Exploring Informality in Higher Education in Vietnam: Causes, Impacts and Government Responses

This chapter considers the governance and administration of higher education in Vietnam. At face value Vietnam seems to be on the right track, especially when considering the huge numbers of students the education system is now able to educate. Yet, constraints and problems are emerging such as a pervasive achievement obsession, while reforms over time were always top-down. Most worrisome is that the very system of education appears to be affected by corruption where too many cases, scams or scandals have been reported in state media so that education quality appears to be under pressure. This chapter argues that it is critical to first map the informal dynamics and mechanisms where students may enter universities illegitimately through bribing, where research may be contracted out, and where promotions may be based on invoking powerful relations. Hence, this exploratory text aims to be constructive by studying such issues with a view to help frame relevant policy. It argues that malfeasance in education can only be understood against the wider context of informality in Vietnam's governance; against recent (neo-liberal) governance shifts as well as cultural legacies and informal power dynamics. Against the gloomy depiction of corrupt practices, there appears to be some reason for optimism. For one thing, there is reason to believe that that there are plenty well- or adequately performing universities across the country. Most importantly, the Government of Vietnam and the Communist Party are well aware of the issues – and their negative impacts on national development. Policy and reforms to address educational corruption have been and are being implemented, raising hopes that things may improve – along with increased mechanisms of accountability, transparency and participation.