Curriculum and Pedagogy

Abstract

Vietnam is a country with a rich intellectual tradition, enormous love for learning and great aspiration for knowledge enhancement. The Vietnamese people are commonly regarded as being hard-working, achievement-oriented and capable of creatively and flexibly responding to practical issues and problems in life. The spirit of teaching and learning and the respect for teachers and knowledge are at the heart of the nation. Higher education pedagogy and curriculum development that is informed by fundamental principles to build on these intellectual strengths and qualities of Vietnamese people can help optimize effective learning. Yet at the moment, the way the curriculum, pedagogy and assessment position learners and knowledge is still a hindrance for the higher education sector to realize the full learning potential of the nation. In addition, the curriculum is facing increased demands for reforms to respond to the recent changes of the nation and the world. Transforming from an education which served the centrally planned economy to an education effectively operating in the socialist-oriented market economy and responding to the demand of international integration appears to be a critical need for Vietnam (Pham, 2011a).