Homeschooling in Vietnam
Homeschooling exists informally but lacks legal standing for fulfilling compulsory education.
Homeschooling is not explicitly regulated or recognized in Vietnam, operating in a grey area where families may supplement traditional schooling at home but cannot replace compulsory public education. The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) oversees a centralized system emphasizing school-based general education. Compulsory primary and lower secondary education requires attendance at approved institutions.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
No
n/a
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Article 14(1) Luật Giáo dục 2019: Primary education is compulsory; state pursues universal lower secondary.
- Article 14(4): Families/guardians must create conditions for children to complete compulsory education.
- 2025 amendment (No. 123/2025/QH15): Explicitly states primary and lower secondary as compulsory education.
- No legal provisions for homeschooling or home-based alternatives in education law.
- Compulsory up to end of lower secondary (approx. age 15).
- MOET centralizes curriculum and standards; parents cannot substitute as certified teachers.
- Private schools allowed but must follow national standards identical to public schools.
Legal Framework
Vietnam's education framework rests on: (1) Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (2013) Article 39 (right to education); (2) Luật Giáo dục 2019 (Law on Education 2019, Law No. 43/2019/QH14, dated 14 June 2019, effective 1 July 2020), which replaced the 2005 Education Law and its 2009 amendments; (3) implementing decrees and circulars from the Ministry of Education and Training (Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo, MOET). The State is responsible for universalising compulsory primary education and lower secondary education. The Law on Education does NOT recognise home schooling as a parental-choice pathway; education must be delivered through approved formal or non-formal institutions. Responsible authority: Ministry of Education and Training (MOET).
Filing Requirements
What to file
n/a
When
n/a
Where
n/a
How to submit
n/a
What to include
- • n/a
No notification process exists; parents must ensure school enrollment for compulsory ages.
How to Get Started
- 1
Enroll child in accredited public/private school
- 2
Supplement with home programs (e.g., foreign curricula)
- 3
Maintain school attendance records
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Enhances school learning
- ✓Parental flexibility
Cons
- •No legal homeschool option
- •Compulsory school mandatory
Questions about homeschooling in Vietnam
Can I legally homeschool my child full-time in Vietnam?
No, homeschooling lacks legal recognition and cannot replace compulsory institutional schooling up to age 15 per Law on Education 2019 Article 14.
What happens if my child doesn't attend school?
Families must ensure completion of primary/lower secondary; non-compliance risks truancy enforcement under Article 14(4).
Are international schools an option?
Yes, but they must follow MOET national standards and are expensive (VND 600-800M/year); not a home-based alternative.
Can parents teach the national curriculum at home?
No, parents cannot substitute as certified teachers; 2026 Law on Teachers requires degrees/pedagogical training.
Is supplemental homeschooling allowed?
Yes informally alongside school enrollment; ~10,000 children use dual Vietnamese/foreign programs.
What about diplomas for homeschooled children?
No recognized homeschool diplomas; certification requires school-based exams and attendance.
Are there exceptions for special needs?
Public schools provide prioritized access/services; no homeschool-specific provisions.
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · VN homeschool law guide