Vietnam requires schools to have at least one English-fluent leader

At least one principal or vice principal at general education schools must be fluent enough in English to communicate directly with foreigners, according to new criteria under Vietnam's push to make English a second language.

The Ministry of Education and Training outlined the requirement in a circular on standards and assessments for the "Making English a Second Language in Schools" project, which takes effect on Dec. 19.

The ministry established three achievement levels for educational institutions ranging from preschools to universities, with Level 3 representing the highest standard.

To achieve Level 1 or 2, a school must have at least one principal or vice principal capable of working directly with foreigners in English. Reaching the top-tier Level 3 requires a minimum of two fluent leaders.

Vietnamese schools now have one principal and at least two vice principals each.

General education schools will be evaluated across six distinct criteria.

These include the English-speaking environment, teaching plans, learning resources, the application of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Assessors will also evaluate staff and student proficiency alongside international cooperation in English-language educational activities.

A teacher and students during at a class of Nguyen Hue Secondary School in Da Nang City, Sept. 8, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

The government approved the English education project in October last year.

The initiative aims to elevate the quality of language instruction and build an English-speaking ecosystem to prepare students for global integration.

Under this framework, all general education schools must teach English as a compulsory subject starting from Grade 1. The ministry ultimately aims for every student nationwide to learn English as a second language by 2035.