Circular on the standards for the head and deputy of the head of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions.

CIRCULAR

Regulating the standards for heads and deputies of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions, Cognizance of Decree No. 43/2019/QH14 on Education, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 123/2025/QH15;

Cognizance of Decree No. 73/2025/QH15 on Teachers;

Cognizance of Decree No. 125/2025/QH15 on Higher Education;

Cognizance of Decree No. 124/2025/QH15 on Vocational Education;

Cognizance of Circular No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government regulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

In accordance with the proposal by the Director of the Department of Cadre Affairs,

The Minister of Education and Training promulgates this Circular to regulate the standards for heads and deputies of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions.

Article 1. Scope of Application and Applicable Subjects

1. This Circular stipulates the standards for the head (hereinafter referred to as principal) and deputy of the head (hereinafter referred to as vice-principal) of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions.

2. This Circular applies to principals and vice-principals of higher education institutions in accordance with paragraph 2, Article 11 of Decree No. 125/2025/QH15 on Higher Education, and principals and vice-principals of vocational education institutions in accordance with paragraph 2, Article 7 of Decree No. 124/2025/QH15 on Vocational Education. The standards for principals and vice-principals of higher education institutions and vocational education institutions under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defense shall be applied according to the provisions of this Circular and other regulations concerning the armed forces.

3. The standards for the principal of a higher education institution established in accordance with an Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of a foreign country, as implemented under the terms of such Agreement; where the Agreement does not provide otherwise, they shall be applied according to the provisions of this Circular.

Article 2. General Standards for Principals and Vice-Principals of Higher Education Institutions and Vocational Education Institutions

1. Possess good moral character.

2. Be in sufficient health to manage, direct, and oversee the institution's operations on a regular basis.

3. Demonstrate innovative thinking, strategic vision, and the ability to develop and implement strategies for the development of higher education institutions or vocational education institutions.

4. Principals and vice-principals of public higher education institutions must meet the requirements of their job positions and other regulations concerning management staff as stipulated by the Party and national laws.

Article 3. Specific Standards for Principals of Higher Education Institutions

Shall comply with the general standards set forth in Article 2 of this Circular, and the following provisions:

1. Hold a doctoral degree and have recognized expertise in the field of specialization of the higher education institution.

2. Have at least five years of teaching and research experience commensurate with the level of training provided by the institution.

3. Have at least two years of management experience at the department, division, or equivalent level in a higher education institution.

4. Demonstrate leadership, governance, and development capabilities for the higher education institution; possess the ability to collaborate and mobilize resources for the higher education institution.

3. Has at least two years of management experience in a higher education institution at the level of head of department, office, or equivalent or above.

4. Possesses leadership, governance, and development capabilities for an educational institution; has the ability to collaborate in development and mobilize resources for the educational institution.

Article 4. Specific Standards for Deputy Principal of Higher Education Institution

Shall meet the general standards stipulated in Article 2 of this Circular and the following provisions:

1. Hold a doctoral degree in a relevant professional field that meets the requirements of the position; specifically, for institutions training specialized disciplines (where programs in artistic fields, language, foreign literature and culture, physical education and sports account for at least 70% of the total enrollment), a master's degree or higher in a relevant professional field is required to meet the requirements of the position.

2. Have at least two years of management experience in a higher education institution from the level of deputy head of department, section, or equivalent positions and above.

3. Possess the ability to manage and develop specific areas of the higher education institution.

Article 5. Specific Standards for Principal of Vocational Education Institution

Shall meet the general standards stipulated in Article 2 of this Circular and the following provisions:

1. Hold a master's degree or above for principals of colleges; hold an undergraduate degree or above for principals of secondary vocational schools and technical schools.

2. Have at least two years of management experience in a vocational education institution at the same level of education or higher from the position of head of department, section, or equivalent positions and above.

3. Possess the ability to lead, manage, and develop the vocational education institution; have the capability to collaborate in development and mobilize resources for the vocational education institution.

Article 6. Specific Standards for Deputy Principal of Vocational Education Institution

Shall meet the general standards stipulated in Article 2 of this Circular and the following provisions:

1. Hold a master's degree or above for deputy principals of colleges; hold an undergraduate degree or above for deputy principals of secondary vocational schools and technical schools.

2. Have at least two years of management experience in a vocational education institution at the same level of education or higher from the position of deputy head of department, section, or equivalent positions and above.

3. Possess the ability to manage and develop specific areas of the vocational education institution.

Article 7. Transitional Provisions

The standards for qualifications regarding deputies of principals in higher education institutions and vocational education institutions shall be applied when implementing the appointment, reappointment, or extension of tenure; in special cases, where management staff are currently holding positions but have not yet met the educational qualification requirements, such decisions shall be made by the relevant supervisory authority.

Article 8. Effectiveness and Enforcement

1. This Circular takes effect from March 27, 2026.

2. Abolish paragraph 2 of Article 16 and paragraph 2 of Article 20 of Circular No. 14/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH dated October 21, 2021 by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs concerning the Regulations for Secondary Vocational Schools; and paragraph 2 of Article 16 and paragraph 2 of Article 20 of Circular No. 15/2021/TT-BLĐTBXH dated October 21, 2021 by the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs concerning the Regulations for Higher Vocational Schools.

3. The Ministers, Heads of Agencies at the same level as Ministries, Heads of agencies under the Government; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and relevant organizations, entities, and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Circular./.