Yes, homeschooling is legally recognized in Vietnam under strict conditions. The 2010 Education Law and subsequent decrees permit homeschooling for children with disabilities, exceptional talents, or those in remote areas, subject to provincial approval and annual inspections by the Department of Education and Training (DOET).
Key Regulations for Homeschooling in Vietnam
- Mandatory Approval: Parents must obtain written permission from the local DOET before initiating homeschooling, with applications reviewed for curriculum alignment with national standards.
- Curriculum Compliance: Homeschool programs must mirror the Ministry of Education and Training’s (MOET) core subjects (e.g., Vietnamese, math, science) and use MOET-approved textbooks or equivalent materials.
- Annual Assessments: Children are required to undergo standardized testing at designated public schools to verify progress, with failure to comply risking revocation of homeschooling status.
Recent 2026 amendments to Decree 84/2020/ND-CP tighten oversight, mandating digital record-keeping for all homeschooling activities and unannounced visits by DOET officials to verify teaching quality. Foreign families must also align curricula with Vietnamese language and civic education requirements. Non-compliance may result in penalties, including fines up to 20 million VND (≈$850) or compulsory enrollment in public schools.