Researchers of the history of the Vietnamese educational system show that the nation has a tradition of learning. The education was designed to raise the intellectual standard, to turn the nation into a knowing, cultivated and civilized one. It advocated reforming education into one of an independent country, training the young generation to become useful citizens, securing an all-round development of the capacity of pupils, effectively serving the cause of national liberation and socio-economic construction of independent Vietnam.

The current literacy rate is estimated to be 98%, quite an impressive figure. Education in ethnic minority areas has been developed. Studies of the education for these areas have been carried out and a preliminary orientation has been defined with regard to children of Khmer, Cham, Hmong and other ethnic groups in mountainous areas. A system of new boarding schools for ethnic minorities has been built. The sense of co-responsibility between the contingent of teachers and other educational forces has been established. In some districts, people's contribution to education is equal to or greater than the funds earmarked for this purpose from the state budget.