The problem: opening a private vocational school — what changed in the 2026 rules? Quick answer: a lot. From 17 September 2026, Decree 361/2026/ND-CP sets new establishment conditions for vocational education: minimum 0.5 ha of land (vocational secondary/intermediate schools), 1 ha (colleges), investment capital from VND 30 billion for colleges. Plus the Vocational Education Law 124/2025/QH15 (effective 1 January 2026, replacing Law 74/2014) — the entire vocational-school framework has been renewed.
Land and capital conditions (Decree 361/2026)
- Head-office land: minimum 0.5 ha for vocational secondary and intermediate schools; minimum 1 ha for colleges.
- Investment capital: from VND 30 billion for colleges (actual facility investment value accepted at appraisal).
- Land must have appropriate, long-term-stable use purposes — short leases and disputed land fail at file appraisal.
Training-occupation conditions
Vocational schools need training programs for each registered occupation, qualified teachers (vocational teachers need occupational skills plus pedagogy), and workshops/equipment meeting training requirements. “A vocational school without workshops” cannot pass appraisal — practical equipment is the soul of vocational education.
The new framework: Law 124/2025
The Vocational Education Law 124/2025/QH15 (effective 1 January 2026) replaces Law 74/2014/QH13, governing the vocational system: training levels (elementary, intermediate, college), vocational institutions, autonomy, quality accreditation. Establishment dossiers must cite the new law — citing repealed Law 74/2014 is a file error.
Practical roadmap
Step 1: choose the type (intermediate or college) and training occupations — this sets land and capital levels. Step 2: prepare land, facilities, equipment, staffing. Step 3: draft the establishment dossier under Law 124/2025 and Decree 361/2026 and file with the competent authority. Step 4: after the establishment decision, complete conditions and obtain the vocational education operation license. Note: pre-license enrollment is a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much land for a private vocational school?
Under Decree 361/2026: minimum 0.5 ha (vocational secondary/intermediate), 1 ha (colleges) for head offices.
2. Capital for a private college?
Under Decree 361/2026: investment capital from VND 30 billion (actual accepted facility investment at appraisal).
3. Which is the new vocational education law?
Law 124/2025/QH15, effective 1 January 2026, replacing Law 74/2014/QH13.
4. Are practice workshops mandatory?
Yes. Workshops and equipment meeting each occupation’s training requirements are mandatory — workshop-less schools fail appraisal.
5. Can enrollment start before licensing?
No. Pre-license enrollment in vocational education is an administrative violation.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council.
