The proposal in the draft university training regulations allowing students to complete the program in a shorter time is a positive signal in higher education reform in Vietnam.

Creating opportunities for learners to graduate and enter the labor market earlier, reducing the financial burden on families while ensuring training quality, is necessary.

But if this is only seen as a time and cost-saving solution, the issue is only approached at the surface level. More importantly, it is about changing the educational philosophy and improving training quality through the capabilities of learners after graduation.

For a long time, the number of years of study has been a default measure. Learners had to go through 4, 5, or 6 years of study before graduating. While in the new trend, technology develops very rapidly, transforming all areas of socio-economic life, making that approach outdated.

Online learning platforms, artificial intelligence, open data, and global online learning resources are fundamentally changing the way knowledge is accessed. Many professional skills are formed through real-world projects, corporate environments, internship programs, or research activities rather than traditional theoretical lectures.

What the labor market needs is not simply people with degrees, but people with adaptability, creativity, good communication skills, teamwork abilities, technology proficiency, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Therefore, when students have enough capability to meet graduation standards earlier, they should not be bound by a rigid time frame. Competency-based training, rather than time-based training, is becoming a trend in many advanced education systems worldwide.

However, if it simply allows students to graduate early while the program remains heavy on theory, content is still repetitive, teaching methods are still one-way, and assessment is still primarily exam-based, it will be very difficult to create real change.

Shortening training time is only truly meaningful when accompanied by innovation in the program, content, and training methods.

Universities need to review their entire curriculum with a focus on streamlining and connecting to practice. Modules that are heavy on providing foundational knowledge can be organized in the form of online learning, guided self-study, or digital learning materials.

Schools need to allocate more time for activities that technology can hardly replace, such as developing critical thinking, professional skills, scientific research, practical experience, and business connections.

At the same time, the quality accreditation system must also change towards assessing output results, rather than just controlling training duration. What matters is not how many years students study, but what they can do after graduation.

Of course, not all fields can mechanically shorten training time. Specialized fields such as medicine, law, architecture, or the arts still need to ensure a minimum duration.

However, these fields still have room to reduce time for non-core subjects by increasing the application of digital technology, online learning, and personalizing learning paths. A doctor wanting to practice must still undergo specialized training and obtain a practice license.

A law graduate wanting to become a lawyer, notary, or hold judicial positions must also undergo specific professional training. In a learning society, lifelong

Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is one of the country’s two leading national universities, established in 1993 through the merger of several prestigious colleges, including the historic University of Indochina (founded in 1906). As a key center for higher education and research, VNU has played a vital role in training generations of Vietnamese scholars and professionals. Its main campus is located in Hanoi, with modern facilities reflecting its status as a hub for academic excellence and international collaboration.

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Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) is one of the country’s most prestigious and oldest higher education institutions, with its roots tracing back to the University of Indochina, founded in 1906. Following the country’s reunification, it was formally established in its current form in 1993, consolidating several leading colleges and research institutes. Today, VNU serves as a key center for multidisciplinary education and scientific research, playing a vital role in training Vietnam’s intellectual elite.

Hoa Lac

Hoa Lac is a high-tech industrial and educational hub located in Hanoi’s outlying district of Thach That, Vietnam. Its modern development began in the late 1990s with the establishment of the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, designed to foster innovation and attract technology investment. The area also houses the Vietnam National University campuses, reflecting its transformation from a rural agricultural zone into a key center for research and industry.

University of Indochina

The University of Indochina, established in 1906 in Hanoi, was a French colonial institution designed to educate an elite class of Vietnamese and other Indochinese subjects. It played a significant role in the spread of Western knowledge and modern education in the region, though it also faced criticism for promoting colonial interests. The university later evolved into the University of Hanoi and remains a key part of Vietnam’s educational history.