Strategic breakthrough in Resolution 71: Vietnam's education aims for world top 20

TPO - Right before the new school year 2025-2026, Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo signed by General Secretary To Lam is expected to create a turning point for Vietnam's education. For the first time, the concept of "elite education" is clearly mentioned alongside mass education, with specific goals of turning Vietnam into a developed, high-income country by 2045, while gradually positioning the education system among the world's leading groups.

Báo Tiền Phong•12/09/2025

“Elite education ” was first mentioned explicitly.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, commented that Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW is the most powerful breakthrough document ever in the field of education and training.

The important highlight is that for the first time, education is seen not only as a top national policy but also as a decisive factor for the nation's future, directly linked to the goal of making Vietnam a developed, high-income country by 2045.

According to Mr. Nam, compared to the previous period, Resolution 71 shifted the focus from "fundamental and comprehensive innovation" to "strategic breakthrough" in education.

On the other hand, Resolution 71 expands the space for educational development beyond the scope of schools, closely connecting with science and technology, market economy , international integration and digital transformation.

Mr. Nam said, the outstanding new point in Resolution 71 is the balance between mass education and elite education. At the same time, it ensures universality (universal and equitable education) and focuses on training talented and high-quality human resources for the country.

The concept of “elite education” was first clearly mentioned alongside mass education, considering nurturing talent as “jet engines” to help the economy overcome the middle-income trap and enter the group of developed countries.

In particular, for the first time, Vietnamese education is placed in the international reference system with specific targets: by 2030, at least 8 universities will be in the top 200 in Asia, one university will be in the top 100 in the world; by 2045, the Vietnamese education system will be in the top 20 countries in the world. The Resolution also identifies higher education as a "national talent incubator", which directly creates the pioneering force that determines national competitiveness.

Accordingly, many internationalization solutions have been proposed such as attracting 2,000 excellent lecturers from abroad, increasing international scientific publications by 12%, and striving to have 5 universities in the world's top 100 in some fields by 2045.

“These solutions reflect the orientation of internationalizing and modernizing education in a focused manner, focusing on creating locomotives (high-class universities) to lead the system instead of spreading it out,” Mr. Nam stated his opinion.

"Untangling the knot" with specific solutions

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Nam said that Resolution 71 demonstrates the Party's strong determination to "untie the knot" in education with specific solutions, clear quantification and strategic vision.

First of all, the resource problem is solved when the budget for education is at least 20% of total expenditure, of which at least 5% is for investment and 3% is for higher education.

Another key point is the policy for teachers. The resolution proposes an outstanding remuneration regime: a minimum 70% preferential allowance for teachers, 100% for teachers in disadvantaged areas and 30% for support staff. This is a direct solution to help the team feel secure in their dedication and retain talent for the teaching profession.

The resolution affirms that people are the center and teachers are the decisive driving force. Ethical values, life skills, career guidance, bilingual teaching and popularizing the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning are considered essential requirements.

“Resolution 71 has repositioned Vietnam's education system with a long-term vision, comprehensive solutions and clear quantification, demonstrating strategic thinking and aspiration to develop education to a new level,” Mr. Nam affirmed.