The problem: a Vietnamese school wants to partner with a foreign school to teach an international curriculum and award foreign degrees — what approvals, and are the degrees valid in Vietnam? Quick answer: education partnerships with foreign parties are governed by Chapter II of Decree 86/2018/ND-CP (amended by Decree 124/2024). The core: foreign partners must be credible (5+ years operating, accredited), curricula must be home-country-accredited — and degrees must fall within recognized categories.
Which partners qualify? (Article 6, Decree 86/2018)
Vietnamese side: private preschool/general-education institutions invested by domestic investors, lawfully established and operating. Foreign sides must simultaneously:
- Be lawfully established and operating educational institutions abroad, with at least 05 years of operation as of filing;
- Have no home-country legal violations during operation, with direct teaching activity;
- Hold a valid education quality accreditation certificate or be recognized for quality by a competent foreign education authority/body.
Alternatively, a lawfully established foreign curriculum provider with at least 05 years supplying preschool/general curricula. In short: no partnerships with “ghost” or unaccredited schools — the first exclusion filter.
Curriculum, facilities, staffing (Article 7, Decree 86/2018)
Foreign curricula in partnerships must be quality-accredited in the home country or recognized by a competent authority. Facilities and teaching staff must meet program delivery requirements — foreign teachers need work permits under Decree 219/2025.
Degrees: recognized in Vietnam?
The question parents care about most — and where many joint programs get vague. Principles:
- Degrees awarded by the foreign partner under the approved joint program are valid under the awarding country’s rules.
- For official use in Vietnam (further study, public-sector jobs), diplomas usually require foreign-diploma recognition procedures with Vietnamese competent authorities.
- Vietnamese schools must disclose transparently: who awards the degree, its usability, whether recognized in Vietnam — hiding this breaches transparency duties and may draw sanctions.
Are joint-program tuition fees regulated?
Private schools set their own tuition but must publish transparently and meet tax duties fully. Joint programs charge premium fees — parents should scrutinize the education service contract: what’s included, refund policies on withdrawal, and degree commitments in writing, not just advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What approvals for foreign-degree joint training?
Competent-authority approval of the partnership dossier under Decree 86/2018 (amended by 124/2024): vetting the foreign partner, curriculum, facilities, and staffing.
2. Are foreign joint-program degrees recognized in Vietnam?
Partner-awarded degrees are valid under the awarding country’s rules; official Vietnamese use usually requires foreign-diploma recognition procedures.
3. Are joint-program tuition fees regulated?
Schools set fees but must publish transparently; contracts must spell out inclusions, refund policies, and degree commitments.
4. What must foreign partners satisfy?
Lawful operation for 5+ years, no home-country violations, valid quality accreditation or recognition (Article 6, Decree 86/2018).
5. What about schools falsely claiming international partnerships?
Unlicensed operation: administrative penalties, suspension, and compensation to parents and students for damages caused.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council.
