has led to a wider public call for change.
The policy, which applies across public and private sectors, is intended to reshape Viet Nam’s competitive education culture by encouraging better work-life balance, more sleep, and greater emphasis on quality learning during the day rather than quantity after hours; officials have also called on educators and parents alike to support this cultural shift in how success is defined.
While some tutoring centers may be reluctant to comply, authorities in HCMC are firm in their stance that academic excellence should not come at the cost of student well-being, family time, or long-term mental health—and that this change is a step toward building a more sustainable and student-centered education system for the future.
