Circular 38/2026/TT-BGDĐT Issuing the Basic Standards for Vocational Education

 

CIRCULAR

Issuing basic standards for vocational education institutions

Pursuant to the Vocational Education Law No. 124/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Vocational Education nand Lifelong Education The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circularissuing;

basic standards for vocational education institutions. Issuing basic standards for vocational education institutions.

Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation, Applicability

1. This Circular promulgates basic standards for vocational education institutions, including requirements on quality assurance conditions and performance indicators of vocational education institutions; guidelines for applying and evaluating compliance with basic standards for vocational education institutions.

2. This Circular applies to vocational education institutions; relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 2. Explanation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Quality assurance conditions of vocational education institutions are requirements regarding organizational structure and management; teaching staff and managerial personnel; training programs and textbooks; physical facilities and training equipment; financial resources and digital management systems and data to ensure sufficient conditions for organizing and maintaining training activities in accordance with regulations.

2. Performance indicators of vocational education institutions are indicators reflecting the level and effectiveness of organizing training activities and development capacity of vocational education institutions.

3. Degree of compliance with basic standards for vocational education institutions is the degree to which vocational education institutions meet the requirements on quality assurance conditions and performance indicators as prescribed in this Circular.

4. Full-time teaching staff is teaching staff recruited and working full-time at only one vocational education institution.

5. Employer is a business, agency, organization, cooperative, household, individual who hires or uses laborers to work for them under agreement; in case the employer is an individual, they must have full civil capacity.

6. Practical classroom is a room or functional area serving practical, experimental, and testing activities of each profession or group of professions.

7. Evidence is printed materials, digitalized materials, references, objects cited to objectively confirm the degree of compliance with quality assurance conditions and performance indicators of vocational education institutions.

Article 3. Purpose of Issuing Basic Standards for Vocational Education Institutions

1. To serve as a basis for assessing organizational training capacity; contributing to improving the efficiency of state management, enhancing transparency and accountability of vocational education institutions.

2. To serve as a basis for vocational education institutions to conduct self-assessment, develop plans for development and improvement of training quality.

3. To serve as a basis for planning and rearranging the network of vocational education institutions; investing in developing key vocational education institutions with high quality meeting international standards; evaluating and supervising quality assurance conditions.

Article 4. Principles for Application and Evaluation of Vocational Education Foundation Standards

1. The vocational education foundation standards shall be uniformly applied to all vocational education institutions.

2. The evaluation of the degree of compliance with the vocational education foundation standards shall be conducted based on data and evidence.

3. Data used for evaluating the degree of compliance with the vocational education foundation standards must ensure completeness, accuracy, and objectivity, and shall be reviewed and audited when necessary.

Article 5. Updating and Utilizing Data

1. Data used to determine the degree of compliance with the vocational education foundation standards shall be updated into the specialized database on vocational education.

2. State management agencies responsible for vocational education shall utilize data from the specialized vocational education database for management purposes.

3. In cases where the specialized vocational education database does not meet the requirements for updates as prescribed, vocational education institutions shall collect, compile, and store data; provide and report data according to regulations and upon request of competent state management agencies, ensuring the evaluation of the degree of compliance with standards and readiness for updates when the specialized vocational education database is operational, connected, and integrated.

Chapter II FOUNDATION STANDARDS FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Article 6. Conditions Ensuring Quality

1. The conditions ensuring quality include six conditions as follows:

a) Condition 1. Organizational Structure and Management
Ensuring that the organizational structure and management mechanism of vocational education institutions are established and operated in accordance with the law, suitable to their functions, tasks, scale, and development orientation.

b) Condition 2. Teaching Staff and Management Personnel
Ensuring sufficient teaching staff with professional qualifications according to industry, occupation, and level of training; management personnel meeting the prescribed standards and conditions.

c) Condition 3. Training Programs and Textbooks
Having complete programs and textbooks for each industry and occupation; programs and textbooks being issued, periodically reviewed, and updated as prescribed.

d) Condition 4. Physical Facilities and Training Equipment
Physical facilities meeting the scale and structure of training industries and occupations; training equipment, tools, and raw materials meeting the requirements of the training program. Physical facilities and training equipment being managed and utilized effectively; regular monitoring, inventory, maintenance, and repair carried out as prescribed.

đ) Condition 5. Financial Resources
Ensuring financial resources to meet the requirements for maintaining and developing the activities of vocational education institutions as prescribed.

e) Condition 6. Digital Management System and Data
Ensuring requirements for information technology infrastructure, databases, data management and utilization, information security, and cybersecurity.

2. Guidelines for determining the conditions ensuring quality of vocational education institutions are specified in Appendix I attached hereto.

Article 7. Performance Indicators for Vocational Education Institutions

1. The performance indicators for vocational education institutions include ten indicators as follows:

a) Indicator 01. The ratio of enrollment to the announced quota in the annual recruitment plan reaching 50% or more.

b) Indicator 02. The fluctuation rate of the training scale in the reporting year compared to the training scale of the previous two years not decreasing by more than 30%, except in cases where the reduction in scale is within the development orientation of the vocational education institution.

c) Indicator 03. The ratio of teaching time undertaken by permanent teachers reaching at least 60% of the workload of each training program.

d) Indicator 04. The ratio of training programs reviewed and updated according to labor market demands, scientific and technological development, and feedback from related parties reaching 60% or more.

đ) Indicator 05. The ratio of training programs involving employer participation during the training process reaching 70% or more.

e) Indicator 06. The ratio of courses and modules ensuring online teaching conditions for each training program reaching 20% or more.

g) Indicator 07. The ratio of students completing the training program on schedule reaching 60% or more.

h) Indicator 08. The ratio of graduates finding suitable employment in their trained industries or occupations, self-employment, or furthering their studies reaching 70% or more.

i) Indicator 09. The ratio of students and graduates satisfied with the quality of training reaching 70% or more.

k) Indicator 10. The ratio of employers satisfied with the ability of graduates to meet job requirements reaching 70% or more.

2. Guidelines for determining the performance indicators for vocational education institutions are specified in Appendix II attached hereto.

Chapter III GUIDANCE ON THE APPLICATION AND EVALUATION OF THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONAL BASE STANDARDS

Article 8. Application of Educational Professional Base Standards

1. The educational professional base standards apply to vocational education institutions with completed courses from one of the vocational secondary education programs, intermediate level training programs, or college-level training programs (hereinafter collectively referred to as training programs leading to a certificate) within twelve months; for fields and occupations in the health sector, this period is twenty-four months.

2. For vocational education institutions under the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security:

a) Clause 1.4 of Condition 1 and all of Condition 5 as stipulated in Appendix I issued together with this Circular shall not be applied;

b) Data collection, updating, exploitation, and management, as well as implementation evidence, shall comply with regulations in the defense and security sectors.

Article 9. Determination of the Level of Compliance with the Educational Professional Base Standards

1. The level of compliance with the educational professional base standards is determined based on the results of evaluating quality assurance conditions and activity indicators as prescribed in this Circular.

2. A vocational education institution is considered to meet the educational professional base standards when it fully satisfies the quality assurance condition requirements as stipulated in Article 6 of this Circular and its activity indicators reach the required levels as stipulated in Article 7 of this Circular.

3. Vocational education institutions that meet the standards and have activity indicators exceeding the required levels as stipulated in Article 7 of this Circular will be considered for investment in developing key vocational education institutions with high quality meeting international standards.

Article 10. Self-Assessment of the Level of Compliance with the Educational Professional Base Standards

1. Vocational education institutions conduct annual self-assessment of their level of compliance with the educational professional base standards based on updated data as prescribed in Article 5 of this Circular.

2. Self-assessment data is finalized at the end of December of the reporting year. The self-assessment result report must be completed no later than March 31 of the following year.

3. Vocational education institutions are responsible for publishing the results of their self-assessment and bear responsibility for the published results.

4. Vocational education institutions have the responsibility to explain to competent state management agencies and related parties; simultaneously, they must review and improve to maintain and enhance their level of compliance with the educational professional base standards.

Article 11. Review and Update of the Educational Professional Base Standards

1. The educational professional base standards are reviewed and updated every five years to ensure proximity and gradual integration with regional and international standards.

2. In cases where necessary, the Ministry of Education and Training may decide to review and update the standards before the scheduled time.

Chapter IV IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

Article 12. Responsibilities of Parties

1. The Ministry of Education and Training

a) Guide vocational education institutions to provide and update data serving the determination of the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards into specialized databases on vocational education;

b) Compile and publicize information on the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards of vocational education institutions according to regulations;

c) Guide, monitor, and inspect the organization and implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

2. Departments of Education and Training

a) Monitor and compile the results of the application of the educational professional base standards by vocational education institutions in their jurisdiction;

b) Report to the Ministry of Education and Training the results of the application of the educational professional base standards by vocational education institutions according to regulations;

c) Conduct inspections on the application, evaluation of the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards, and the updating and reporting of data by vocational education institutions in their jurisdiction;

d) Require vocational education institutions to review, supplement, and adjust information and data in cases where the data is incomplete or does not comply with regulations.

3. Responsibilities of Direct Management Agencies of Vocational Education Institutions

a) Coordinate in directing, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of the provisions of this Circular by vocational education institutions under their management authority;

b) Create favorable conditions for vocational education institutions under their management authority to meet, maintain, and enhance their level of compliance with the educational professional base standards.

4. Responsibilities of Vocational Education Institutions

a) Timely and accurately update and store data serving the determination of the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards and fulfill the obligation of explanation as prescribed. The head of the vocational education institution bears legal responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the data;

b) Conduct self-assessment, report, and publicly disclose the results of the assessment of the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards according to this Circular and the guidance of competent authorities;

c) Based on the results of self-assessment, develop plans and organize their implementation; apply measures to meet, maintain, and enhance the level of compliance with the educational professional base standards.

Article 13. Effectiveness of Implementation

1. This Circular shall take effect from January 1, 2026.

2. The Minister, Heads of Ministries at the equivalent level, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and cities, vocational education institutions, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 14. Transitional Provisions

1. Vocational education institutions that have decisions on establishment, permission to establish, division, separation, or merger before January 1, 2026 must meet the standards for vocational education institutions within sixty months from the date this Circular takes effect.

2. Annually, vocational education institutions specified in Clause 1 of this Article must comply with the provisions of Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Circular by updating data, self-assessing, reporting, and publicly disclosing the results of self-assessment regarding compliance with the standards for vocational education institutions as stipulated in this Circular; simultaneously developing plans and timelines for improvement to ensure compliance with the standards for vocational education institutions within sixty months from the date this Circular takes effect.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Education and Training for guidance or considerationand resolution./.

 

 

 

 

ANNEX I

GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING

QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

(Kattached to Circular No. /2026/TT-BGDĐT dated January 1, 2026

issued by the Minister of Education and Training)

1. Quality Assurance Requirements for Vocational Education Institutions

2. Data for Determining Quality Assurance Conditions of Vocational Education Institutions

The determination of the level of compliance with quality assurance conditions of vocational education institutions according to this Appendix is based on data from the entire vocational education institution; for requirements related to training organization, apply data of programs

 

 

leading to certificates in the reporting year.

Appendix II

GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

(Attached to Circular s2026/TT-BGDĐT dated month day year 2026

issued by the Minister of Education and Training)

 

1. Performance Indicators of Vocational Education Institutions

sl is the total announced enrollment quota

according to regulations in the reporting year. Vocational education institutions are considered to meet indicator 1 when CS 01 ≥ Data for determining indicator

is students: ofprogramsleading to certificates

 

in the reporting year.

- b)Indicator Training Scale Variability Rate between the reporting year and the scale of the previous two years is determined by the following formula:

- Where:- Q: nis the actual converted training scale of the reporting year (year n) - Q n-2

is the actual converted training scaleof the year two years prior to the reporting year (year n-2) Students with different study periods in a year are converted to the equivalent of students studying for ten months 0, calculated based on the ratio of actual study time in the year to ten months. 50%.

Where: N i is the number of students of course i in the reporting year. T

i is thenumber of months actually studied of 02: course iin the reporting year., k:

 

is the

number of coursesin the reporting year.: Qn-2 is determined similarly to Q.

n.Vocational education institutions are considered to meet: indicator 02 when CS 02 ≥ -30%.Data for determining indicator is students.

of, whereby each student is calculated based on the ratio between actual study time in a year and ten months.

 

Wherein:

Ni: is the number of students of the i-th course in the reporting year.

Ti: is the number of months of actual study of the i-th course in the reporting year.

k: is the number of courses in the reporting year.

Qn-2 is determined similarly to Qn.

The vocational education institution is determined to meet index 02 when CS 02 ≥ -30%.

Data to determine the index is students of training program degree-granting training, kdoes not include: students who dropped out; students who have completed the prescribed training period but have not graduated.h training

c) Index 03: The ratio of teaching hours conducted by permanent teachers for each training program, is determined by the following formula:

 

In which:

- GC j: is the number of standard hours taught by permanent teachers of the training program (j).

- G j: is thetotal number of hours of the training program (j) as stipulated.

Vocational education institutions are considered to meet index 03 when CS 03j ≥ 60% for all training programs offered.

Data to determine the index is permanent teachers teaching each training program degree-granting concluded in the reporting year.

d) Index 04: The ratio of training programs reviewedand updated according to labor market requirements, scientific and technological development, and feedback from stakeholders, is determined by the following formula:

 

In which:

- CTcn: is the number of training programs reviewed, updated according to labor market requirements, scientific and technological development, and evaluation results feedback from stakeholders ( students, graduatesand employers in the reporting year) CT.

- : is the number of training programs in the reporting year.Vocational education institutions are considered

to meet index 0 when CS 04 Data to determine the index4 ≥ 60%.

is training programs degree-granting for all fields and trades in the reporting year. đ) I

ndex The ratio of training programs involvingemployers 05: during the training process is determined by the following formula: In which:, CT

 

dn

- : is the numberof training programsconcluded in the reporting year with employer participation in activities guiding practical work, internships, evaluating student learning outcomes or research, application of science and technology, innovation, technology transfer, promoting digital transformation, green transition in vocational education and skill development. CT kt : is the total number

- of training programsconcludedin the reporting year. Vocational education institutions are considered to meet index 0

when CS 0 Data to determine the index5 is training programs5 ≥ 70%.

degree-granting concluded in the reporting year. e) I ndex 0 The ratio of courses and modules ensuring conditions for online teaching in

each training program is determinedby the following formula:6: In which: TT j is the numberof courses modules ensuring conditions for online teaching

 

(digital learning materials

- software for organizing teaching and managing learning, ready to meet online teaching and learning requirements)of the training program​: (j)MH, j is the total number of courses modules of the training program(j) Vocational education institutions are considered to meet.

- index 0when: forall, training programs degree-granting in the reporting year. Data to determine the index is.

courses, modules of each training program6 degree-granting ≥ 20% in the reporting year g)I ndex The ratio of students completing the training program on time is determined by the following formula: In which:

NH h t : is the number of students completing the training program within the prescribed time as specified in the training program. NH tt : is the total number of admitted students.

enrolled at the beginning of the course Vocational education institutions are consideredto meet 07: index, when CS

 

Data to determine the index

- isstudentsinthe

- vocational educationinstitutions: total number of admitted students at the beginning of the course.

Vocational education institution is determinedto meet index when CS 07 Data to determine the index 07 ≥ 60%.

is students of vocational education institution's activities program to award certificates completion within the reporting year.

h) Index 08. Employment rate of graduates who have obtained suitable employment in their field of study or created their own job opportunities or continued higher education, calculated according to the following formula:

 

In which:

- TNvl: is the number of students who have graduated and obtained suitable employment in their field of study or created their own job opportunities or continued higher education.

- TNph: is the total number of students who have graduated and responded to the survey.

The vocational education institution is considered to meet the index when CS Data for determining the index are graduates from certificate programs 08 who have graduated within 12 months, 08 ≥ 70%.

specifically for health-related fields, this period is 24 months up to the data closure date. Survey requirements: Survey at least 50% of graduates mentioned above..

The response rate must reach 70% of those surveyed, ensuring the structure of students by field of study, level of training, and course. i) IndexSatisfaction rate of students and graduates

with the quality of training is determined according to the following formula:In which: 09: NH hl : is the number of students and graduates, who have provided positive feedback, rated from

 

satisfied

- and abovewith the qualityof the training program.NH p h : is the total number of students and graduates who have responded to the survey.

- The vocational education institution is considered to meet the indexwhen CSData for determining the indexarestudents and graduates of certificate programs during the reporting year..

Survey requirements: Survey at least 09 0% of students 09 ≥ 70%.

and graduates The response rate must reach from students, and graduates surveyed, ensuring the structure of students by field of study, level of training, and course.

k) Index Satisfaction rate of employers 5with the ability of graduates to meet job requirements, 50% is determined according to the following formula:. In which: DN 70% hl 70% is the number of employers who have provided positive feedback, rated fromsatisfied

and above with graduates.DN 10: tg is the total numberof employers participating in the survey. The vocational education institution is considered to meet the index when CS Data for determining the index are, employers

 

using graduates

- from certificate programs during the reporting year.Survey requirements: For each field of study, survey at least 03 employers using graduates from the vocational education institution. Selection of employers ensures diversity,: representation by field of study, scale, and types of employer activities. 3. Reporting Form on the degree of compliance with standards of vocational education institutions

- a)Reporting form: on conditions for ensuring quality STT Conditions for Ensuring Quality.

Evidence I. Conditions for Ensuring Quality that Meet Requirements 10 II. 10 ≥ 70%.

Conditions for Ensuring Quality that Do Not Meet Requirements Note: (1) Number sequentially. (2) Record the requirementsof each condition for ensuring quality.

Record the list of evidence or evidence links for each requirement of the conditions for ensuring quality.b) Reporting form on operational indices of vocational education institutions STT Operational Indices of Vocational Education Institutions

Self-Assessment Results Requirements EvidenceName

Content I. Operational Indices of Vocational Education InstitutionsMeeting Requirements

of vocational education institutions

Record the requirements

of the index according to regulations. Record the list of evidence

(3) or evidence links for each operational index of vocational education institutions. c).

Assessment Results on the Degree of Compliance with Standards of Vocational Education Institutions Based on the self-assessment results at point a

(1) Record the serial number.

(2) Record the name of the index.

(3) Record the content of the index

activities of the vocational education institution Record k.

(4) self-assessment resultsof the vocational education institution Record the requirements.

(5) of the index according to the provisions. Record

(6) l ist of supporting documentsor links to supporting documents for each index activities of the vocational education institution c).

Assessment result of the degree of compliance with the vocational education institution standards Based on the self-assessment results at

point a and point b section 3 Appendix II Circular this , thevocational education institution assesses the degree of compliance with the standards as prescribed in Clause 2 Article 9 of this Circular as follows (mark "X" in one of two corresponding boxes) Meeting the vocational education institution standards::

☐ When the vocational education institution fully meets all the requirements of quality assurance conditions and achieves the required level of all activity indices. Not meeting the vocational education institution standards:

☐ When the vocational education institution has one or more quality assurance condition requirements that are not met or one or more activity indices that do not reach the required level. có từ một chỉ số hoạt động trở lên không đạt mức yêu cầu.