Government Issues Decree 238/2025 on Tuition Fees, Exemptions, and Study Support Policies

Tuition framework and adjustment roadmap
Starting from the 2025–2026 school year, tuition fee brackets (minimum–maximum) for public institutions that have not yet achieved financial autonomy are set as follows (in thousand VND per student per month):

• Preschool, primary: 50–540

• Lower secondary: 50–650

• Upper secondary: 100–650

From the 2026–2027 to 2035–2036 school years, the tuition ceiling will be adjusted based on local socio-economic conditions and national economic growth, but cannot exceed 7.5% annually. From 2036–2037 onwards, increases cannot exceed the consumer price index growth rate. Public institutions with financial autonomy may apply tuition ceilings up to 2 or 2.5 times higher, depending on their financing model.

At the higher education level, tuition ceilings are set at 1,590,000 VND per student per month for pedagogy and educational sciences, with other fields having their own limits.

Broader tuition exemption coverage


The decree specifies 14 groups eligible for full tuition exemption, including:

1. Children in preschool, pupils in public primary and secondary schools, and learners in public continuing education centers

2. Individuals with meritorious service to the nation

3. Students with disabilities

4. Orphans and first-time undergraduate students under social policy categories
   5–14. Groups in hard-to-recruit fields, students from extremely small ethnic minorities, and other special categories tied to social, defense, or economic needs.

Support for private institutions
Children and students at private schools (both non-public and semi-public) will receive tuition support as determined by provincial People’s Councils, not exceeding tuition levels applied at local private schools. Vocational and higher education students at private institutions will receive support comparable to their counterparts at public schools.

Administrative procedures have been streamlined: families of children and students no longer need to submit applications, as verification will be processed through the national population database and other sector-specific data. The National Public Service Portal will also be used to handle applications and approvals.

Implementation from 2025–2026 school year
The Government has instructed ministries, local authorities, and educational institutions to ensure resources and readiness for full implementation beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year.

The decree emphasizes the principle of calculating education service prices based on actual costs, ensuring alignment with training quality, protecting learners’ rights, and maintaining transparency in management.

Key Takeaways:

• Decree 238/2025 takes effect from September 3, 2025, replacing older decrees.

• Tuition ceilings are clearly set, with controlled annual increases.

• Tuition exemptions cover 14 categories, with additional support extended to private school students.

• Administrative procedures are simplified and digitized.

• Implementation starts immediately in the 2025–2026 school year.