On September 5, 2025, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, Party General Secretary To Lam, alongside current and former Party and State leaders, attended the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s education sector and the opening of the 2025-2026 academic year. For the first time, all educational institutions nationwide simultaneously held flag-raising ceremonies and sang the national anthem.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, was attended by State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and other leaders, including former education ministers, representatives from ministries, agencies, and international organizations, as well as members of the National Conference on Education and Human Resource Development and the National Professors’ Council.

Party General Secretary To Lam delivered a speech congratulating the education sector on its 80-year legacy and inaugurating the new academic year. Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son presented a speech commemorating the milestone, joined by student representatives. Party and State leaders awarded the First-class Labor Order to the Ministry, delivered directives, and sounded the drum to officially open the 2025-2026 academic year.

Broadcast live on VTV1 channel and connected online to all educational institutions, the ceremony engaged approximately 1.7 million educators and nearly 30 million students nationwide.

Over 80 years, Vietnam’s education sector has overcome challenges, reformed itself, and significantly contributed to national development. From a rudimentary colonial education system, it has evolved into an independent, people-centric system, steadily earning global recognition. Under the Party’s leadership, the sector has advanced through collective national resolve.

Post 1945, the National Education Department was established (August 28, 1945) to build a new education system “by the people, for the people”. From 1945-1954, the People’s Literacy campaign eradicated illiteracy for millions, while schools expanded to train key personnel for “resistance and nation-building”. From 1954-1975, the North virtually eliminated illiteracy, training thousands of cadres, intellectuals, engineers, doctors, and teachers, many educated abroad in socialist countries, to support both the North and the South’s liberation efforts.

From 1975-1986, a unified national education system was established, expanding from preschool to university and advancing literacy and civic education. Since 1986, policies have solidified education as a top national priority, with Resolution No.29-NQ/TW (2013) driving comprehensive reform toward holistic student development. 

The 2018 General Education Program marked a significant shift, earning international acclaim for Vietnam’s universal education achievements. School networks, educational equity, and resource allocation have improved, with universities climbing global rankings and digital transformation accelerating.

Party and State leaders have affirmed: “Vietnam’s unprecedented achievements owe much to the education sector”, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation’s revolutionary and developmental milestones.