Decree 360/2026/ND-CP: Changes to the Investment and Operating Conditions for Preschools and General Education Schools
Vietnam Simplifies School Licensing: What Investors and Education Operators Need to Know
Vietnam has introduced significant changes to the establishment and operation of preschools and general education schools.
Effective 17 September 2026, Decree No. 360/2026/ND-CP streamlines administrative procedures, decentralises licensing authority and introduces greater flexibility for investors.
In our latest DN Legal – Did You Know?, we examine the key changes and their practical implications.
Key developments include:
🔹 Decentralised licensing — authority over ordinary preschools, primary and lower secondary schools, including foreign-invested schools, moves to commune level.
🔹 Faster approvals — prescribed processing periods are reduced to 10–15 working days for general education schools and 12 working days for preschools, subject to complete and valid applications.
🔹 Simplified establishment procedures — detailed establishment projects are no longer required, although evidence of suitable premises must be provided earlier.
🔹 More flexible investment documentation — investors may demonstrate financial resources through appropriate funding commitments, expenditure records and asset contributions.
🔹 School naming and relocation — new naming requirements and a dedicated relocation procedure, avoiding the need to repeat establishment and operating-licence applications.
🔹 Stronger compliance oversight — clearer rules on enrolment suspension, suspension of educational activities and licence revocation.
Two important deadlines for existing schools:
* 1 January 2027: Certain private schools established by two or more investors before 2026 must reorganise their investing entity.
* 17 September 2027: Schools using potentially misleading names suggesting international, national or special status must complete the applicable renaming procedure.
What does this mean for investors?
Decree 360 makes school establishment and licensing more efficient, but simplified procedures do not mean relaxed substantive requirements.
Investors and operators should review their licensing arrangements, premises, funding documentation, school names and ownership structures to ensure compliance with the new framework.
Our Legal Update provides a detailed analysis of the changes, transitional provisions and practical recommendations for domestic and foreign investors.
Read the full DN Legal Legal Update attached below.
DN Legal | International Perspective. Deep Local Knowledge.
Comments