Hanoi Department of Education and Training requests public disclosure of boarding school meal menus

In the 2025-2026 school year, 100% of primary schools and many secondary schools will provide meals for boarding students. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has just required schools to ensure food safety.

Regarding the physical facilities, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training requires that the collective kitchen must be designed and arranged according to the one-way principle: raw material reception area - preliminary processing - processing - dividing meals - sample storage. There are insect screens at the entrance and windows. There are separate hand washing and hygiene areas for staff, teachers, employees and students. Ensure enough clean water for eating and drinking, processing according to the standards of the Ministry of Health .

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training requires schools that organize meals for boarding students to take full responsibility for food safety at the unit.

Regarding food origin and quality: 100% of food must have contracts, invoices, and legal documents; clearly stating the origin and source. Only import food from establishments with food safety certificates or production and business establishments that have declared their products according to regulations. Absolutely do not use food of unknown origin, expired, or spoiled.

Regarding processing and preservation procedures: Strictly implement "Three-step inspection", check input materials, check during processing, check before use.

Store food samples according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health . Processing and storage tools must be separate for raw and cooked foods, with labels/signs to distinguish. There must be separate cabinets to store cooked foods and raw ingredients.

In particular, when signing contracts with food suppliers, meals must be assessed for food safety conditions.

"The contract must clearly state legal responsibilities if food poisoning occurs or unsafe food is provided," the Hanoi Department of Education and Training requested.

The Department also directed schools to publicly disclose their daily finances, including the total number of meals, revenue and expenditure, daily differences, as well as menus and food sources. The form is to post information on the school's bulletin board, hang QR codes in convenient locations for parents to easily look up; and update on the school's electronic information portal and social networks (if any).

Public content includes a list of food suppliers, contracts, food safety certificates, daily menus, food sample storage, 3-step food inspection results, and food delivery and receipt records.

Schools that provide meals for students are fully responsible for food safety at the facility. If there is a violation or food poisoning, they will be held responsible according to the law.

In the 2025-2026 school year, Hanoi will implement a policy of supporting free meals for primary school students. Accordingly, group 1 includes students studying in 23 mountainous communes and the Red River delta area, receiving support of 30,000 VND/day. Group 2 includes the remaining students in the whole city, receiving support of 20,000 VND/day. The maximum support period is 9 months of actual study per year, equivalent to about 180 days of meals/school year.

Hanoi City has earmarked a total budget of more than VND3,000 billion to support about 768,000 primary school students at public and private schools, excluding schools with foreign investment.