A bridge between policymakers and vocational institutions
Reporting to the meeting, Dr. Phan Sỹ Nghĩa, Standing Vice President of the Association, said the Association has been actively advising on, reviewing and contributing to many important mechanisms, policies and legal documents on vocational education. It has commented on human-resource strategies, plans and programmes, and has representatives on several working groups and drafting committees of state agencies.
The Association's communications, policy advice and professional activities have continued to grow, raising public awareness of vocational education, promoting cooperation with employers, expanding international partnerships and improving training quality.
For the 2025–2030 term, the Association will continue to work closely with MOET on policy research, development and review; on developing teachers and managers; on training quality; and on digital transformation, green transition, innovation and international cooperation.
The Association also proposed that MOET establish a formal coordination mechanism, sign a memorandum of understanding and appoint a permanent focal point, so that the Association can play a fuller role in developing vocational education and a highly skilled workforce.
Bringing policy closer to practice
Representatives of vocational institutions discussed how new legal regulations are being implemented, shared practical advantages and difficulties, and proposed solutions on enrolment, training, credit transfer, school governance, teacher development, digital transformation and cooperation with employers.
Units of MOET clarified new policy directions and reported progress on the legal framework, shared databases and digital platforms, teacher development and key programmes, providing a basis for joint implementation in the period ahead.
Mr. Trần Thanh Đạm, Director General of the Department of Vocational and Continuing Education (MOET), said the Ministry's units will continue to put the new regulations into practice. He proposed that cooperation between MOET and the Association be based on a memorandum of understanding with a designated focal point, so that the Association's resources can be mobilised effectively in implementing vocational education policy.
Prof. Dr. Bùi Văn Ga, President of the Association, thanked MOET's leadership for their attention and guidance. He affirmed that the Association will continue to act as a bridge between state management agencies and vocational institutions, actively contribute to policy review and advice, and promptly raise issues from practice so that policies take effect on the ground.
Vocational education as a pillar of national human-resource development
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Lê Quân noted that, having completed a large body of laws, decrees and circulars, the Ministry's focus for the last six months of the year will shift from building institutions to implementation — staying close to schools and working alongside institutions and employers to bring policy to life.
Recalling the conclusion of General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm on preparations for the 2026–2027 school year and the implementation of Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW of 22 August 2025 on breakthroughs in education and training — "Vocational education must be placed in its rightful position as a pillar of national human-resource development. Learning a trade is not a second choice but a practical path to employment, income, further study and long-term development" — the Deputy Minister affirmed that quality will be the top priority for vocational education.
MOET will focus on implementing Resolution 71-NQ/TW; accelerating digital transformation; building shared platforms and a vocational education database; expanding the use of artificial intelligence in management and training; and developing digital and AI competency frameworks for teachers and learners, gradually integrating AI competencies into programme learning outcomes.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the governance capacity of vocational institutions, deepen links between schools, employers and localities, and expand forms of training tied to production, business and labour-market needs. Further priorities include tiering the network of institutions, improving the quality of enrolment and training, rebalancing the workforce structure, making effective use of enterprises' human-resource development funds and international cooperation projects, updating the Vietnamese Qualifications Framework, and developing a national skills assessment system and skills database.
Commending the Association's work, Deputy Minister Lê Quân asked it to keep drawing on the strength of its experts, to connect vocational institutions with state agencies, and to work with MOET in implementing new policies. He instructed the Ministry's units to designate focal points, draw up coordination plans and agree on priority tasks so that cooperation is substantive and effective.