Decree No. 66/2026/NĐ-CP detailing certain provisions of the Education Law

DECREE

REGULATING POLICIES FOR CHILDREN IN DAYCARE CENTERS, STUDENTS, AND TRAINING PARTICIPANTS IN AREAS WITH ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATIONS AND MOUNTAINOUS AREAS, BAHARIA COASTAL ZONES, VILLAGE COASTAL FRINGES, AND ISLANDS, AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH CHILDREN IN DAYCARE CENTERS AND STUDENTS ENJOYING POLICIES

BASED ON THE ORGANIZATION LAW OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES DATED FEBRUARY 18, 2025;

BASED ON THE EDUCATION LAW DATED JUNE 14, 2019;

BASED ON THE CHILDREN'S LAW DATED APRIL 5, 2016;

BASED ON RESOLUTION NO. 41/2021/QH15 OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON NOVEMBER 13, 2021, REGARDING QUESTIONING ACTIVITIES AT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTEENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY;

ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSAL OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING;

THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ISSUES THIS DECREE TO REGULATE POLICIES FOR CHILDREN IN DAYCARE CENTERS, STUDENTS, AND TRAINING PARTICIPANTS IN AREAS WITH ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATIONS AND MOUNTAINOUS AREAS, BAHARIA COASTAL ZONES, VILLAGE COASTAL FRINGES, AND ISLANDS, AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH CHILDREN IN DAYCARE CENTERS AND STUDENTS ENJOYING POLICIES.

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Application

This Decree regulates policies for children in daycare centers, students, and training participants in areas with ethnic minority populations and mountainous areas, special difficult communes in coastal zones, village coastal fringes, and islands, and educational institutions with children in daycare centers and students enjoying policies, including: scope of application, conditions, principles, levels of policy benefits, procedures for reviewing eligibility to receive policy benefits, distribution of rice and funding implementation of policies for children in daycare centers, primary school students, secondary education preparatory school students, and training participants in the programs of general secondary education, higher education preparatory school, and continuing education institutions in areas with ethnic minority populations and mountainous areas, special difficult communes in coastal zones, village coastal fringes, and islands.

Article 2. Scope of Application

1. The scope of children in daycare centers, students, and training participants includes:

a) Children in daycare centers attending preschool education institutions that provide midday meals and accommodations;

b) Students in primary school attending primary education institutions that provide midday meals and accommodations;

c) Training participants in secondary general education programs or higher education preparatory school programs who reside at educational institutions providing midday meals and accommodations;

d) Students residing in boarding schools for ethnic minority students, including those enrolled in primary schools designated by competent authorities to implement the task of educating ethnic minority students, such as Vietnam Highlands Secondary School, Friendship 80 School, and Friendship T78 School.

2. The scope of educational institutions with children in daycare centers and students who are eligible for policies includes:

a) Public preschool education institutions that provide midday meals and accommodations for children in daycare centers;

b) Secondary schools for ethnic minorities, primary education institutions providing midday meals and accommodations for boarding students;

c) Boarding secondary schools for ethnic minorities, public primary education institutions designated by competent authorities to implement the task of educating ethnic minority students, higher education preparatory school, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, Vietnam Highlands Secondary School that are eligible for policies under this Decree for boarding students and higher education preparatory school students.

Article 3. Interpretation of Terms

In this Decree, the following terms shall be interpreted as follows:

1. Children in daycare centers refer to children aged from three months to three years who attend and have midday meals at preschool education institutions that meet the conditions specified in paragraph 1 of Article 4 of this Decree.

2. Boarding students are students attending primary education institutions that meet the conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Article 4 of this Decree, staying at school or a nearby area during the week due to inability to travel to and from home each day.

3. Boarding trainees are trainees attending secondary general education programs or higher education preparatory school programs that meet the conditions specified in paragraph 3 of Article 4 of this Decree, staying near their place of study during the week due to inability to return home each day.

4. Special difficult communes include: Communes in Zone III and special difficult villages in areas with ethnic minority populations and mountainous regions; special difficult communes in coastal zones, village coastal fringes, and islands as defined by competent authorities.

4. Special困难乡镇包括：区域III的乡镇、少数民族和山区特别困难的村庄；以及根据有权机关的规定，位于沿海、沿岸及海岛特别困难的乡镇。

Chapter II

CONDITIONS, PRINCIPLES, AND POLICY ELIGIBILITY LEVELS

Article 4. Conditions for Eligibility to Receive Childcare Subsidies for Preschoolers in Day Care, Boarding Students, and Boarding Trainees

1. Preschoolers in day care must meet one of the following conditions:

a) Preschoolers who are registered residents of extremely poor communes or special difficult communes within areas III, II, I, communes with special difficult villages among ethnic minority and mountainous regions, communes that are extremely poor along coastal zones, islands, and sea areas, and are enrolled in public preschool education institutions located in such communes;

b) Preschoolers who are registered residents of areas II, I among ethnic minority and mountainous regions and are enrolled in public preschool education institutions located in areas III, II, I, communes with special difficult villages among ethnic minority and mountainous regions, communes that are extremely poor along coastal zones, islands, and sea areas, if they fall into one of the following categories:

Preschoolers from households classified as poor according to the multidimensional poverty criteria set by the Government;

Preschoolers who do not have a specified source of nutrition in accordance with Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 20/2021/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2021, which stipulates social assistance policies for beneficiaries of social protection;

Preschoolers who are the children of martyrs, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, disabled veterans, persons entitled to benefits similar to those of disabled veterans, or other beneficiaries as specified in the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons with Merit in the Revolution (if applicable);

Preschoolers with disabilities enrolled in inclusive education.

2. Boarding students must meet one of the following conditions:

a) Primary and secondary school students who are enrolled in public general education institutions (or branch schools) located in areas III, II, I, communes with special difficult villages among ethnic minority and mountainous regions, extremely poor communes along coastal zones, islands, and sea areas, if they reside more than 4 kilometers from their school for primary students or more than 7 kilometers for secondary students, or are in an area with challenging terrain, difficult transportation that requires crossing seas, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, or steep hills, landslides, or other such areas, and fall into one of the following categories:

The student, their father, mother, or guardian is a registered resident of a special difficult commune;

An ethnic minority from a household classified as poor according to the multidimensional poverty criteria set by the Government, where the student, their father, mother, or guardian are registered residents of areas II, I among ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

b) Secondary school students who are enrolled in public general education institutions and reside more than 10 kilometers from their school, or are in an area with challenging terrain, difficult transportation that requires crossing seas, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, steep hills, landslides, or other such areas, and fall into one of the following categories:

An ethnic minority where the student, their father, mother, or guardian is a registered resident of a special difficult commune;

A Kinh (ethnic Han) from a household classified as poor according to the multidimensional poverty criteria set by the Government, where the student, their father, mother, or guardian are registered residents of a special difficult commune;

An ethnic minority from a household classified as poor according to the multidimensional poverty criteria set by the Government, where the student, their father, mother, or guardian are registered residents of areas II, I among ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

3. Boarding trainees enrolled in non-formal education institutions who reside in a special difficult commune, and live more than 7 kilometers from their place of study for secondary-level general education programs, or more than 10 kilometers for higher secondary-level general education programs; or are in an area with challenging terrain, difficult transportation that requires crossing seas, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, steep hills, landslides, or other such areas, and fall into one of the following categories:

The trainee is an ethnic minority;

The trainee is a Kinh (ethnic Han) from a household classified as poor according to the multidimensional poverty criteria set by the Government.

Article 5. Principles of Policy Application

1. Children in kindergartens, students, and trainees who fall within the scope of application of this Decree's policy and also fall within the scope of a similar policy under another legislative instrument shall be entitled to the highest level of such policy.

2. Students and trainees who are recipients of preferential allowances, social assistance, or scholarships for academic excellence may still receive the policies provided in this Decree.

3. Students and trainees who are retained (held back) shall be entitled to the policies provided in this Decree during their first year of retention. In cases where students and trainees temporarily suspend their studies due to illness, accident, or force majeure not attributable to disciplinary reasons or voluntary withdrawal, they may still receive the support policies stipulated in this Decree during the period of suspension.

Article 6. Policy Benefits for Preschoolers on a Boarding Basis, Boarding Students and Trainees, Intra-ethnic Boarding Students, and University Preparatory Students

1. Policy for Preschoolers on a Boarding Basis

Meal Allowance: Each preschooler shall be provided with a monthly allowance of 360,000 Vietnamese đồng and may receive such benefits for no more than nine months per academic year.

2. Policy for Boarding Students and Trainees

a) Meal Allowance: Each boarding student or trainee shall be provided with a monthly allowance of 936,000 Vietnamese đồng and may receive such benefits for no more than nine months per academic year;

b) Housing Allowance: Each boarding student and trainee who must arrange their own accommodation due to the school's inability to provide on-campus housing or because they are in Class 1 or 2, or have a disability requiring them to live near the school for family care shall be provided with an allowance of 360,000 Vietnamese đồng per month and may receive such benefits for no more than nine months per academic year;

c) Rice Allowance: Each boarding student and trainee shall be provided with a monthly rice allowance of 15 kilograms and may receive such benefits for no more than nine months per academic year;

d) Boarding Students in Class 1 who are ethnic minorities receiving Vietnamese language instruction before entering the first-grade curriculum shall additionally receive one month's worth of allowances as specified in points (a), (b), and (c) of this clause.

3. Policy for Intra-ethnic Boarding Students and University Preparatory Students

a) Scholarships: As provided in Article 9 of Decree No. 84/2020/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2020, of the Government, detailing certain provisions of the Education Law;

b) Awards: During the academic year, students who achieve the "Outstanding Student" designation shall be awarded 800,000 Vietnamese đồng per student; those achieving the "Excellent Student" designation shall be awarded 600,000 Vietnamese đồng per student;

c) Provision of Personal Items and Stationery

Intra-ethnic boarding students at each grade level and university preparatory students shall receive one-time physical items: blankets, bed sheets, and other personal items with a budget of 1,080,000 Vietnamese đồng per student;

Each academic year, students shall be provided with two sets of school uniforms and stationery including notebooks, paper, pens, and other learning tools with a budget of 1,080,000 Vietnamese đồng per student;

d) Transportation Allowance: Intra-ethnic boarding students shall receive transportation allowances twice during the Lunar New Year and summer vacation (both ways), based on regular public transport fares. If there is no public transport in the area, the fare will be calculated based on the distance and regular public transport rates of a similar province. University preparatory students and final-year intra-ethnic boarding students shall receive transportation allowances only once during the Lunar New Year (both ways);

e) Rice Allowance: Each student shall be provided with a monthly rice allowance of 15 kilograms and may receive such benefits for no more than nine months per academic year.

Article 7. Scope of Policy Application for Educational Institutions

1. Preschool institutions with children in day-care will enjoy the following policies:

a) Support for funds to purchase paper, comics, colored pencils, charcoal, toys and other learning materials; bedding and personal items for day-care children at a cost of 1,350,000 Vietnamese đồng per day-care child per academic year;

b) Support for electricity and water costs related to the study and daily activities of day-care children with a quota of 5 kilowatt-hours (KW) of electricity per month per day-care child and 1 cubic meter (m³) of water per month per day-care child according to local pricing, with no more than 9 months per academic year. Where there are no conditions for providing electricity or water services or where power outages occur, the school may use funds to purchase lighting equipment and clean water for children;³ c) Support for funds to manage midday activities for preschool groups: For each group of 15 children aged from 03 to 12 months, at least 4 day-care children; for each group of 20 children aged from 13 to 24 months, at least 6 day-care children; and for each group of 25 children aged from 25 to 36 months, at least 8 day-care children. Each such group will receive a quota of 700,000 Vietnamese đồng per month, with no more than 9 months per academic year. Any excess over 50% of the number of preschool and day-care children in each group is counted as one quota.

2. Boarding primary schools will enjoy the following policies:

a) Investment in physical infrastructure and equipment according to government regulations on investment conditions and operations in the education sector;

b) Support for funds to purchase, supplement, or repair sports equipment, musical instruments, video projectors, and other items needed for cultural, artistic, physical education, and sports activities for boarding students at a rate of 180,000 Vietnamese đồng per boarding student per academic year;

c) Support for funds to organize annual health check-ups for boarding students, establish a common medicine cabinet, purchase general medications sufficient to meet disease prevention requirements and initial first aid needs with a support rate of 180,000 Vietnamese đồng per boarding student per academic year;

d) Support for electricity and water costs related to the study and daily activities of boarding students living on campus at a quota of 15 kilowatt-hours (KW) of electricity per month per boarding student and 3 cubic meters (m³) of water per month per boarding student according to local pricing, with no more than 9 months per academic year. Where there are no conditions for providing electricity or water services or where power outages occur, the school may use funds to purchase lighting equipment and clean water for students;

d) Support for funds to provide meals for boarding students living on campus as follows: For every 45 boarding students, one support quota of 4,738,500 Vietnamese đồng per month is provided; any excess over 20 boarding students counts as one quota. If the number of boarding students is less than 45, it is counted as one quota. The support period does not exceed 9 months per academic year;³ e) Support for funds to manage boarding students outside regular class hours as follows: For every 45 boarding students, a support quota of 2,050,000 Vietnamese đồng per month is provided; any excess over 20 boarding students counts as one quota. If the number of boarding students is less than 45, it is counted as one quota. The support period does not exceed 9 months per academic year.

3. Primary schools with centralized accommodation for boarding students (excluding boarding primary schools) will enjoy the following policies:

a) Support for policies specified in points b and c of paragraph 2 of this Article;

b) Support for investment in physical infrastructure and equipment to serve learning, accommodation, and daily activities for boarding students according to point a of paragraph 2 of this Article based on the number of boarding students and available funds;

c) Support for electricity and water costs and management of boarding students as specified in points d and e of paragraph 2 of this Article.

4. Boarding primary schools and preparatory universities will enjoy the following policies:

a) Investment in physical infrastructure and equipment according to regulations set out in a Decree by the Government on investment conditions and operations in the education sector;

b) Allocation of funds for organizing special educational activities, cultural, artistic, and sports activities, and purchasing or supplementing equipment and facilities for students with support equivalent to 5% of the student scholarship fund;

c) Allocation of funds for organizing annual health check-ups for students, establishing a common medicine cabinet in the boarding area, purchasing general medications sufficient to meet disease prevention requirements and initial first aid needs at a rate of 270,000 Vietnamese đồng per student per academic year; providing medical insurance for students according to regulations;

d) Allocation of funds for organizing Lunar New Year and ethnic festivals (if applicable) for students staying on campus without returning home with a quota of 180,000 Vietnamese đồng per student per stay at the school;

d) Allocation of funds for purchasing or repairing dining hall equipment at a rate of 180,000 Vietnamese đồng per student per academic year;

e) Allocation of funds to purchase textbooks so that each student can borrow one set of textbooks according to their class. Each year, the school may purchase additional sets of textbooks not exceeding 10% of the number of books in the school library;

g) Support for funds to issue student cards and personal emblems, conducting admission and graduation exams, final exams with a quota of 180,000 Vietnamese đồng per student per academic year;

h) Support for electricity and water costs related to the study and daily activities of students at a rate of 25 kilowatt-hours (KW) of electricity per month per student and 4 cubic meters (m³) of water per month per student according to local pricing, with no more than 9 months per academic year;

i) Support for funds to provide meals as follows: For every 45 students, one support quota of 4,738,500 Vietnamese đồng per month is provided; any excess over 20 students counts as one quota. The support period and duration do not exceed 9 months per academic year;

k) Support for funds to manage boarding students outside regular class hours as follows: For every 45 students, a support quota of 2,050,000 Vietnamese đồng per month is provided; any excess over 20 students counts as one quota. The support period and duration do not exceed 9 months per academic year.³ per day/month/student according to the specified price in the locality and shall not exceed 9 months/year of study;

i) For the support of cooking expenses for students, as follows: for every 45 students, one subsidy standard is provided at a rate of 4,738,500 Vietnamese đồng per month; any remainder from 20 students and above shall be calculated as one standard. The period of support and enjoyment shall not exceed 9 months/year of study;

k) For the support of expenses for managing students outside regular class hours, as follows: for every 45 students, one subsidy standard is provided at a rate of 2,050,000 Vietnamese đồng per month; any remainder from 20 students and above shall be calculated as one standard. The period of support and enjoyment shall not exceed 9 months/year of study;

l) Educational institutions of general education that are authorized to implement the educational tasks for students from ethnic groups residing in schools (excluding boarding schools for ethnic groups) shall enjoy the policies stipulated in paragraphs b, c, d, e, g, h, i, k of this Article according to the number of students from ethnic groups residing in schools and receive investment support for infrastructure and equipment for learning, accommodation, and daily activities for students from ethnic groups residing in schools as provided in paragraph a of this Article depending on available funding sources.

Chapter III

PROCEDURE FOR REVIEWING CHILDREN FROM DAYCARE CENTERS, STUDENTS, AND TRAINING PARTICIPANTS ELIGIBLE FOR POLICY BENEFITS AND PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR FUNDING, SUBSIDIES, AND RICE ASSISTANCE

Article 8. Procedure for reviewing children from daycare centers and process of applying for funding implementation

1. Application

a) Parents or caregivers of children who fall within the scope defined in paragraph 1 of Article 4 of this Decree shall submit an application form for benefits for children from daycare centers as specified in Form No. 01 attached to this Decree;

b) For children from daycare centers falling within the scope defined in point b, paragraph 1 of Article 4 of this Decree, parents or caregivers of such children must additionally submit one of the following documents if the relevant agency or organization is unable to access information on the residence of citizens through the National Population Database:

A copy certified with the original for verification purposes or a certified copy of a Certificate or Poor Household Confirmation issued by the People's Committee of the commune;

A copy certified with the original for verification purposes or a certified copy of a document confirming the status of an orphan, abandoned child, or other cases as defined in paragraph 1 of Article 5 of Decree No. 136/2013/NĐ-CP dated October 21, 2013, which provides social assistance policies for beneficiaries of social protection; a copy certified with the original for verification purposes or a certified copy of a Certificate of Adoption for an orphan, abandoned child, or other cases as defined in paragraph 1 of Article 5 of Decree No. 136/2013/NĐ-CP;

A copy certified with the original for verification purposes or a certified copy of a confirmation issued by the authority managing beneficiaries of disabled persons, children of military heroes, children of martyrs, children entitled to benefits similar to those of war invalids, and other beneficiaries as defined in the Law on Preferential Treatment of People with Merits in the Revolution (if applicable);

A copy certified with the original for verification purposes or a certified copy of a confirmation of disability issued by the People's Committee of the commune or a decision on social assistance benefits issued by the Chairperson of the People's Committee of the district.

2. Receipt and approval of applications, listing children from daycare centers and funding implementation

a) By August each year, early childhood education institutions shall widely publicize, inform, and guide parents or caregivers of children to submit application forms for benefits for children from daycare centers;

b) Within 15 days from the date of notification by the early childhood education institution, parents or caregivers of children from daycare centers must send one set of the application documents as specified in paragraph 1 of this Article through online public service portal, postal services, or directly to the early childhood education institution. Each individual shall submit one set of documents for each initial request for support during their time at the early childhood education institution. For children from poor households, an additional Poor Household Certificate must be submitted annually if the relevant agency or organization is unable to access information on the residence of citizens through the National Population Database.

Early childhood education institutions shall receive and check the application documents. If the submitted copies are not certified by a competent authority, the person receiving the application shall verify them against the original and sign to confirm in the copy before including it in the file. If the application is incomplete or does not comply with regulations, additional information must be requested. In cases where the application does not meet requirements, within 5 working days from receipt of the application for benefits for children from daycare centers, early childhood education institutions shall notify parents or caregivers of the rejection and reasons.

c) Within 10 days from the deadline for receiving applications, early childhood education institutions shall compile a list of children from daycare centers using Form No. 02 attached to the application form as specified in Model No. 08 annexed to this Decree and the documents specified in paragraph 1 of this Article, and send them through online public service portal, postal services, or directly to the competent Department of Education and Training for examination and consolidation;

d) Within 7 working days from receipt of the application from early childhood education institutions, the Department of Education and Training shall organize a review of the documents, consolidate the support funding for children from daycare centers (Model No. 03 annexed to this Decree), and forward them to the same-level finance agency. Within 7 working days from receipt of the application from the Department of Education and Training, the finance agency shall compile and submit a decision approving the list of children from daycare centers according to the provisions of the Law on State Budget;d) Within 7 working days from receipt of the application from the finance agency, the People's Committee at the district level shall issue a decision approving the list of children from daycare centers (Model No. 09 annexed to this Decree). Within 3 working days, the People's Committee at the district level shall notify the early childhood education institution of the approval results;

d) Upon receipt of the application from the finance agency, within 7 working days, the People's Committee at the district level shall issue a decision approving the list of children from daycare centers (Model No. 09 annexed to this Decree). Within 3 working days, the People's Committee at the district level shall notify the early childhood education institution of the approval results;

Immediately after receiving the decision from the competent authority approving the list of children from daycare centers, the early childhood education institution shall publicly announce and implement the distribution of support.

Article 9. Procedure for Reviewing Boarding Students and Boarding Trainees and Procedures, Formalities for Funding and Rice Support

1. Application Documents

a) Boarding students and boarding trainees who fall under the provisions of Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Decree's Article 4 submit an Application Form for Boarding Student Policy (Form No. 04) and an Application Form for Boarding Trainee Policy (Form No. 05), as specified in the Annex attached to this Decree;

b) In cases where boarding students and boarding trainees belong to a poor household, they must submit a copy with the original or certified copies of the Poor Household Certificate or Poor Household Confirmation issued by the People's Committee of the commune if the agency or organization is unable to access information on residents in the National Population Database.

2. Receipt of Application Documents

a) At the beginning of each academic year, primary and secondary boarding schools, schools with boarding students, and regular education institutions with boarding trainees organize the dissemination, announcement, and guidance for parents (or guardians) and boarding students and trainees who are eligible to receive the policy to prepare application documents as specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Within 15 days from the date of the school's announcement, each applicant must submit one set of application documents according to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article through the online public service portal or postal services or directly to the educational institution (submitting one set of documents for the first time when applying for policy benefits at all levels of education). In cases where applicants belong to a poor household, additional proof of poverty must be submitted annually if the agency or organization is unable to access information on residents in the National Population Database.

The educational institution receives and checks the application documents. If the submitted copies are not certified by an authorized body, the person receiving the documents shall verify them against the original and sign a confirmation on the copy for inclusion in the file. If the documents are incomplete or do not comply with regulations, they must be supplemented. In cases where the documents fail to meet requirements, within 5 working days from receipt of the application, the educational institution sends a notification refusing to accept the application and specifies the reasons.

c) After the deadline for receiving applications, within 7 working days, the educational institution organizes the review of application files that meet the criteria for boarding student and boarding trainee policies as specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 4 of this Decree. Immediately after completing the review, the educational institution compiles and publicly announces a list of boarding students and boarding trainees according to Form No. 06 attached to this Decree at its office within 3 working days.

3. Approval of List of Boarding Students and Trainees, Rice Support, and Funding Distribution

a) Within 3 working days after the public announcement period for boarding students and trainees ends, educational institutions directly under the People's Committee at the county level submit their application files to the Department of Education and Training; those directly under the provincial People's Committee submit their application files to the Provincial Department of Education and Training through the online public service portal or postal services or in person. The file includes:

A list of boarding students and trainees (Form No. 06) and a request for approval document (Form No. 08), as specified in the Annex attached to this Decree;

An estimated budget for funding meal, accommodation support, and rice support for boarding students and trainees (Form No. 07), as specified in the Annex attached to this Decree.

b) Within 7 working days from receiving the application files from educational institutions, the Department of Education and Training and the Provincial Department of Education and Training organize a review and consolidation of the files and forward them to the same-level finance department. Within 7 working days from receiving the files from the Department of Education and Training, the Provincial Department of Education and Training forwards them to the same-level finance department for consolidation and submission to the People's Committee at the same level. Within 7 working days from receiving the files from the finance department, the People's Committee issues a decision approving the list of boarding students and trainees according to Form No. 09 attached to this Decree. Within 3 working days, the People's Committee sends notification of approval results to the educational institution.

Upon receipt of the approval decision from the competent authority, educational institutions are responsible for publicly announcing and implementing the policy for boarding students and trainees.

Article 10. Procedure for Applying for Funding and Rice Support for Boarding Students from Ethnic Minorities and University Preparation Students

1. The application documents for funding and rice support include:

Budget proposal for funding and rice support;

List of boarding students from ethnic minorities and university preparation students currently enrolled in the school.

2. Basic education institutions directly under the People's Committee at the district level submit the application to the Department of Education and Training; basic education institutions directly under the People's Committee at the provincial level submit the application to the Department of Education and Training. University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School submit the application to their respective direct management agencies.

3. Within seven working days from receipt of the application documents from basic education institutions, the Department of Education and Training compiles the documents and forwards them to the same-level finance agency. Within seven working days from receipt of the compilation from the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Education and Training compiles and submits a report for approval to the People's Committee at the same level. Within seven working days from receipt of the compilation from the finance agency, the People's Committee issues a decision approving according to Model No. 09 specified in the annex to this Decree. Within three working days, the People's Committee notifies the basic education institution of the approval results.

Within fifteen working days from receipt of the application documents from University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School, the direct management agency issues a decision approving according to Model No. 09 specified in the annex to this Decree; notifies the schools of the approval results within three working days.

4. Upon receipt of the approval from the competent authority, basic education institutions for ethnic minorities and other institutions with the authority to approve shall immediately implement their educational responsibilities towards boarding students from ethnic minorities, university preparation students, University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School. The heads of these schools are responsible for publicizing and implementing the approved measures.

Article 11. Procedure for Distributing Rice to Students and Trainees

1. Establishing a rice support plan

Annually, the People's Committee at the provincial level develops a plan regarding the need for rice support for boarding students, trainees, and boarding students from ethnic minorities in the province; central government departments directly managing University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School develop plans regarding the need for rice support for boarding students from ethnic minorities and university preparation students, including:

a) Compilation of the number of students and trainees receiving rice support by category and school;

b) Compilation of the total amount of rice needed (for the entire academic year);

c) Timeframe for receiving rice during the academic year, specifying dates for each semester.

2. The People's Committee at the provincial level and central government departments directly managing University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School report their plans regarding the need for rice support to the Ministry of Finance by July 15th each year.

3. Based on reports from provincial People's Committees and central government departments directly managing University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School, the Minister of Finance issues a decision for rice support to students and trainees according to regulations; this decision is issued before August 15th each year.

4. Transport and delivery methods

a) National reserve units organize the transportation of national reserve rice intended for students and trainees, delivering it to provincial-level rice receiving agencies at district, county, city centers in supported provinces. The People's Committee at the provincial level designates one agency to receive national reserve rice for students and trainees. The provincial rice receiving agency is responsible for organizing receipt on transportation means provided by the delivering party at district, county, city centers; guiding and directing Department of Education and Training offices and basic education institutions under the provincial People's Committee in transporting rice to educational institutions for distribution to beneficiaries;

b) National reserve units directly transport national reserve rice intended for university preparation students, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School. Rice is delivered on transportation means provided by the delivering party.

5. Timeframe for delivery: National reserve units organize two deliveries per semester (four times a year) according to requests from provincial People's Committees and central government departments directly managing University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School; the first delivery is before September 1st each year.

6. Management of rice distribution and utilization

a) The Ministry of Finance is responsible for implementing the issuance of national reserve rice to students and trainees according to the timeframes specified in paragraph 5 of this Article;

b) The People's Committee at the provincial level directs and guides the receipt, distribution, and use of national reserve rice intended for local students and trainees. The Chairman of the People's Committee is responsible before the law for managing, distributing, and utilizing support rice in their province;

c) University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School receive, manage, and utilize rice provided to students at their schools. The principals of these schools are responsible before the law for receiving, managing, and utilizing support rice;

d) At the end of each academic year, provincial People's Committees and central government departments directly managing University Preparation Schools, Friendship School No.80, Friendship School T78, and Vietnam Highlands Basic Education School submit reports on receipt, utilization, and distribution of rice to students and trainees to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education and Training for compilation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

7. Disposal of national reserve rice issued

a) In case localities or secondary vocational schools, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, and Vietnamese Highlands Primary School have practical needs to receive a lower quantity of rice than the Decision issued by the Minister of Finance, the national reserve unit shall issue supplies based on actual needs;

b) In case localities or secondary vocational schools, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, and Vietnamese Highlands Primary School experience an increased need for rice support during the academic year that exceeds the Decision issued by the Minister of Finance, the Chairperson of the People's Committee at the provincial level, or the head of the central government department managing these secondary vocational schools, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, and Vietnamese Highlands Primary School shall review the situation and submit a written request for supplementary rice supplies to the Ministry of Finance by December 31st each year. The Ministry of Finance will then issue supplementary rice supplies to support students and trainees within the scope of the academic year; no additional rice supplies will be issued once the academic year has ended.

Chapter IV

a) The quality of rice supplied from the national reserve must meet the standard for released national reserve rice as stipulated in the national reserve rice standards promulgated by the Minister of Finance;

b) During the process of delivering and receiving rice, all parties (the state reserve unit delivering rice and the entity responsible for receiving the rice) shall prepare a delivery and receipt record; organize sampling of the rice (with confirmation from all parties), seal the sample, and retain it with both the delivering and receiving entities; the samples must be carefully preserved to serve as evidence if there are complaints about quality;

c) The educational institution directly receiving the rice support is responsible for safely storing the quantity and quality of the received rice; they shall bear all responsibilities related to poor management or storage leading to damage, deterioration in quality, or insufficient quantities of rice received.

Chapter IV

ESTABLISHMENT, ALLOCATION, MANAGEMENT, AND SETTLEMENT OF EXPENSES, FUND SOURCES

Article 12. Procedure for Establishing, Allocating, and Settling Expenses

1. Establishment of the budget: Each year, during the time when the national budget is being established, educational institutions shall prepare a list based on the number of children in kindergartens, students, and trainees who are eligible for policy support to establish a budget for supporting these groups and other educational institutions (excluding rice support).

a) Educational institutions under county jurisdiction send their lists to the Department of Education and Training for review, consolidation, and submission to the same-level financial agency for presentation to the county People's Committee for examination and allocation;

b) Educational institutions under provincial jurisdiction send their lists to the Provincial Department of Education and Training for review, consolidation, and submission to the same-level financial agency for presentation to the provincial People's Committee for examination and allocation;

c) Secondary vocational schools, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, and Vietnamese Highlands Primary School send their lists directly to the relevant management body for review, examination, and allocation.

2. Allocation of the budget

a) The provincial People's Committee shall present the decision on allocating funds for implementing policies within the local education and training expenditure budget according to regulations to the same-level People's Congress;

b) Central government departments directly managing secondary vocational schools, Friendship 80 School, Friendship T78 School, and Vietnamese Highlands Primary School shall decide on the allocation of funds for implementing policies within the central education and training expenditure budget according to regulations.

3. Management and settlement of expenses

a) Educational institutions receiving funds for policy implementation are responsible for managing and using these funds in accordance with their intended purpose, as per the provisions of the National Budget Law, and shall submit expense settlement reports on the policies specified in this Decree to the higher-level management agency before July 20th each year as the basis for determining and allocating the budget for the next fiscal plan;

b) Data from the expense settlements for policy implementation for children in kindergartens, students, and trainees shall be consolidated with the annual national budget expenditure reports of the unit according to current provisions of the National Budget Law, relevant guiding documents on the law, and the current national budget directory;

c) The funds supporting meal expenses for children in kindergarten boarding programs as stipulated in paragraph 1 of Article 6 of this Decree shall be implemented twice during the academic year: once in December each year covering four months; a second time in April each year. The funds supporting meal and accommodation expenses for boarding students and trainees as specified in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 2 of Article 6 of this Decree shall be disbursed monthly. Educational institutions shall implement support to beneficiaries according to the prescribed methods, either by direct payment or through bank transfer;

d) The establishment of budgets, allocation, management, use, and settlement of expenses shall comply with current provisions of the National Budget Law, Accounting Law, Public Investment Law, and relevant guiding documents.

Article 13. Source of Funds for the Implementation of Policies

1. The funds for implementing policies as provided in this Decree include:

a) State budget including: Central budget and local budget implementing policies in accordance with the provisions of the Law on State Budget, the Law on Public Investment, and current guiding documents.

Funds for policy implementation under this Decree shall be balanced within the annual state budget expenditure plan according to the current management hierarchy. The central budget will support the local budget in implementing the policies as provided in paragraph 1, points a, b, d of Article 6; point a of paragraph 1, points b, c, đ of paragraph 2, and point a of paragraph 3 of Article 7 of this Decree according to the principle of targeted support from the central budget for the local budget to implement social security policies issued by the Central Government, which shall be decided by competent authorities applicable to each period.

b) Sources of socialized education funds and other legal sources of funds (if any).

2. Rice support from national reserve sources to implement the policy as provided in point c of paragraph 2 and point đ of paragraph 3 of Article 6 of this Decree. The cost of transporting rice from district, county, city, provincial centers (city) to educational institutions (the entity directly using the rice) shall be balanced within the annual regular expenditure plan according to the current management hierarchy.

Chapter V

CONDITIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Article 14. Implementation Organization

1. Ministry of Education and Training

a) Shall take the lead, coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to direct localities in implementing the contents provided for in this Decree;

b) Guide Friendly School No.80 and Friendly School T78 to specify the list of personal items and stationery to be distributed to boarding students from ethnic minorities; select a suitable cooking arrangement for boarding students from ethnic minorities that is appropriate to the actual conditions and beneficiaries to effectively implement the support policy;

c) Organize, direct inspections, and supervision of the implementation of policies provided for in this Decree. Implement administrative reporting systems as prescribed by the Government.

2. Ministry of Finance

a) Shall ensure funds for implementing the policies provided for in this Decree according to current budget allocation provisions;

b) Issue decisions on issuing reserve rice from national reserves to support students and trainees based on local requests and direct management by central ministries and agencies, ensuring compliance with time and changes in the number of beneficiaries receiving policy support during each semester of the academic year; report to the Prime Minister on the results of issuing reserve rice according to regulations;

c) Propose competent authorities to ensure funds for purchasing additional quantities of national reserve rice that have been issued and supply sufficient rice to localities implementing policies as provided in this Decree;

d) Shall take the lead in compiling, submitting plans for public investment medium-term and annual programs to implement infrastructure enhancement projects at educational institutions with beneficiaries under this Decree, which shall be approved by competent authorities according to the provisions of the Law on Public Investment and relevant implementing regulations;

d) Shall take the lead, coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to inspect the management and use of support funds and rice for beneficiaries receiving policies as provided in this Decree. Implement administrative reporting systems as prescribed by the Government;

e) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training and relevant ministries and agencies to inspect the utilization of construction fund sources for educational institutions with beneficiaries under this Decree.

3. Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion

a) Shall direct, guide the implementation of policies and supervise their implementation at educational institutions within its jurisdiction as provided in this Decree;

b) Guide preparatory university, Northern Vietnam Highlands Secondary School to specify the list of personal items and stationery to be distributed to preparatory students and boarding students from ethnic minorities; select a suitable cooking arrangement for boarding students from ethnic minorities and preparatory students that is appropriate to the actual conditions and beneficiaries to effectively implement the support policy;

c) Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training and relevant ministries, localities to direct, inspect, supervise the implementation of policies as provided in this Decree. Implement administrative reporting systems as prescribed by the Government.

4. Responsibilities of People's Councils, People's Committees at provincial level (hereinafter referred to as provincial level)

a) People's Council at provincial level

The policies provided in this Decree are set at minimum levels. Based on the ability to balance the budget of the locality, the People's Council at provincial level may issue additional support policies for preschool children, students, trainees and educational institutions outside those provided in this Decree.

b) People's Committee at provincial level

Shall direct, guide the implementation of policies as provided in this Decree, including guiding the selection of cooking arrangements and utilization of funds to serve meals for boarding students and boarding students from ethnic minorities that are appropriate to actual conditions and beneficiaries to effectively implement the support policy; inspect, supervise the implementation and implement administrative reporting systems as prescribed by the Government;

Shall ensure funds for implementing policies as provided in this Decree;

Issue documents to specify:

Based on the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 4 of this Decree and actual conditions of the locality, specify specific areas as a basis for determining students and trainees who cannot travel to school and return home on the same day, including specifying distances, areas with difficult terrain, transportation difficulties crossing seas, lakes, rivers, streams, mountains, highlands, landslide-prone areas to determine students and trainees eligible for support.

Based on the provisions of Point c, Clause 3, Article 6 of this Decree to specify in detail the list of personal items and school supplies for students at ethnic boarding schools, primary education institutions, which competent authorities are assigned to implement educational tasks for ethnic boarding students in accordance with the specific characteristics of each region, province, grade level, and current general education curriculum;

Develop annual budget estimates, report to the People's Council of the province to decide on measures to ensure balanced financial resources for implementing local policies; organize inspections, audits, and audits of the implementation process of budget estimates and final accounts of subordinate budget units in accordance with the provisions of the Law on State Budget, the Law on Public Investment, and current guiding documents;

Based on the ability to balance the budget, develop additional support policies for preschool children, students, trainees, and educational institutions beyond the policies stipulated in this Decree, including content and levels of support for ethnic boarding students, boarding students, final-year secondary education trainees, and educational institutions preparing for graduation examinations, submitted to the People's Council of the province for consideration and decision;

Article 15. Effectiveness and Implementation Responsibility

1. This Decree takes effect from May 1, 2025, replacing Decree No. 116/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 18, 2016 on policies to support students and primary education institutions in extremely difficult communes and villages, and Circular No. 109/2009/TTLT/BTC-BGDĐT dated May 29, 2009 by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education and Training on guiding certain financial systems for students at ethnic boarding schools and secondary education preparatory institutions.

2. The policies stipulated in Decree No. 116/2016/NĐ-CP and Circular No. 109/2009/TTLT/BTC-BGDĐT will be implemented until the end of 2024. The policies stipulated in this Decree will be implemented from 2025.

3. The Minister, Heads of Departments at the same level, Heads of Agencies under the Government, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and relevant organizations and individuals bear responsibility for implementing this Decree.

 

ANNEX

(Attached to the Decree No. 66/2025/NĐ-CP of the Government dated March 12, 2025)

 

Form No. 01

THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

 

APPLICATION FOR DAY-CARE ALLOWANCE FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

(For preschool children)

To: Preschool education institution...

I am ...

Personal identification number/citizen identity card/personal ID/passport: ...

As the parent/guardian of child (specify full name of child): ...

Child's personal identification number: ...

Academic year ...; child is in group/class:...; Preschool education institution:...

According to:

1. Point a, Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No.……/2025/NĐ-CP □

2. Point b, Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No.……/2025/NĐ-CP (Specify which case applies):...

I submit this application to the relevant authorities for consideration and approval of my child ... receiving food allowance for preschool children in day-care according to the provisions of Decree No.……./2025/NĐ-CP dated ... month ... year 2025 by the Government.

 

 

Form No. 02

 

LIST OF DAY-CARE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

(For preschool education institutions with day-care children)

 

 

 

Form No. 03

 

SUMMARY OF SUPPORT FUNDS FOR DAY-CARE PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

(For Education and Training Departments)

 

 

 

Form No. 04

THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
-------------------

APPLICATION FOR BOARDING STUDENT ALLOWANCE

(For primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary students)

To: School...

Full name of parent/guardian ...

Personal identification number/citizen identity card/personal ID/passport: ...

Full name of student: ...

Student's personal identification number/citizen identity card/personal ID/: ...

Belongs to a poor household □ (Mark X in the box if belongs to a poor household).

Academic year ...; is a student in class:... at school:...

For reasons:

- Living far from school and unable to travel home daily (specify distance from place of study):...

- Difficult terrain and transportation conditions: □

Therefore, the student must stay at or near the school for studies.

For this reason, I submit this application to relevant authorities for consideration and approval of my child receiving boarding student allowance according to the provisions of Decree No.……/2025/NĐ-CP dated ... month ... year 2025 by the Government, including:

1. Food allowance □

2. Accommodation (for cases where students must arrange their own accommodation) □

3. Rice: □

 

 

Form No. 05

THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
--------------------

APPLICATION FOR BOARDING TRAINEE ALLOWANCE

(For trainees currently enrolled in regular education institutions)

To: Center...

Full name of parent/guardian ...

Personal identification number/citizen identity card/personal identification: ...

Student's full name: ...

Personal identification number/citizen identity card/personal identification: ...

Belongs to a poor household □ (Mark X in the square if belongs to a poor household).

Academic year: ..., is a student of class:..., Center:...

For the reason (choose one of the two reasons below):

- Living far from the place of study and unable to go to school and return home on the same day (specify how many kilometers the place of study is away): ...

- Difficult terrain and transportation conditions: □

Therefore, I must stay near the place of study.

For this reason, I make this application requesting higher management to consider allowing me to enjoy the boarding student policy as stipulated in Decree No. ……/2025/NĐ-CP dated ….. month …… 2025 by the Government, including:

1. Food allowance □

2. Accommodation allowance □

3. Rice: □

 

 

DEPARTMENT/PROVINCIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING OFFICE ….

 

(For educational institutions with boarding students)

No.

 

 

 

PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE ….

 

(For Department/Provincial Education and Training Office)

No.

 

 

 

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

 

Based on Decree No.    /2025/NĐ-CP dated   month   year 2025 by the Government, which stipulates policies for children in kindergartens, students, and trainees from ethnic minority areas and mountainous regions, coastal zones, islands, and educational institutions with such children.

(2) ... respectfully submit (1) to review and approve the application and forward to the same-level finance department for submission to competent authorities to issue a decision approving ... (4) ... to enjoy support policies according to Decree No.    /2025/NĐ-CP dated   month   year 2025, academic year 20...-20...

The application includes:

- List of ... (4) ... entitled to the policy

- Budget proposal for ... (5) ...

Respectfully.

For reference:

 

(4) Children/students/trainees

(5) Support fund for food/boarding/rice support

(6) Authority and position of the head of the educational institution

Form No. 09

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

No: …./QĐ-…

 

…., day...month.....year ...

 

Based on ... (4)......

In accordance with the request of ...

DECISION: ………..(3)………..

….

Based on …(4)…

In accordance with the request of…

DECISION:

Article 1. ...(5)....

Article This Decision shall take effect as of the date...

Article ...

 

Note:

(1) Name of the competent authority issuing this decision.

(2) Brief summary of the decision.

(3) Position of the head of the agency issuing the decision.

(4) Other grounds for issuance of the decision (if applicable).

(5) Content of the decision.

(6) Abbreviation of the drafting unit and number of retained copies (if necessary).

(7) Typist's signature, printer's name, and number of issued copies (if necessary).