Honorary professors must have a doctorate degree

Lawyer Ho Thu Trang, YouMe Law Company Limited answers:

Clause 1, Clause 2, Article 10 of Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP detailing a number of articles of the Law on Education (effective from March 15, 2026) stipulates the conferment of the title of Honorary Professor as follows:

1. Subjects to be awarded:

a) Teachers, scientists;

b) Political and social activists.

2. Conditions for being awarded:

a) Meeting the conditions specified in Clause 2, Article 9 of this Decree;

b) Has a PhD.

Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree No. 66/2026/ND-CP detailing a number of articles of the Law on Education (effective from March 15, 2026) stipulates the conferment of the title of Honorary Doctor as follows:

2. Conditions for being awarded:

a) Being a Vietnamese person residing abroad or a foreigner with many achievements contributing to the cause of education and science of Vietnam, being awarded by a higher education institution training at the doctoral level of Vietnam based on the level of contribution to the field of training, research, strengths or development orientation of the higher education institution and the criteria of the higher education institution for the subjects specified in point a, clause 1 of this Article;

b) Being a Vietnamese person residing abroad or a foreigner with many achievements contributing to the cause of education and science of Vietnam, having international prestige, having many achievements and contributions to friendship, to socio-economic development of Vietnam and being trained by a higher education institution with a PhD level of Vietnam based on the level of contribution to the field of training, researching strengths or development orientation of the higher education institution and according to the criteria of the higher education institution to confer on the subjects specified in Point b, Clause 1 of this Article.

Thus, from March 15, 2026, individuals awarded the title of Honorary Professor must have a doctorate degree according to the above regulations.