Common textbook series price to drop by about 13%

Prices for the "Connecting Knowledge to Life" textbook series, covering grades one to 12, will see an average reduction of 13.3% compared to the current academic year.

The Vietnam Education Publishing House (VEPH) announced on 29/4 that it would reduce textbook prices for the upcoming academic year by optimizing production and distribution costs. The specific prices for individual books and full sets across different grade levels have yet to be released.

Last year, the "Connecting Knowledge to Life" textbook series for grades one to 12 ranged from nearly 190,000 VND to about 400,000 VND. The highest prices applied to grades 10-12, depending on elective subjects and specialized topics. The lowest price point was for grade two; a 13.3% reduction would translate to approximately 25,000 VND less for this particular set.

Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, Vietnam will revert to using a single common textbook series nationwide. This change follows a five-year period during which a single curriculum was implemented with multiple textbook series. The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) selected VEPH’s "Connecting Knowledge to Life" series, stating it met all requirements and was considered "most outstanding." Authorities also highlighted its high potential for revision and readiness for national implementation.

In addition to the price adjustment, MOET this year approved revisions for 11 textbooks. These updates primarily affect History and Geography, and Economic and Legal Education content, incorporating new administrative boundaries and socio-economic statistics. The updated content will be published on an online system. Teachers and students can still use books printed in 2025 or earlier as reference materials.

Looking ahead, MOET previously announced plans for students nationwide to receive free textbooks starting from the 2029-2030 academic year. This initiative will operate through a school library loan system, requiring students to return books after use and compensate for any damage.