This requirement is outlined in the Action Program implementing the Central Party Committee's conclusion on continuing to refine and effectively operate the overall organizational model of the political system and two-tiered local government. The Government issued this program on 9/8.

The Government has assigned the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to lead the reorganization of the public higher education system. MOET will coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs and various provinces and cities. Multi-disciplinary and multi-field universities will be transferred to MOET or local management. Furthermore, institutions in the same locality will be merged or consolidated, with the exception of those operating in specialized fields.

This restructuring initiative aims to reduce the number of public higher education entities by at least 20%. The target completion date for this reduction is before 1/4/2027.

For vocational education, public institutions currently under ministries and sectors will be transferred to local management, excluding a few schools in specialized fields. The total number of public vocational education institutions must be reduced by at least 30%, with completion targeted before 1/10.

In August, MOET is tasked with issuing guidelines for reorganizing public service units, as well as preschools, primary, and secondary schools at the commune and ward levels.

Students at National Economics University, 3/2026. *Photo: Hoang Giang*

Vietnam currently has 291 higher education institutions, with 228 being public schools, according to the latest report from MOET. This accounts for over 78% of all institutions. Among these public institutions, 200 are managed by various ministries and sectors.

Politburo Resolution 71, issued in 8/2025, previously called for an early restructuring of the higher education system. It mandated merging and dissolving substandard schools, eliminating intermediate administrative levels, and researching the consolidation of research institutes with universities. The resolution also suggested transferring some schools to local management. The then Minister of Education and Training indicated that approximately 140 public universities were subject to this reorganization plan.

The Government has also directed the Ministry of Health (MOH) to reduce the number of hospitals, affiliated higher education institutions, and forensic and psychiatric forensic examination units under its purview.

The model for commune-level health stations must be refined to provide essential services and primary healthcare to the public. Additionally, regional health centers will be reorganized to prevent overlapping duties and ensure efficient service delivery.

MOH is required to complete electronic health records on VNeID and connect health data from commune to provincial levels in October.

Ministries and ministerial-level agencies are instructed to continue streamlining their internal organization and reorganizing the network of public service units. Concurrently, the Government requested research into establishing special economic zones to foster new development spaces and a model for commune-level administrative units to serve as a nucleus for local governance.

Vu Tuan