Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: A strategy to elevate Vietnam’s education on the global stage

DNHN - On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s education sector and the opening of the 2025–2026 academic year, Professor Huynh Van Chuong shared insights on key achievements in education quality management.

He also outlined strategies to strengthen Vietnam’s international standing.

In quality management, the Department has advised the Minister and the sector on successfully implementing key tasks. Most recently, the 2025 National High School Graduation Examination, the first held under the 2018 general education curriculum, was conducted in a professional, safe, and transparent manner.

Interviewer: Professor Huynh Van Chuong, how is Vietnam currently affirming its position in high-achievement education on the international stage? And what were the results of Vietnamese students at this year’s international Olympiads?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: The quality of Vietnam’s high-achievement education continues to be affirmed through national, regional, and international competitions. Vietnam has committed to and continues to participate in large-scale assessments conducted by reputable international organizations such as OECD and SEAMEO, consistently ranking highly. In terms of higher education rankings, although participation is voluntary, nearly 20 Vietnamese universities are now listed in prestigious global rankings.

In 2025, Vietnam sent seven teams to regional and international Olympiads. All 37 participating students won medals: 13 gold, 16 silver, and eight bronze. Every team ranked in the global Top 10 by number of gold medals, and every delegation brought home at least one gold. Compared to 2024 (12 gold, 15 silver, 10 bronze, and one honorable mention), the 2025 results improved by one additional gold medal.

The Quality Management Department deeply values the efforts of students and teachers and will continue to provide policy advice and support to ensure fair and enriching platforms where talented young people with a passion for science can fully realize their abilities.

Interviewer: Looking ahead, how will the format for selecting outstanding students change?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: In the coming period, contests for outstanding students will be adjusted to create opportunities for more students to participate, regardless of whether they attend specialized schools or not. The exam content will be closely aligned with the current national curriculum. 

Interviewer: In terms of international integration, how do you assess the results of large-scale assessments such as PISA and SEA-PLM?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: In recent years, the Department has been the focal point for advising and organizing Vietnam’s participation in large-scale assessments conducted by organizations like OECD and SEAMEO, in line with the Government’s and Ministry’s commitments to integration. Results have been consistently high, reinforcing the quality of Vietnam’s education system.

The PISA 2022 results are a prime example. They were recognized internationally as a highlight of Vietnam, demonstrating educational outcomes far exceeding investment levels.

At the primary level, Vietnam first participated in SEA-PLM in 2019 and led all three areas—reading, writing, and mathematics—among six ASEAN countries. In 2024, Vietnam again participated, and preliminary results indicate continued leadership across all three domains. The official results will be announced soon.

Interviewer: What is the significance of implementing large-scale domestic assessments, and how do these contribute to sustainable development goals?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: Vietnam is also conducting large-scale assessments for students in grades 5, 9, and 11 under the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). The Department recognizes the vital efforts of teachers and students nationwide. As the lead agency assigned by the Minister, we are committed to further training teachers to apply regional and international assessment standards, while guiding students in practicing competency-based test items to stimulate intelligence and maximize creativity.

Large-scale assessments provide critical information on teaching, learning, and related conditions in general education. This data informs policy recommendations on instruction, examinations, and evaluations, helping raise overall quality and foster student competencies.

Importantly, the results show Vietnam’s steady progress toward fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4): “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” These results also contribute essential data for both national and international student performance assessments.

Interviewer: Could you share more about Vietnam’s recent achievements in higher education international integration?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: Since the first institutions, Vietnam National University Hanoi and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, appeared in rankings in 2018, nearly 20 Vietnamese universities have now been listed in QS World Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE).

Specifically, nine institutions have been ranked by THE. Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics made its debut in 2025 with a high position in the global Top 501–600. In QS rankings, nine universities were ranked across 25 subjects, with three programs in the global Top 100: petroleum engineering (Vietnam National University HCMC), hospitality (Duy Tan University), and performing arts (Van Lang University).

Seventeen Vietnamese universities are now listed in QS World Rankings, including Duy Tan University, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnam National University HCMC, Ton Duc Thang University, and Nguyen Tat Thanh University—some ranking among the global Top 200.

The Ministry prioritizes substantive improvement in higher education under the principle of “real learning, real testing, real quality.” Participation in rankings is voluntary, but the data submitted must be accurate, comprehensive, timely, and aligned with accreditation results.

Interviewer: How is the Ministry orienting its efforts to ensure genuine quality improvement in higher education?

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Chuong: With the support of Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and Resolution 71-NQ/TW on education reform, combined with the self-improvement efforts of universities under the Ministry’s guidance, I am confident that sustainable quality improvement and stronger global rankings for Vietnamese universities will become a reality in the near future, as envisioned by Resolution 71.

Interviewer: From this exchange with Professor Chuong, it is clear that Vietnam’s education sector is pursuing a deliberate, long-term strategy to enhance both quality and international recognition. From Olympiad achievements and PISA results to SEA-PLM leadership and university rankings, Vietnam’s education system is proving its direction is sound. With the motto “real learning, real testing, real quality” embraced from policymakers to classrooms, there is every reason to believe Vietnamese education is firmly on course for sustainable integration and development.

Thank you, Professor!

Dr. Nguyễn Thúy Lan

Vietnamese Version: GS.TS Huỳnh Văn Chương: Chiến lược nâng cao vị thế giáo dục Việt Nam trên trường quốc tế