Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training has issued official letter No. 5069/BGDĐT-GDPT, mandating that all general education students regularly practice at least one sport and one musical instrument or art form by the time they complete their schooling, starting in the 2026/27 academic year.
The Push for Physical Activity in Vietnamese Schools
According to summary data from the 2021–2025 school sports promotion project, more than 56 percent of students participate in extracurricular sports activities, representing over 10.4 million children who exercise regularly. More than 90 percent of schools currently maintain sports clubs.
Despite those figures, the World Health Organization warns that 82 to 91 percent of Vietnamese adolescents aged 11 to 17—particularly girls—fail to meet daily physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes per day. Formal physical education schedules currently allocate only about 70 minutes per week, falling short of recommended thresholds.
Schools Offer Voluntary Sports Without Affecting Academic Grades
To address the shortfall without burdening academic workloads, the new policy requires educational institutions to build conditions allowing students to voluntarily register for at least one sport matching their interests, health status, and practical capabilities. The Ministry stipulated that sports participation will not serve as a grading criterion for academic performance, nor will it extend regular class hours.
Schools must establish and develop sports clubs according to local demand, organize regular exchange programs and sports days, and expand training access by coordinating with families and local authorities. Urban and rural institutions already offer varying models. At Quang Trung Primary School in Hanoi’s Cua Nam ward, after-school basketball, martial arts, badminton, and chess classes have operated for years. Nearby secondary institutions like Trung Vuong School see high student participation in pickleball, badminton, and basketball.
Urban Density and Academic Priorities Hinder Sports Mandates
Implementing the mandate faces significant logistical hurdles, particularly in densely populated urban centers. A typical school day for city students often begins around 6 a.m. and stretches past 9 p.m. due to extra classes and homework. Many parents continue to view athletics as secondary play, prioritizing academic instruction above physical health.
Urban density also limits physical space. School yards, residential playgrounds, and neighborhood recreation areas in cities are frequently cramped or absent, while public parks remain distant. Conversely, rural areas offer open land, but schools there frequently lack trained instructors and proper equipment.
Cultural and social barriers persist as well. Many female students hesitate to participate due to concerns about sweating, fear of criticism regarding traditional gender expectations, or the absence of dedicated girls’ sports teams.
Family Support Improves Student Habits Through Physical Activity
Addressing these structural hurdles requires a supportive, non-coercive approach where families play a central role. Lan Anh, the mother of a seventh-grade student in Hanoi, noted that structured physical activity yielded immediate behavioral shifts.
My child is a good student, but spends the entire day in front of the phone and television,
Lan Anh said. Since joining the school’s badminton club, he eats dinner regularly, goes to bed early, and is more active. These changes might sound unspectacular, but that is exactly what all parents wish for.
Simple household adjustments—such as weekend family sports outings, encouraging children to walk or bicycle to commute rather than ride motorbikes, or playing casual matches in the neighborhood—help reframe exercise as a recreational outlet rather than a forced chore. While mastering a sport does not automatically produce an elite athlete, daily movement builds foundational health, confidence, and social competence for future generations.
Next Steps for Educational Institutions
Schools across Vietnam have until the start of the 2026/27 academic year to restructure club offerings, secure facility partnerships, and integrate the voluntary arts and sports pathways outlined in official letter No. 5069/BGDĐT-GDPT.
