What are the 8 vocational training programs in Ho Chi Minh City that meet international standards?

Eight training programs at two colleges in Ho Chi Minh City have been recognized by international accreditation organizations as meeting the quality standards for training programs.

On January 23rd, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training organized a conference to summarize the achievements of 2025 and review the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year in the field of vocational education and training (VET) at the Vietnam-Singapore Vocational College (Thuan Giao Ward).

Quality is gradually approaching international standards.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Continuing Education, Vocational Training and University Education (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training), said that after merging with the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau provinces, as of December 31, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City will have 478 vocational education institutions, including 103 public and 375 private units.

Specifically, the city's vocational education and training system currently includes 76 colleges (40 public, 36 private); 78 vocational secondary schools (26 public, 52 private); 29 vocational education and continuing education centers (100% public); 74 vocational training centers (6 public, 68 private) and 221 registered vocational education and training establishments, mainly private enterprises.

Not only has the number of training facilities expanded, but the number of learners in Ho Chi Minh City's vocational education and training system has also recorded remarkable figures. By the end of 2025, the entire city will have 198,507 learners at various vocational education and training levels. Of these, the college level accounts for the highest proportion with 96,515 learners (48.62%); the intermediate level has 49,615 learners (24.99%); the basic level has 21,779 learners (10.97%); and the remaining 30,598 learners participate in regular training programs (15.41%).

According to Ms. Truong Hai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, by the end of 2025, nearly 200,000 people will be receiving vocational training.

PHOTO: YEN THI

According to Ms. Truong Hai Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, this structure shows a clear shift from short-term, basic training to training highly skilled human resources to meet the requirements of industrialization, modernization, and international integration.

Notably, quality accreditation according to international standards continues to be a highlight of vocational education in Ho Chi Minh City. As of December 31, 2025, the city has one private college (Kent International College) recognized by the NCFE organization (UK) as meeting the quality accreditation standards for vocational education institutions.

Notably, eight training programs at the two colleges have been recognized by international accreditation organizations as meeting quality standards for training programs. Specifically, Cao Thang Technical College has four programs accredited by ABET (USA), including: Automotive Engineering Technology; Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology; Mechanical Engineering Technology; and Thermal Engineering Technology. Kent International College has four programs accredited by NCFE (UK), including: Multimedia Communication; Business Administration; Restaurant Management; and E-commerce.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, having one vocational education institution and eight training programs that meet international standards is clear evidence that the quality of vocational education in Ho Chi Minh City is gradually approaching regional and global standards, helping learners acquire sufficient knowledge and skills to compete in the ASEAN and global labor markets.

Suggesting a "shared college" model

Ms. Truong Hai Thanh stated that the city's vocational education and training (VET) system has never faced such significant structural and geographical changes as it does now. 2025 marks two important milestones: the transfer of state management of VET from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Education and Training, effective March 1st; and the merger of three localities, effective July 1st, expanding the development space of VET to the entire southern key economic region.

In the context of system restructuring, many delegates contributed ideas on the "shared college" model – seen as a new direction to optimize resources and improve the quality of training.

Mr. Tran Van Nam, Vice Principal of FPT Polytechnic College, believes that each school has its own strengths in terms of facilities and teaching staff. Sharing should focus on sharing facilities, such as in fields requiring significant investment like mechanical engineering and automation; and at the same time, sharing expert resources, especially teaching staff with high academic ranks and degrees from schools with a long tradition.

The principal of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Medical College offers suggestions on the "shared college" model.

PHOTO: YEN THI

Master Le Tan Cuong, Principal of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Medical College, emphasized that sharing aims to create healthy, open, and transparent competition. Accordingly, schools can share resources invested by the state, share management experience, share experience in business cooperation, and especially share training programs, so that all can improve quality, attract students, and meet the needs of society.

Ms. Phan Thi Le Thu, Vice Principal of Vien Dong College, proposed expanding sharing in the business aspect by researching the establishment of industry-specific business councils and developing shared "business semester" models among multiple schools. This would help businesses access a wider range of human resources and provide students with more opportunities for practical experience.

The principal of Viet My College of Economics and Technology believes that the "shared college" model presents both opportunities and challenges. Private schools have the opportunity to learn, access resources, and improve the quality of training, but they are also forced to continuously update their curricula and raise the standards of their teaching staff to meet overall requirements.

Concluding this discussion, Mr. Pham Phuong Binh, Deputy Head of the Department of Continuing Education, Vocational Training and Higher Education (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training), stated that they are researching the application of the "Shared University" model of the University of Information Technology, which has already been approved. To gradually apply and implement the "Shared College" model, the focus will initially be on infrastructure and training staff, aiming to build a strong community of colleges and vocational schools, and develop the field of vocational education.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/8-nganh-dao-tao-gdnn-tai-tphcm-dat-chuan-quoc-te-gom-nhung-nganh-nao-185260123194039103.htm