Digital transformation in Vietnam's education: Opportunities, challenges, and development strategies

Nguyen Thi Hong  Nhung; Phan Trung Kien; Mai Quoc Khanh; Tran Trung Tinh; Ta Duc Phong Phong

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025282

Keywords:

digital transformation

Abstract

Digital transformation in education has become a global priority, and Vietnam is no exception in its pursuit of integrating technology into the educational sector. This study examines the current state of digital transformation in Vietnam's education system, exploring its opportunities, challenges, and proposing strategic solutions for sustainable development. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research collected data from 350 participants, including teachers, students, and educational experts across various regions. The findings indicate a significant digital divide between urban and rural areas, with urban educators benefiting from better access to digital tools and resources, while rural counterparts face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited technological support. This disparity affects the overall effectiveness of digital integration in education, particularly in ensuring equal opportunities for all students. The study also identifies the necessity of targeted professional development programs to enhance teachers’ digital literacy, which plays a vital role in improving student engagement and performance. To address these challenges, the research proposes several actionable strategies. These include prioritizing investments in digital infrastructure for rural schools, designing customized training programs for educators to improve their technological proficiency, and implementing policies to ensure equitable access to digital tools across all regions. These initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide and foster an inclusive educational environment. By adopting these measures, Vietnam can create a more equitable and effective education system, preparing students with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. This transformation will not only benefit the education sector but also contribute to the country’s broader socio-economic development.
References
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Nhung, N. T. H., Kien, P. T., Khanh, M. Q., Tinh, T. T., & Phong, T. D. P. (2025). Digital transformation in Vietnam’s education: Opportunities, challenges, and development strategies. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(9), 2025282. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025282

[1] Abad-Segura, E., González-Zamar, M. D., Infante-Moro, J. C., & Ruipérez García, G. (2020). Sustainable management of digital transformation in higher education: Global research trends. Sustainability, 23(5), 21–37.

[2] Benavide, L. M. C., Arias, J. A. T., Serna, M. D. A., Bedoya, J. W. B., & Burgos, D. (2020). Digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review. Sensors, 20(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/s2011329

[3] Bhavna Talreja, & Agashe, A. (2024). Digital library transformation's role in enhancing student relationship management systems in Nagpur's educational institutions. Library Progress International, 44(2), 1–5.

[4] Bodewig, C., & Badiani-Magnusson, R. (2014). Skilling up Vietnam: Preparing the workforce for a modern market economy. World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/18778

[5] Boston Consulting Group (BCG). (2017). Year 2035: 400 million job opportunities in the digital age. https://www.bcg.com/en-cn/year-2035-400-million-job-opportunities-in-the-digital-age

[6] Caena, F., & Redecker, C. (2019). Aligning teacher competence frameworks to 21st-century challenges: The case for the European Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu). European Journal of Education, 54(3), 356–369. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12345

[7] Cingano, F. (2014). Trends in income inequality and its impact on economic growth. OECD Working Papers. https://doi.org/10.1787/5jxrjncwxv6j-en

[8] Darling-Hammond, L., & Hyler, M. E. (2020). Preparing educators for the time of COVID… and beyond. European Journal of Teacher Education, 43(4), 457–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2020.1816961

[9] Doan, U. T. T. (2020). Application of information and communication technologies in state management to digital education of higher education in Vietnam. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1691(1), 12059–12067. IOP Publishing.

[10] European Commission. (2021). Digital education action plan resetting education and training for the digital age. https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/digital-education-action-plan_en

[11] Garrison, D. R., & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 7(2), 95–105.

[12] Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., & Freeman, A. (2014). NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition. New Media Consortium.

[13] Kataoka, S., Vinh, L. A., Kitchlu, S., & Inoue, K. (2020). Vietnam’s human capital: Remarkable education success and future challenges. World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/34316

[14] Khanh, M. Q., Tinh, T. T., Kien, P. T., Trung, N. D., Trung, N. T., & Hung, V. V. (2023). The current state of high school physical education: Exploring socialization and aligning with the 2018 high school education program. International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology, 10(2), 1280–1286. https://doi.org/10.15379/ijmst.v10i2.1458

[15] Kien, P. T., Khanh, M. Q., & Tinh, T. T. (2024). The impact of learning strategies on psychological well-being and academic performance among university students: A case study at Hanoi Metropolitan University, Vietnam. Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture, 242–252. https://doi.org/10.70082/esiculture.vi.964

[16] Luong, N. V., Thuy, L. T. N., Tinh, T. T., Yen, N. T. H., & Thuy, D. T. (2024). Integrating open knowledge and administrative management in the digital transformation model of education institutions: An effective approach. International Journal of Religion, 5(7), 290–302. https://doi.org/10.61707/2vywvv49

[17] Matt, C., Hess, T., & Benlian, A. (2015). Digital transformation strategies. Business and Information Systems Engineering, 65(4), 339–343.

[18] Ngo, T. T. (2007). Solution "Digital University." Journal of Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2(11). Retrieved from https://www.quanlynhanuoc.vn

[19] OECD. (2019). Teaching in a digital age: How educators use technology to improve student learning. OECD Publishing.

[20] Pham, D. N. T. (2020). University autonomy in the digital transformation economy in Vietnam. Proceedings of the Vietnam Education Conference. National University Publishing House.

[21] Prime Minister. (2020). Decision No. 749/QD-TTg approving the National Digital Transformation Program to 2025, with orientation to 2030.

[22] PwC. (2017). Spotlight on Vietnam: The leading emerging market. PricewaterhouseCoopers (Vietnam).

[23] Tang, S. M., & Nguyen, H. T. (2020). Digital transformation trend in Vietnam higher education: Blended learning model. International Journal of Social Science and Economics Invention, 6(07), 304–309. https://doi.org/10.23958/ijssei/vol06-i07/218

[24] Ton, H. H. T. (2022). Digital transformation in higher education institutions: Global trends and challenges. HUFLIT Journal of Science, 7(2), 1–5.

[25] Tran, G. N. (2020). University autonomy in the digital transformation economy in Vietnam. Proceedings of the Vietnam Education Conference. National University Publishing House.

[26] Tran, H. T. M., Nguyen, T. D., & Pham, H. T. Y. (2021). Improving the quality of training at universities in Vietnam according to the requirements of digital transformation in education. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(8), 4508–4519.

[27] Tran, T. T. (2021). On IT-based academic credit system in higher education in Vietnam. American Journal of Educational Research, 9(4), 222–228.

[28] UNESCO. (2021). The state of education in Vietnam: Digital learning and its impact. UNESCO Publications.

[29] UNESCO. (2021). Viet Nam case study: Situation analysis on the effects of and responses to COVID-19 on the education sector in Asia. https://www.unicef.org/eap/media/9346/file/Sit%20An%20-%20Viet%20Nam%20case%20study.pdf

[30] Vietnam Prime Minister (VPM). (2020). Decision No 749/QĐ-TTg on the national digital transformation programme towards 2025, with vision of 2030.

[31] Westerman, G., Bonnet, D., & McAfee, A. (2014). Leading digital: Turning technology into business transformation. Harvard Business Review Press.

[32] World Bank. (2020). Vietnam: Enhancing access to quality education. World Bank Publications.

[33] Zhao, Y. (2016). The problems of education: A more beautiful and humane world. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 48(9), 861–874.

Abstract

References

How to cite