Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDĐT stipulates standards and procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Appraisal.

CIRCULAR

Issuing regulations on standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks;

standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Examination

of the National Council for Textbook Appraisal  

Pursuant to the Education Law dated June 14, 2005; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Education Law dated November 25, 2009; đArticle of the Education Law on November 25, 2009;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 88/2014/QH13 dated November 28, 2014 of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on amending the program and textbooks for general education;1Decision No. 3 dated November 28, 2014 of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding the curriculum,, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPPursuant to Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law; Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law; Decree No. 07/2013/NĐ-CP dated January 9, 2013 of the Government amending Point b Clause 13 Article 1 of Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law; specialized agency under the People's Committee of the province/city.textbooks for general education;

Pursuant to Decree No. 69/2017/NĐ-CP dated May 25, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

At the proposal of the Director of the Primary Education Department, the Director of the Secondary Education Department;thereof The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular prescribing standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Examination. đAttached to this Circular are the standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Examination. đThis Circular takes effect from February 6, 2018. đThis Circular replaces the regulations on the organization and operation of the National Council for Textbook Examination for general education programs issued together with Decision No. 37/2001/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 10, 2001 of the Minister of Education and Training on the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of the National Council for Program and Textbook Examination in General Education; Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BGDĐT dated December 14, 2015 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the criteria for selecting foreign language textbooks for use in secondary schools. đThe Director of the Office, the Directors of the Secondary Education Department, the Primary Education Department, and the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training, the Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees, the Directors of Departments of Education and Training, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular. đArticle of the Education Law;

At the proposal of the Director of the Primary Education Department,developmentthe Director of the Secondary Education Department;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular to stipulate standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and operation of the National Council for Textbook Appraisal.

Article 1. This Circular sets forth standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and operation of the National Council for Textbook Appraisal.

Article 2. This Circular takes effect from February 6, 2018.

This Circular replaces the provisions on the organization and operation of the National Council for Textbook Appraisal for general education issued together with Decision No. 37/2001/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 10, 2001 of the Minister of Education and Training on the issuance of regulations on the organization and operation of the National Council for Curriculum and Textbook Appraisal for general education; Circular No. 31/2015/TT-BGDĐT dated December 14, 2015 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the issuance of criteria for selecting foreign language textbooks for use in secondary schools.

Article 3. The Head of the Office, Directors of the Secondary Education Department, the Primary Education Department, Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training, Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees, Directors of Departments of Education and Training, related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

REGULATIONS
Standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Examination
(Issued together with Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated December 22, 2017 of the Minister of Education and Training)
1. This document stipulates standards, procedures for compiling and revising textbooks; standards for organizations and individuals compiling textbooks; organization and activities of the National Council for Textbook Examination.
2. These regulations apply to organizations and individuals compiling textbooks, the National Council for Textbook Examination, and related organizations and individuals.
1. A textbook is a publication that concretizes the requirements of the general education curriculum; it is approved and permitted by the Minister of Education and Training for use as the main teaching material in general education institutions.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

2. A textbook draft is a complete manuscript of a textbook that has been edited, typeset, and printed in book form, with the term "draft" appearing on the cover and the title page.

This provision applies to organizations and individuals compiling textbooks, National Councils for Textbook Appraisal, and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this document, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. A textbook is a publication that concretizes the requirements of the general education curriculum; it is approved and permitted for use as formal teaching materials in general education institutions by the Minister of Education and Training.

2. A textbook draft is a complete manuscript of a textbook that has been edited, printed, and published in book form, with the term "draft" appearing on the cover and back cover (the page with the title of the book).

Article 3. Principles for compiling textbooks

1. In accordance with the viewpoints and policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam; compliance with the Constitution and laws of Vietnam.

2. Specific implementation of educational goals, content, methods, and evaluation of educational outcomes of the general education program; ensuring continuity between different levels, classes, subjects, and educational activities.

3. Reflecting specific conditions in Vietnam and aligning with advanced global educational trends, ensuring the best interests of learners.

Chapter II

STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPILE AND REVISE

TEXTBOOKS

Article 4. Precedent Conditions for Textbooks

1. The content and form of textbooks must not contravene Vietnamese legal regulations and must comply with national standards for publications.

2. The content and form of textbooks must not contain biases regarding ethnicity, religion, profession, gender, age, and social status.

Article 5. Content of Textbooks

1. The content of textbooks accurately and fully reflects the content of subject programs or educational activities; ensuring fundamentality, scientific accuracy, practicality, and suitability to Vietnamese realities.

2. Terminology, concepts, definitions, data, events, images must be accurate, objective, consistent, and appropriate to students' level; data, events, images must have clear sources.

3. New scientific achievements related to subject programs and educational activities must be updated to meet international integration requirements and align with the objectives of these programs and activities.

4. Educational content on national sovereignty, human rights, children's rights, gender equality, sustainable development, environmental protection, and adaptation to climate change must be reasonably presented.

Article 6. Teaching Methods and Evaluation of Educational Outcomes in Textbooks

1. Lessons in textbooks provide opportunities for teachers to creatively apply teaching methods and forms that center around student learning activities; encouraging students to actively, proactively, and creatively engage in their studies, thereby developing their potential.

2. Lessons in textbooks accurately reflect the required achievement levels of students' qualities and abilities and the criteria for evaluating educational outcomes as stipulated in subject programs and educational activities, serving as a basis for accurately assessing educational outcomes.

Article 7. Structure of Textbooks

1. The structure of textbooks must include the following basic components: parts, chapters or themes; lessons; explanations of terms; table of contents.

2. The structure of lessons in textbooks includes the following basic components: introduction, new knowledge, practice, application.

Article 8. Language Used in Textbooks and Presentation Form of Textbooks

1. The language used in textbooks is Vietnamese (except for foreign language textbooks and ethnic minority language textbooks), adhering to spelling and grammar rules, abbreviations, symbols, transliterations, measurement units as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training; expressions must be clear, easy to understand, accurately convey the intended content, and be suitable for students' age groups.

2. The presentation form of textbooks must balance and harmonize textual and visual elements, symbol systems, font styles, and sizes.

3. Illustrations, photographs, tables, charts, maps, drawings in textbooks must be clear, accurate, up-to-date, aesthetically pleasing, relevant to lesson content, appropriate for students' age groups, and clearly cite sources.

Article 9. Procedures for compiling and revising textbooks

b) Organizations and individuals compiling textbooks organize the compilation, editing, design, illustration, complete at least one lesson, conduct experimental teaching, seek feedback after experimental teaching to perfect that lesson with the participation and consensus of all authors before organizing the compilation of other lessons; organize the compilation, editing, design, illustration, experimental teaching, seek opinions from teachers, educational management officials, scientists, educators knowledgeable about general education to review and evaluate the textbook draft according to the provisions of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular (specific requirements according to the Criteria for Evaluating Textbooks attached to this Circular); complete the textbook draft and submit it to the Ministry of Education and Training for review;

a) Organizations and individuals compiling textbooks shall register and submit the manuscript to a publisher that meets the conditions stipulated in Clause 1, Article 18 of this Circular;

b) The publisher shall organize editing and complete the textbook prototype; coordinate with the organizations and individuals compiling the textbooks to conduct experimental use of the textbooks;

đ) The Minister of Education and Training approves and permits the use of textbooks;

d) Publishers with textbooks subject to review shall cooperate with the organizations and individuals compiling the textbooks to finalize the textbook prototype after the review;

đ) The Minister of Education and Training shall approve and permit the use of textbooks.

2. Procedures for revising textbooks

4. The Minister of Education and Training decides specifically the procedures for compiling and editing textbooks as stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article for textbooks compiled and edited using state budget funds.".

b) The procedures for revising textbooks shall be carried out as specified in the procedures for compiling textbooks under Clause 1 of this Article, except for the provisions on experimental use of textbooks. In cases where it is necessary to organize experimental use of revised textbooks, such decision shall be made by the Minister of Education and Training.
decided by the Minister of Education and Training.

Chapter III

STANDARDS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS COMPILE TEXTBOOKS

COMPILE TEXTBOOKS

Article 10. Standards for organizations compiling textbooks

1. Established in accordance with Vietnamese laws;

2. Have a team of authors compiling textbooks meeting the standards stipulated in Article 11 of this Circular;

3. Be accepted by a publisher that meets the conditions stipulated in Clause 1, Article 18 of this Circular to organize editing and complete the textbook prototype; coordinate to organize experimental use and propose for review of the textbooks.

Article 11. Standards for individual textbook compilers

1. Individuals compiling textbooks must meet the following criteria:

a) Hold a university degree or higher, understand educational science, and have expertise relevant to the textbooks being compiled;

b) Possess full citizen rights, good moral character, and positive ideological qualities.

2. Individuals participating in compiling textbooks shall not participate in reviewing textbooks.

Chapter IV

ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES

OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR REVIEWING TEXTBOOKS

Article 12. National Council for Reviewing Textbooks

1. The National Council for Reviewing Textbooks (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is an organization established by the Minister of Education and Training for each subject and educational activity at each level of education, assisting the Minister of Education and Training in reviewing textbooks.

2. The Council includes scientists, educators, educational managers with experience and reputation in education, and representatives of related organizations; at least one-third (one-third) of the total number of members are teachers currently teaching the subject or educational activity at the corresponding level of education. The number of Council members is an odd number, with a minimum of seven people.

3. Tasks of the Council

a) Review textbooks of a subject or educational activity for all classes within a level of education according to the provisions set forth in Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular;

b) Propose to the Minister of Education and Training for approval and permission to use textbooks.

4. The Council's structure includes: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Members.

5. The Council and its members are responsible for the content and quality of the review.

Article 13. Standards for Council members

1. Possess good moral character and ideological qualities; have sufficient health and time to participate in reviewing textbooks.

2. Hold a university degree or higher, understand educational science, and have expertise relevant to the textbooks being reviewed.

3. Have previously participated in one of the following tasks: developing general education programs, reviewing general education programs, compiling textbooks, reviewing textbooks; or have at least three (three) years of direct teaching experience at the level of education with the textbooks being reviewed.

Article 14. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary, and Members of the Council

1. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Chairman of the Council

a) Be responsible to the Minister of Education and Training for the activities of the Council;

b) Be responsible for coordinating work with the unit conducting the assessment as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 19 of this Circular;

c) Establish and implement the Council's work plan according to the prescribed schedule; assign tasks to Council members;

d) Chair Council meetings; preside over the approval of minutes after each session of the Council;

đ) Report and coordinate with the unit conducting the assessment to handle unusual situations arising during the assessment process;

e) Propose supplementary or changes to Council members (if necessary);

g) Delegate certain specific tasks to the Vice Chairman of the Council. The content of the delegation is documented in writing and kept in the Council's working file;

h) Fulfill other responsibilities and authorities as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.

2. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Vice Chairman of the Council

a) Be responsible for tasks assigned or delegated by the Chairman of the Council;

b) Assist the Chairman of the Council in preparing meeting content, programs, and organizing Council sessions;

c) Fulfill other responsibilities and authorities as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.

3. Responsibilities and Authorities of the Secretary of the Council

a) Assist the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council in preparing materials for Council sessions;

b) Draft minutes, compile reports summarizing opinions and recommendations from Council sessions; be responsible for the completeness and truthfulness of the content of Council meeting minutes;

c) After the Council has issued its conclusion report, collect and transfer all related files to the unit conducting the assessment;

d) Fulfill the responsibilities and authorities of Council members as prescribed in Clause 4 of this Article.

4. Responsibilities and Authorities of Council Members:

a) Perform textbook evaluation tasks as prescribed in Article 16 of this Circular and other tasks as assigned by the Chairman of the Council;

b) Fully participate in Council meetings; if unable to attend a meeting, must request permission from the Chairman of the Council in writing;

c) Be individually responsible for comments and evaluations made during the textbook evaluation process;

d) Have the right to request full provision of relevant materials for the assessment process; retain personal opinions; submit personal opinions to the unit conducting the assessment in writing.

Article 15. Principles of Operation of the Council

1. The Board operates on the principles of centralization, democracy, objectivity, and honesty.

2. A Council meeting is considered valid when at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Council members participate, including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary; absent members must submit their comments and evaluations on the textbook sample in writing enclosed in sealed envelopes to the unit conducting the assessment before the meeting is held. In Council meetings, there must be a representative from the unit conducting the assessment.
3. The content of each Council meeting must be recorded in minutes signed by attending Council members and the representative of the unit conducting the assessment.

4. During the assessment process, the Council may propose to the unit conducting the assessment to seek specialized opinions from relevant agencies, organizations, or individuals if necessary.

4. During the appraisal process, the Council may request opinions from relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals if necessary.

Article 16. Procedure for the examination of textbooks

1. At least fifteen days before the first meeting of the Council, the textbook draft shall be sent to the members of the Council by the organization conducting the examination. Members of the Council read, study, and write comments and evaluations on the textbook draft according to the contents stipulated in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular.

2. The Council convenes to discuss the textbook draft according to the contents stipulated in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular.

3. Members of the Council evaluate and classify the textbook draft.

a) Evaluate and classify the textbook draft according to the contents stipulated in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular into one of three categories: "Pass," "Pass but requires revision," "Fail."

b) Provide an overall evaluation and classification of the textbook draft into one of three categories: "Pass," "Pass but requires revision," "Fail":

- The textbook draft is classified as "Pass" if all the classifications according to the contents stipulated in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular are "Pass."

- The textbook draft is classified as "Pass but requires revision" if all the classifications according to the contents stipulated in Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this Circular are either "Pass" or "Pass but requires revision," with the requirement that the contents stipulated in Clause 4 of this Circular must be classified as "Pass."

- The textbook draft is classified as "Fail" in all other cases.

4. The Council evaluates the textbook draft.

a) The Council classifies the textbook draft as "Pass" if at least three-quarters (three-fourths) of the total number of Council members classify it as "Pass."

b) The Council classifies the textbook draft as "Pass but requires revision" if at least three-quarters (three-fourths) of the total number of Council members classify it as "Pass" and "Pass but requires revision" or at least three-quarters (three-fourths) of the total number of Council members classify it as "Pass but requires revision."

c) The Council classifies documents as "Fail" in other cases.

CHAPTER V

DOCUMENTS, PROCEDURES, AND FORMALITIES FOR REQUESTING EXAMINATION, APPROVAL, AND PERMIT TO USE TEXTBOOKS

APPROVAL AND PERMISSION TO USE TEXTBOOKS

Article 17. Documents for Requesting Examination of Textbooks

1. The initial set of documents for requesting examination of textbooks (hereinafter referred to as the dossier) consists of one copy, including:

a) A request form for examination of textbooks (attached model in this Circular).

b) The textbook draft requested for examination.

c) An explanation about the textbook draft requested for examination, including: name of the textbook; author(s), editor-in-chief(s), chief editor(s) (if applicable); purpose of compilation, target audience, and scope of use; structure and content; process and results of experimental use; other related information (if any).

d) Scientific curriculum vitae of the authors, editor-in-chief(s), chief editor(s) (if applicable) and the editor.

2. The dossier for requesting re-examination includes:

a) The revised and supplemented textbook draft.

b) A report summarizing the content accepted or explaining the content not accepted based on the Council's conclusions.

Article 18. Entity Requesting Examination of Textbooks

1. The entity requesting examination of textbooks is a publisher established in accordance with the provisions of the law, where the organization of textbook publication must be recorded in the publisher’s establishment permit.

2. The request for examination of textbooks must be made through a publisher that meets the requirements stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 19. Units organizing the appraisal of textbooks

1. The Primary Education Department and the Secondary Education Department are units organizing the appraisal of textbooks.

2. The unit organizing the appraisal of textbooks shall take the lead and coordinate with related units to assist the Minister of Education and Training in organizing the appraisal of textbooks, including the following tasks:

a) Proposing the list of members of the Appraisal Board;

b) Preparing financial and material conditions to serve the activities of the Appraisal Board;

c) Receiving and transferring sample textbooks to each member of the Appraisal Board; receiving files and reports, proposals, recommendations of the Appraisal Board for submission to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision;

d) Submitting to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration of approval and permission to use textbooks;

đ) Keeping copies of sample textbooks, minutes of meetings of the Appraisal Board, and related documents during the organization of the appraisal process and transferring them to the storage department of the Ministry of Education and Training as prescribed.

Article 20. Procedure for handling applications for textbook appraisal

1. The unit applying for textbook appraisal submits the application file to the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. The Ministry of Education and Training receives the application file and checks its completeness and validity. In cases where the application file does not meet the provisions of Article 17 of this Circular, the file will be returned to the unit applying for textbook appraisal within twenty (20) working days from the date of receipt of the file.

3. Within no more than twenty (20) working days from the date of receipt of a valid application file, the unit organizing the appraisal will propose a list of Appraisal Board members for submission to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision on establishment of the Appraisal Board.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training convenes the first meeting of the Appraisal Board. The Chairman of the Appraisal Board manages the activities of the Appraisal Board according to the provisions of this Circular.

5. The Chairman of the Appraisal Board sends the unit organizing the textbook appraisal a report on the results of the appraisal of the sample textbook by the Appraisal Board.

6. The unit organizing the textbook appraisal handles the results of the appraisal as follows:

a) In case the sample textbook is rated "Pass" by the Appraisal Board, the unit organizing the appraisal completes the file, prepares an appraisal report, and drafts a decision for submission to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision on approval and permission to use.

b) In case the sample textbook is rated "Pass but requires revision" by the Appraisal Board, the unit organizing the appraisal submits a notification to the Minister of Education and Training for the unit applying for textbook appraisal to implement revisions and supplementary submissions to the Ministry of Education and Training for re-appraisal in accordance with Clause 2, Article 17 of this Circular.

c) In case the sample textbook is rated "Fail" by the Appraisal Board, the unit organizing the appraisal notifies the result of the appraisal to the unit applying for textbook appraisal. If the entity or individual wishes to continue compiling the textbook, the sample textbook must be rebuilt for re-appraisal, as if it were the first time.

Article 21. Copyright and Related Rights to Textbook Copyright

Issues concerning copyright and related rights to textbook copyright shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 22. Handling complaints and denunciations

The handling of complaints and denunciations shall be carried out in accordance with the current provisions of the law on complaints and denunciations./.

Model complaint form for requesting review of textbooks

(Attached to Circular No. 33/2017/TT-BGDĐT dated December 22, 2017)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF TEXTBOOKSỀ DECREE
APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL OF TEXTBOOKS

Respected Ministry of Education and Training,

[Name of the entity requesting review], [address of workplace/office/agency/legal status]

We request the Ministry of Education and Training to review the draft textbooks used in educational institutions [elementary/middle/high school] as follows:

1. Name of the textbook: [name of the textbook, volume..., grade...][In case there are multiple draft textbooks, list each name sequentially].

2. Author(s)/Group of authors/Entity named as author(s)/Chief editor(s)/General chief editor(s) (if applicable): [Ipoliciesf there are multiple draft textbooks requested for review, list them separately].

3. Educational institution using the textbook: [elementary/middle/high school]

4. Documents submitted for review include:

a) ...

b) ...

5. Contact address: ...

6. Current benefits or policies being received (if applicable):

7. Email address: ...

Attached documents:

- For organizational compilers: Name of organization, establishment decision or business registration

- For individual compilers: Scientific curriculum vitae, role in the compilation of the textbook

- For organizations compiling textbooks: Name of the organization, decision on establishment or business registration

3. Opinions and evaluations of organizations and individuals regarding the compiled textbook (if any).

3. 4. Commitment to comply with current legal regulations on intellectual property rights. 5. Other related documents (if any).

4. Commitment to comply with current laws on intellectual property rights.

5. Other related documents (if any).