Brian Jeffrey
Each year, approximately 30,000 students in Hanoi struggle to gain admission to public high schools, a problem that has persisted for years due to insufficient development and fulfillment of infrastructure commitments.
A recent report from the Hanoi People’s Council in late 2023 highlighted numerous ongoing challenges concerning school enrollment and facilities.
Research from VietNamNet reveals that a resolution passed in 2012 required wards and communes with populations between 30,000 and 50,000 to have at least one public high school. However, this guideline has not been effectively implemented, particularly in downtown areas. From 2020 to 2023, only six public high schools were constructed across the city.
According to national urban planning regulations, regions with populations over 20,000 should include at least one high school. Given Hanoi’s population of around 8.7 million, the city ideally should have at least 435 high schools. Currently, there are only 119 public high schools, along with over 100 private institutions, nearly 30 continuing education centers, and several international schools, indicating a deficit of more than 150 high schools.
Among Hanoi’s 12 urban districts, Hoang Mai faces the most significant shortfall, with a need for about 18 additional schools. Other districts lacking sufficient schools include Ha Dong, Dong Da, Ba Dinh, Bac Tu Liem, and Long Bien.
Conversely, districts like Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, and Nam Tu Liem fulfill national requirements mainly due to the presence of numerous private, semi-public, and international schools. For instance, Nam Tu Liem offers four public high schools along with 14 private or international institutions, while Thanh Xuan has four public high schools and 11 private ones.
A 2023 municipal report concerning school construction indicated that Hanoi needs to establish 53 new public high schools by 2027 to satisfy demand.
However, for the 2023-2024 school year, only one new public high school was inaugurated, with two more anticipated for the 2024-2025 academic year, which is inadequate to meet the existing needs.
The Hanoi Department of Education and Training identifies districts urgently needing new public high schools based on current 9th-grade graduation statistics, which include: Cau Giay, Tay Ho, Ha Dong, Hoang Mai, and Nam Tu Liem.
Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Vice President of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), links the lack of schools to poor planning, significant rural-to-urban migration, and inadequate regulation. He noted that Hanoi’s population is rapidly expanding due to individuals moving for work and education, while the construction of schools has not kept pace.
“New apartment developments are often approved without designating land for educational facilities. This fast-paced urbanization, devoid of sufficient educational infrastructure, has resulted in a critical lack of school space. Moreover, insufficient incentives for private schools maintain high tuition costs,” Nam remarked.
Echoing his sentiments, Dr. Dao Ngoc Nghiem, former Director of Hanoi’s Department of Planning and Architecture, pointed to inaccurate population estimates as a barrier to school development. For instance, while projections suggested Hanoi would reach 9.2 million residents by 2030, it is nearing that figure as early as 2024.
While new urban development should adhere to population-to-school ratios, growth has outstripped planning efforts, and many new institutions do not meet adequate size and facility requirements.
Some specialists have suggested constructing taller school buildings to maximize space, but safety regulations present a major challenge. Schools would require not only staircases but also elevators and numerous emergency exits.
A 2023 city report reiterated that outdated planning, swift population growth, and limited land availability in inner districts are central factors contributing to school overcrowding. By late 2023, 269 educational facilities (around 70% of those outlined in the development plan) in newly urbanized areas were behind schedule.
Tran The Cuong, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Education and Training, mentioned that the city has sought funding for constructing additional public high schools, yet the process remains lengthy.
“Establishing a new school poses considerable challenges, as it requires investment decisions, land clearance, fire safety approvals, and compliance with modern building regulations,” he explained.
Nonetheless, he reinforced that Hanoi is dedicated to expanding its educational infrastructure. Between 2017 and 2023, the city successfully opened 11 new public high schools.
By 2025, 76 high schools will be under construction, with expectations that 42 of them—three of which are newly established—will be finished in time for the 2025-2026 academic year.
From 2025 to 2030, the city plans to establish an additional 30 to 35 new public high schools to accommodate increasing demands.
“Simultaneously, Hanoi is also upgrading existing classrooms to support a larger student body and adding new laboratories and specialized rooms. Approximately 900 new or enhanced classrooms are scheduled to be completed for the upcoming academic year,” Cuong stated.
