Vietnam is due to complete documents in Q4 2026 to merge and reorganize several colleges and other public institutions with four universities under the Ministry of Education and Training. Another 11 vocational schools have already been transferred to local authorities and the Ministry of Public Security.
On October 16, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son signed Decision No. 3013/QD-BGDDT on a plan to reorganize public institutions under the ministry.
Under the task list attached to the decision, the ministry must complete documents in Q4 2026 for the merger and reorganization of several vocational education institutions, meaning colleges, and public institutions with four universities under the ministry.
Six institutions involved with four universities
For colleges, the ministry plans four operations in Q4: merge the Central College of Education into Hanoi National University of Education; merge the Central College of Education in Nha Trang into Nha Trang University; merge the Central College of Education in Ho Chi Minh City into Ho Chi Minh City University of Education; and establish a branch of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering in Quang Ninh on the basis of the College of Construction and Social Technology.
During the same period, two other public institutions will be handled through a merger or transfer: the Ho Chi Minh City School of Education Management will be merged into Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, while the Institute for School Design Research will be transferred intact to Hanoi University of Civil Engineering.
The receiving universities, working with the relevant institutions, must prepare documents for the mergers, transfers in their existing form, or establishment of the branch and submit them to the Ministry of Education and Training in Q4.
In this reorganization, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and Hanoi University of Civil Engineering will each receive two institutions through a merger or transfer.
11 vocational schools transferred to local authorities and the Ministry of Public Security
The appendix to Decision No. 3013 says the ministry has completed the transfer of 11 vocational education institutions under decisions by the prime minister. Eight schools were transferred to local authorities and three to the Ministry of Public Security.
The local authorities received College of Construction No. 1, the College of Urban Construction Works, Hanoi College of Engineering and Vocational Training, the Vocational School of Construction Mechanics, the College of Construction Mechanization, Viet-Xo No. 1 Vocational College, Lilama 2 International Technology College, and Nam Dinh College of Construction.
The Ministry of Public Security received the College of Engineering Technology, Dung Quat College of Engineering Technology, and College of Engineering Technology II.
Reorganization must not reduce quality
The Ministry of Education and Training said the reorganization is linked to improving quality, expanding institutional autonomy, and updating management. The ministry aims for institutions of a reasonable size with multiple fields of study, fewer administrative units, and more efficient public investment. Its guiding principle is that mechanical mergers must not reduce quality.
The reorganization must protect the lawful rights and interests of students, lecturers, and employees, avoid interrupting education, and ensure continuity for students' programs, degrees, and certificates.
For the reorganization of higher education institutions, the ministry will work with other ministries, agencies, and its subordinate units to prepare a proposal for submission to the prime minister by April 1, 2027.
Institutions not included in the 2026 reorganization plan must review and reorganize their internal structures themselves. The Personnel Department was assigned to assess documents, monitor implementation, and consolidate progress reports.
Sources: Thanh Niên
