The system of the educational hierarchy is the legacy of France because Vietnam is its ancient colony:
5 years in primary school, 4 years in college, 3 years in high school. These levels range from 6 years and 18 years.
4 years after high school diploma is the mastery.
2 years after the mastery is DEA (Deepened study diploma)
2 years after the DEA is the doctorate.
Before primary school, there are nurseries and kindergartens but not mandatory.
Primary school is free and compulsory throughout the country. But parents have to pay things: Uniform, food, books.... except students, children of ethnic groups in the isolated mountain.
In richer regions, the college is mandatory as: Ha Noi, Hai Phong ....
In general, students' parents must contribute 20% of expenses for training of their children with the state that spends 13% of PIB for Education.
For example: To form a student costs 1000 USD per year: Construction of schools, classes, teacher's salary, tables.... Parents must contribute 20% of 1000 USD per year.
After high school, to continue studying in university, each bachelor must pass a very difficult selection competition. 20% of them are chosen to continue studies. But the other can take part in this competition in several times or follow vocational training.
In big cities like Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, there are private schools of all levels, better equipped, but still very expensive for the parents of the average class.
But, the rich parents have the tendency to send their children abroad for a university education, especially in the United States, Australia, England, France....
The education system is based on too many competitions, research elites, and the race towards modernity desired by new parents ... make education urgent in town. Children need much work in supporting the stress caused by the envy of success.
The false reports on the quality of students, lack of equipment in schools in rural region, the diploma is not recognized in the world, lack of schools in rapidly urbanized areas ... are the major problems of national education .
However, successes are remarkable: In 1945, there are more than 95% of illiterates but only about 3% today who are rather from ethnic minorities in isolated mountain.
UNICEF has found that the percentage of school in Vietnam is among the highest in Asia.
