Private Higher Education in Vietnam

Abstract

The policy of doi moi (economic renovation), introduced in 1987, had many spin-off effects for higher education in Vietnam. One of these was acceptance in 1993 of the principle of user-pays for the funding of higher education. Consistent with this principle, student tuition fees were introduced for all higher education students. A new non-public sector of higher education was also established, the distinguishing characteristic of which was that it would be operationally reliant upon revenue from student tuition fees. This sector has grown remarkably since 1993. It currently accounts for about 13 per cent of all higher education enrolments. Official expectations are that by 2020 it will account for 40 per cent of enrolments. The future growth of the sector faces some significant challenges, however. Without financial support from the state, it is difficult to see how it can meet its enrolment target for 2020 or contribute significantly to the development of a quality higher education system. If it is supported by the state, however, then questions arise about what its distinctive role should be.