Setting up a common platform
Implementing Resolution 71-NQ/TW 2025 of the Politburo, on December 26, 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training announced the selection of the book set Connecting Knowledge with Life of Vietnam Education Publishing House as a general education textbook for uniform use nationwide from the 2026-2027 school year.
Along with that, the Ministry of Education and Training will gradually shift from buying many sets of textbooks to directly supporting students, with the goal of completing the provision of free books by 2030.
Ms. Phan Thi Thuc Hanh - Principal of Phuong Mai Secondary School (Kim Lien ward, Hanoi) - said that from 2026, implementing the policy of 1 unified set of textbooks, the school will switch to using the book "Connecting Knowledge with Life".
Ms. Hanh believes that all 3 current sets of books have been appraised by the Ministry of Education and Training, and have been allowed to circulate and be widely used in schools for many years. Therefore, switching to 1 unified set of textbooks does not disrupt teaching and learning. Conversely, when using 1 set of books, it will create unity and convenience for parents and students.
Teachers do not need to participate in training, but the school will review the program to ensure effective implementation" - Ms. Hanh expressed.
At Doan Ket Elementary School (Long Bien ward, Hanoi), Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu - Principal of the school - said that in recent years, this school has used the Knowledge Connection with Life kit.
In the new year, teachers will continue to teach, with absolutely no changes or disruptions" - Ms. Lieu said.
From an expert perspective, Dr. Vu Thu Huong - former lecturer of the Faculty of Elementary Education, Hanoi National University of Education - acknowledged that the unification of a common set of textbooks is an adjustment to establish a common foundation, but still maintains flexibility and suitability with reality.
Avoid wastefulness, build 4 key tasks
Explaining the reason for choosing Connecting Knowledge with Life to make common textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training said that this set of books is most synchronous and readily available, compared to 3 sets of books developed in the textbook socialization phase. This is also the set of books with the most textbooks of subjects/educational activities at all 3 levels (Primary, Secondary, High School) specified in the 2018 General Education Program.
However, the Ministry of Education and Training affirms that it does not deny the scientific, pedagogical and practical value of textbook sets that have been compiled, appraised and approved before such as "Kite", "Creative Horizon" because these are all intellectual products built and approved in accordance with regulations, fully meeting the requirements of the General Education Program promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training. In the transition period, these textbook sets are not removed, but transferred from the role of regular textbooks to the role of important reference materials and learning aids. Schools and libraries can continue to store, exploit and use these textbook sets for teachers and students to refer to, compare, and contrast, enriching teaching and lesson content.
The Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that the unification of a set of textbooks is a strategic step to implement educational breakthroughs according to Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, ensuring that all Vietnamese students, whether in favorable or remote areas, have access to a standard, equal and humane knowledge foundation.
To effectively organize the implementation of the policy of using a unified set of textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training will focus on implementing 4 groups of key tasks and solutions including: Ensuring textbook quality, deployment capacity of teachers; Organizing textbook issuance in a cost-effective and efficient direction; Promoting textbook digitization, developing a common digital learning ecosystem; Strengthening communication to create social consensus.
The Ministry of Education and Training will organize the review, evaluation and revision, and completion (if necessary) of the set of textbooks "Connecting Knowledge with Life" to ensure the quality of science, pedagogy and standards when implemented and used uniformly nationwide.
At the same time, the Ministry directs the organization of training and fostering of teachers nationwide on how to approach and exploit a unified set of textbooks, associated with the flexible use of other reference learning materials, in accordance with the requirements of the general education program.
In the coming time, the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to promote information and propaganda to help parents, teachers and society understand correctly and fully about the implementation of the policy of using a unified set of textbooks nationwide" - the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed.
