What is the literacy rate in Vietnam? Literacy rate is an important indicator of a nation’s educational and cultural progress. In Vietnam, after years of continuous efforts by the government and the education sector, the country’s literacy rate is now impressively high, comparable to that of developed countries.
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Current literacy rate in Vietnam?
As of now, Vietnam’s literacy rate is at a remarkable level. According to data from the General Department of Population and Family Planning, the literacy rate in Vietnam is:
- For individuals aged 15–35, the literacy rate stands at 98.85%.
- For individuals aged 15–60, the literacy rate is 97.29%.
The implementation of effective education policies, coupled with the government’s commitment to universal education, has played a vital role in raising the nation’s literacy rate. Programs focused on eradicating illiteracy, delivering education to remote areas, and raising public awareness of the importance of education have significantly contributed to this achievement.
Key factors behind Vietnam’s success in literacy
One of the most crucial factors contributing to the high literacy rate is the enforcement of compulsory primary education. Almost all children in Vietnam, including those from remote and mountainous areas, are able to attend school. Financial support policies for underprivileged students have been progressively improved to ensure that educational opportunities are distributed equitably across the country. These measures have effectively helped reduce illiteracy nationwide.

Challenges in eradicating Illiteracy in Vietnam
Despite the high national literacy rate, disparities remain between regions and among ethnic minority groups. In remote, rural, and mountainous areas, where economic conditions are still challenging, literacy rates are significantly lower compared to urban regions.
Notably, in northern mountainous areas and the Central Highlands, many children and adults still face difficulties in accessing education, leading to pockets of illiteracy within the population.
Furthermore, the educational infrastructure in rural and remote areas continues to face limitations. There are challenges such as inadequate learning facilities, a lack of teaching resources, and in some mountainous regions, a shortage of teachers. These factors contribute to a lower quality of education, making it more difficult to eradicate illiteracy in these areas.
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Efforts to eliminate illiteracy and improve education in Vietnam
The Vietnamese government has been working to enhance the education system by offering tuition waivers for poor students, financial assistance for semi-boarding students, and developing modern, internationally standardized educational programs and facilities.
International cooperation projects aimed at improving education quality and adopting modern teaching technologies have also yielded positive results.
Additionally, the introduction of online learning, distance education, and the use of information technology to provide educational materials has created opportunities for those who cannot attend traditional schools to continue their education.
These efforts by the government and the education sector have brought about significant improvements in Vietnam’s literacy rate, making it comparable to that of developed countries.

Female literacy rate in Vietnam
The literacy rate for women in Vietnam has also seen substantial improvement in recent decades. According to data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam and international reports, the literacy rate among Vietnamese women aged 15–60 is approximately 96.83%.
Vietnam has made great strides in providing and expanding access to education for women, especially in remote and mountainous areas such as the northern highlands and the Central Highlands. Women in these regions have benefited from educational programs aimed at increasing their literacy rate.
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Media coverage on Vietnam’s literacy efforts
According to a report from VietnamPlus, a major news outlet, efforts to eradicate illiteracy, especially in remote areas, have been actively promoted by the government and the Ministry of Education. The current literacy rate among individuals aged 15–60 in Vietnam has reached 98.85%. (Link to article: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/illiteracy-eradication-pushed-ahead-in-vietnam-post267596.vnp).

In Conclusion
The literacy rate in Vietnam is a testament to the country’s dedication to promoting education and enhancing the intellectual capacity of its people. Continuous efforts to eradicate illiteracy have brought Vietnam closer to achieving sustainable development goals and building a knowledgeable, civilized society.









