The following fields of study will be 100% tuition-free in 2026.

From education and healthcare to cutting-edge technology fields, the tuition-free and financial aid policies for 2026 are creating a major turning point, attracting students to pursue strategic workforce sectors for the country.

In accordance with Decree No. 97/2023/ND-CP and current legal documents, the policy of 100% tuition fee exemption continues to be a solid foundation for students studying political theory majors such as Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. These majors train human resources to serve theoretical work, propaganda, and political education at educational institutions, academies, and Party schools.

In the healthcare sector, students pursuing specialized majors at public training institutions under a quota system, such as Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Psychiatry, Forensic Medicine, Forensic Psychiatry, or Pathology, do not have to worry about tuition fees. These are healthcare fields that are difficult to recruit for and require a long-term workforce, so the government maintains a policy of fully subsidizing training costs to ensure the smooth operation of the healthcare system nationwide.

In implementing the new Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, two key fields, Infectious Diseases and Intensive Care, have been added to the list of those eligible for full tuition and living expense support, provided that students meet the academic and training requirements of their respective training institutions. This addition is a crucial step in addressing the shortage of infectious disease and intensive care doctors that has become apparent after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside the health sector, teacher training students maintain their priority status with tuition-free education across all levels, from preschool and primary to high school. Furthermore, teacher training students receive a monthly living allowance of 3.63 million VND throughout their studies, in accordance with Decree 116/2020/ND-CP on policies supporting tuition fees and living expenses for teacher training students.

For academies and universities under the Public Security and Military sectors, military students will continue to receive comprehensive tuition fee exemptions and current allowances. This mechanism affirms the State's special attention to human resources serving national defense and security in 34 provinces and cities nationwide.

One of the most notable highlights in the 2026 admissions roadmap is the draft scholarship policy for students studying basic sciences and strategic technologies, often referred to as STEM scholarships. Expected to be implemented from September 1st, 2026, the Ministry of Education and Training is submitting to the Government a list of 15 priority fields, including key areas such as Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Technology, and cutting-edge engineering fields like electronics and telecommunications, mechanical engineering, and construction. This is considered a long-term strategy to attract young talents to pursue key engineering fields, serving the nation's sustainable development goals in the new era.

The proposed scholarship support is highly competitive, ranging from approximately 3.7 million to 5.5 million VND per month for undergraduate students. Students pursuing higher education, such as master's and doctoral degrees, can receive up to 8.4 million VND per month, providing a significant incentive for in-depth scientific research. Combining traditional tuition fee waivers with new STEM scholarship packages, the higher education system in 2026 promises to deliver equity and exceptional development opportunities for students in all essential sectors of society.